Alma

Book of Mormon #2

by H.B. Moore, Heather B. Moore

King Noah is thundering with rage. The former high priest Alma has vanished from the city of Nephi, and every night more of his believers manage to escape. The king blames Amulon and threatens certain punishment unless Amulon recaptures Alma a seemingly impossible task. But Amulon has a plan. An equally valuable prisoner is at his Noah's wife, Maia, whose newfound faith means bitter humiliation for the king and an opportunity for Amulon to seize power. Amulon's disavowed daughter Raquel has plans of her own. Despite her grief, she is determined to begin a new life in the colony Alma and his followers are building. When Lamanites plunder and burn her settlement, Raquel and her young son are forced to flee to the waters of Mormon. Drama and danger escalate as Alma the Elder organizes the Lord's Church and baptizes its members, bringing an outpouring of divine grace and power. But even as they rejoice, the believers have profound and perilous trials to face, from the outward threat of Amulon's treachery to the inward threat of pride and disobedience. With poignant emotion, gripping suspense, and rich inspiration, this new epic story from H.B. Moore vividly brings the Book of Mormon to life.

Genres: Lds, Historical Fiction, Lds Fiction, Religion, Historical, Fiction, Romance

308 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

About the author

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than seventy publications. She writes historical novels and thrillers under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes women's fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt, the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Utah. Heather is represented by Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.

Please join Heather's email list at: HBMoore.com/contact

Blog: MyWritersLair.blogspot.com

Website: HBMoore.com

Twitter: @heatherbmoore

Instagram: @authorhbmoore

Facebook: Heather B. Moore All About Books

Literary awards: 2019 Maggie Award Winner, 6-time Best of State Recipient for Best in Literary Arts, 4-time Whitney Award Winner, and 2-time Golden Quill Award Winner

Alternate Goodreads Page: Heather B. Moore

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I finished reading a preview copy of Heather B. Moore's latest novel, Alma, I groaned. The book was so good I wanted to keep reading for another few hundred pages – and that was after soaking up some three hundred already.

I admire the way Heather brings scripture alive in her books, and adds a third dimension to familiar stories. Alma is no exception. Characters I met and loved in Abinidi grow and mature in Alma as they endure trials and afflictions that test the strongest faith to its limits. It’s heart breaking to witness the burdens these people carry, yet satisfying to see how prayers are answered and right prevails.

Even though I’m familiar with Alma’s story in the Book of Mormon, reading about him in Heather's fiction—which maintains scriptural accuracy, by the way—is like seeing everything open up in real time. Heather’s writing is masterful. Her descriptive passages employ all the senses, taking me into the heart of the story, letting me see, feel, hear, and smell my surroundings as though I was actually there in ancient lands.

The love stories weaving through Alma are so believable and touching, that from now on I know I’ll have a hard time putting them into the “fiction, not fact” compartment of my brain. I certainly have a much greater appreciation for Alma, the great warrior prophet, thanks to Heather’s book.

In my personal Book of Mormon daily read, at the same time as I finished Alma, I reached the Mosiah chapter seventeen account where Alma is writing up Abinadi’s words in secret after being hounded out of the city. What a happy coincidence that was. My scriptural Alma suddenly became so vivid I wanted to tell him not to worry, millions would one day read the things he was writing, and to keep up the great work as it was vital information for future generations.

I give Alma by H. B. Moore ten out of ten, and am already looking forward to her next work, Alma the Younger.

Below are a few of the many glowing endorsements for Alma, which comes out September 2009.

“Alma has it all: vibrant characters, danger, spiritual challenges, and bittersweet joy. Moore has created an epic tale that’s simply impossible to put down.”—Jason F. Wright, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Wednesday Letters

“H.B. Moore brings the remarkable characters to life through well-researched detail, a hard-to-put-down storyline, and scripturally accurate counsel that reflects the author’s own deep understanding of the scriptures. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and the way in which the books cause you to ponder the scriptural accounts.” –Al Rounds, Artist

“In a pattern that has become warmly familiar, H. B. Moore crafts a page-turning yet well-researched story of the challenges that a Book of Mormon personality faces when trying to lead a colony of believers to safety, not once but twice. Alma the Elder, who begins his life in debauchery, becomes the respected adviser to a king and the leader of his church, and more. On a personal level, this man becomes the model for all of us who seek to arrest a wasted life and turn it into something grand and meaningful.” -S. Kent Brown, emeritus professor of ancient scripture, BYU

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to take a fresh view of Alma, having not read any of H.B. Moore's books before. Even though I have Abinadi--I read Alma first.

As a stand alone novel, it works. There's enough information about what happened before to keep the story moving without slowing things down. I found Alma's characters engaging; it sort of brought scripture to life. Reading the book recalled passages from the Book of Mormon, but I'm not such a scriptorian that I knew immediately what would happen next.

Speaking strictly from a reader's point of view, I could hardly put Alma down. I had to a couple of times to deal with the kids, and each time my mind returned to the story and I had to pick the book up to read more. I'm a fast reader so I finished it in a matter of hours (5 or 6 total).

I like the way Moore delivers a story. Alma is engaging without being complicated.

[Kathee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I'm sad to admit when I read the Book of Mormon I just can't 'visualize' it. Not to mention the fact that I've never, EVER, even thought about what it was like for the women tagging along with all those great prophets. Heather Moore's books that I've read so far (Abinadi and now Alma) bring everything to life for me. Ironically, in our family scripture study we have been reading in Alma this past week and reading this book has made me go "Oh!! Okay, I get it!" for so many things. I can't wait to read Alma the Younger now, but especially I can't wait for Ammon,he is our family's favorite guy.

[Walt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heather Moore was gracious enough to let me read her new novel, ALMA, and I am glad I did. I haven't read too much fiction for her intended audience, so this was somewhat new for me. I recommend it to anyone interested in having the life of Alma the Elder from the BOOK OF MORMON more fleshed out. I also recommend it to anyone otherwise interested in reading fast-paced fiction involving elements of romance, friendship, and religious devotion.

For me, the book ALMA is misnamed, though.

Its predominant character, for me, is Maia, wife of the malevolent King Noah, the chief, if subtle, romantic hero, or, if you will, romantic interest, in the novel. Maia's story is much more compelling than Alma's; in fact, Maia's story is gripping enough for me to read the entire book despite any other defects, such as why Moore starts out in Amulon's point-of-view: "Amulon stared at the king's red face," she writes in her opening line, "wondering if he'd ever hated a man more."

Now that's a nice, strong, and potent sentence (although I couldn't help smiling, and having the author's name so clearly in mind, as I read, " . . . a man MoOre.") And there's no question but that Amulon lives up to that first characterization of him, and even finds a man to hate greater than he hates the king with the red face. But, I ask, where are Alma and Maia in these first few pages? They are reference material. I don't know if I've ever started a published novel in the antagonist's point-of-view with the protagonist in the background. Do you recall any?

Well, for me, it was disturbing. In analyzing it, I couldn't help thinking of some favorite characters: "My suffering left me sad and gloomy," says protagonist Pi Patel from LIFE OF PI; "When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow," says Scout from TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD. And THE ROAD starts out, "When he woke in the woods in the dark and the cold of the night he'd reach out to touch the child sleeping beside him. " It is clearly in the protagonist's point-of-view. Even Orson Scott Card's SARAH --- not that it's a favorite of mine, but it does inhabit a similar genre --- starts: "Sarai was ten years old when she saw him first."

Anyway, this Amulon character is, at the outset of the novel, a high priest in King Noah's court, an old friend of Alma's before Alma "got religion." Although, to be accurate, it's actually before Alma gets "true" religion, for Alma had been a high priest in the religious order in the king's court already. So, in its essence, the story is the juxtaposition of orthodoxy and apostasy, with Amulon serving as the prototype for the one, and Alma as the ideal for the other.

It seemed that the main characters in the novel --- Alma and Amulon, in particular, --- were drawn so sweetly good and grotesquely bad, without much (any?) ambiguity at all; that there were no real struggles with temptation or any need for repentance. Their minds were made up; they were where they were and what they had become, and it seemed there was little or no chance for them to change. Even if characters always chose right . . . or wrong --- And that just doesn't happen, does it? --- it seems some struggle with temptation to do evil or desire to repent ought to be evident, and that struggle ought to be conveyed in a work of fiction. Even prophets admit failings, weaknesses. But Alma is " . . . inside his soul . . . truly free. He was true to his convictions, his faith, his Lord. His increasing burdens were made light . . ." From outset to the end, it seemed to me.

Whether or not one accepts the BOOK OF MORMON as a historical document --- and there are adherents of the Mormon faith who don't or who place some limitations on it --- this admixture of what is clearly fiction with the chronologies and language from Mormon scripture is an interesting, and at times compelling, phenomenon. I've read Diamant's THE RED TENT, which is based upon Old Testament characters, and enjoyed it very much, but, for me, reading a character out the BOOK OF MORMON, seemed a uniquely new and exciting adventure. Of course, such an undertaking is nothing new to Moore, who has already written about ABINADI from the BOOK OF MORMON, winning, I see, various awards within a growing audience for doing so.

Now, Moore does a great job fleshing out the basic narrative of Alma and his contemporaries in her novel, using a cast of other interesting characters: Helam and Raquel, King Noah, Amulon, Jachin and Lael, Gideon, and, especially, Maia. She does so using both animate and inanimate characteristics from her source material, making the story more interesting and forceful than the original text. Readers --- at least this one --- are less likely to fall asleep or get bored reading this kind of story, where they can identify with and become more invested in the characters, the relationships, and the places the characters visit and experience, than when simply reading raw scriptures without any ancillary imagination --- not that people ever do that, of course. The orthodox believer will perhaps scoff and scorn, saying that the spirit works only through the original text. My experience, and it appears many others', differs.

At the end of the day, however, I felt closer to Maia than I ever did to Alma. But, like I said above, it was well worth my time and effort to read ALMA and to be obliged to consider more fully his life and story.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago I read an observation made by President Hinckley's wife, Marjorie, that went something like this: “Poor, Mrs. Moroni . . .” It impacted me deeply because I had never before given a thought to the anonymous wife of brave Captain Moroni, let alone to the sacrifices she unquestionably must have made as she endured her husband’s years of military service.

The scriptures are filled with people and events recorded with brief mentions that slide under our spiritual-radar, failing to entice us to study further. But there is hope, and help.

Lifting Book of Mormon characters from the typed page, and breathing life into them, is two-time Whitney Award-winning author, H.B. Moore’s, forte. ALMA, her current novel, extracted from the pages of the Book of Mormon, picks up where ABINADI, her previous Whitney-winning novel, leaves off, vividly bringing Alma’s world to life—illuminating the settings, stories, sacrifices and support characters essential to understanding this remarkable prophet-leader and missionary, and thereby helping readers place the beautiful lessons and principles from the scriptures into dazzling context.

There are, of course, aspects of the stories that are, by necessity, speculative. But Moore’s treatment of Alma’s story exhausts the resources obtainable from the Book of Mormon account, and then she fleshes out the story using research gleaned from noteworthy LDS religious scholars—experts on Meso-American and Hebrew cultures—who also lend their endorsement to her work. Her research is sound, her informational leaps are plausible, and the resulting stories are compelling as the reader is drawn into the pivotal scenes of Alma’s life. They experience his profound regret over his years as a priest in King Noah’s court, his sorrow and guilt over Abinadi’s martyrdom, his deep humility as he begins his mission, and his self-sacrificing commitment to protect the faithful who risk everything to follow the teachings of Christ Abinadi gave his life to impart.

Women will be particularly drawn to the tender family element that runs through the book, but all gospel scholars should feel increasingly connected to Alma and his band of believers who risked death to follow the doctrine of Christ. I have read the account of the baptisms Alma performed at the Waters of Mormon, as recorded in Mosiah 18, many times, but those verses were never more personal to me than they were after reading and pondering Moore’s description of the terror that threatened the believers as they fled the Land of Nephi seeking baptism at Alma’s hands. Suddenly, Alma’s words ring with compassion over the suffering and sacrifice of these new converts, and for me, they now echo that same compassion to everyone who has sacrificed for, or served to bring to pass, the gospel of Christ.

Moore’s description of the suffering and deliverance of Alma’s followers under the despot Amulon’s rule was another story that leapt off the pages for me, becoming more personal and intimate through Moore’s delicate storytelling. No longer mere characters on a page, we are more able to identify with them, and therefore their trials and deliverance carries renewed power and hope for those who suffer in every age.

H.B. Moore’s ALMA does not replace pure scripture study; Moore would be the first to say that. And first-time readers of the Book of Mormon may be wise to avoid confusion by identifying scriptural characters from the fictional ones before jumping in. But reading ALMA will enhance its readers’ connection to, and appreciation for, the people whose accounts make up the Book of Mormon, and teachers and parents will find it an outstanding springboard for discussions on the characteristics of disciples of Christ.

ALMA’s three-dimensional glimpse into the lives of this great prophet and his followers is a book I recommend to Book of Mormon students of every age. Published by Covenant, H.B. Moore’s ALMA is available wherever LDS books are sold.

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very excited to review Heather B. Moore's latest novel titled "Alma". This book continues the story from her previous book titled "Abinadi". Once I read that book I was hooked! Heather is one of those authors that writes with such passion that you can't help but fall in love with her characters. You'll end up begging for more when the last chapter ends.

Her characters jump off the pages with raw emotion and conviction. Get ready to experience a tilt-a-whirl of emotions including heartache, joy, hatred, suffering and elation. This is truly an inspirational book!


Synopsis from Seagull Book:

King Noah is thundering with rage. The former high priest Alma has vanished from the city of Nephi, and every night more of his believers manage to escape. The king blames Amulon and threatens certain punishment unless Amulon recaptures Alma-a seemingly impossible task. But Amulon has a plan. An equally valuable prisoner is at his fingertips: Noah's wife, Maia, whose newfound faith means bitter humiliation for the king and an opportunity for Amulon to seize power.

Amulon's disavowed daughter Raquel has plans of her own. Despite her grief, she is determined to begin a new life in the colony Alma and his followers are building. When Lamanites plunder and burn her settlement, Raquel and her young son are forced to flee to the waters of Mormon.

Drama and danger escalate as Alma the Elder organizes the Lord's Church and baptizes its members, bringing an outpouring of divine grace and power. But even as they rejoice, the believers have profound and perilous trials to face, from the outward threat of Amulon's treachery to the inward threat of pride and disobedience. With poignant emotion, gripping suspense, and rich inspiration, this new epic story from H.B. Moore vividly brings the Book of Mormon to life.


I have always adored books based on historical fiction. H.B. Moore not only brings the Book of Mormon characters to life, she captures the imagination. It's truly fascinating to read what the early prophets may have acted like. I was actually inspired to pick up the Book of Mormon and study. Any book that can inspire readers to more faithful aspirations must be a powerfully written book indeed!

This was a delightful, enticing read and I can't wait to read "Alma the Younger" next fall!

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alma by H.B. Moore

As this was my first H.B Moore Book of Mormon novel, I was sort've hesitant to read it, but the up close and personal life of Alma and his family really blew me away, as the story reads like what our Country is going through now. From reading Alma, I was able to learn a few little tidbits about the area and culture of thse Nephites and the Lamanites.

As the story begins, we see Alma leaving King Noah's Court after Alma has repented an d changed his ways. Abinadi has recently been killed and King Noah is also killed, leaving Limhi as king. Alma, Helam, Abinadi's brother, and Raquel,widow of Abinadi, leave Nephi to find a place to live in peace, to be able to worship how they may. Maia, widow of King Noah, is kidnapped with some Lamanite women and winds up being a slave to the new King Amulon, a former High Priest in King Noah's court and former friend of Alma. Maia has help from The Lord in keeping from being King Amulon's 2nd wife. Alma has feelings for Maia and so does Helam for Abinadi's widow.

When Amulon and Korihor band together to take over the City of Helam, it takes all the courage that Alma has to keep from keeping his people safe. When he receives assurance from God that the Nephites will be saved, he feels calm and waits until The Lord says it's time to leave The City of Helam.

If you want an up close and personal look at this wonderful man and prophet who comprises a third of The Book of Mormon, this awesome historical novel is it. My three favorite Book of Mormon people are Nephi, Alma the Elder and Younger and Moroni.

Forever Friends Rating 5 Stars by Teri
Until Next Time, See You Around The Book Nook.


Covenant
ISBN-13: 9781598118643
Pub. Date: September 2009
308pp

[Ronda Hinrichsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me, one of the most important elements a good book must have is a life lesson and/or spiritual insight, like those found in some of my favorite classics, "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Rebecca," and "Jane Eyre." Unfortunately, incorporating insight into our work without being didactic can be tricky, but I'm happy to say H.B. Moore has done just that in her recently released novel, "Alma." Sure, her fictional story is based on a true story from the Book of Mormon, but Moore does not use that ready medium to preach. Like any master craftsman, she lets her characters and conflict reveal important truths for her.


For instance, one of ALMA's lessons, or themes, is the importance and power of patience. Every one of Moore's righteous, main characters struggles with it. First, there's Rachel, Abinidi's grieving widow. Though initially unwilling to open her heart to another, she plows forward with her day to day challenges until the Lord eventually heals her heart enough that she can again find joy.


Similarly, Maia, one of King Noah's widows, faces a worse fate, yet she patiently submits to abuse and servitude while simultaneously pleading with and relying on the Lord to deliver her. Alma and Helam, Abinidi's brother, also deal with like challenges. In fact, all of Alma's people subject themselves to the power of their enemies, knowing the Lord will, in the end, free them.


Of course, the beauty and strength of these lessons, are not the only reasons you should read ALMA. Actually, H.B. Moore is an exceptional storyteller. I mean, how many of us can create suspense in a story that nearly all LDS readers are already familiar with?

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

H. B. Moore's ALMA seems to qualify as a "fill in the blanks" story of what has already been given to us in the Book of Mormon. This is a sequel to ABINADI and uses several characters created for that novel to fill in blanks in the Book of Mosiah, and Moore uses them very well.

While Alma (the elder) serves as one point of view character, most of the point of view characters who tell his story are people Moore has created herself, such as Abinadi's widow and a wife, and later widow, of King Noah. Moore also gives relationships and personalities to people like Amulon and Helam who, with their perspectives, richen and deepen the events told in the Book of Mosiah. All of these characters are used to good effect, and the motivations and actions as the story progresses provide explanations for incidents only glossed over in the Book of Mormon, such as how and why the daughters of the Lamanites could plead for their kidnappers' lives when their people finally found them.

This book is an exciting and interesting exploration of the followers and enemies of Alma and how they might have been involved in and affected by what happened. Not only do they struggle to survive, but the characters love and mourn and laugh and misunderstand and grow together, or apart, as the case may be. Moore is true to what is known about that time and place, and this book offers worthy speculations of what surrounded those events.

I suppose that the next book might be about the sons of Alma and Mosiah, but I hope that Moore will consider calling one of the sequels LIMHI. There is a lot of potential for filling in the blanks of that story as well, and Moore could do it justice.

[Rebecca Irvine · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite LDS fiction series I discovered this year has been Heather B. Moore's historical novels based on the Book of Mormon. Moore takes the scriptural characters and their exact story lines, and adds greater detail, more characters (especially female ones you will wish were actually mentioned in the BoM), and lots of accurate cultural research. And the end result? Books that make you almost wish your daily scripture study was as easy and exciting.

Moore's first historical novel in the prophet series was Abinadai, which follows in the footsteps of her Out of Jerusalem series. Her latest novel is Alma, based on the story of Alma the Elder. Beginning shortly after the death of Abinadai, Alma covers the life of the prophet Alma as he leads believers to the Waters of Mormon and beyond. The demise of King Noah and the kidnapping of the daughters of the Lamanites are both depicted in Alma, as well as the experiences of other logical individuals that do not appear in the Book of Mormon. In particular, the widow of Abinadai features prominently in Alma, as well as Maia, one of the wives of King Noah.

One of the best characters in Alma Moore creates is that of Amulon. Taken directly from the scriptures, Moore is able to breathe life into Amulon. His motives, desires, and actions contrast strongly with those of the prophet Alma and help to keep the storyline moving at a quick pace.

If you are interested in reading a bit of Alma yourself, you can read the first three chapters online here. Just be warned--you are likely to be addicted.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Heather Moore's novel Abinadi, and thus had high expectations for its sequel. I am happy to report that Alma did not disappoint.

Alma is based on scriptural accounts found in the Book of Mormon. Alma was a high priest under King Noah's rule. He was present when the prophet Abinadi came to the wicked leader to preach repentance. Alma was touched by the words Abinadi spoke. When Noah had Abinadi executed by fire, Alma fled and worked to spread the gospel. Alma relates the story from that point forward.

I really enjoy the way Heather Moore brings her characters to life. I was so enthralled with them that I didn't want to put the book down. Depicting the prophets as younger men with more to lose really made a difference in how their trials affected me.

In the past, I haven't really looked at scriptural stories as entertainment, but that must be because I haven't thought about the details that were too numerous to chisel into metal plates. Don't worry, I'm not confusing fact with fiction, but I am glad for novels like this that open my eyes to the real people and how their lives might have been.

The overall book gave me a desire to pull out the scriptures and reread those chapters in the Book of Mormon.

I think the only issue I had with the story was that it ended. Not that the ending was incomplete, but I just wanted more.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALMA will be released September 2009!

Endorsements:

“Alma has it all: vibrant characters, danger, spiritual challenges, and bittersweet joy. Moore has created an epic tale that’s simply impossible to put down.”
—Jason F. Wright, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Wednesday Letters and Christmas Jars


“. . . an exciting and faith-promoting tale—the Book of Mormon in 3-D and Technicolor.” –Richard Cracroft, BYU Magazine


“H.B. Moore brings the remarkable characters to life through well-researched detail, a hard-to-put-down storyline, and scripturally accurate counsel that reflects the author's own deep understanding of the scriptures. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and the way in which the books cause you to ponder the scriptural accounts.” –Al Rounds, Artist


“In a pattern that has become warmly familiar, H. B. Moore crafts a page-turning yet well-researched story of the challenges that a Book of Mormon personality faces when trying to lead a colony of believers to safety, not once but twice. Alma the Elder, who begins his life in debauchery, becomes the respected adviser to a king and the leader of his church, and more. On a personal level, this man becomes the model for all of us who seek to arrest a wasted life and turn it into something grand and meaningful.” –S. Kent Brown, emeritus professor of ancient scripture, BYU

[Taffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not one that usually reads novels based on scripture for two reasons: first, many times the stories are not accurate and second, I tend to internalize the story and it mixes up in my daily scripture reading.

But Heather's books are different. Heather's writing is descriptive and accurate which keeps me IN the story. I can almost see, touch and smell the areas where the story takes place. She brings the scriptures alive in very readable way.

Heather is good at making her readers root for the good guys and boo the bad guys. A few story lines made me angry and wonder how things could get better. Other story lines gave me hope.

I see Alma different in my studies now and feel I have internalized him possibly in the way he really was 'way back then'. I've hopefully come to see Book of Mormon heroes as real, third dimensional people, thanks to Heathers writing!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like historical fiction. When it's about scripture I'm picky about the author keeping the facts straight. HBM does a great job of this. I read the scripture right along with the book. I love the way her story pulls me into the lives of the characters and helps me understand what it would have been like to live at that time. In this particular part of the Book of Mormon there are several stories happening simultaneously. With this book I can focus on one group of people at a time. I better understand the trials they faced and the patience required. I was especially impressed by the love and forgiveness of the Lamanite women who married Amulon and the other wicked priests.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was a good one, but i don't think it was as great as the one before (abinadi). this story picks up right where abinadi left off. alma has fled from king noah's court and begins teaching believers the preachings of abinadi by the waters of mormon. noah continues searching for him and vows to have him killed.
there's lots of romance (a little too much for my liking), some fight scenes, and i guess you could say a little suspense (if you haven't read the story of alma in a while). overall, i thought it was a good book.

[Nikki Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book and imagining what Alma's life might have been like. There were a couple of things that I had never imagined that way, but she transported me into her imagination and I loved it. I love these books, they help me to see the prophets as the real people that they were. It makes their accomplishments that much more extraordinary. The characters in these stories really come to life and make you care for the plight of the Nephites. I definately recommend that everyone read these books!!

[Rachel Robins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Moore's books and this one is excellent. Moore gives a perfect blend of history and fiction. I could tell she really researched the time period, the historical elements in the book were fasinating. I think we often forget the individual stories of the people in scriptures. I love getting a picture of what life must have been like and now that I am re-reading this passage of scripture, I'm pleased to find it's taken on an even deeper meaning. I saw that "Alma the Younger" is out--can't wait to read it!

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a long time to get through this book (had a baby, etc.) and when I finally got a chance to sit and finally read it, I really enjoyed it! I love books that make me want to read it and find out what happens next. My husband made fun of me, "you don't know what's going to happen in the end?" hahaha!!!

The only thing is, though the end is good, I was hoping to see how Amulon took Alma and his people escaping. I guess I wanted to grovel in his dashed hopes and dreams a bit.

I think Heather's a great author and the more she writes the better she gets.

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, H.B. Moore creates the perfect Book of Mormon environment with her second installment, Alma. This book picks up right where Abinadi left off. The author continues to create and describe the characters and their relationships to each other. The most interesting part to me was Abinadi's widow and son and how they moved on after his untimely death. Even though it is a fictional account of these characters, I think H.B. Moore provided an insightful and accurate description of the circumstances surrounding these events. Overall, another amazing Book of Mormon tale!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked these two books by H.B. Moore. I loved the application of the Book of Mormon prophets, and even though fictional, the idea of what their lives might have been like. It made me wonder if I would be that strong as a believer. I hope my testimony is that strong. I'll think about it more in my life. I need to be better. I also liked how the romance wasn't too cheesy, but it was more a part of the story in Alma than in Abinadi. Anyway, I highly recommend these books to adults and young readers.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author does such a good job helping us consider what 'might have been'. We know Alma was married (Alma the younger ...), but we know nothing about his wife. Heather B. Moore includes notes at the end of the book that show why she chose specific locations and traditions.

Although Alma was a great character, I thought Amulon was even more fascinating.

[Clyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was entertaining and brought to life with interesting imaginative details, a story very familiar to me. I was a little disappointed in the end not to have had a vindicating scene of Amulon discovering that the people of Alma gone from under his oppressive thumb with it's associated ramifications, but oh well. certainly not deep, though it made characters in the Book of Mormon more relatable--is that a word--with human frailties, passions and trials.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Abinadi and I was very excited when the library told me that Alma was ready to pick up. I read it in less than 24 hours, because I couldn't put it down. I loved that the author kept the truth in the story but also put in side things. I love the authors style, I love the story, and words cannot express how much I loved the book. Everybody should read this book, it gives you perspective on the live of the family and friends of the Book of Mormon prophets. :)

[Cheryl Mclaws · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED. IT. I read Moore's Out of Jerusalem series a few years ago and was excited to jump back into the lives of some of the people I know and love from the Book of Mormon. Heather has such a way with words and is amazing at chreating complex characters that seem to jump right off the pages and make you feel like your actually there in the story with them. I'm anxious to continue reading her stories!

[Dave LeFevre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heather Brown Moore has written another excellent historical novel for the Book of Mormon. Focusing on real characters Alma, Helam, Noah, and Amulon, as well as a host of fictional women in their lives that really keep the story moving, this is a fascinating exploration of that critical period of time in the history of the Nephites and Lamanites.

[Spring Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an excellent book and I just happened to be reading about this time period in the Book of Mormon. I never really realized that Alma was under the rule of Amulon again and what that would have meant to him - since they had both served under King Noah together. I enjoyed this book and hope that Alma the Younger is going to come out soon!!

[Gina Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish I would have realized that Abinadi really should have been read first. Luckily I am aware of the story line:) This was a very interesting read - making you feel for the people of Alma as they escaped King Noah and then were taken over by the very wicked Amulon. I always love reading historical fiction and enjoyed this one too.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is based on a prophet from the Book of Mormon. It is a sequel to Abinadi, which I also really enjoyed. Alma, through his faith in Jesus Christ, is able to bear up his burdens and is blessed for doing so. Bryce's aunt Wendy is friends with the author of this book, which is kind of cool. I wish I was friends with a famous author!!!

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the writing and the characters in this book. Although based on true events in the Book of Mormon the author has taken liberty with a lot of the details but its very easy to see how things could have happened that way. It made me think more about the actual every day lives of Alma and those around him and come to appreciate and love him more.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Heather Moore. It is a continuation of Abinadi but more focused on Alma. I am so glad to have found historical fictions based on the Book of Mormon. These books have broadened and made my personal scripture study so much more. The characters and backgrouds all make sense now. Very good read!