A.D. 30

(This is my first real book review so forgive me if it isn't very detailed and/or helpful)

I love Ted Dekker's work! This book made me revisit some of Jesus' teaching in the Bible and look at it from the perspective of someone yearning for unconditional love like Christ Jesus'.

This book is about a young woman named Maviah who is shunned as an illegitimate daughter of the Bedouin sheikh. She is constantly reminded that she is nothing and no one loves her nor cares for her. But when her people are attacked by enemies, her father calls on her to journey across the unforgiving desert with two of his most trusted warriors, Saba and Judah, to ask for Rome's aid. Throughout the journey Maviah continues to doubt herself, until she meets Yeshua and He begins to change her mind. But going to Rome doesn't even begin to solve Maviah's problem and she ends up in even more danger and has to make choices that could be the death of her, Saba, and Judah.

Throughout the book I am draw to Maviah and the inner battle she constantly fights in. As someone who also struggles with self-confidence and self-worth, I could relate to Maviah (even though I haven't been through anything even close to what she went through). I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one.

A different look

Ted Dekker is my favorite author, so my review comes with a certain bias. Reading this book comes with a certain expectation, as well.

I do not often read historical fiction. Perhaps this comes from the painful memory of history classes. While this story definitely has Dekker's fingerprints all over it, I found that I was not blown away as I expected to be. The are long sections of narrative that I would get bogged down—not a characteristic found in his past work. However, the writing contained his signature flow that keeps me reading, but large segments felt like they would lend themselves more to a non fiction book about the teaching of Jesus rather than a novel. If I rated the book solely for the story, I would give it three stars.

The reason Dekker is my favorite author is that he challenges me to think with his stories. He has a way of describing what I have at times experienced as a heart and mind experience. Once again, he hit that mark. Dekker paints a picture of what it is like to trust in God as a loving father. He shows how really grasping the reality of God's love changes a person in mind and soul. He also shows how the experience can fade and how one can wonder if the experience and knowledge is real. I found this to be encouraging as I find myself in that position again and again. This is a five star message, although there are some details that I see differently.

In the end, this story is sticking with me and is challenging my thinking even though I struggled through this book at times. It has me looking talking with God intimately about the details and looking for more understanding in trusting him and following him. That is what I want most in a book.

Reseña en español completa

I read Ted Dekker for more than three years ago and I've never been disappointed. His novels, besides being very interesting, have the peculiarity of make me doubt of everything around me and makes me wonder about my beliefs.

During this time I realized Ted developments, both in his writing and in his message. The last books he has published delve much deeper issues than the first -but that does not diminish the quality of any of them- and his books have become full of more hope.

Each time Ted Dekker releases a new book, I don't need to know the book's plot to want to buy it because I know that I will like it. However, when I finally got my hands on AD 30, I was very surprised because was an historical novel.

The history of Maviah made me remind myself. Maviah belongs to the lowest of society, rejected by all and feels she has brought nothing but disgrace to her family. She doesn't believe to be worthy of love or forgiveness or compassion. When I got to know this complex character, I almost saw myself reflected because sometimes I feel that I'm not worthy to merit the sacrifice of Yeshua and that reach his love is something that I don't deserve. In Maviah I could see my own doubts and prejudices, so I was pleased to accompany her during her journey.

This trip also allowed me to meet a very different Yeshua to which I had become accustomed. Much more loving, merciful and peaceful. I could almost feel being present at that time; and despite the difference in years between the time of Yeshua and our era, I think the problems and conflicts remain the same.

It took a little time reading this novel because I had to examine me myself and see the aspects that should correct about my beliefs about Yeshua.

I think the 15 years that Ted Dekker has taken to write this book, have been worth it. I hope everyone can read this wonderful book and share the good news that Yeshua preached from the beginning.

I recieved a free eBook from NetGalley but this fact didn't influence the review.