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A review by katemarie99
A.D. 30 by Ted Dekker
4.0
A.D. 30 is the first book in Ted Dekker's newest series.
A.D. 30 is the story of Maviah, daughter of a powerful leader among the Bedu, a tribal dessert people. But Maviah is an outcast, viewed as an object of shame because she is a woman. But there are other reasons as well, other things that have piled shame upon shame. The only person who really cares for Maviah is Nashquya, her father's young wife. And when Nashquya dies, Maviah's world slowly begins to crumble. Maliku, Maviah's half-brother, betrays their father and the kingdom is lost. But her father sends Maviah on an important mission: to make an ally of King Herod in Palestine. This mission will send her across the treacherous dessert with only her two protectors: Jewish Judah, an exuberant, lively young man who captures Maviah's heart, and black Saba, a strong, silent warrior. Maviah immediately befriends Phasa, Herod's pretty, silly young bride. One day when Herod is away, Phasa and Maviah sneak away to meet Yeshua, a Jewish rabbi who Judah is obsessed with. Maviah is shaken by the encounter. Then Maviah finds out about Herod's plot to murder his wife; this gives her leverage with Aretas and Shaquilath, Phasa's parents, rulers of Petra. Maviah proposes her carefully crafted plan to them and they agree. Maviah will be released, along with Saba - but Judah will be kept as a guarantee. But Maviah is betrayed; they hand Judah over to Kahil, ally of Maliku. Before she leaves, Maviah is blinded by Kahil. Saba leading her, they travel once more to visit Yeshua. But Maviah is not healed. She is filled with anger and shame. When she returns to Petra, she is forced to fight to the death in an arena - against Maliku. Just before it is too late, Maviah's sight is restored. Her own tears heal her blindness. She defeats Maliku, but instead of killing him, she extends mercy, following the Way of Yeshua.
Like many of Dekker's books A.D. 30 has the Middle Eastern element. This is kind of a recurring theme in Dekker's work. He clearly has a passion for those in bondage to the Middle Eastern culture and customs.
Dekker's books are always well-researched and A.D. 30 is no exception. The varied cultures of the Jews, the Bedu, and the other ethnic groups that play a role in this story are all have the necessary depth and texture. The Biblical research appears to be extensive as well.
I like the pace of A.D 30. After some disappointing reads in the past couple of years, do we finally have the old Ted Dekker back? Only time will tell.
The stakes are high for A.D. 33!
For my review of A.D. 33 and other Dekker books, check out my blog at http://storyanddarkchocolate.blogspot.com/
A.D. 30 is the story of Maviah, daughter of a powerful leader among the Bedu, a tribal dessert people. But Maviah is an outcast, viewed as an object of shame because she is a woman. But there are other reasons as well, other things that have piled shame upon shame. The only person who really cares for Maviah is Nashquya, her father's young wife. And when Nashquya dies, Maviah's world slowly begins to crumble. Maliku, Maviah's half-brother, betrays their father and the kingdom is lost. But her father sends Maviah on an important mission: to make an ally of King Herod in Palestine. This mission will send her across the treacherous dessert with only her two protectors: Jewish Judah, an exuberant, lively young man who captures Maviah's heart, and black Saba, a strong, silent warrior. Maviah immediately befriends Phasa, Herod's pretty, silly young bride. One day when Herod is away, Phasa and Maviah sneak away to meet Yeshua, a Jewish rabbi who Judah is obsessed with. Maviah is shaken by the encounter. Then Maviah finds out about Herod's plot to murder his wife; this gives her leverage with Aretas and Shaquilath, Phasa's parents, rulers of Petra. Maviah proposes her carefully crafted plan to them and they agree. Maviah will be released, along with Saba - but Judah will be kept as a guarantee. But Maviah is betrayed; they hand Judah over to Kahil, ally of Maliku. Before she leaves, Maviah is blinded by Kahil. Saba leading her, they travel once more to visit Yeshua. But Maviah is not healed. She is filled with anger and shame. When she returns to Petra, she is forced to fight to the death in an arena - against Maliku. Just before it is too late, Maviah's sight is restored. Her own tears heal her blindness. She defeats Maliku, but instead of killing him, she extends mercy, following the Way of Yeshua.
Like many of Dekker's books A.D. 30 has the Middle Eastern element. This is kind of a recurring theme in Dekker's work. He clearly has a passion for those in bondage to the Middle Eastern culture and customs.
Dekker's books are always well-researched and A.D. 30 is no exception. The varied cultures of the Jews, the Bedu, and the other ethnic groups that play a role in this story are all have the necessary depth and texture. The Biblical research appears to be extensive as well.
I like the pace of A.D 30. After some disappointing reads in the past couple of years, do we finally have the old Ted Dekker back? Only time will tell.
The stakes are high for A.D. 33!
For my review of A.D. 33 and other Dekker books, check out my blog at http://storyanddarkchocolate.blogspot.com/