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The Jewel of Judea: A Biblical Historical Novel
Tragedy made her a slave. Will she have the courage to take her fate into her own hands?When Abigail is taken from her family in Judea to be sold as a slave to Janus, a wealthy Greek philosopher, she vows not to be the submissive servant he expects.Sure enough, her sharp mind and even sharper tongue soon catch Janus’ eye, and he quickly discovers that she is far more suited to challenging his wit in heated philosophical debates than carrying out any mundane household chores. And the more passionate their arguments become, the more he begins to fall for the fiery, intelligent woman who stormed unexpectedly into his life.But Abigail is torn between two worlds. In one, she is Janus’ equal, his partner and friend. In the other, she is no more than a slave, kept from her home and family against her will. And when word comes of the bloody rebellion unfolding in her motherland, she pleads with Janus to set her free.Desperate not to lose her, he makes her a deal. If, after one year, he has not convinced her that she should stay – she will be free to go. Abigail accepts, determined not to be swayed.But a lot can change in a year, and Janus and Abigail will soon be confronted with some of the hardest decisions of their lives. Because when love and freedom cannot coincide, sacrifices will have to be made.Impeccably researched and vividly detailed, Orna Burdman weaves a captivating tale of courage, loyalty, and desire, bringing relatable characters and a beloved Biblical story to life.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2023
202 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 14, 2024
A well written historical biblical novel
Whilst writing an entertaining novel Orna has greatly increased my knowledge of the historical background of the Jewish people and their Greek oppressors. Abigail’s development as a character and her relationship with Justus is the central theme of the story. A good read.
Whilst writing an entertaining novel Orna has greatly increased my knowledge of the historical background of the Jewish people and their Greek oppressors. Abigail’s development as a character and her relationship with Justus is the central theme of the story. A good read.
April 24, 2024
Captivating historical Love story !
This book takes you many places in True history ! Its a walk through old testament BUT also a love story never told before Janus love for Abigail what he goes through . Redemption , loss , finding your true soul , most of All Gods love for himself & His People !! I could not put down till I finished ! Love It !!
This book takes you many places in True history ! Its a walk through old testament BUT also a love story never told before Janus love for Abigail what he goes through . Redemption , loss , finding your true soul , most of All Gods love for himself & His People !! I could not put down till I finished ! Love It !!
January 8, 2024
Insightful look at faith
The influence of Greek culture was far-reaching in the ancient world. And for a young Jewess and her family, resisting the popular world view and the powers that promoted and protected it would mean a battle between life and death.
The influence of Greek culture was far-reaching in the ancient world. And for a young Jewess and her family, resisting the popular world view and the powers that promoted and protected it would mean a battle between life and death.
February 28, 2024
If you want to learn about Jewish history and customs, especially during this time period, this is a good book. I found it a bit tedious at times. It's also unrealistic in many parts but, it's not a bad tale.
September 2, 2024
Delightful story
I read this book and the characters stayed with me after I finished it. It is beautifully written. I knew very little about this period of history. As a Christian it was lovely to hear of the depth of Abigails faith and what it meant to her.
I read this book and the characters stayed with me after I finished it. It is beautifully written. I knew very little about this period of history. As a Christian it was lovely to hear of the depth of Abigails faith and what it meant to her.
October 31, 2023
An epic tale of love and liberty...
"The Jewel of Judea" by Orna Burdman is a captivating voyage to an ancient world, where the resilient Abigail, plucked from her homeland in Judea, is thrust into the harsh realm of servitude. In the face of adversity, Abigail's unwavering spirit remains unbroken, defying the societal expectations of submission imposed upon slaves.
What distinguishes this narrative is the enthralling interplay between Abigail and Janus, a prosperous Greek philosopher who acquires her. Their connection transcends the conventional master-slave paradigm, founded on intellectual discourse and impassioned debates. Abigail's astute intellect and unwavering opinions kindle a remarkable love story that challenges established social norms.
However, Abigail grapples with an unenviable dilemma, straddling two contrasting worlds. In one sense, she is Janus' intellectual peer, a confidant, and a companion. On the other hand, she remains captive, separated from her family and native land. Against the backdrop of rebellion in Judea, Abigail pleads for her liberty, culminating in a life-altering pact with Janus.
Orna Burdman's storytelling prowess is exceptional, plunging readers into a meticulously detailed historical tapestry. The characters spring to life, their trials, aspirations, and moral quandaries driving an engaging narrative. At its core, the clash between love and liberty serves as a poignant leitmotif, and the decisions confronting Abigail and Janus provide a riveting and thought-provoking backdrop.
Burdman's novel reinvigorates a cherished biblical tale, rendering it pertinent and evocative for a contemporary audience. "The Jewel of Judea" is a tribute to the enduring qualities of courage, fidelity, and human longing, delivering a distinctive lens through which to view a well-written historical narrative. Highly recommended, and a well-deserved five stars from me. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
"The Jewel of Judea" by Orna Burdman is a captivating voyage to an ancient world, where the resilient Abigail, plucked from her homeland in Judea, is thrust into the harsh realm of servitude. In the face of adversity, Abigail's unwavering spirit remains unbroken, defying the societal expectations of submission imposed upon slaves.
What distinguishes this narrative is the enthralling interplay between Abigail and Janus, a prosperous Greek philosopher who acquires her. Their connection transcends the conventional master-slave paradigm, founded on intellectual discourse and impassioned debates. Abigail's astute intellect and unwavering opinions kindle a remarkable love story that challenges established social norms.
However, Abigail grapples with an unenviable dilemma, straddling two contrasting worlds. In one sense, she is Janus' intellectual peer, a confidant, and a companion. On the other hand, she remains captive, separated from her family and native land. Against the backdrop of rebellion in Judea, Abigail pleads for her liberty, culminating in a life-altering pact with Janus.
Orna Burdman's storytelling prowess is exceptional, plunging readers into a meticulously detailed historical tapestry. The characters spring to life, their trials, aspirations, and moral quandaries driving an engaging narrative. At its core, the clash between love and liberty serves as a poignant leitmotif, and the decisions confronting Abigail and Janus provide a riveting and thought-provoking backdrop.
Burdman's novel reinvigorates a cherished biblical tale, rendering it pertinent and evocative for a contemporary audience. "The Jewel of Judea" is a tribute to the enduring qualities of courage, fidelity, and human longing, delivering a distinctive lens through which to view a well-written historical narrative. Highly recommended, and a well-deserved five stars from me. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
December 12, 2024
3 Stars
I was initially drawn to this book by its stunning cover, which promised an engaging historical fiction experience. However, while the book certainly offers a wealth of historical details, it ultimately feels more like a collection of facts than a fully fleshed-out story. The plot is minimal, and what little there is gets lost in the extensive dialogue chunks and descriptions that don't quite connect with the characters or move the story forward.
I appreciate the author’s research and dedication to accuracy, but it sometimes feels more like a lecture than a narrative. If you’re a history buff who enjoys detailed accounts, you might find this appealing, but for those looking for a gripping historical fiction story, it may leave you wanting more. Overall, it’s an interesting read, but it falls short in terms of engaging storytelling.
I was initially drawn to this book by its stunning cover, which promised an engaging historical fiction experience. However, while the book certainly offers a wealth of historical details, it ultimately feels more like a collection of facts than a fully fleshed-out story. The plot is minimal, and what little there is gets lost in the extensive dialogue chunks and descriptions that don't quite connect with the characters or move the story forward.
I appreciate the author’s research and dedication to accuracy, but it sometimes feels more like a lecture than a narrative. If you’re a history buff who enjoys detailed accounts, you might find this appealing, but for those looking for a gripping historical fiction story, it may leave you wanting more. Overall, it’s an interesting read, but it falls short in terms of engaging storytelling.
December 2, 2024
Thoughtful Done
I enjoyed the historical background that set the stage for the fictional characters. After reading that the book was translated from Hebrew, it explained the abundance of typos and grammatical errors. That said, I would recommend reading the book.
I enjoyed the historical background that set the stage for the fictional characters. After reading that the book was translated from Hebrew, it explained the abundance of typos and grammatical errors. That said, I would recommend reading the book.
February 17, 2024
I could not put this book down!
This book is so engaging. I could not put it down. It is well written and keeps your attention. I loved the history in this book also.
This book is so engaging. I could not put it down. It is well written and keeps your attention. I loved the history in this book also.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews