What do you think?
Soulfire
Will God hear Zephenia's prayers?
It is 148 bc, and the city of Nephi is ruled by the wicked King Noah and his corrupt priests. Zephenia's father has turned to his drink after the death of her mother, and her younger sister Sari dreams of living in the king's palace. When the family's hut is destroyed and the sisters are unjustly imprisoned, Zephenia wonders if God has forgotten her. If they survive their tribulations, whom will her father choose as her husband? The only unmarried believer she knows is Gideon, and he is smitten with Sari.
Zephenia's thoughts keep drifting to Alma, the handsome high priest she met while gathering herbs in the jungle. She senses a goodness about him, yet because he is a priest in Noah's court, she knows he couldn't possibly be a righteous man. But when the prophet Abinadi is martyred and Zephenia must decide between her faith and her family, she learns of a mighty change that has happened in Alma's heart.
It is 148 bc, and the city of Nephi is ruled by the wicked King Noah and his corrupt priests. Zephenia's father has turned to his drink after the death of her mother, and her younger sister Sari dreams of living in the king's palace. When the family's hut is destroyed and the sisters are unjustly imprisoned, Zephenia wonders if God has forgotten her. If they survive their tribulations, whom will her father choose as her husband? The only unmarried believer she knows is Gideon, and he is smitten with Sari.
Zephenia's thoughts keep drifting to Alma, the handsome high priest she met while gathering herbs in the jungle. She senses a goodness about him, yet because he is a priest in Noah's court, she knows he couldn't possibly be a righteous man. But when the prophet Abinadi is martyred and Zephenia must decide between her faith and her family, she learns of a mighty change that has happened in Alma's heart.
- GenresLds Fiction
306 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2012
About the author
Betsy Love
57 books51 followersFirst and foremost I am a daughter of God. I am married to my teenage crush. I have 8 great children, and 20 amazing grandchildren. Writing has been a passion since I could hold a pen in my hand. I don't intend to stop until I can no longer hold one.
I hope heaven is everything I hope it will be. I planning on spending eternity honing my craft.
I hope heaven is everything I hope it will be. I planning on spending eternity honing my craft.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 14, 2012
WHAT'S IT ABOUT?
It is 148 BC, and the city of Nephi is ruled by the wicked King Noah and his corrupt priests. Zephenia's father has turned to his drink after the death of her mother, and her younger sister Sari dreams of living in the king's palace. When the family's hut is destroyed and the sisters are unjustly imprisoned, Zephenia wonders if God has forgotten her. If they survive their tribulations, whom will her father choose as her husband? The only unmarried believer she knows is Gideon, and he is smitten with Sari. Zephenia's thoughts keep drifting to Alma, the handsome high priest she met while gathering herbs in the jungle. She senses a goodness about him, yet because he is a priest in Noah's court, she knows he couldn't possibly be a righteous man. But when the prophet Abinadi is martyred and Zephenia must decide between her faith and her family, she learns of a mighty change that has happened in Alma's heart.
MY TAKE:
This is LDS historical fiction, based on characters from the Book of Mormon. This particular city of Nephites live in a precarious position, surrounded by their Lamanite enemies. It's a difficult time for religious people because King Noah is a decadent man and encourages his people to follow his teaching.
Zephenia's father has never been the same since his wife (Zephenia's mother) was killed during a Lamanite attack. He turns to wine to drown his sorrow, essentially leaving Zephenia to keep the poor family together. During the story you see them go from abject poverty to much more accommodating living conditions when her father gets a job as a craftsman for the king.
Neither the father nor the younger sister, Sari, are believers and don't understand Zephenia's strong feelings, especially when it comes to choosing a husband for Nia. Sari's thoughts are so different for Zephenia's about the matter. The younger sister is almost fatalistic in her acceptance of her father's marriage choice for her. Of course, she is caught up in the idea of wealth and prestige--who cares that her future husband already has many wives?
The drug scenes with the frogs? Ew
I always knew Gideon would be cool, but it never occurred to me Alma could be hot.
I loved that the duck showed up again.
It is 148 BC, and the city of Nephi is ruled by the wicked King Noah and his corrupt priests. Zephenia's father has turned to his drink after the death of her mother, and her younger sister Sari dreams of living in the king's palace. When the family's hut is destroyed and the sisters are unjustly imprisoned, Zephenia wonders if God has forgotten her. If they survive their tribulations, whom will her father choose as her husband? The only unmarried believer she knows is Gideon, and he is smitten with Sari. Zephenia's thoughts keep drifting to Alma, the handsome high priest she met while gathering herbs in the jungle. She senses a goodness about him, yet because he is a priest in Noah's court, she knows he couldn't possibly be a righteous man. But when the prophet Abinadi is martyred and Zephenia must decide between her faith and her family, she learns of a mighty change that has happened in Alma's heart.
MY TAKE:
This is LDS historical fiction, based on characters from the Book of Mormon. This particular city of Nephites live in a precarious position, surrounded by their Lamanite enemies. It's a difficult time for religious people because King Noah is a decadent man and encourages his people to follow his teaching.
Zephenia's father has never been the same since his wife (Zephenia's mother) was killed during a Lamanite attack. He turns to wine to drown his sorrow, essentially leaving Zephenia to keep the poor family together. During the story you see them go from abject poverty to much more accommodating living conditions when her father gets a job as a craftsman for the king.
Neither the father nor the younger sister, Sari, are believers and don't understand Zephenia's strong feelings, especially when it comes to choosing a husband for Nia. Sari's thoughts are so different for Zephenia's about the matter. The younger sister is almost fatalistic in her acceptance of her father's marriage choice for her. Of course, she is caught up in the idea of wealth and prestige--who cares that her future husband already has many wives?
The drug scenes with the frogs? Ew
I always knew Gideon would be cool, but it never occurred to me Alma could be hot.
I loved that the duck showed up again.
May 30, 2012
Soulfire has to be one of the best books that I have read in a long time! I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I became engrossed in Zephenia's story! From the first paragraph through to the wonderful end, I did not put the book down! A fast read full of so many emotions, adventure, sorrow, hardship, courage and love! A bit of something for everyone! I will be sure to keep my eyes open for more works by Betsy Love! Thank you First Reads for my free copy of Soulfire, I shall treasure it!
October 28, 2017
I was delighted by this book by Betsy Love. It gave me such a sense of what life might have been like in Book of Mormon times in ancient America. I had never imagined things in this way. Thank you Betsy! Well done!
July 3, 2012
This story kept me hanging on every word. I loved the main character, Zephenia, and loved being in her point of view. Betsy did a great job keeping readers interested and concerned about the fate of Zephenia and her family. The book was well-paced and had a great voice. It was interesting to see the facts I already know from the Book of Mormon intertwined with the fictional story of Zephenia and her family. It was also fun to learn more about the time period. Betsy did a great job staying in the very distant past with her character's thoughts, voice, and actions. I would highly recommend this book! It makes a great Sunday read and teaches a lot about faith I learned so much from the character of Zephenia and can't wait to find out what happens next!
Oh, and did you take a good look at that cover? Isn't it STUNNING?! I can't stop looking at it. Beautiful!
Oh, and did you take a good look at that cover? Isn't it STUNNING?! I can't stop looking at it. Beautiful!
June 12, 2012
Betsy's description of prophets, jaguars, evil doer's and those who seek to do what's right in a world where others make unwise and thoughtless choices bring ancient scriptures to life. I enjoyed the story as well as the characters who brought one of my favorite stories to life.
However, there were a lot of typo's which slowed the flow down and left me re-reading numerous area's.
However, there were a lot of typo's which slowed the flow down and left me re-reading numerous area's.
Read
September 3, 2013A fresh, new take on the story of Alma the Elder in the Book of Mormon. I especially enjoyed the relationship between Zephaniah and her sister, Sari. I'm hoping the author will write more about the characters. (Especially hoping for a romance between Sari and Gideon. ;-) )
May 14, 2012
This book was awesome. It has been awhile since I've read a story set in the Book of Mormon era; it was refreshing!
August 23, 2012
This was an interesting book set back in Book of Mormon times. It is the story of a young woman and her family. Abinadi, Alma, King Noah, and others from the Book of Mormon are in this book.
March 3, 2014
A quick read that gives you a different perspective of story of Abinidi from the Book of Mormon.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews