Daughter of Jerusalem

Daughter of Jerusalem 
Joan Wolf
Worthy Publishing 
Biblical Fiction 

In Daughter of Jerusalem, readers will quickly identify with Mary Magdalene – a woman of deep faith who used her wealth and influence to serve Jesus. This fictionalized story of Mary Magdalene is, in the truest sense of the word, an inspirational novel for modern people who are looking to renew in themselves the message of Christ. It’s the greatest story ever lived, told by one of the most famous women who ever lived, and it’s a page-turner. Joan Wolf’s years of success as a novelist enable her to combine storytelling and a faith plot in this beautifully written biblical fiction.

I was all set up to really like this book. I very much enjoy Biblical fiction because it helps me truly enter into the story of the Bible. I love that. I usually allow the liberties taken by the authors and am rarely bothered. However, the liberty of combining Mary Magdalene and Mary, Lazarus' sister, into one person went a bit too far for me. Is it likely they were the same person? There may be a very slim chance. I won't get into the theology and history of it all but I was bothered that they were combined into the same person. So bothered, I didn't fully enjoy the book. 

With that being said, however, you might not have the same problem. If you can look past the combination of characters and see this merely as a work of fiction it is a good read. Wolf writes with direction and I appreciate that. Her characters are well developed and interesting. While this certainly doesn't get my highest vote it does still get mention for being an enjoyable work of purely fiction.

My thanks to Worthy Publishing for providing me with a review copy of this book in exchange for my real honest review.