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Angel of Mercy #1-2
Journey of Hope
HEATHER BARLOW HAS always been idealistic, and now that she has finished high school, she's ready to make a difference in the world. After graduation she joins a mission group on a hospital mercy ship sailing to Africa.
Praise for"Angel of Mercy"
"There's a huge audience for McDaniel's romance fiction, and this one has all the features her readers look for."--"Booklist"
"Most readers will be caught up in the passion and sorrow of Heather's missionary experiences."--"School Library Journal"
Praise for"Angel of Hope"
"The love between the sisters is realistically portrayed, and Amber's slow maturation is convincing."--"Booklist" "From the Paperback edition."
Praise for"Angel of Mercy"
"There's a huge audience for McDaniel's romance fiction, and this one has all the features her readers look for."--"Booklist"
"Most readers will be caught up in the passion and sorrow of Heather's missionary experiences."--"School Library Journal"
Praise for"Angel of Hope"
"The love between the sisters is realistically portrayed, and Amber's slow maturation is convincing."--"Booklist" "From the Paperback edition."
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2004
5 people are currently reading
473 people want to read
About the author
Lurlene McDaniel
138 books2,731 followersLurlene McDaniel (born c. 1948) is an author who has written over 50 young adult books. She is well known for writing about characters struggling with chronic and terminal illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, and organ failure.
Other places to find her are...
https://www.facebook.com/lurlenemcdan...
http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/aut...
http://www.youtube.com/user/LurleneMc
Other places to find her are...
https://www.facebook.com/lurlenemcdan...
http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/aut...
http://www.youtube.com/user/LurleneMc
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 17, 2018
I've owned this book for quite a long time. I remember reading it in my teens and really enjoying it despite the fact that it practically oozes religion. I'm religious, but even I have to be in a particular mood to want that much in your face. If you're okay with that though it's not a big deal.
I was curious to see how it would hold up as it's been so many years since I had reread it and I could do fresh eyes. The answer is so-so. The story is still compelling for me, most of the characters are still enjoyable and relatable. The writing is weak in areas (authors please delete the word "heartily" from your vocabulary; there is no good way to use it without it seeming forced). Some of the characters are a bit caricaturist: too many tropes and cliches.
The main issue I saw was that it was a bit dated now. Not surprising when it originally came out in 1999. I studied the Not-For-Profit sector in university and most organizations have a ranking for their level of effectiveness, i.e. how much of their time and resources actually go to the cause in question and how much goes to marketing themselves to get more donations in an endless cycle. The answers are sometimes surprising.
The Mercy Ships on which this book is based actually have quite a good rep. They are an avowedly religious organization which makes some people wary, but their work has been pretty solid in terms of outcomes and effectiveness. That's not a carte blanche, but it helps to know that the overall the organization this book promotes is generally considered to be one of the decent ones.
That said, the starving Africans trope really needs to die. This book has such a white savior complex. Some Africans in the story get to have agency, but they're mostly minor characters compared to the overwhelmingly white cast. It's just not how we talk about African anymore (at least in responsible circles). Again, came out in 1999 so it's kind of understandable.
It's commentary on HIV reflects its time as well. She would have been writing in the mid-90s and the outlook then was very different.
I liked it overall. It's an enjoyable read so long as I can remember it's a product of its era.
I was curious to see how it would hold up as it's been so many years since I had reread it and I could do fresh eyes. The answer is so-so. The story is still compelling for me, most of the characters are still enjoyable and relatable. The writing is weak in areas (authors please delete the word "heartily" from your vocabulary; there is no good way to use it without it seeming forced). Some of the characters are a bit caricaturist: too many tropes and cliches.
The main issue I saw was that it was a bit dated now. Not surprising when it originally came out in 1999. I studied the Not-For-Profit sector in university and most organizations have a ranking for their level of effectiveness, i.e. how much of their time and resources actually go to the cause in question and how much goes to marketing themselves to get more donations in an endless cycle. The answers are sometimes surprising.
The Mercy Ships on which this book is based actually have quite a good rep. They are an avowedly religious organization which makes some people wary, but their work has been pretty solid in terms of outcomes and effectiveness. That's not a carte blanche, but it helps to know that the overall the organization this book promotes is generally considered to be one of the decent ones.
That said, the starving Africans trope really needs to die. This book has such a white savior complex. Some Africans in the story get to have agency, but they're mostly minor characters compared to the overwhelmingly white cast. It's just not how we talk about African anymore (at least in responsible circles). Again, came out in 1999 so it's kind of understandable.
It's commentary on HIV reflects its time as well. She would have been writing in the mid-90s and the outlook then was very different.
I liked it overall. It's an enjoyable read so long as I can remember it's a product of its era.
June 4, 2008
This is a two novel book.The first part of the book was about a girl named Heather. She travels to Africa with a mission group on a hospital mercy ship to help people out that are in need. She meets Ian McCollum, who helps her along the way, dealing with death, disease, famine, and much more. The second part of the book is about Heather's sister Amber. She is going with her mother to Africa in place of Heather, because she was unable to go. This book is great for anyone that is intersted in Africa and what the people there go through. It affected me and changed the way I look at the world. <3
May 14, 2021
Love love love!
April 19, 2023
Two very good books combined together into one story. Heather's and Amber's journey is touching and heart-breaking at the same time. Be prepared to shed some tears.
December 7, 2017
Why
About Heather who did missionary work. After she returned she was to sick to do it again and then her sister did it for her because her sister ment so much to her. This is two novels in on book.
About Heather who did missionary work. After she returned she was to sick to do it again and then her sister did it for her because her sister ment so much to her. This is two novels in on book.
May 15, 2017
I like that this book has the whole series. Much it much easier for storage.
May 17, 2020
See individual books for reviews!
February 26, 2023
Didn't think I was going to like this book
But once I opened it. I couldn't put it down. I am a slow reader
Finished in 2 days.
But once I opened it. I couldn't put it down. I am a slow reader
Finished in 2 days.
October 11, 2016
Journey of Hope is two novels put together: Angel of Mercy and Angel of Hope.
I used to love reading Lurlene McDaniel's books as a kid. So I was excited to dive into this one. I wasn't expecting it to be so religious. I can't remember if all of her books are so religious and I just never noticed when I was a kid or if it's just this one, but it kind of turned me off.
That being said, I loved reading about the time in Africa. I'd love to travel there someday. And my best friend's little sister just left for a missionary trip of 11 countries in 11 months, so that part did strike close to home.
Both novels in this book definitely had that classic Lurlene McDaniel twist in it and I found myself holding back tears. I have a few more of hers on my bookshelf and I look forward to getting to them.
I used to love reading Lurlene McDaniel's books as a kid. So I was excited to dive into this one. I wasn't expecting it to be so religious. I can't remember if all of her books are so religious and I just never noticed when I was a kid or if it's just this one, but it kind of turned me off.
That being said, I loved reading about the time in Africa. I'd love to travel there someday. And my best friend's little sister just left for a missionary trip of 11 countries in 11 months, so that part did strike close to home.
Both novels in this book definitely had that classic Lurlene McDaniel twist in it and I found myself holding back tears. I have a few more of hers on my bookshelf and I look forward to getting to them.
July 12, 2011
Heather Barlow is a character I was really able to connect with. This book showed me that there is a lot out there that I really haven't seen and experienced. I think it was also very brave of her sister to head off to Africa even after everything she had to go through when her sister, finally home, got sick with a deadly disease. Her sister, although not eager to go at first, ends up being almost more adventerous then her older sister. She also dealt better with a lot the things she saw and experienced while in Africa.
August 29, 2013
One of the best books. It is inspirational, sad and happy I'm happy to see the younger sister changed after all that has happened. It is a must read. This is my favorite and then always and forever would be my next. The story line was great. Very well written with great characters. I got into the book very quickly and cries in some parts. I enjoyed reading it.
May 9, 2014
This book is simply amazing. My favorite book so far that I've read (and I read many, many books). It is so inspirational and tugs at my heart strings. It has everything that I like in a good book, and will make the sensitive ones bawl their eyes out. As a Christian, it really made me look into what I want from the future. I would recommend to almost anyone.
June 22, 2007
It gets the third star because of the interesting setting (Africa, teens on an aid mission). The writing itself isn't that great - it seemed kind of flat. But overall not a bad read.
August 9, 2007
This is what sparked the ambition in my heart to help and brought about my connection with the beautiful country of Africa.
August 20, 2007
I loved thhis book! well actually its 2 books but both of them are so awesome. You can't help but cry at the end it is so sad.
March 3, 2016
best book I've ever read. it was so emotional. i sobbed for three straight days!
March 16, 2010
i love all of Lurlene McDaniel's books, but this one in particular dazzled more than the rest.
March 10, 2011
You sometimes need to get out side your comfert zone to feel something wonderful.
September 30, 2012
This book is a combination of two sisters' stories. Both go to Africa on a mission trip and come back changed. Wonderful!
May 23, 2013
This book was amazing and made a huge impact in my life!
Read
June 21, 2013this was a really sad book, but it really touched my heart. loved it:)
July 13, 2013
An easy read but very inspirational.
July 24, 2015
This is actually a reread for me. And I loved it just as much as the first time.
Read
February 2, 2009I could not put this one down at all.
February 4, 2012
i cried and cried and cried..this book is so touching!
January 29, 2014
I liked it alot she is the best author I ever started with
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews