Seeking peace and safety after a hard childhood, Leah marries Judah, a strong and gentle man, and for the first time in her life Leah believes she can rest easily. But the land is ruled by Antiochus IV, descended from one of Alexander the Great’s generals, and when he issues a decree that all Jews are to conform to Syrian laws upon pain of death, devout Jews risk everything to follow the law of Moses.
Judah’s father resists the decree, igniting a war that will cost him his life. But before dying, he commands his son to pick up his sword and continue the fight–or bear responsibility for the obliteration of the land of Judah. Leah, who wants nothing but peace, struggles with her husband’s decision–what kind of God would destroy the peace she has sought for so long?
The miraculous story of the courageous Maccabees is told through the eyes of Judah’s wife, who learns that love requires courage . . . and sacrifice.
- Series: The Silent Years
- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 2, 2018)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0764219332
- ISBN-13: 978-0764219337
Introduction
Judah’s Wife is a story revolved around the historical significance of the Maccabees and the fight to save the Jewish faith before the time of Christ. The story of the Maccabees takes place during the “silent” 400 years between the Old and New Testaments. When I found out that Angela Hunt had published a story revolved around the Maccabees, I knew I had to read it. The resilience of these people and their determination to fight for their beliefs has always intrigued me.
Initial Thoughts
Taking off with excitement, Judah’s Wife drew me in right away. Leah was the only child of her parents. Her father, a merchant in Jerusalem, was a fierce and abusive husband and father. Leah witnessed the beating of her mother on a regular basis. Leah’s fear, as well as her desire to toe the line so that her father didn’t beat her or her mother, was palpable.
The introduction of Judah Maccabaeus made me smile. Judah protected Leah and her friend from some young men who were out to cause trouble. I felt that Judah’s character was very well penned. Loyal, trustworthy, firm yet kind.
Leah saw her marriage to Judah as a way of escaping her father’s harsh hand. Leah’s and Judah’s building relationship was so sweet to see unfold. He was very gentle and loving toward her, and because of her past, Leah was unsure of herself. I was delighted to read as Judah began to draw her out of her fear and watched Leah begin to blossom as a person.
However, shortly afterward, the story seemed to take a downward turn. After the battles had begun, there wasn’t much more character development of Leah until the last couple chapters of the book. I increasingly became confused and frustrated with the flatness of her personality. I kept waiting for little things like a description of her appearance or little nuances like scenes with Judah helping her make cheese or tending the goats together. Something. Instead, there were short spurts of meals with the family or frequent disagreements in their house. All of the scenes were very short with very little interaction between the two of them.
Speaking of the house: What did the house look like inside? What was the atmosphere like in the caves? I missed seeing little things like this in the story. Though Angela did a terrific job bringing to life the historical scenes of the battles, I felt that the depths of the characters was sacrificed. I feel like I didn’t really get to know Judah’s wife as much as I got to know Judah himself.
Final Thoughts
Though the story fell flat for me by the middle of the book and I struggled to keep reading, I was pleased to find that Leah’s attitude toward her husband eventually resolved.
The end of the book was emotionally gripping. Death is part of any battle story. This one is no different.
All in all, Judah’s Wife was a good read, and I am taking away a bit more appreciation for the Maccabee story, so that’s a good thing. I would rate it 3.5 stars, if that was possible on Amazon.
Content Guide
- Mild suggestion of marriage relations
- Mild description of battle scenes/death
Read what my content/ratings mean.
About the Author
Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who expect the unexpected in novels. With nearly five million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 140 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to non-fiction books, to novels.
Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards–one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City. Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.
Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.
Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.
Also in 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree. She completed her doctorate in biblical studies in 2008 and her Th.D. in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course. She is also an avid photographer, using her photos to help find homes for animals at local rescues.
Connect with Angela
Thanks to Bethany House!
