Thursday, March 10, 2022

Two recent Christian historical fiction reads

This week I've gotten to check out two new releases in the Christian fiction world, both a form of historical fiction. 

The Prince and the Prodigal* is a Biblical fiction, a depiction of Joseph and his struggles. I found the book to be well-written and to bring the story alive just as it was meant to, however, I did have a couple of problems with it. First, I didn't connect with Joseph for a pretty long time. Second, I was uncomfortable with the sexuality content. The Bible really is filled with inappropriate content so its existence isn't as much of a problem but unfortunately the great and vivid writing makes these (non-graphic) scenes come just a little too alive for my liking. I had hoped this might be a book I could pass along to my son as a teenager but I don't feel comfortable with that. Still, I'll reiterate that's a well-written and engaging read. 

Shadows of Swanford Abbey* is set in 1820s England, a time period and location I dont often read. I am attempting to open up my historical fiction horizons to more than just WWII with the occasional Civil Rights era story. I had hoped to like this one but I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed it! The back cover says "Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen" and "brimming with mystery, intrigue, and romance." I definitely felt both Christie and Austen vibes! I don't love romance novels but this one wasn't heavy handed and was such a delight for me! 

*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

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