Starred review from February 8, 2016
Andrews (The Pharaoh’s Daughter) offers her unique brand of in-depth Bible knowledge and storytelling flair in this tale of Miriam, sister of the famous Moses and Israel’s prophetess during the slavery of Israelites in Egypt. Miriam’s strong faith comes into question when she begins to experience her gentle husband, El-Shaddai, as Yahweh, God of Moses, as well as plagues and death. Before the story ends with the Israelites’ miraculous freedom after the final, horrible plague, Andrews offers readers a beautiful and nuanced picture of Miriam and other characters: Eleazer, Miriam’s beloved nephew and slave soldier; Taliah, his young and headstrong wife; Hoshea, Eleazer’s right-hand man, of gigantic faith; and even stubborn Pharaoh Ramesses himself. Andrews is gifted at bringing the past to life, and readers will thrill at God’s victory even as they struggle, as Miriam did, to understand God’s plan. This novel is biblical fiction at its finest.