Tenth Stone

A.D. Chronicles #10

by Bodie Thoene, Brock Thoene

Twenty-two-year old Daniel, son of Melchior and Esther, lives out his days in rebellion and a drunken stupor . . . a great embarrassment to his father and his older brother, Joshua. Life is boring beyond belief, he thinks. But everything about his life is about to change . . . Melchior, former court astronomer, has been a wealthy merchant for the last three decades. As he prays for a miracle to save his son, he again ponders the signs he sees in the heavens. Perhaps the time of the young Messiah’s work on earth has now come to fulfillment. In this tenth book in the A.D. Chronicles series, the Thoenes tell the parable of the Prodigal Son in a dramatic and memorable fashion.

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

352 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd like to rave about this book but I don't want to give to many spoilers. I'll say this much though, I love how all of Thoene's books are linked together forming a complete picture. This story also portrays the beautiful account of the Prodigal Son making it very real to the reader. And finally, it shows how Yeshua is the Chief Cornerstone fulfilling all prophesy. This is another well-loved book written by the Thoene's. I am eager to read the rest of them.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. As far as stories go, it wasn't a bad one. The first several books in this series (this is number 10) were excellent, teaching so much about the history, culture, and language of the life of Jesus. The last few books have been more the made-up stories of the people who Jesus healed. While they are enjoyable to read, it was not what I was expecting or hoping for. And this one particularly disappointed me because an aspect of it almost borders on being fantasy, using a Bible verse out of context (at least it seems so to me) to suggest that a character is immortal. It seems that like many series that continue on for many books, this one might have outlived its glory.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an odd book; it's ending is so abrupt if feels like the author(s) must have failed to keep track of their page count and realized they had to "end it now," which they did. I felt like there was more to the story that was not being told. It is a blending of the Prodigal Son parable and a young couple who travel eastward to a Synagogue of the Exiles in Narda (apparently a city along the western edge of the Parthian Empire?) and share the Good News of the Gospel (as they know it) along the way. I am not sure how I feel about "the character development"; I felt it was not quite as good as it has been in prior stories. I'll figure out my rating after I finish my review; that way, I can puzzle my way through it.

The authors take an interesting tack when it comes to the people that Yeshua raised from the dead. They seem to take the stance that because "it is appointed unto man once to die and then comes judgment", these individuals who were resurrected cannot die again (or die a second time). As such, they are immortal witnesses that live throughout Earth's history and spreading the Good News of the Gospel while going where the Lord needs them to be "next." I have read a couple of other authors who have also written books about such people; one book I believe is about the disciple John, brother of James, because of the statement Yeshua makes about John's death or not dying is not of Peter's concern. So the character who is "Cantor" during the time of Yeshua turns out to be one of those who is immortal, as he directly appears in the "prologue" and indirectly in the "epilogue." I have to admit, it made me wonder about Yod, too, and where she might be at during the "modern era." It also made me wonder if Cantor and Yod and any others who were resurrected by Yeshua ended up marrying multiple times because their spouses would have died of old age or accidents or other natural causes. I would say this "immortality" would "clearly" not be applicable to their offspring, however, but that is just my presumption (since their offspring would not have been resurrected by Yeshua).

The prodigal son, Daniel, was annoying in the wrong way. I could not decide if the authors were trying to make him a sympathetic character or not, but they chose the route of not having him squander his money on wild parties like the parable talked about. Which is fine, I suppose, since the story they were telling was not necessarily the parable itself verbatim. And he had some "wild parties" at the start of the story, so perhaps they figured that was "enough of that"? Anyway. The authors went the route of having Daniel purchase "shares" into a caravan in hopes of turning a larger profit; I did not quite understand this caravan, however, as Daniel and his servant Lono were the only two strangers in the caravan and would have been the only two sold as slaves. How does this caravan make any kind of profit for the slaver who runs it? It just did not make any sense to me, is all, that these two men were the only men taken as slaves from that caravan.

His older brother is a complete and utter jerk in the book (which is no doubt derived from the end of the parable where he pouts about the prize fatted calf being killed to celebrate the return of his younger sibling after the sibling has squandered all of his inheritance and returned home in squalor), and his wife is no better. The parable itself is an interesting parable because of the dynamics that it implies are involved. I would say neither son must have felt like he was truly loved by his father. The younger son takes his inheritance early and leaves home with it; the older son describes everything he has done for his father and the family. Is it anger as much as it is hurt that the older son speaks out of? Or a combination of hurt and anger? He clearly does not seem to understand his father's love for either son, based on what he says and how he reacts. It seems like he has been trying to prove himself to his father, to earn his father's love and affection, in some respects, and his response to how his father reacts to the prodigal's return only shows the distance between himself and his father as well, how he does not fully understand the depths of his father's love for him as well as his brother. In any case, the two brothers cannot stand each other and Melchior (the father) seeks peace and understanding without truly seeming to understand either son. The older brother paying the ransom for Lono was hard-core cruel and hilarious at the same time; I wondered if that was going to happen after Cantor appeared at the house while Melchior was traveling with Esther to try and find Daniel. There was something about the older brother's behavior that made me wonder how he was going to screw over his younger brother upon finding out that Daniel was being held for ransom. It would have been a nasty shot to Daniel's gut, to say the least, especially since he believed his father was the one who had sent the ransom and not his brother.

I don't know how I feel about Lono being sent along with Daniel. And not so much because he is not mentioned as being sent with the son in the parable, either. He felt somewhat contrived, and his speech was too close to how black slaves from America's plantation era spoke to feel "realistic" to me. I realize that is probably my fault for "reading too much" into Lono and his speech patterns and whatnot; being a slave/servant, he is probably not supposed to be "as educated" and as eloquent as Daniel and Daniel's family. I guess it doesn't really matter, though. The way the Chief Shepherd speaks in the first few books strongly reminds me of the speech patterns of somebody from Scotland or Ireland. I liked Lono as a character, and he was a good foil to Daniel's selfishness and spoiled lifestyle.

I do not know "what the deal was," but Lilly and Cantor really annoyed me in this book. I am not sure why, but they just . . . bugged me over the course of the novel. There were some "good moments" between the two of them, I guess, but perhaps not reading books 7-9 had something to do with that, with feeling like something was "missing" regarding these two characters. On the one hand, it picked up right after the end of the second book, after Yeshua appears in the Valley of the Lepers and heals every single one of them. So it's not like I should have missed anything, I would think, by not reading the prior three novels in the series. Probably more Lilly than Cantor; I don't know what it was. It felt like she alternated between the growth she went by the end of the second novel and regressing in this novel; like she'd move "forward and backward" at nearly the same time. Or like she was a completely different character in this story compared to the second novel. It felt like she just whined and pined all the time, throughout practically the whole book. It was annoying because I felt like she was totally out of character the entire book. Or, maybe not the entire book but most of it.

I did like Cantor's attempts at describing what Heaven was going to be like. He really struggled with it, which only makes sense because Lilly would have absolutely zero frame of reference in terms of what he would be describing. Like how he described music and it was more than just sound; there were colors involved, too (which reminded me of how Peniel's older brother tried to describe colors to his blind younger brother before Peniel's brother died). There was a whole conversation that Cantor had with . . . the Rabbi of the Synagogue of the Exiles, I think, that was pretty cool to read.

I also liked how the authors made "real" what the Prodigal was demanding when he said he wanted his part of the inheritance "now." I never really thought about what that meant; it is not like the father had money lying around to give to his son. He would have had to sell the equivalent number of assets to give the money to his son that was the son's part of the inheritance. That was pretty crazy to realize when the authors described what Melchior had to do in order to give his son what his son demanded.

I did like that Yahweh was working through Cantor and Lilly to heal those they encountered who needed healing. That was pretty cool.

The ending, though! The story just . . . ends. I mean, it just stops with the final couple of paragraphs of the parable itself before it goes into the "Epilogue." I was, "What in the world?" and turned the page a couple of times to make sure I was not missing any pages in the book (I bought it used from a local thrift store, and sometimes pages turn up missing in the book). After all of that build-up and what the Prodigal Son had undergone (up to the point he was bought at the slave auction by Tannis, co-ruler of Narda, in order to "make a point" about forgiveness, redemption, and healing), I really felt robbed of not reading about the reunion between the son and the father, between Daniel and Melchior. Regardless of what the parable itself said, they could even have had some kind of reconciliation between Daniel and his brother, or Melchior giving the older brother what-for for ransoming Lono only and making it seem like Melchior had abandoned his younger son. There was so much that was left unsaid, undone, with how it ended, and I really felt cheated by it, hahahaha! I mean, that alone should knock the rating down to 2 stars for me, except that I really enjoyed Cantor's attempts to describe Heaven. The authors had already changed the parable itself to fit the story they were writing; Daniel did not waste the money on wild living like the parable talks about. Too, in the parable, the Prodigal Son hires himself out as a servant to work in the fields, feeding the pigs and living in squalor, before he eventually comes to his senses. In the book, he is sold as a slave and forced to work in the main house as a servant; after his attempted escape, he is forced to work feeding the hogs and taking care of them. When the famine reaches a particular level that his services at no longer required, he is sold at the slave auction block. So, yeah, they'd already made several changes to the parable when telling their story; they could have made more changes. Or at least finished Daniel's story instead of ending with the end of the parable itself.

It was weird how the Herodian soldiers were able to strut around Narda, which was part of the Parthian Empire, to my understanding, without any problems with the local garrison. The authors talk about how the Herodian soldiers and envoy had to be careful to avoid angering the local government, and yet they regularly acted as thugs and ruffians to everybody they encountered. I do not see how their boorish behavior constitutes "not angering the local officials" or regional government or whathaveyou. The religious opposition to those healed by Yeshua is something else I have never considered, either, even when reading about how angry they would become or the repercussions that were threatened. I don't know how to describe it; it just never connected with me. So despite my annoyance at the soldiers and how they treated people, I am sure it is probably more accurate than I realize or understand.

I wish there would have been some kind of "resolution" or something between Tannis and his younger brother Hannel for the way Hannel undercut Tannis's wishes and decisions. I know they share the power in Narda and the region around Narda, but it still felt like there should have been some kind of consequences for how Hannel undercut Tannis's authority like he did, especially regarding the Jewish refugees.

Also, I did not "like" the explanations about Jewish symbology in this novel as much as I liked the explanations in prior novels. Perhaps because the prior novels had so many explanations in them and this one did not? The few explanations or symbols were sparse and meh and I felt like were lacking in something. Or were somehow "forced" into the story. I don't know; I just know I felt like I was "missing something" in this novel, that something was lacking that was in the earlier novels.

I still am not sure how I feel about this book. It had some good moments in it, but the ending alone nearly "killed it" for me. It was pretty bad. It did not hold my interest like the first six books did; I had no issues putting it down or not reading it even when I had time to do so. That being the case, I am somewhat surprised I finished it in the time I did. I might have thought it would have taken longer. Also, ~ 80 pages (about 1/4th of the book) is made up of the study guide, which is fine. Otherwise, it probably would have taken me even longer to read it. I liked it more than 2 stars but not quite 3 stars; I'd probably rank it 2.5 - 2.6 stars, but generously rounded up to 3 stars (I did so enjoy the descriptions about Heaven). While I do not know if I would ever reread this anytime soon or recommend it to anybody, I am glad that I read it.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book #10 in a 12-book series called the AD Chronicles - historical fiction books that are set around the time of Jesus' birth and life. This one was very good. It weaves stories together of the lepers who were healed, from the 2nd book, and Melchior, one of the Magi who brought gifts to the baby Jesus, who now has sons of his own. In this story, the younger son of Melchior plays out the parable of the prodigal son. Of course, as with all of the Thoene books, there are many more characters and plot lines intertwined and the characters are well developed. I'll confess, this book made me cry. The repentance of the prodigal. Great book!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this book 4 stars because it is well written. However, the three books I've read in this series are not for me. They portray the horrible conditions that were prevalent in Biblical times. Things were not always happening as you may see on "The Chosen" or other Bible based movies. These authors are experts in writing torture scenes. I found that while reading these books my mood became very dark. I'm sure the accuracy is there, but I don't have to read it. I read to get away from all the evil in the world. I really wish books had ratings like movies. If they did, I'd give this series an "X" rating for the violence and torture scenes. If that is your thing, I pray that some of the message of the Bible will seep into your being as you read the series. Each book is a stand alone and need not be read in order.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the historical and scriptural accuracy of this series. It makes the gospels come alive at a new level and gives great context for the life of Jesus and the culture of Israel at the time. I love the back story in this book in particular. I've always had a love for the prodigal son and this makes me love him even more. It causes me to stop and check my heart for wrong motives of the older brother. This book also encouraged me to pray for people with authority and belief that Jesus still heals. This might be my favorite book of the series so far!

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
The tenth in the 12-book series by the Thoenes, Tenth Stone falls short of the Thoenes' usual skill. The story drags onward, with little to no plot. The best parts are the prologue and epilogue, which make me want to read the Zion Chronicles more than the A.D. Chronicles! However, I did enjoy the ending of this story, despite the far from thrilling dramatization of the Prodigal Son parable the husband and wife team offer. I also enjoyed the continuation of Lily and Cantor's story. Worth breezing through if you've made it through the series this far, but don't read every word - you'll drive yourself crazy!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tenth Stone leaves the landscape of the Holy Land behind to follow Lily and Cantor, two of the healed lepers of the Valley of Mak'ob, to the land of Mesopotamia and the Synagogue of the Exiles. We also meet Daniel ben Melchior, the real-life version of the Prodigal Son. As always, the Thoenes tell Biblical and spiritual truths through the fictional lives of people who interacted with Yeshua of Nazareth (Jesus) during His lifetime here on Earth.

[AM Snead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent hints at possibilities from brief documentation in the Bible.

Anyone with an imagination will enjoy the fast moving events that are documented in the basic and deep passages of the Bible. The timeless characters and events have even more possible color and personality. All this helps us imagine the master plan/s He intertwines in lives of Bible characters as well as our lives.

[Rachael Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. Lily & Cantor travel from the Valley of Macob to shelter in Narda - since the Pharisees seek to kill any who claim to be healed by Jesus. Meantime, Melchior and Esther have married and started a business. Their son, Daniel, would much rather join his friends in the tavern than take his place in the family business. Demanding his inheritance, he makes his way for foreign places and also ends up in Narda. But nothing goes according to plan - for Daniel. Or for Lily & Cantor. Bodie Thoene weaves together these stories in her brilliant manner. The final conclusion brings the stories together and leaves you weeping at God's grace and mercy. No one else can weave stories together to a climax of grace and power like Thoene.
Some other readers complain that this story is disappointing; the frame story set in the 1970s is certainly odd. And I agree, that there were a few stylistic choices that I'm not sure I love. The ending definitely leaves some strings hanging - which is unlike Bodie Thoene, so I wonder what future books will hold...

My only complaint is that I can't keep track of all the characters from previous books!! I wish there was a family tree or diagram to accompany these books!

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tenth Stone...Another Captivating Story

Bodie & Brock Thorne have written another wonderful book, a book that brings to life for us the culture & life during the time of Yeshua. Beautifully written! Another book in this series that causes one to not be able to put the book down! Highly recommended for all Believers.

[Theresa Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book about Israel in Christ's time.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book, the story of the prodigal son.Peekskill not quite as"real" add some of the other books but still very enjoyable.

[JL Salty · Rating 5 out of 5]

no offensive content: Xn historical fiction

[Ann Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it as the stories continue. I especially enjoy the history and the Biblical-era culture. The stories and characters are predictable, but the story telling is good.

[Julia Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Bodie and Brock Thoene! And a reminder that God cares even for the least of these.

[Abby Burrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoo-hoo, finished the 10th book in this series! I do think it's one of the better ones.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just okay.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Update** Daniel and Manaen could have been the same character. When an author includes as many characters as the Thoenes, it is inevitable that the same character crops up time and time again. This book, like its three immediate predecessors, did not survive round two of the purge of my personal collection.

I have copied and pasted some of my review for the eighth book in the series since I have nothing specific to add about the individual book. I will repeat some things that I have said in previous reviews of books in this series. The latter books in the series are much better than the earlier books, specifically books four, five, and six. For Christian fiction, it's a step above the vast majority though I still have issues with aspects of the story telling.
I can't recommend these books but I don't discourage anyone from reading them.

[Todd Coburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mark Baker · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Thoene's bring back characters from earlier books to retell the story of the Prodigal Son. However, they turn their historical fiction into fantasy and kill the climax of what should have been a powerful book. I'm debating whether I will continue to read them or not.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Bill&Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tenth book in a 12 volume series, this book is the story of the Prodigal Son, interwoven into the story of Zaccheus from the book before! I learned the names of the ten stones of the foundation in Jewish History, and the ancient city Narda ( where the expensive Nard was produced) is the present city Fallujah!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set during the lifetime of Jesus, and most of it deals with the people and events surrounding the prodigal son. Some sections are more interesting than others, but I did enjoy reading it.

[Meadow Frisbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was probobly my least favorite of the series.
There was only two brief encounters with Yeshua, and there were only two stories through the book. usually Thoene writes about at least three lives being entertwined. I AM looking forward to the final book, great job with all the other series!!!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the usual Christian background of the book but i guess i'm getting a tad tired of the story. I still really enjoy the style and the different way of looking at scriptures and incorporating it in the text

[Bridg8 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of the Prodigal Son tied in with Lilly & Cantor's story after M'akob. It wasn't my favorite out of the series. There were some good parts, but mostly I just wanted to smack the 'prodigal son'. I liked Lilly & Cantor's story, and at times got teary from parts of their story.

[Kw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. Nice to see the parable of the prodigal son woven into a broader work of fiction. I like the Thoene's imagination and their Hebrew references, plus the geography and history lessons contained in each of these novels. Good for them!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best series ever!!

[Felicia Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of the prodigal son in an interesting way. I enjoyed it.

[Monica Emtman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one took a little bit more of a turn from what the Bible says, but still an interesting interpretation of what could have happened during the time of Jesus.