Book Review: Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews

About the Book:

Survival. A Hebrew girl first tasted it when she escaped death nearly seventy years ago as the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem and took their finest as captives. She thought she'd perfected in the many years amongst the Magoi and the idol worshippers, pretending with all the others in King Nebuchadnezzar's court. 

Now, as Daniel's wife and a septuagenarian matriarch, Belili thinks she's safe and she can live out her days in Babylon without fear--until the night Daniel is escorted to Belshazzar's palace to interpret mysterious handwriting on a wall. The Persian Army invades, and Bellili's tightly-wound secrets unfurl with the arrival of the conquering army. What will the reign of Darius mean for Daniel, a man who prays to Yahweh alone? 

Ultimately, Yahweh's sovereign hand guides Jerusalem's captives, and the frightened Hebrew girl is transformed into a confident woman, who realizes her need of the God who conquers both fire and lions.

My Thoughts:

After reading Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews, I will never read the Book of Daniel the same way again. It.brought to life Daniel's story in a way I had never imagined it before and explained how the Biblical events might have occurred. While Daniel's prophecies are included and applied in certain situations, this novel doesn't tackle explaining the end-time prophecies in the book of Daniel.

Of Fire and Lions captivated me from the beginning with family tension and Belili's mysterious past. The story jumps between different times in Belili's life and sometimes that jump threw me off, but it did serve to stir questions and heighten my interest.

Abigail/Belili, my favorite character, is brilliantly written. Belili's narrative voice differs with age – not only in her perception of events around her, but also in her outlook on life. She develops and grows, changing and learning through experiences. The changes she embraces and even those she fights, ring with authenticity. Themes about Yahweh's never-ending love and His inexhaustible forgiveness play out as Belili wrestles with her circumstances and questions. Her faith journey is life-long, just like ours.

Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews boasts an eye-catching cover, but the stunning story inside reaches beyond the page to touch the reader's heart with it's themes. I highly recommend this Biblical fiction novel. My husband also read and enjoyed it, so it's appeal is not limited to women.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."