Title: Return of the Son
Author: D. M. Griffin
Series: The Encounter, book 3
Major Themes: Ancient Israel, Ancient Rome, Herod
Synopsis: Eve’s father organized a betrothal for her so that she would be provided for when he died and he would have an heir—but she didn’t trust her betrothed!
I have read a couple of books by D. M. Griffin. I really enjoyed The Winds of Ruach, and though I didn’t like The Crooked Daughter quite so well, it was good enough that when I was invited to review Return of the Son, I signed up for it without hesitation. I like some Biblical fiction—but I don’t like those books that are mainly focused on romance, or that try to recreate the story of a person in the Bible that we know a lot about and then add in a lot that doesn’t seem accurate. Based on my past experience, I felt like Return of the Son would be a book that I would enjoy.
Publisher’s description:
Her life was perfect. At least her childhood was. Eve never wanted anything except her father’s presence. As a prominent advisor to the evil King Herod, Eve’s father was split between his duties to the king and his duties as the only living parent for his daughter. With no heir to claim his family’s land, Eve’s father did what any loving father would do. He arranged for her betrothal. But this wasn’t just any betrothal. Her potential husband was related to the king she despised. With a rough marital journey ahead of her, she tenuously clings to the promises of God.
Not sharing her father’s enthusiasm or respect for the Herodian dynasty, Eve acted like the spoiled child she was upon first meeting her betrothed. With faulty expectations and prejudiced opinions, she did what she could to ruin the marriage before it began. It wasn’t until it was almost too late that Eve’s eyes were open and she saw the opportunity to experience love for the divine intervention that it was.
Fraught with political intrigue and personal challenges, would Eve be able to fully surrender to the life God wanted her to live by loving a man she thought she could never love? When that man’s shadows chase the family into the future, would Eve’s son pay the ultimate price? Or would God intervene there too? Could He? Only a single, unforeseen encounter could answer Eve’s impossible question. Does love truly conquer death?
My thoughts:
I really enjoyed Return of the Son. This story was inspired by the few verses in one of the gospels about the widow in Nain; we know nothing else about her beyond those few verses. D. M. Griffin has created an epic story here that weaves together many stories that are in the gospels.
In a large part of this book, I found Eve very annoying. She jumped to conclusions and couldn’t seem to get beyond her preconceived ideas about the man her father had betrothed her to, especially after overhearing gossip that seemed to paint an unfavorable picture of him. I kept wondering what it would take to snap her out of that mindset. I wondered if she would ever be able to see him the way he really was.
I felt like Return of the Son was Biblically accurate in almost everything. The one thing I questioned was that Eve created a statue of two people. The author talked about this briefly in a note at the end of the book, but I’m not sure I agree with her conclusions.
I loved the way this author told the story of Jesus’ ministry from the point of view of people who lived far from Jerusalem and did not seek Him out. I also liked being able to get Herod’s family straighter in my mind. That family is important throughout the book, and I should now be able to remember how each of the men fits into the Bible’s story. Overall, I found this book very good, and I’ll be watching for more books by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: Chapter 2: ____ used women like a hungry man devoured food. Chapter 19: Man tells a woman he will see her in his chambers, then, with lustful eyes, tells a woman what he needs; women talk about seducing men. Chapter 23: Kissing. Chapter 24: Mention that a man cursed.
Age levels:
Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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