First Line Fridays: Isaiah's Legacy by Mesu Andrews

Happy Friday! 

First Line Fridays is hosted by Hoarding Books and participants share the first line from a nearby book.

Today, I'm sharing the first line from Isaiah's Legacy by Mesu Andrews:

"I am Shebna. Small in stature, weak in body, strong of mind. A Levite."

Isaiah's Legacy released earlier this month. Do you have a copy or have you read this book? I read it last month and you can read my thoughts on it here.

What are you reading this weekend? I'd love for you to share your book's first line!

Happy reading!


About the Book:

At eight years old, Shulle has known only life in a small village with her loving but peculiar father. When Uncle Shebna offers shelter in Jerusalem in exchange for Shulle's help tutoring King Manasseh, Judah's five-year-old co-regent who displays the same peculiarities as her father, she's eager to experience the royal court. But Shulle soon realizes the limits of her father's strict adherence to Yahweh's Law when Uncle Shebna teaches her of the starry hosts and their power.

Convinced Judah must be freed from Yahweh's chains, she begins the subtle swaying of young Manasseh, using her charm and skills on the boy no one else understands. When King Hezekiah dies, twelve-year-old Manasseh is thrust onto Judah's throne, bitter at Yahweh and eager to marry the girl he adores. Assyria's crown prince favors Manasseh and twists his brilliant mind toward cruelty, beginning Shulle's long and harrowing journey to discover the Yahweh she'd never known, guided with loving wisdom by Manasseh's mother: Isaiah's daughter, the heartbroken Hephzibah. Amid Judah's dark days, a desperate remnant emerges, claiming the Lord's promise, "Though we're helpless now, we're never hopeless--because we serve El Shaddai." Shulle is among them, a girl who becomes a queen through Isaiah's legacy.

January Recap & February TBR

My January 2020 Reads: 

January was a bit of a rough month in my real life, but it went well reading-wise.😁 Did you read any books in January? I'd love to hear about it!

In January, I finished:

1. On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. Booked by Karen Swallow Prior. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come soon.


4. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis - ⭐⭐⭐⭐


5. Isaiah's Legacy by Mesu Andrews - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


6. A Girl's Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


7. The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 


8. Miracles and Other Reasonable Things by Sarah Bessey - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 


9. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - ⭐⭐ - I know it's a classic and had amazing prose, but I just couldn't get over the tragedy. 🤦

My favorite book this month was.... either On Wings of Devotion or Booked. I can't choose! 🤣

---

Expected February 2020 Reads:

In February, I have a rather ambitious reading list:

1. The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke - My local book club's selection for this month.


2. Showers of Blessings by Helen Steiner Rice - I like to read a few of her poems daily.


3. The Christian Book of Mystical Verse compiled by A. W. Tozer - I'm loving this one so far!


4. Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette - Connilyn is one of my favorite Biblical Fiction authors and I am so excited for this one!


5. Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher.


6. Secrets of the Pastor's Wife by Christina Ryan Claypool.


7. A Lady's Maid by Jen Geigle Johnson.


8. The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund - Fingers crossed that I get chosen for the launch team for this one. If not, maybe I'll pick another Jody Hedlund book to read.

 What will you read this month?

Book Review: Isaiah's Legacy by Mesu Andrews

About the Book:

The drama of the Old Testament comes to life as Judah's most notorious king ascends to the throne in this gripping novel from the award-winning author of Isaiah's Daughter.

At eight years old, Shulle has known only life in a small village with her loving but peculiar father. When Uncle Shebna offers shelter in Jerusalem in exchange for Shulle's help tutoring King Manasseh, Judah's five-year-old co-regent who displays the same peculiarities as her father, she's eager to experience the royal court. But Shulle soon realizes the limits of her father's strict adherence to Yahweh's Law when Uncle Shebna teaches her of the starry hosts and their power.

Convinced Judah must be freed from Yahweh's chains, she begins the subtle swaying of young Manasseh, using her charm and skills on the boy no one else understands. When King Hezekiah dies, twelve-year-old Manasseh is thrust onto Judah's throne, bitter at Yahweh and eager to marry the girl he adores. Assyria's crown prince favors Manasseh and twists his brilliant mind toward cruelty, beginning Shulle's long and harrowing journey to discover the Yahweh she'd never known, guided with loving wisdom by Manasseh's mother: Isaiah's daughter, the heartbroken Hephzibah. Amid Judah's dark days, a desperate remnant emerges, claiming the Lord's promise, "Though we're helpless now, we're never hopeless--because we serve El Shaddai." Shulle is among them, a girl who becomes a queen through Isaiah's legacy.


My Thoughts:

Isaiah’s Legacy by Mesu Andrews continues the story that began in Isaiah’s Daughter. This moving read brings the Biblical narrative of Manasseh ben Hezekiah’s reign to life using potent characters and smooth prose.  However, it’s not a light, feel-good kind of read. Staying true to the Biblical record of this dark time, rampant evil brings tragedy after tragedy. I found the book hard to read due to the content, but the ending satisfied and I’m glad I persevered.

Isaiah’s Legacy will appeal to readers who enjoyed Isaiah’s Daughter. Although there is probably enough background information given for Isaiah’s Legacy to be a stand alone novel, I do recommend reading them in order. The back story will be clearer and certain characters will be more likable.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

December Recap & January Reading

My December 2019 Reads: 

With December being a naturally busy month, I'm surprised and pleased that I read as many books as I did.

In December, I finished:

1. Love You, Truly by Susan L. Tuttle. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. Praying With Jane by Rachel Dodge - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


4. The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


5. Above the Fold by Rachel Scott McDaniel - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review coming soon.


6. The Way of the Brave by Susan May Warren - ⭐⭐⭐ - Review coming soon.

My favorite book this month was.... Love You, Truly by Susan L. Tuttle. Honestly, I wasn't sure I even wanted to read this book, but I gave it a chance and I'm so glad I did! 

Expected January 2020 Reads:

In January, I expect to read:

1. On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White - I'm already hearing good buzz about this book so I'm looking forward to it!


2. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis - Still in progress! It's not a review book and has slid to the bottom of my stack.


3. The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden - My local book club's January selection!


4. Isaiah's Legacy by Mesu Andrews - Both my husband and I will read this one. He loves Mesu Andrews' books!


5. Booked by Karen Swallow Prior - I'm currently reading this memoir and it's amazing.


6. Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery - I may or may not read this one. I haven' t read the prior books in the series, but the online book group I joined is reading it.

 What will you read this month?

November Recap & Expected December Reads

My November 2019 Reads:

November was a crazy reading month for me. It took me two weeks to finish one book! Then, I started The Memory House later than expected and ended up going to book club not having finished it. Thankfully, I remembered the general plot from my first reading of it back in March.

In November, I finished:

1. Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


2. The Memory House by Rachel Hauck - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my original review. I'm happy to say I enjoyed it just as much the second time around!


3. God's Hostage by Andrew Brunson. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review coming soon.


4. Once Upon a Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


5. Stories Behind the Songs and Hymns About Heaven by Ace Collins. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


6. 100 Extraordinary Stories of Prayer for Courageous Girls by Jean Fischer ⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


7. The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear. - ⭐⭐⭐ - Review coming soon.


8. The Piper's Pursuit by Melanie Dickerson - ⭐⭐⭐ - Review available 12/02/19.

Expected December 2019 Reads:

In December, I expect to read:

1. Above the Fold by Rachel McDaniel - I've been looking forward to this book for months!


2. The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson - I love the cover of this book and I'm looking forward to reading it.


3. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis - Still in progress! It's not a review book and has slid to the bottom of my stack.


4. Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander - My local book club's December selection!


5. Isaiah's Legacy by Mesu Andrews - Both my husband and I will read this one. He loves Mesu Andrews' books!


6. Praying With Jane by Rachel Dodge - Currently reading. I read Pride & Prejudice back in October, so it's been fun to see the author tie together the novels and the devotional thoughts.

 What will you read this month?