The Second Touch (A. D. Chronicles #2)

Rating:
Summary: terrific biblical historical tale
Review: Mama suspected and when Lily turned twelve knew that her little darling suffered from tsara'at though papa remained in denial. Lily like all lepers is pronounced dead by her family and her villagers. She is forced to leave to live in exile in the Valley of Sorrows where all the lepers reside until they die.

Six years has passed since Lily stumbled into the Valley scared and alone. Now rumors abound that a great healer has been performing miracles. . Cynics are beginning to come around in support of and belief in Jesus, but some of the most powerful question this newcomer who is shaking the establishment. Peniel saw his FIRST LIGHT due to Jesus and vows to lead the oppressed ill to the astonishing teacher. However, Lily is caring for a newborn and refuses to depart until the infant is properly placed even if it means saving her life and returning to her family or worse costing her the love of fellow outcast Cantor.

The second AD Chronicles novel is a terrific biblical historical tale that like its predecessor FIRST LIGHT shines a deep look at the period in which Jesus is just starting to teach and perform miracles. Besides the insight to the era, the story line is exciting because the cast seems so very real though they vary in personality as some are heroic, some are cowardly and at least one is Machiavellian (over fifteen hundred years before). Characters like Lily make the tale so that the audience receives a fabulous tale of Jesus, but from the perspective of those whom he touched.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: terrific biblical historical tale
Review: Mama suspected and when Lily turned twelve knew that her little darling suffered from tsara'at though papa remained in denial. Lily like all lepers is pronounced dead by her family and her villagers. She is forced to leave to live in exile in the Valley of Sorrows where all the lepers reside until they die.

Six years has passed since Lily stumbled into the Valley scared and alone. Now rumors abound that a great healer has been performing miracles. . Cynics are beginning to come around in support of and belief in Jesus, but some of the most powerful question this newcomer who is shaking the establishment. Peniel saw his FIRST LIGHT due to Jesus and vows to lead the oppressed ill to the astonishing teacher. However, Lily is caring for a newborn and refuses to depart until the infant is properly placed even if it means saving her life and returning to her family or worse costing her the love of fellow outcast Cantor.

The second AD Chronicles novel is a terrific biblical historical tale that like its predecessor FIRST LIGHT shines a deep look at the period in which Jesus is just starting to teach and perform miracles. Besides the insight to the era, the story line is exciting because the cast seems so very real though they vary in personality as some are heroic, some are cowardly and at least one is Machiavellian (over fifteen hundred years before). Characters like Lily make the tale so that the audience receives a fabulous tale of Jesus, but from the perspective of those whom he touched.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: The Thoenes do it again!
Review: Once again, travel back to Jerusalem during the time of Yeshua (Jesus).

Impeccably researched and wonderfully written, you can imagine yourself there. The Thoenes bring new life to familiar, historic characters and create believable new characters that you really care about.

This is not a warm-fuzzy, feel good story. It is a story about faith, hope and Truth, and was a joy to read.

Rating:
Summary: Not Up to Thoene Par
Review: Opposition is quickly growing to the ministry of Yeshua. Caiaphas has joined forces with Herod to find a way to arrest or assassinate him. In addition, Caiaphas has declared that all who claim Yeshua is Messiah will be put out of the synagogue. Naturally, this has repercussions for chief shepherd Zadok.

It also affects Peniel, the once blind beggar Yeshua recently healed. With a man hunt on for him in Jerusalem, he flees to Galilee in search of Yeshua. He brings some friends who would like to be healed as well. But they could find that Galilee is just as dangerous for them as Jerusalem was.

Meanwhile, the lepers in the Valley of Mak'ob are hearing rumors about a man who can heal. Could they be true? Should they look for him? And what will this mean for Lily, a young woman afflicted for six years.

I am a fan of the Thoene's writing, eagerly awaiting each new book. This book was disappointing for me, however. Part of that is because I wasn't as interested in the characters the book followed most of the time. I've always enjoyed the Thoene's books because of their deft blend of personal and political plot lines. Right now, the series seems focused on personal stories. While that's fine, we can usually guess the ending from page 1, and it makes the books drag. Still, their characters are vivid as always, and the last 50 pages are wonderful reading.

Fans of this fine writing team will have to read this book to follow their latest series. Just be forewarned that it's not the best they have to offer.

Rating:
Summary: Not Up to Thoene Par
Review: Opposition is quickly growing to the ministry of Yeshua. Caiaphas has joined forces with Herod to find a way to arrest or assassinate him. In addition, Caiaphas has declared that all who claim Yeshua is Messiah will be put out of the synagogue. Naturally, this has repercussions for chief shepherd Zadok.

It also affects Peniel, the once blind beggar Yeshua recently healed. With a man hunt on for him in Jerusalem, he flees to Galilee in search of Yeshua. He brings some friends who would like to be healed as well. But they could find that Galilee is just as dangerous for them as Jerusalem was.

Meanwhile, the lepers in the Valley of Mak'ob are hearing rumors about a man who can heal. Could they be true? Should they look for him? And what will this mean for Lily, a young woman afflicted for six years.

I am a fan of the Thoene's writing, eagerly awaiting each new book. This book was disappointing for me, however. Part of that is because I wasn't as interested in the characters the book followed most of the time. I've always enjoyed the Thoene's books because of their deft blend of personal and political plot lines. Right now, the series seems focused on personal stories. While that's fine, we can usually guess the ending from page 1, and it makes the books drag. Still, their characters are vivid as always, and the last 50 pages are wonderful reading.

Fans of this fine writing team will have to read this book to follow their latest series. Just be forewarned that it's not the best they have to offer.