Customer Reviews

The Revelation (Abram's Daughters #5)

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

What a nice ending to the terrific series of books by Lewis! The Revelation begins with Leah's long lost love, Jonas, coming back to Grasshopper Level and attempting to reunite with both his church and his never-forgotten love. Long-kept secrets must find their way into the open, old hostilities must be resolved, and new and old loves must be kindled. Lewis ties every thread up neatly, even if at times it does become a bit "preachy." Still, these characters have found a special place in my heart and will do so to anyone who reads these books. The character arcs over the series are believable and the situations they face must be overcome in ways that bring them to know themselves and God in new ways. Highly recommended.

It's hard to find the words to explain how much I enjoyed this series and how it captured my attention and heart! It had a sort-of "Fiddler on the Roof" feeling, where Abram (and the Amish community) progressively relaxes its strict standards over the years without sacrificing their beliefs and traditions, beginning with the harsh shunning of Sadie and ending with the acceptance of the younger children becoming Mennonites and Abe's freer way of life.

The Revelation doesn't stand on its own, but rather neatly ties together everything that was pending from the previous stories. Yes, new elements were introduced which could have been developed further (two examples: the revelation of, and subesquent relationship between, Leah and her natural father, and a more deeply detailed involvement into how Lyddie and Jake find happiness after it is revealed why they cannot stay together despite their strong love). Yet, it wasn't the author's purpose to expand this series into new directions but rather to provide closure to this lovely and often troubled family. After immersing myself into the lives of this family and community over the years through the previous 4 books, this purpose was very satisfyingly achieved.

I couldn't help my tears from flowing as soulmates Leah and Jonas resumed their romance after 20 years of being unfairly kept apart by circumstances beyond their control. Their renewed courtship was very touching! I found the way they overcame the harsh punishment inflicated on Jonas to be too convenient, and it would have been more satisfying to have the younger and more understanding/compassionate Bishops and Preachers stand up to the unreasonable elder Bishop, especially after it was revealed why he was still intentionally keeping Leah and Jonas apart, but I suppose that isn't the Amish way.

It also touched me very deeply how Leah orchestrated a solid reconciliation between the Mast and Ebersol families.

This is a feel-good, inspirational series that gives insight into a lifestyle and culture that is kept quite private and is often misunderstood.

This book was one of Beverly Lewis best!! Once I started reading it I could hardly put it down until I finished it!! Then I was sorry I had finished it -- I wanted more!!

I thought that this book answered all those questions I have been holding onto since I finished Book 4. I am so glad to see all the sisters happy. Leah's relationship with Jonas has finally come to fruition and it's good to see her family so supportive of her even though she's waited so long to get married. I was also glad to see Hannah finally stable...she's been close to the deep end the last couple of books. It would be nice to see Beverly Lewis return to these characters at some point...I know she has a new series coming out in November. I can't wait!

This book was the perfect ending to a captivating series. Abram's Daughters is a fabulous series full twists, family secrets, and unpredictable situations while continually talking of God's love and how God has impacted the lives of the characters. Mrs. Lewis did an excellent job of fully developing the characters. The work God was doing in their lives was very evident. Each character really changed and progressed during the 20 yr period. This final book resolved many of the questions that remained unanswered in the first two books. Although, one of the final twists was a bit far fetched.

I too looked forward to this book since reading (and purchasing) all the previous ones in this series. I have to say that I liked this series conclusion more than the "Katie Lapp" series conclusion. There's more of the happy ever after side to it and not so many dissappointments. One of the main questions for me was how Lyddie and Jake were going to be told that they were aunt and nephew, and I think that ended quite well.
At last, all the secrets are out in the open, there's no more loose ends and pretty much everybody is happy! A perfect ending!

Leah Ebersol has patiently waited several years for her one true love to return to their Gobbler's Knob Amish community. Jonas Mast had gone to Ohio following a hurtful misunderstanding caused by feuding parents.

Having discovered that Leah had remained faithful to their love even after so long, he could do nothing less than go back to her and do whatever the bishop deemed necessary to prove himself worthy of the People. Even if it meant giving up his love of woodworking and spending his life toiling in the fields or the blacksmith shop instead.

Jonas's return would ultimately spark another, one that would bring with it the inevitability of opening long-buried secrets. Jonas's younger brother, Jake, comes back to Gobbler's Knob under the pretense of speaking to the bishop on Jonas's behalf. In actuality, he wishes to court and eventually marry Leah's sister Lydiann.

Unbeknownst to the main players, this is a relationship that cannot happen and bringing the reason to light could cause permanent damage to the already tenuous association between the Ebersol and Mast families. This Pandora's Box will have long-reaching and potentially long-lasting effects.

In Beverly Lewis's fifth and final installment to the Abram's Daughters series, the sins of the past and the hopes of the future are all wrapped up into one tidy package. Lewis has a firm grasp on the inner workings of the Amish community - their language, customs and beliefs - and weaves an intriguing, albeit sometimes confusing, story.

In this final book of Abram's daughter's, many things are happening at once. Sadie has settled in well, and she and Leah have become the very best of friends. Abram has married Aunt Lizzie, Leah's birthmom.

Lydiann is well into her rumpspringhe years, and happens to fall in love with cousin Jake Mast, of whom all of the Ebersol's are estranged from and appears that it would be that way forever. And Leah and Sadie both know that they are going to have to get Lydiann away from Jake as she is his aunt and does not know it. Sadie gave birth to Jake and then Dr. Scoltz swapped her baby with Fannie Mast's dead twin, knowing that it would have been a disgrace to Sadie to keep Jake at the time. When the terrible secret is discovered, Henry Mast, the father wants Jake out of his sight, and is killing mad. And since Jonas is very much in love with Leah, he goes along with Jake too. This is a sad state of affairs.

Mary Ruth is very happy and is expecting her second baby in this book.

Sadie is falling in love with Eli Yoder, and the two go courting together and eventually make plans to marry by the end of the book.

Hannah is expecting yet another baby, and is always fighting depression constantly. She becomes involved with this witchcraft doctor, which makes Gid very displeased. When he finds out what Hannah is doing, he makes her promise to not give in to the witchcraft doctor again. But when Hannah breaks her promise the second time, it causes a rift between the two for awhile.

Bishop Bontrager has forbidden Leah and Jonas to marry until Jonas's proving is complete, which the bishop has extended when he finds out that Jonas has been working with wood, which he is not supposed to do. The bishop makes him completely commit to farming, which is what all the Amish men are supposed to be doing. Then when a tragedy occurs, and Jonas plays a role in tryingto rescue Bishop Bontrager in a buggy accident, things change and Jonas's proving will be cut short. A new bishop is then appointed from Ohio whom is more open-minded.

The Mast family, (cousins), and Ebersol's will come together after Henry is involved in yet another buggy accident because of his drunkeness. Leah sees Henry on this day, and gets hurt herself trying to help her drunk cousin out. Abram and Abe take Henry to their home to get him out of the cold and into bed. It is then that things turn around and Henry changes his whole attitude for the better.

Leah has another surprise in store when Lizzie tells her who her birth father is. It is another surprise waiting to be discovered.

And when Jonas and Leah finally wed, it is the greatest day of all.

I have been waiting about eight months for this book and was very excited to finally get it. I was MOSTLY thrilled at the much anticipated denoument of the series, however, I agree with the reviewer who said it left a few things open. I would like to have seen the issue of Leah's father explored a little more, and I was disheartened that the the character of Lizzie was not more in focus. Up until this point, Lizzie has always been a great confidant, but she just hangs flatly in the background in The Revelation. I loved the idea of Sadie and Leah being close again, and as always I was fascinated by the Amish customs and hyppocracies. I also loved that Ms. Lewis shows us many viewpoints instead of writing from just ONE point of view. All in all it was a pretty good book.

As much as I hated to see this series come to its end...it does mean something great...Beverly will soon have a NEW SERIES to enjoy! lol
This final book in the series-'Abram's daughters' was just incredible!
I don't want to give anything away, so I'll simply say, that in all Beverly's works, and this series is NO different, she portrays, so true-to-life, the ways, lifestyle and heritage of the Amish people of Lancaster, Pa.
I know this subject VERY well as I visit that area MANY times a year and absolutly LOVE it there. Plus, I have friends among the Amish and Mennonite people, correspond with many across the country, have been in their homes and have even stayed with them-so YES, Beverly does a superb job in getting the facts and even the dialect of Pennsylvania Dutch, perfectly!
She so expertly 'paints' a scene with her pen and brings to life, her characters, their lives and the settings.
I HIGHLY recommend THIS and ALL of Beverly's books to anyone interested in this subject...or anyone who loves a great read-because that's exactly what Beverly's books are!

Beverly, herself, has even personally responded to my e-mails and even sent me an autographed bookmark! She's a delight, as are her books!