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WARNING: Possible Spoilers

I was provided a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.  The following opinions are mine alone.  If I do not enjoy a particular book, that doesn't necessarily mean you won't either.  :]

[The Basics]

*huge sigh*  O__O  Unfortunately, that's what I feel when I think of this book.  I am SO RELIEVED to have finished it.  In my humble opinion, it read much like a silly soap opera drama.  And I canNOT stand those. . . *sigh*  

Anyways, as mentioned above in the book blurb, you'll get the gist of what this story is about.  To me, it literally dragged on and on and on.  And the plot seemed to go nowhere fast, with barely any resolution (to my thinking) in the end.  I had a difficult time not skimming it just to be done, if that tells you anything more.  But enough of that, if you feel this novel is one you may enjoy, by all means, please do!  And comment to let me know!  I love hearing your different opinions---it's a beautiful thing at times to disagree.  :]

[Negatives]

[Spiritual Content]

This is so very obviously Christian fiction.  Hana, a Christian Israeli Arab, prays quite often---throughout her day in the little things (something I admire) as well as most every night around 3:30am.  At one point during her quiet time, she experiences the "invisible weight of God's glory" when "she [closed her eyes], the atmosphere around her thickened, but not due to heat or humidity. . ."  At this moment, she feels completely surrounded by God's presence, almost sounding to me like she was in a trance-like state for a few minutes.  When Jakob interrupts her, she encourages him in faith saying that when the time comes for him to experience God's presence, not to miss it.  And that Jerusalem is the best place to find God.  (Jakob, as a secular Jew, doesn't think much of faith.  But he eventually does have that moment Hana said he'd have.)

Hana takes Jakob to one of her favorite places in the Holy City, the Garden Tomb.  A guide gives a lecture on the death of Jesus, something Jakob had never really heard of before.  He also didn't know Jesus was a Jew.  Prayer beads are found at a crime scene.  Other characters pray and encourage one another to.  We see the diversity of religion in different places in the city, as well as Atlanta, Georgia.

[Violence]

A man is ambushed at his friend's apartment.  He's beaten brutally over the head and suffers a pretty severe concussion, causing much dizziness and some blackout spells.  

A security footage shows a woman and child attacked in a public square.  The woman is killed by a knife, and the girl---age 3---is seriously injured (on the face).  In searching for evidence of who and what group is behind the murder, Hana and Jakob come across a training video where young men chase hostages into abandoned houses and execute them.  Some characters are taken hostage, a couple try to defend themselves with no success.  They are gagged and bound with plastic zip ties, which cut into their wrists.  Someone spits in a woman's face and calls her a loose woman.  A man suggests they take her as a prize for "a commander's harem."  A guy holds a knife to her neck.

A man strikes Hana across the face.  A man is grazed by a bullet, injuring his thigh.  At least one terrorist is killed in the chaos of a rescue---he bleeds out, twitching.  Special forces use concussion grenades.

[Language // Alcohol & Drugs]

One use of "oh my god."

Characters drink red wine.  Jakob enjoys some beer, but not excessively.  Hana and an investigator she has hired to help her law firm visit a hookah shop (flavored tobacco) to meet with an informant.

[Romantic Content]

Hana and the investigator obviously get along well with each other.  It's no surprise to her co-workers that she likes the man and that their relationship could possibly lead to marriage in the future.  They embrace and kiss a few times.

[Conclusion]

All told, I simply couldn't get into the story.  Everything just kinda felt loose and disjointed to me.  There were many times the point-of-views (POVs) of characters changed suddenly with no break in the chapter to indicate we were switching.  (That's become a huge pet peeve of mine lately. . .)  The writing seemed very flat to me---FAR too much tell and no show whatsoever.

Other than that, and the fact there's much dialogue placed on Israel, it's cities, and culture (which is interesting, of course, but almost over-the-top), this story has much potential.

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16+

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Thanks for reading, y'all! Again, this is totally my opinion on this particular novel.  If you get the chance to read it, I'd love to hear what you think!  

This is the last book review of the year for me!  Keep on visiting as I'm working on others for future posts.  :]

Merry Christmas!!!