The Zion Chronicles Complete Set

Zion Chronicles #1-5

by Bodie Thoene, Brock Thoene

Includes -Key to Zion, Light in Zion, Return to Zion Daughter of Zion, Gates of Zion

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Inspirational, Novels, Religion

Paperback

First published November 1, 1988

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

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this series throughout my middle school years. I have reread this series multiple times and I still learn new things each time. I love the WWII setting of the stories and the characters are so rich and believable.

Bodie Thoene is the kind of writer I can only hope to be. She brings depth, conflict, and truth to her stories the way few writers can. I was fortunate enough to attend a book signing of hers back in high school and I felt like I was meeting Julia Roberts or something! My mom did most of the talking...because I couldn't. She kept telling Bodie how much her books meant to me and I just stared! What an idiot... Flash forward 11 years or so and I am picking up my sister from the airport. She was flying back from L.A. and when she comes out fo the terminal, she is walking with another girl whom I didn't know. Stephanie can barely contain herself as she introduces me to Bodie Thoene's niece. She had sat next to her on the plane. Her niece is a wine purchaser for the people that own several local steakhouses.

It really was a full circle moment for me as we discussed her aunt and her books. She hadn't even read them! I was shocked. I wanted to shake her and tell her what kind of treasure she had in her own family and how could she not have read them and soaked up every word? I held back and promptly thanked God that I had read these books.

Sorry for the diatribe. These books are just very special to me!

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Zion Chronicles series covers the events surrounding Israel's statehood in 1948.
Each book vividly portrays the intense struggle of the Jewish people in the events that happened after WW2.
The Gates of Zion, is a historical fiction that begins with a brief prologue set in Qumran, 68 C.E.. Jerusalem has just fallen to the Romans. A Jewish scribe quickly and carefully copies the last passages of the book of the Prophet Isaiah. Then he wraps the scroll in linen, coats the linen with pitch, and prepares to bury it in a clay jar - along with all the other scrolls. He makes sure, at this hour of his death, that the words of God will be preserved for future generations. The Dead Sea Scrolls are about to be hidden.
Two millennia later, on November 29, 1947, the UN General Assembly, in its 128th plenary session, by a two-thirds vote (33 to 13 with Britain and nine others abstaining), passed Resolution 181 partitioning Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. The Arab national movement in Palestine, as well as all the Arab countries, angrily rejected partition. Almost immediately there was Arab violence against the Jews in Palestine.

The novel takes place out of the ashes of the Holocaust. With a great cast of characters. We have a young woman who is trying to get home to her grandfather in old Jerusalem. A young boy who lives with his grandfather, a archeologist who and a professor of archeology, his niece, Ellie Warne, who is a American photojournalist and a young decorated war hero fighter pilot.

This is a magnificent historical novel of indomitable courage and hope.

[Rebecca Rash · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amount of research gone into these books alone makes it worth your time to read. Historically accurate, great characters, plenty of drama, and great writing! I loved going along for the ride, and felt like I was really there. Highly recommended!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite series of books I have read!

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series. It is historical fiction whose characters are involved in the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. As I finished each book, I had to immediately get ahold of the next as each book leads right into the next. I was glad to know the end result because with all the roadblocks and disappointments these people had, it would have been overwhelmingly discouraging if I didn't know that Isael was really made a state in 1948. The authors are Christian writers and the message is very Christian. Most of the main characters are believers in Christ, even if they are Jewish. The predominant feeling I had from reading it is that war is so wrong and useless. Whether Arab, Jew or otherwise, all are God's children and as such deserve love and respect. Terrorism is evil, no matter what side it is on. I thought it was very well written and, after so many pages, I'm sad it is over.

[Mistie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these books ALMOST as much as I loved the Zion Covenant Series! Set in Post WWII in Israel, it's a continuation of the Jewish struggle to survive. Characters from the previous series (or their posterity) are intertwined in this series.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept my interest. Wanted the series to keep going again!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-reading for the third time. Not as riveting as the previous series that took place during WWII, but very interesting books about how Israel became a nation.

[Charis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I own all these books, although I have only read three. I learned alot about the post-WWII situation in the Middle East, while being so enraptured by the story that I probably neglected my kids for a few days. The character's lives have almost soap opera levels of drama, and the characters themselves are very one-dimensional and poorly developed, but nonetheless the stories are great fun and factually educational.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are great historical novels set in Jerusalem at the end of World War II. I couldn't set down the first two books of the series. However, by the third I didn't feel so desperately hooked. I don't know if I got tired of reading the same writing style, or if the content actually became duller. Whatever the case, the series is still definitely a worthwhile read. I really appreciated struggling with the characters through the questions of God's goodness in the midst of suffering.

[Lisa Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing series about the creation of the State of Israel. I was truly blown away by the way the Jews, who had essentially been left by the Brittish to be massacred by the Arab countries surrounding them, were able to pull together and win the day. Wonderful characters and a beautifully written story that makes you feel as if you are experiencing the history along with the characters.

**I read this for the first time when I was living in Jerusalem, which made it even more amazing :).

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite series...I loved, absolutely loved the characters, the romance, and how much I learned. This is set in post WWWII Europe and then in Israel. I couldn't put it down. There is one book that ends in tragedy, but worth it since it is the story behind a brief mention of a character in the other series. Yep, now I'm gonna have to read it again just from writing about it.

[Susan]

Bodie Thoene is really an amazing author. Her ability to weave two or three stories together and have them join up smoothly at the end while being historically accurate, is nothing short of brilliant. These books, based on history are about the founding of the state of Israel. As with all of Thoene's books. I could not wait to find out what would happen next.

[Callie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I also enjoyed this series, but not as much as the Zion Covenant set. This story takes place after what happened in the Zion Covenant books, and I almost only cared about certain characters because of what had happened to them before. Still, I like that the author takes historical events and humanizes them.

[Universitybabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the historical aspect of these books. I liked the Zion Covenant series better but She draws me into each situation and helps me see things as if they were a part of my memory. These post WWII books gave me insight into a place and time I have thought little about.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read these books in 7th grade and have read the whole series several more times since then. I love the way Thoene seamlessly weaves history into fiction to the point that it's hard to distinguish who's real and who's not. Great books for learning history while having fun!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this a long time ago but I remember that I loved this series! It gave me a better understanding of the relationship between the Jews and the Arabs and the battles in Jerusalem. Even better was that all the learning was mixed in with a great fictional love story. What more can you ask for?

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have read this series twice. Love the characters! Have recently discovered Jerusalem Legacy series, which continues from where Chronicles left off. To the 5th book & it's pretty slow moving, not as enjoyable, but still good.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the Zion Chronicles in the 90's after my mom told me she liked this author. I learned a lot about the Israel and the Jewish customs along with some history. It is also an adventure with suspense that keeps you reading.

[Kari Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series. It was the first time I realized that God had not passed on his promises to the Christians, but that the Jews are still His chosen people, too. History shows He's not finished with His plan for them.

[Rachelle Sperling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoene writes in a way that draws you into the story so that you are there walking alongside the characters. This series gives a very clear and realistic picture of these years in the history of Israel.

[Dara Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the counterpart to The Zion Covenant. This series focuses on Israels struggle to gain independance. Some of the same characters from the Zion Covenant reappear. Terriffic!

[Karen Hsu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have only read the first three (out of five) books in this series, but just as it was with the Zion Covenant series I loved the plotline that is seeping with Jewish history.

[Sheila Mayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read!!

[Brookann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series follows the Zion Covenants and is every bit as compelling!

[Margot]

Jan Geiser recommended

[Mary Kestner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Israel fights for independence. I enjoyed them since I knew so little about Israel's recent history.
Easy to read.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suspenseful series of books about Israel becoming a state. These are not high lexile books, but they're very clean quick reads.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are excellent historical novels about the Jews and the conditions in Germany and Jerusalem. The story continues through 3 series. I would recommend them highly.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series for 40 years, highly recommended.