Customer Reviews

The Jerusalem Scrolls (The Zion Legacy, Book 4)

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

 

 

Forget for a moment this is the fourth book in a series. Forget you've been following characters whose lives are enmeshed in the drama of mid-1948 and the struggle for Israeli independence. For 250 pages, imagine you are discovering the incredible back-story to this modern conflict in Jerusalem.

The Thoenes break new ground here, jumping back two millenia to unravel the story of Mary (Miryam) Magdalene and her connections to the life of Jesus (Yeshua). I've admired the Thoenes ability to recreate the era of the 1930's and 40's, but to see them jump to 30 A.D...Wow! The transition is seamless. I was quickly transported to the troubled times and life of young Miryam and her centurion lover. I found myself caught up in the story and surprised at the ease with which the authors slipped fiction into the historical framework. In these pages, the Thoenes do wonders, making the lives and relationships of those represented in the Gospels come alive. They breathe fresh perspective into this oft-told tale and make it wholly believable and accessible for a modern reader.

From what I understand, the next book or two in The Jerusalem Legacy will continue the biblical back-story. (This book ends at the point of Jesus meeting with the woman caught in adultery.) Although I wish the Thoenes had finished their present series and made the story of these scrolls into its own entity, I'll certainly look forward to the continuation...of both. While remaining true to the known facts and to the spirit of the Bible, the Thoenes delve into the hearts and minds of those who later became known in the Scriptures. I'll never see Mary or the centurion or Caiaphas the same. Through "The Jerusalem Scrolls" they've become living, breathing people. With style and great sensitivity, this book shows once again why the Thoenes are one of the best writing teams going.

Taking a break from the 1948 storyline of the rest of the series, this book tells the story of two people during the first century. Miryam is a lonely widow and Marcus is her centurion lover. Because of her relationship with Marcus, Miryam has been outcast from her family and community. Slowly, she is sinking into depression. Marcus, meanwhile, must struggle with keeping the peace in this foreign land while avoiding his nemesis Vara. From Capernaum and Nazareth to Caesarea Maritima and Jerusalem, the Thoenes weave a story full of political intrigue and personal struggle. In the midst of this, our characters come in contact with the preacher Yeshua of Nazareth. Will Miryam and Marcus let Him help them, or are they truly beyond hope?

When I first learned this book would take a break from the 1948 storyline, I was disappointed. But I decided to give the book a far reading. I'm glad I did. The Thoenes have proven once again what wonderful storytellers they are. This novel combines several Biblical stories with the fiction for a powerful tale of grace and mercy. I was moved to tears several times while reading.

My only disappointment was that the story ended so soon. While I hope the next novel continues with Moshe, Rachel, David, Ellie, Alfie, and the others, I would love to see a stand-alone novel about these characters. There is certainly room for more.

I am curious to see if they will work this story into the overall storyline somehow, or if the prologue and epilogue will be the only connection with the rest of the series.

I cannot recommend this novel highly enough. Their storytelling will enthrall their fans, and new fans will quickly be won over. It is my favorite of their books to date. Buy it and read it today.

With the fourth book of their Legacy series, the Thoene's switch gears (and centuries), taking their readers from 1948 Israel back to Jesus's ministry on earth. I found myself instantly caught up in the story of Miryam and Marcus, and thoroughly enjoyed the weaving of gospel stories within the fabric of a well written novel.I'm a huge fan of their work, and to me each book is better than the last. Definitely a must read!

You really need to read this book to understand what tremendous writers the Thoneses are. They tell the story of Mary Magdalene, her pain and transformation, the way it might have been. It is amazing how many stories and people of the New Testament are
expertly woven into this story which keeps you facinated as you catch onto who you are actually reading about. (The names of people are slightly changed and you catch onto who it is as you go.)It is fun; and when my husband and I (we are reading this together) read about Jesus being interuppted by his mother and brothers, we were so delighted with their take on it and how graciously they portray the Lord. If you know the Bible well, you will get more out of this book.

This was my first introduction to the Thoenes - in the middle of a series - but it turned out to be a great place to start! This has been an incredible book!! The Thoene's are magnificent writers who weave a story with many memorable characters that leave you wanting for more. I am amazed at how they were able to include so many characters without my getting confused with all the information they supplied me with. You are first introduced with the situation being Jerusalem in 1948. Then you are taken back in time to the days of Jesus. However, you are not introduced to him in the traditional sense. You are given a behind the scenes look at people who witnessed his acts, a Roman soldier named Marcus and a Jewish woman named Miryam. It is their story that weaves throughout the book along with others. Don't hesistate to buy this book. It is worth the investment!

THIS IS SUCH AN AMAZING BOOK-I CAME TO KNOW MY LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST IN A MUCH MORE INTIMATE WAY. I GOT SO CAUGHT UP IN THE BOOK-I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. I'AM SURE I BECAME BORN AGAIN-ANEW. THRU MIRYAM, MY OWN LIFE PASSED BEFORE ME-I ASKED FORGIVENESS FOR THINGS FAR PAST. IT HIT SUCH A STRONG CORD IN ME-I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME.

I love the Thoene books. This particular book is the first book that led to a series called the "A.D. Chronicles". I love that the Thoenes have managed to create lives for many of the people in the Bible that we are familiar with in the Gospels. The books are filled with explanations regarding the culture and politics during the life of Christ. You feel that you have a deeper understanding into the lives of the people who lived then. All this is skillfully woven into the book making the stories exciting, relevant to the present, and inspiring to get back to the Bible and read more about the people who walked with Jesus. Although the book is fiction, the historical facts included are not fiction. The book is a masterfully skilled book of history intertwined with both factual and fictional people who fell within Jesus' sphere of influence. You never feel like you are reading a history book, but can't help but feel a little more connected to the past.

Once again, I have been drawn into the lives of the characters in this series. Each and every one of them has depth. One finds oneself so involved with them that putting the book down is impossible. Nothing else gets done when I am reading this series. I have gained insight into the political, religious, cultural, historical, and economic background of the establishment of the new state of Israel. One hates to see the last book end. You become such a part of the character's lives that you miss them with a terrible longing to return to their world. I can read them over and over again.

The Thoenes have put their incredible story-telling ability to work in a whole new way with this novel ... helping us imagine Jesus, the man, when He was on earth. Forget any dry images you've picked up from the King James Bible. This book brings Jesus to vivid, 3-D life and it is a remarkable opportunity to draw closer to the One who died for us. Please don't miss it, whether you're a Christian yet or not!

This was a truly wonderful book. I loved every single page and it captured my interest and never let it go. I read this book whenever I had the chance. This is probably one of Bodie and Brock Thoene's greatest works. Marcus, the Roman centurion, is potrayed as the centurion who had the sick slave and asked Jesus to heal him (Matthew 8 and Luke 7). Many times in this book it referred to when Marcus used to be cruel and unyielding. I wished that the author had written an earlier book when Marcus used to be cruel. (In fact, he was not very, very, nice in this book) Marcus, however, is quite friendly with the Jews, yet still managing to do his duty to his country. When Kuza, Herod Antipas' steward, son falls deathly ill, Marcus convinces the man to come along with him to find Yeshua (Jesus). After Jesus heals Kuza's son, Boaz, Marcus begins to feel different. Already, listening to Jesus speaks convicts him of his sins. Marcus' sweetheart, Miryam, a very wealthy Jewish woman, is found in sin according to the Jewish Law and bought before Jesus to be stoned (the incident is found in John 8)Jesus forgives her sins and sets her on a better course of life. Just after breaking the relationship with Marcus and before meeting Jesus, Miryam had been suicidal. She was rich, but there was a longing in her soul. She became more and more glum, and soon was to the point to drowning herself. Before this, Marcus enemy and archrival, a Praetorian centurion, Decimus Vara, had assaulted Carta, Marcus' servant, nearly killing the boy. Jesus healed the boy Carta, and Marcus believes that Jesus is the Messiah. Anyway, this was a truly amazing, wonderful story, which scenes life in First Century A.D. Palestine. Very accurate historically, and not anything wrong with it. You're a crazy fool who doesn't know a good book if you don't like this story. It's flawless! If I could, I'd give Bodie and Brock Thoene more than five stars...this was one hundred percent, absolutely positively excellent!