Customer Reviews

The Gates of Zion (Zion Chronicles) (Bk. 1)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Gates of Zion is a wonderfully written book about one young lady's choices during post World War II, in the setting of Jerusalem. Throughout the book she must decide whether or not she wants to involve herself in politics that are much larger than the comfortable and sheltered world to which she has grown accustomed. Through her choices, she learns more about herself and those around her, including the two men between whose love she must decide.

This book is the first in a series titled The Zion Chronicles. Bodie Thoene wrote this series first and then later wrote a series to precede this called The Zion Covenant. I would rate the first series a full five stars. All were excellently written. I found them to be very well developed and descriptive. I found The Gates of Zion to be no exception to this style of writing. Bodie Thoene did a superb job of painting scenes for my imagination to witness. The level of description in all of her books creates a separate world through which I am able to watch her characters live their lives.

I rate this book at four stars solely based upon a fault of my own. Not being very well informed as to post WWII history, I found that this book, The Gates of Zion, was slightly more difficult to get into than those of the first series. It took me a while to get fully absorbed in it. However, once I started to understand a little better the events taking place, I could hardly put the book down.

I found the book to always have me wanting to know more. It was very exciting in the way that I was constantly being surprised. It was not a predictable book in the least. I had to read it to find out what the end results would be. If there was any guessing on my part it was only speculation as to what new twist the author was going to send my way next. I found this to keep me on my toes and kept my interest in the book. I just had to know what was going to happen, and therefore found it difficult to put away when my time would not allow for reading.

I also found this book to be inspirational. The faith in God the characters exhibit in their daily lives and when in the face of adversity is very encouraging. I know that this book is fiction, and yet the faith and trust they show in God is something that I believe anyone can obtain. It is not unrealistic in that the characters have a faith of which no one would be capable. It is presented in such a way that it makes you forget that the book is indeed fiction.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting book. It has the ability to keep one on the edge of their seat wanting to know more. I know this was defenately the case for me.

Never have I come across a better author. Bodie Theone (tay-nee) is truly amazing. These books are full of drama. It's like the characters became my friends. When I finished the series, It felt as though I lost some good friends. I really don't know if I could be as entertained, enlightened and fulfilled by reading anything else after reading this series. Originally I was checking the series out one at a time from the library. But when I realized I'd finally found something I couldn't put down, I figured I better buy the whole series. I have never bought books before, because I've never found anything worthy of being read more than once. I was just so compelled and I want to share her writings with all my friends and family. She's spectacular. So is anything written by her husband Brock, who helps her co-write everything. It's almost like watching a movie, because there are so many plots intertwined. I was shocked to read the epilogue in RETURN TO ZION. You'll have to find out for yourself. Just don't start reading in the middle of the series. If I could never read another authors works but one it would be the Theone's. - Megan Villa

Action, intrigue, romance! This book has it all. Ellie Warne, a young American photographer suddenly finds herself thrust into the role of photojournalist for "Life" magazine, covering the turmoil between the Jews, Arabs and British in 1947 Palestine.Throw in the mix an assortment of characters, including the brave Moshe and David, who vie for Ellie's attention, as well as Rachel, a beautiful Jewess who had been forced into prostitution in Auschwitz during World War II and you have people you can be interested in. Bodie Thoene can excellently craft a novel and turn a phrase and she definitely has done it in this book!

I picked the first one up at my local library, and had to have more. If you like adventure, a little romance, and great historical fiction, this is it. It grabs your attention, immerses you in the characters, and lights a sympathy for the events. Get the whole series, they're great!

I've always enjoyed Christian fiction, particularly historical Christian fiction, but this book has me hooked on Bodie Thoene. She presents her characters in such a real way that I cried when I finished the series, because I wouldn't see the characters again.

Also, this book, and the series in general, has given me a very real appreciation for Israel's struggle for peace and recognition. It's taught me to value the freedom I have. Reading about those who will stand up for what they believe in, at any cost, and those who will stand up for others, has left me with the desire to do likewise.

If you like Bodie Thoene, or even if you have never read any of her books but enjoy historical fiction, give this book a try. I was so hooked I finished all five books in the Zion Chronicles and the three books in the Shiloh Legacy in six months, in spite of college studies

I did thoroughly enjoy the book, it is paced well and has an interesting plot. I will continue and finish the series and would recomend it to others.

That being said though, do not kid yourselves about this being great fiction. The characters are not well fleshed, they are somewhat stereotypical. It is very black and white, whereas there is much more grey in the issue being covered in the book. The fact that any prominent jew in the book is a "messiah believer" or is at least very friendly to Christians.

This is Christian fiction, but some of those things just stretch the truth a little much, and make for a bit of a contrite book. Please don't read these comments as attacking Christians either - I am one, in fact I am a seminary student and I will one day be a missionary. I liked the book, I liked the way the Gospel was woven into it.

But this book to me screams "average quality young adult" writting. Is it enjoyable? Certainly. So are many popcorn-action movies and light-hearted comedies. But you don't mistake those movies for award-winning top-quality films, and you don't mistake this book for outstanding fiction.

Enjoyable? Absolutely. It kept me turning the pages and very interested. Accurate? At some points, but mirky on others. Great fiction? No. It has it's share of issues.

"The Gates of Zion" begins with a brief prologue set in Qumran, 68 C.E.. Jerusalem has just fallen to the Romans. A Jewish scribe quickly and carefully copies the last passages of the book of the Prophet Isaiah. Then he wraps the scroll in linen, coats the linen with pitch, and prepares to bury it in a clay jar - along with all the other scrolls. He makes sure, at this hour of his death, that the words of God will be preserved for future generations. The Dead Sea Scrolls are about to be hidden.

Two millennia later, on November 29, 1947, the UN General Assembly, in its 128th plenary session, by a two-thirds vote (33 to 13 with Britain and nine others abstaining), passed Resolution 181 partitioning Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. The Arab national movement in Palestine, as well as all the Arab countries, angrily rejected partition. Almost immediately there was Arab violence against the Jews in Palestine.

Ellie Warne is an American photojournalist for LIFE Magazine, who unknowingly becomes the focus of danger when she takes pictures of ancient scrolls recently discovered by Bedouins. Ellie is staying with her uncle Howard, an archeologist, in Jerusalem. She finds new purpose when she decides to help the Hagganah prepare to defend the city of Jerusalem after the Partition.

Rachel Lubetkin is a beautiful Jewish Holocaust survivor. She left the concentration camps behind in Europe, along with a big part of her soul. On her arm she bears the tattooed legacy, "Nur Fur Offizere, "For Officers Only." The Nazis had used her as a prostitute. She is shunned by many of the refugees and called a traitor for not choosing death over forced prostitution.

Moshe Sacher is a brilliant archeological linguist at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is also an active Hagganah leader who smuggles European Jews, refugees from the camps, into Palestine. Moshe, a tall, slender, good looking young man, is in love with Ellie Warne.

David Meyer, a US Air Force war vet, is also in love with Ellie. He has come to Palestine for her, and also to help form the new State of Israel's air force. David, a reckless, carefree man, never realized the extent of his affection for Ellie until she left California. Now he wants her back, but she has another man on her mind, as well as her career and the commitment she made to build the newly formed state.

Nine year-old Yacov Lebowitz lives in the Old Jewish City of Jerusalem with his elderly grandfather, a Rabbi. Yacov was in Palestine with his grandfather when his parents and siblings were taken away by the Germans.

These characters and many more - Jew, Arab and British - hero and villain - come together to make this an action-packed historical novel. Ms. Brodie's narrative is obviously biased. Her tale is based on the Jewish/Zionist point of view. While she exposes the cruelty, deception and politics of Arab terrorism, she never mentions the Palestinian Muslim's position. The author is Christian and her own religious beliefs come to the fore from time to time.

While I enjoyed much of the plot, I think that the novel is written on a Young Adult level. I prefer historical fiction with more depth and objectivity. The characters are too simplistic for my taste. I read Leon Uris' "Exodus" when I was 13 years-old, and it appeals to me as much today as it did years ago. Mr. Uris tells a similar story with more historical facts and perspective. His characters are much more complex also. And frankly, I prefer an author's religious preferences to remain with the author. I didn't realize until after I purchased the novel that it is labeled "Christian Fiction." As I am not a Christian, I felt a bit uncomfortable at times.

I do recommend Bodie Thoene's "Gates of Zion" for those who enjoy Christian Fiction and are looking for an action novel depicting Israel's struggle for statehood.
JANA

I wanted to know more about this time period in Israel's history and a friend recommended Thoene's series. I really enjoyed the book, especially the way the author intertwined the character's lives. I rated this book 4 stars because the outcome of the romance was fairly predictable from the start. But it was a satisfying read that I would recommend.

This book was very powerful! The stories were taken mostly from actual events that took place post WWII in Palestine and Jerusalem. A must read book!

The characters of this most unusual series will live with you for a long time. Character development is superb, plot is excellent and there is much drama and suspense. Plenty of romance, but nothing nasty. Setting is in Israel before it became a nation. The struggles and victories of a people struggling for independance will live on with you for a long time. Wish Thoenes would write more sequels to this series. The Best in reading.