Daughter of Eden

Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Genre: Biblical Fiction
​Pages: 336
Release Date: February 14, 2023
Publisher: Revell

When the greatest joys she has ever known are stripped away, the first woman must find the courage to face an unknown future

The first time she opens her eyes, Eve gazes on one whose beauty nearly blinds her, whose breath is in her lungs. Her Creator takes her hand and gives her to another like her and yet different. Together, she and Adam experience pure joy as they explore Eden. Her favorite moments are when the Creator comes to walk with them, day after day.

Then everything changes.

Through one act of disobedience, Eve finds that her world is no longer a friendly place. With remorse in her heart, she must face the unknown future--the births, the deaths, the sacrifices, the loss of the only home she has ever known. Perhaps worst of all is the loss of trust, not only with her Creator but also with the man who shares her life. How will they ever survive out of Eden?

Bestselling biblical fiction author Jill Eileen Smith imagines the life of the first woman to ever live, unspooling an epic story of love, loss, and the promise of redemption.

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

Ever wonder what happened to Adam and Eve after the Garden? This author has given us a possible look at what might have happened and has done a wonderful job capturing their story. 

I loved every minute of this book, and I was able to imagine what life was like for the first people on earth. It must've been pretty lonely and definitely lots of hard work!

Smith's stories are always exciting; she puts our imagination into full gear. Biblical stories are my very favorite! I love the rest of the story, as they say. The Bible only gives us a glimpse, but it is the very best book. But it's fun to imagine the rest. I had fun reading about Adam and Eve.

My heart goes out to Abel, who didn't really deserve what he got. I was sad. Cain was spoiled and self-centered. I didn't like him.

I'm adding this to my list of favorites and keeper shelf with the rest of Jill's books! She's awesome and my favorite Biblical author! I very much didn't want this beautiful story of redemption to end. I was sad when it did. However, my heart was left feeling full and satisfied. 
5 stars! I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Joy Hannabass

Jill Eileen Smith is one of the few Biblical Fiction authors I read because I know I will read a clear account of what Smith's exceptional creative mind tells of what could have been during those long ago first creation years when there was just Adam and Eve and their family. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Eve's story and the early times when Eve didn't need to be ashamed of anything. Then sin came into the world, and it all changed. Smith does a phenomenal, very detailed telling of the sin and corruption taking place after Eve gave in to Satan. The corruption and division among the family were enough to torment Eve for causing it. I have always wondered about incest within Adam and Eve's family because, after all, they were all family. Jill didn't leave this out, and I'm still thinking about her take on it.

While reading, I think it's important to remember that this book is fiction. Adam and Eve's story is very real. Though the author weaves Bible verses and Biblical facts throughout the book, her deep research and study help her creative imagination in writing the fictional facts about the family living their everyday life. The Bible doesn't tell us much about that. We wouldn't be able to carry it. Even though it is fiction, I love reading Smith's Biblical fiction and reading what she thinks could have occurred all those years ago. And Daughter of Eden is no exception. This is a stunning story of the first couple, the first family on earth. I'm giving Jill Eileen Smith Five Stars for this amazing book. If you enjoy Biblical fiction, this one is a must.

A special thanks to Revell and Library Thing for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

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Reviewer: Nikita Wells

Jill Eileen Smith is one of my go-to authors for clean biblical fiction books. So when I found out she was writing a book about Eve, I knew I had to read it!

The book was pretty great, and it was neat to imagine what Eden might have been like. Imagine playing with tame lions and  bears, swimming with fish and dolphins or riding bareback on the dinosaurs! A whole different and innocent world than we know today.

The message of redemption, and our deep need for God was woven smoothly and neatly throughout this story.

Content warning/triggers for victims of abuse:
It was pretty chilling at one point with the mysterious giants or Nephilim attacking and abusing the descendants of Adam. It wasn't detailed, but was mentioned a few times. Eve and Adam also encountered the creatures.

Thank you to the author, the publisher Baker Books, and Netgalley for this complimentary e-book. A positive review was not required of me, and the thoughts above are my own.  

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

It is challenging to write about the beginning of creation when Adam and Eve fell from God's grace and were cast out of the Garden of Eden. Whether or not you believe the story to be a factual account or merely an allegorical tale created to highlight good and evil, it is evident that the writers of the Old Testament believed the garden to be a real place as well as its occupants.

Jill Eileen Smith approaches the subject as a literal place in time and Adam & Eve as real people. She looks at the creation story from Eve's perspective, although we are also privy to Adam's thoughts. Smith has a creative imagination that allows the reader to experience the joy and beauty of the garden as well as the purity of walking unashamedly before God. To sit at his feet and commune with Him face to face was the primary joy of the Garden of Eden. But behind the scenes, something else was going on.

The author takes us on a journey of what-ifs and their outcomes. We are given a glimpse into heaven's throne room and the evil one's fall. From there, we can see Eve's confusion and trust in the serpent and why she ate from the forbidden tree in the garden's center. For much of Eve's life, she is tormented by the moment she disobeys God, and she longs to return to the garden and her relationship with Him. Something we all long for.

The author has done an excellent job of highlighting sin. If you believe humanity all descended from Adam and Eve, then you must accept the fact that the corruption of incest was prevalent in Adam & Eve's story. The author did not hide this fact, leaving me with a creepy-crawly feeling while I was reading it. 

Much of the story deals with Adam's inability to forgive - first, Eve for leading him into sin and then Cain for killing Abel. While Eve (being a mother) eventually forgives Cain, and she still loves him, Adam struggles to even acknowledge him. It also deals with the day-to-day struggles they had to overcome - from finding shelter to learning how to create things like jars and instruments for plowing. So at times, the story lagged a bit. But, it also gives a very clear explanation as to why Cain's offering was rejected by God. Even though this is fiction, the author has brilliantly shown a very plausible explanation.

In the end, the author shows the consequences of sin and the risk everyone takes if they reject God. She also reveals that God loves us, understands our doubts and frailties, and longs for all to repent and return to Him. And that is one of the best lessons in this book. If you like Biblical fiction, you will enjoy Daughter of Eden. 

I received a review copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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