This
novel is a very complex one. There are many layers of stories going
on at once and at times I was little confused.
The
setting is after the Civil War in a small town in Ohio. Our main
character is Bianca. She is twenty-five and waiting for her true
love, encouraged by her father. He's a bit of a romantic and because
of him, Bianca is well read and intelligent. He sees an advertisement
for a contest. The winner would travel to London and then journey to
the Holy Land. She enters and is one of four winners.
The
other characters are the man who originated the contest and the other
travelers. Shortly after Bianca arrives in London, we find out that
there is much more to the fellow travelers and the host than
originally meets the eye. Throughout the journey on the boat and the
time in the Holy Land, we gather information about the travelers and
their relationships (hidden or overt) to the other travelers. Danger
is woven into the narrative, as is romance.
I
had a little trouble with Bianca. She is supposed to be so well read
yet she is entirely naïve in some areas. She seemed poised one
moment yet entirely falling apart the next. She just did not seem to
have a consistent personality to me.
I
did not like any of the other characters. Each was someone very
different from whom he or she appeared to be on the surface. For me,
that was a bit much. Trying to understand all the previous
entanglements of the characters made reading the book more difficult.
One
strong aspect of the book is the presentation of the gospel. It is
presented strongly and several times. I felt at times it was a bit
much and forced. Completing the novel, one would certainly have a
clear understanding of the gospel.
I
look forward to the next novel from this author. She says this story
was fourteen years in the making. Perhaps that is why there are so
many layers and complex characters in the book. I'd like to see one
written in a year or two, with a more focused plot, consistent
character structure and about fifty fewer pages.
Brandy
Vallance lives in Colorado with her missionary husband. They have two
children. You can find out more at www.brandyvallance.com.
Worthy
Publishing, 400 pages.
I
received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for
the purpose of an independent and honest review.
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