Brothers

Legacies of the Ancient River #2

by Angela Elwell Hunt

As famine overtakes the land, Simeon leads his brothers into Egypt to buy grain. He doesn't recognize the vengeful ruler he must bow Joseph, his long-lost brother, the very brother Simeon sold into slavery years ago. Now, it is the brash Simeon's turn to endure imprisonment. Only Mandisa, the handmaid who interprets the ruler's language, is his saving grace. The beautiful widow and her young son see another side of Simeon, the tenderness beneath the tough exterior. As much as he would like to, he will never be free to love them until he unshackles the chains around his own heart.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Biblical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Christian, Christian Historical Fiction

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 1997

About the author

Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With nearly six million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 165 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.

Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards--one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.

Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.

Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.

Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, and American Christian Fiction Writers bestowed the same award in 2019.

In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and completed her second doctorate in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.

Reviews

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Biblical fiction book is a definite twist on the story of Joseph. Instead of focusing on Joseph, it focuses on Simeon, the angry, violent oldest brother of Jacob's wife, Leah. Simeon is angry in his mind about the way his mother has been treated by Jacob, the rape of Dinah, the over the top treatment of Rachel's sons, Joseph and Benjamin, by Jacob, and the fact that Jacob has never shown him the love he felt he deserved as the oldest and first born son. When Joseph, as vizier to Pharoah, receives his brothers to buy grain, he imprisons Simeon and tells his remaining brothers that the must bring his brother Benjamin back the next time in order to gain Simeon's release. While imprisoned in Joseph's large home, Simeon had a lot of time to reflect and begins to change; but it is only when he hears from God that he truly becomes the man God intended him to be.

Good Biblical foundation with excellent historical research and very good descriptions of the life in Egypt during that time period. I would definitely recommend this series for those who are interested in Biblical fiction during the pre-Exodus period.

[Mae Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series, Dreamers. While Dreamers was a well-told tale too much of it focused on fictional characters. In Brothers, Hunt shifts her writer’s lens to Joseph as Zaphnath-Paaneah, vizier of Egypt.
Much of the story is also told from Joseph’s older brother, Simeon’s POV as well. There are several fictional characters who factor prominently in the story, but I felt the book stayed true to the Biblical retelling of Joseph and his brothers. I loved the attention given to Joseph as he struggled with his feelings, able to find forgiveness for those who’d wronged him through God’s grace. The author also allowed the reader to see his heart through his relationship with his Egyptian wife. The Joseph of this story reflected the man I’ve come to know from the Old Testament.

The addition of Simeon’s tale, while not something I expected, worked well with the story. I could thoroughly see myself re-reading this book, I enjoyed it so much.

[Ebosereme Nwamu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a student of the Bible, and what this book did for me was to open up my mind to the life and ways of the people then. it can not replace the Bible, but it taught me that life could have been, and that has made me appreciate God for His sovereignty and humbled me to treat the Bible, especially the characters with honor.
they did not have it easy, but they followed God.
what excuse do I have?

[ScriptLit-You Are What You Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

#throwbackthursday

Book: Brothers (Legacies of the Ancient River #2)
Author: Angela Hunt

Monday’s category featured Biblical Fiction, so this Thursday’s Throwback is a book that features characters from the Bible. This is book #2 of Angela's Legacies of the Ancient River trilogy.

A couple of weeks ago, I featured book #1, Dreamers. Brothers continues the story surrounding Joseph and his brothers from Genesis and shifts the focus to his brother Simeon and the fictional Mandisa.

I enjoyed this story, it was a fresh take on a brother that is mostly known for his treachery, because of this, I enjoyed a book fully focused on him, as the object of forgiveness and redemption.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/scriptl...

[Kara Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Answered all of my remaining questions left from the last book and dove deeper into Yosef and Asenath's relationship. I loved how there was more detail on Yousef in this book. I did not care for Shim'on as a character in general but I loved his development over the book and the interactions between the brothers. As well as a touch on Dina's story. Can't wait for read the next book!

[Nyla Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating Take on the story of Joseph

The author did a wonderful job with Book 2 in her Legacies of the Ancient River Series. It had an interesting perspective on what might have happened when Joseph met his brothers in Egypt. I found myself going back to scripture to verify and confirm the story.
The characters were cleverly crafted. I enjoyed how the author perceived how things might have been. This book taught me a lot about daily life during Bible times. I highly recommend it. It gets a 5 star rating from me.

[Alissa Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book story very well written

This is a wonderful book. I highly recommend it. Beware though, it is a real tearjerker. This author can tell the story of Joseph and his family quite beautifully. It is well worth my time to sit, read, and follow her narration as she tells it.

[Jodi Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical fiction! This continues the story of Joseph in Egypt where he is in charge of all the food during the famine and gets reunited with his brothers. We know the story, but Angela Hunt adds depth to the biblical characters, so we can feel their pain and connect with them as they agonize o we their past.

[Rosevine Cottage Girls · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book and getting to know the characters and Egypt. The characters were believable and I couldn't put it down. I went on to buy the whole series. Gave them to my husband when I was finished and he loved them too.

[Sue Fellows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellently written book. I am so sorry I am just discovering her writing, though when she wrote this series, I wasn't into Historical Christain fiction like I am now. I am looking forward to the last book of the series and I will be seriously looking at other books Hunt has penned!

[Debbie Papner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A continuation of the book Dreamers 2nd in the trilogy Brothers tell the story of Joseph'sand his brothers bringing them to Egypt during the famine. I'm not sure how much of this is factual but it was a good read.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread for me. It was interesting to delve into Simeon's life and his choices.

[Georgia Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling

I would not put this down. Even though I knew the story from the bible the author brought it to life.

[Kathy Dough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this series

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second book in series. Very interesting.

[Silvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was much better than the first one in the series. It was well written and kept the reader interested throughout. The story of Joseph's life has been such an interesting read.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Musings

Beautifully told and thoroughly researched. I am so glad I found this series in Kindle Unlimited. An amazing story of God's and forgiveness. A very grateful reader!

[Faith Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brothers

Another fantastic book by Angela Hunt. It has helped me so much in reconnecting with what I learned in the Old Testament and, in a way, bringing it to life again

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved book 2 even more than book 1 though I gave that one a 5 star rating as well. Look forward to book 3 of this series!

[bookish eni-olak · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so lovely listening to bible stories like it’s historical fiction. It made it seem more relatable like the people in the stories are actual people who lived, had fears, feelings and reasoning.

[James Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Joseph continued well into book 2. Easy to read, there is a lot to learn in the story of the perseverance in faith towards God.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting read

This book tells the story of Joseph after he became a slave in Egypt. I am a fan of Angela Hunt.

[Jessica Southerland · Rating 5 out of 5]

💜

[Sherry Birkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What plans God has for Joseph

I enjoy the historical novels about Biblical men and women, even if the storyline if partly fictional? Angela Hunt is so gifted with kinds of stories. She does what she should, makes me go back to my Bible to read the account there.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Update** The prior review holds true. This book survives round two of the purge from my personal collection.

A review from my old blog (of the whole series) ...

I have loved every Angela Hunt book I have ever read. Thus it was with great delight that I embarked on reading this series and another to be reviewed next. Both of these series were published years before I become introduced to Hunt and her writing. I definitely enjoy playing catch up because other than that I would have to wait for her new books to be published.

Hunt has mentioned on her blog how writing for her is a process continually improved upon. She often comments on how she will go back and reread some of her older books and find all sorts of things that she would change and never write now.

I could tell with these two books, two out of the three in the series (I don't own the third and have yet to read it), that these are some of Hunt's first books. Her characteristic style has yet to develop.

Don't take that to mean that I didn't enjoy the books. I most certainly did. I have an affinity for well-written books that explore the stories of the Bible. Hunt has written several of my favorites.

I definitely recommend these books, based on the lives of Joseph and a few other Biblical characters from the time period.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age Appropriate For: 16 and up for intensity, romance, and scary situations

Best for Ages: 18 and up

I loved Dreamers, so I was eager to read the next book. Thank goodness I had bought all three books, and they were waiting for me.

I have to admit, it was hard for me to get into the story. I don’t know why, but it just didn’t capture me like Dreamers did. Dreamers, even though it dealt with some tough issues, was so compelling a message that it made up for everything. Brothers also dealt with some hard issues, but it didn’t seem to have as good a message.

Mandisa was one of the few reasons I kept reading. She had a faith that I admired. Many of those around her, even some of those who claim to follow the one true God, are doing what they want, but she stays faithful. She also is the voice of reason for many people.

Overall it was an okay book and it picked up at the middle of the story, but not as good as Dreamers.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and enjoyable book about the Joseph mentioned in Genesis. This book covers the part of his life when his brothers come to Egypt. It's the second in a trilogy about Joseph. The first book, Dreamers, which covers Joseph's life from the time he's sold into slavery to the time he's made ruler over Egypt, was also good, although for some reason I found Brothers easier to read. While I'm fairly certain the story of Joseph didn't really happen this way, Angela Hunt did a good job keeping to the facts written in the Bible, adding her story between the details mentioned in that account. The character of Simeon receives a lot of focus in this story. I'm interested in reading the third book, Journey, soon, when Angela Hunt comes up again in my author rotation.

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simeon leads his brothers into Egypt. He doesn't recognize his brother, Joseph. Simeon sold Joseph into slavery years prior.

Only Mandisa, the handmaid who interprets the ruler's language, is his saving grace. The beautiful widow and her young son see another side of Simeon, the tenderness beneath the tough exterior. As much as he would like to, he will never be free to love them until he unshackles the chains around his own heart.

Joseph is my favorite story in the Bible. "Brothers" expands the biblical story. Mandisa is not mentioned in Bible but in my opinion, adds a fictional "what if" portion to the read. The story flowed well. The characters were interesting and the plot exciting. Very good read.

[Cathy Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fiction book is a great read and the second in a trilogy about Joseph mentioned in Genesis. This book covers the part of his life when his eleven brothers and father come to Egypt. The author states that she has done extensive research from both Egyptian and Biblical writings. The character of Simeon receives a lot of focus in this story. I'm excited to read the third book of the trilogy, Journey.