The Apostle's Sister

Author: Angela Hunt
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Series: Jerusalem Road #4
Release Date: June 7, 2022

​She's always longed for more, but what if the path she's chosen requires more than she's willing to give?
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Aya, daughter of Zebulun of Tarsus, does not want a traditional life. After years of being overshadowed by her brilliant brother Sha'ul, she wants a chance to use her own gifts beyond being a wife and mother. When her father insists that she marry a Torah student, she reluctantly agrees.

A dedicated scholar, Sha'ul, or Paul, returns to Tarsus to follow the instructions of the Law and wed the woman his father has chosen to raise his profile and help him earn a seat on the Great Sanhedrin--the highest religious court in the land. But when the Nazarene, Yeshua, and his followers bring trouble to the Holy City, Sha'ul will stop at nothing to silence them.

After moving to Jerusalem with her husband, Aya expects to be bored in her role as wife to a Torah student. Instead, she finds herself fascinated by his studies. Then her brother makes a life-altering decision, and she must face a troubling question: Can she remain true to her beliefs and still love her blasphemous brother?

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

​The Apostle's Sister by Angela Hunt is a cornucopia of possibilities that look behind the curtain of the Apostle Paul's life and his sister's.

Call me shocked, but I did not realize Paul had a sister! It is such a brief mention in the Scriptures that you almost pass by it (Acts 23:16). Kudos to the author for developing a rich story that was entertaining and informative. I greatly appreciated the look at Jewish life, the prayers, the rituals and, more importantly, the glimpse into the Scriptures that all point to Jesus as the Messiah.

Filled with wonderfully detailed observations, the author has captured Paul's life before he found Jesus. The transformation is all the more poignant when we can take that journey with him. Each chapter flips between Paul (Shu'al) and his sister Aya. They come from a devout Jewish family rooted in Pharisaic traditions. We get inside Paul's mind, but we also look at his sister, who is struggling to fulfill her heart's desire (to sing) while obeying the Law and its many rules.

As the book progresses and Paul turns from persecuting Christians to becoming one, Aya struggles with how to deal with her blasphemous brother. Aya's gripping story will have readers rooting for her to succeed in her music and believe in Jesus as the Messiah.

While this is the fourth book in the Jerusalem Road series, it can be read alone. If you like Biblical fiction, you will want to read this one. I highly recommend it!

I received a review copy from Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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