Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

A.D. Chronicles #12

Twelfth Prophecy

Rate this book
She is a singer of sweet songs . . . and a sinner. A searcher for truth . . . and an outcast. Life is fraught with danger in the village of Sychar in the first-century A.D. But for Abigail, the Samaritan woman, the danger lies not as much from the ever-present Roman soldiers but from the rabbi and the people of Sychar. A woman of renowned beauty, whose reputation was tarnished at an early age, Abigail is pregnant . . . and the father is not her elderly husband, Zakane. While protecting her lover's name, believing he will spirit her away, Abigail is imprisoned, then nearly stoned by her neighbors. She's befriended by the beggar Leah. But even the beggars, the lowest of the low, don't want her around. Abigail longs for love, kindness, a home for her soon-to-arrive baby . . . and forgiveness for her anguished soul. The answers will come from the most unlikely of places.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published May 25, 2011

45 people are currently reading
800 people want to read

About the author

Bodie Thoene

203 books1,365 followers
BODIE AND BROCK THOENE (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 45 works of historical fiction. These best sellers have sold more than 10 million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards.

Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.

Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.

Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
469 (66%)
4 stars
155 (21%)
3 stars
58 (8%)
2 stars
18 (2%)
1 star
5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Audrey.
1,774 reviews81 followers
July 24, 2018
Abigail, who is pregnant by a man that is not her husband, is cast out of society. Persecuted and tormented, she gives birth in sorrow to a beautiful baby girl. When the child is older it gets kidnapped by the self-righteous hypocrites of her community. In desperation Abigail appeals to Romulus, a Roman centurion, who is unable to rescue Deborah due to religious reasons. Abigail faces much grief with the separation and is devastated when an accident severely injured her daughter. The child is returned to her and is eventually is healed. Abigail still longs for true love and one day at Jacob's Well she meets Yeshua the Source of true living water and her thirst is satisfied.
Profile Image for Anna.
382 reviews47 followers
February 25, 2016
Good conclusion to an amazing book series! The Thoene's are some of my favorite writers because they make Bible stories really come alive. This series in particular is one of my favorites because we get a fictionalized telling of the real people Jesus talked with and healed in His three years of ministry. I really felt for Abigail in this story. The treatment she received was horrific and I wanted her and Deborah to pull through it all so badly. I enjoy how everything was weaved together. My only complaint would be that the ending felt rushed. It didn't feel as impactful as some of the other books are. That being said I loved the Bible verses used in Twelfth Prophecy, they were powerfully placed throughout the novel at just the right moment and brought me to tears many times. Overall incredible series I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Bradley Mcguffey.
52 reviews3 followers
August 17, 2013
This series seemed to really "peeter" out to me. I had a real hard time trying to even cheer for the main character until she was finally utterly rejected and lost interest in her lover. There were things that made me feel a bit better about her, but ultimately she was an adulterer who was desirous of a sinful relationship. eventually I came around, but this character made this book very different than the rest of the books. I believe that's what made it not quite as enjoyable. That and missing Sean Barrett 's voice reading in the audiobook. I sure wish they would finish a series in audio. That starts great and then gets stopped for some reason they have never told me.

This book is pretty good overall but sub-par for the series.
Profile Image for Readnponder.
795 reviews43 followers
June 28, 2011
Another inspirational and satisfying QUICK read from the Thoenes. I emphasize "quick" because the books seem to get shorter and shorter. Now, just one character and his/her story is presented. In previous Thoene books there were numerous, intersecting story lines.

This book relates the story of the woman at the well in John 4. The author has named her Abigail and given her a beautiful singing voice.

Although this is book 12 in the series, chronologically in the life of Christ it comes earlier than some of the other installments. However, it doesn't affect the flow of the story or the reader's enjoyment.
Profile Image for Rachael Robbins.
212 reviews6 followers
January 23, 2024
I was truly hoping for a grand finale from Bodie Thoene - but this was a disappointing finish on several levels.

Twelfth Prophecy is the story of the Woman at the Well - but her life seems to come back together BEFORE she meets Jesus! The meeting at the well is almost an anti-climax. I miss Peniel. There were no Ushpizin to help us understand things and the title was never explained. The twelve ""prophecies"" cited at the beginning of each section seem random (jumping between testaments in no particular order) and disconnected from the story. How does the woman at the well fulfill (or Christ fulfill through her) 12 prophecies? How does this relate to the end times from which Eben Golah translates her story? While it remains a good story, it might as well have been a stand-alone title. As the series finale, it was exceedingly disappointing.

I was truly hoping for a grand finale from Bodie Thoene - but this was a disappointing finish on several levels. First, in the last few books there have been major threads left hanging and unexplained - this is very uncharacteristic for Thoene. Second, the series seems fragmented: the first 4 have a set of characters and voices; the next 3 tell of Christ's birth; the final books are individualized. I was hoping that she would bring all the characters together in a grand climax at the cross, or resurrection. But instead, the final book stood completely on its own.
Finally, the three frame stories have become too confusing to keep track of. There is much with Eben Golah that is never explained in this book - who is Loralei? How did he get to Britain? What is with the manuscripts and traveling? Who is ""Mossad"" who is protecting the house? This story has become very confusing and vague in the last few books. Plus, we have totally forgotten Maenan. Even this book is not told by Peniel but is merely included as an attachment with a letter to a friend in Rome. There are too many threads to keep track of!
As the series finale, it was exceedingly disappointing. "
Profile Image for Linda.
2,174 reviews
July 29, 2019
Anyone who has read chapter 4 of the Gospel of John in the New Testament is familiar with the story: Jesus asks a Samaritan woman for a drink at Jacob's Well, then tells her about the Living Water, and admits that he is the Messiah that both Jews and Samaritans have been waiting for. She rushes to the village to tell the others, and many believed, when they heard Jesus for themselves.

But who was this woman? Why was she at the well in the middle of the day, when most people would go early in the morning or after sunset, when it was cooler? The Thoenes call her Abigail, and create a backstory which fills in the details of her life. They also tell what happened to her later, following Jesus to Calvary, witnessing His resurrection, living as one of the earliest Christians, and dying as a martyr. It may not be what actually happened, but it "feels" right.

If you've been reading the A.D. Chronicles from the beginning, you won't want to miss this final volume.
Profile Image for Ann Lewis.
318 reviews65 followers
May 29, 2021
And with this, the series comes to an end. I enjoyed reading these books. The stories were good. The visuals were good. The writing was a little loose at times, but all in all, it was enjoyable.
The characters were either good or bad, beautiful or not, pretty black and white. I would have enjoyed more in between, more realistic. In this one, the Roman romance felt like a bit out of what I imagine a typical romance novel must read like.
And I smiled every time a bird sang. It seemed the go to way of saying "insert music here."
I realize these are "Christian" writings from a Christian point of view, but in that day, that was still unfolding and to me it felt like things should have been a little more "Jewish" to be realistic.
Profile Image for Rosalynne.
56 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2024
Overall, I really enjoyed this series - some books I found better than others, but that’s to be expected. This was my first fiction series relating to biblical characters/time period and I found it interesting to invision (through the stories) possibilities of what life was like. Similar to the tv series “The Chosen,” it’s all interpretations, but fun to journey through.

As far as this book, it was very engaging and personally eye opening to just how truly different life was back in biblical times, especially for women. But I love how, in accuracy to Gods character, while things don’t play out how we imagine, the evidence of Gods hand and presence is a beautiful thing to see, both in the present and the past.
Profile Image for Mary Ann.
157 reviews2 followers
February 22, 2021
Twelfth Prophecy - The End of the AD Chronicles

An incredible way to tell the story of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well! None of us truly know her whole story, but we know that it had to be full of sorrow, shame & regrets. The Thoenes have used their author’s license to give us a fuller picture of what this woman’s life could have been back in the time of Yeshua. Very descriptive, a story full of the pain & suffering, yet there was compassion from some to help her deal with the accusations & hypocrisy. I have loved reading every book of this series & I am a bit sad to be at the end.
Profile Image for Anne.
437 reviews7 followers
May 23, 2017
I really enjoyed this series! It really gave me a fresh love for the gospels, the life of Jesus, and the culture of the times. I powered through this series hoping it would conclude the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus but it doesn't and that is a bit disappointing. Aside from that, I loved a new perspective and deeper thought on the woman at the well! Thanks you authors for writing this series.
Profile Image for Joy Lokey.
175 reviews
April 1, 2022
Outstanding story about the woman at the well, very well placed into a setting that very possibly could have happened even though it was fiction. It put a nice story frame on the mysterious lady for the reader to contemplate. I truly appreciated the background, and details of Abigail's life that profoundly explained what so very easily could have happened. Truth in fiction provides us a unique perspective, very well described. I applaud this style for bringing stories in the Bible to life.
11 reviews
July 21, 2022
Amazing book

From the.moment I started this series I couldn't stop reading, the authors make you feel as if you are there with the characters in.book! Twelfth Prophecy was no different, you felt every insult that was thrown at Abigail, the emotions when Romulus first appeared, and watching them fall in live. An amazing read for sure
43 reviews
August 6, 2022
End of this series and the beginning of the next!

I absolutely love this series! I will keep rereading them as long as I live. I always feel like I am right there living this life with each character in the story. The Thoene's must have walked right along with all their characters too! Read all of their writings, you will not be disappointed, and will love all like I do!
46 reviews
April 15, 2025
This series of books, the A. D. Chronicles, were excellent. I have also read Bodie’s books, the Zion Covenant and the Zion Chronicles. All excellent.
These last two series gave me such a love for the Jewish people and all the persecution and hate they have had to endure. I highly recommend her books.
Profile Image for Barbara.
848 reviews
January 1, 2026
I am reading this series in reverse order. I must say I almost decided to not read the rest of the series. This is a hard book to read because it exposes how hard life was in biblical times. But sometimes you need to read the difficult to appreciate the message hidden therein. This book is well written and engaging. Strong characters and good action.
Profile Image for Julie.
5 reviews
March 28, 2022
Brilliant look into scripture through the eyes of those who lived it. Fiction but annointed.

The series brings to life His story. Thank you.
I've walked through the lives and times of God's perfect plan with these volumes.
Profile Image for Jan Curry.
53 reviews4 followers
Read
March 17, 2020
A simple story of love

A simple story of love from a mother, an old woman, a sweet child, a soldier, and most of all from The Living Water and our savior.
9 reviews
July 20, 2022
Leaves me wanting more

This is a beautiful rendition of the story in the gospels. And such a happy ending, of a sort. I'm sorry to see the series come to an end.
Profile Image for Patti R..
110 reviews
September 1, 2023
A story of redemption written about the woman at the well and her life changing encounter with Yeshua.
Author 1 book2 followers
September 4, 2021
Who among us has not sinned? Who is so pure as to throw a stone at another?

A reminder of the great sacrifices made by early christians. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and continue to wish there was another book in this series.
Profile Image for Kate.
268 reviews10 followers
December 7, 2011
For an AD Chronicles fan I have to say that this book read a bit different than the rest. That is not a bad thing at all but just unique for this series. Abigail is despised yet desired for her outward appearance and unfaithfulness to her husband. The brutality of ones that hate is quite an ugly thing, cruel and heartless. She endured quite a bit at the hands of the law. Makes me wonder what the world would be like today if those laws still applied, so much different I would think. The introduction of new characters by the authors in this sequel is both refreshing and needed. That is one of the things I love about this series, getting to know new people yet visiting with familiar ones. The authors have the ability in their writing style to transport the reader to the time they write about as if you are witnessing the unfolding of the lives around you. I won't give any other details away you have to read them for yourself. This book does read well and like the others does have an extensive study guide that follows.
Profile Image for Todd Coburn.
Author 5 books56 followers
November 27, 2016
The entire AD Chronicles series, starting with book 1, is some of the best writing I've encountered, both in the spiritual and secular realms. Bodie's insights into Scripture are consistently deep, often deeper than what I have seen from many pastors and teachers of God's Word. The fictional details that she creates to flesh out the details of the story not recorded in Scripture seem insightful and accurate to a surprising degree. I highly recommend this book and series as the pinnacle of Bodie and Brock's work, which has all been superb in my opinion. Each book of the series (I've read 1-12) is well written and hard to set down. There is romance, passion, action, and fun. At the same time one can learn Biblical truth and insight, without even being aware of it most of the time. Enjoy.
Profile Image for Gayle.
349 reviews
April 20, 2024
This last book of the series was, to be honest, a big disappointment. Whereas the previous novels contained good spiritual insights based Jesus Christ's interactions with Biblical characters, this one never delivered. It was good until the last third and then it just jumped as if the authors were trying to meet a deadline (or the editors demands) with no true character development and a rushed ending. The series has been, though not anything compared to the Zion series, very good. With each book I became more involved in the characters and entire arc. Sadly, this last book, rather than building to a climax for the series, was a letdown.
Profile Image for Josiah.
376 reviews24 followers
June 20, 2011
Imaginative retelling of John 4's account of the Samaritan woman at the well, sticking fairly close to Scripture and known history. The author does a wonderful job of helping the reader connect and sympathize with the protagonist, and brings up several important themes for consideration. Especially insightful are the 12 prophecies fulfilled in John 4. Otherwise, the narrative writing is a bit sophmoric. The romance progresses at a breathtaking pace without concern for several issues a real couple would face.

Writing: B-
Vocabulary: B
Plot: A
Worldview: Christian
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.