Teenage escapades, royal intrigues, and a Muslim girl who finds Jesus. A Marvelous Redeemer is the story of a teenage girl who flees her home after her mother finds out she has become a Christian, and her friend who will risk anything – maybe even his own soul – to find her.
Okay, that was a bit dramatic. But this story did have a bit of the dramatic in it!
What did I like about A Marvelous Redeemer?
First, the redemption story itself was good. Young Caleb learns the hard way that you can do wrong in your desire to do right, and he experiences the wonder of God’s redemption and forgiveness while stuck on a ship at sea. I also enjoyed the song that Caleb wrote at sea. I identified a lot with the shame this young man felt for his poor decisions, and felt a taste of God’s redemption for my own. The way Caleb’s brother-in-law chases after him and will stop at nothing to rescue his wayward brother was beautiful.
Second, I admired Amira’s courage in choosing to follow Christ in the face of her parents’ disapproval, and in a culture where that could mean death at worst or rejection at best. I appreciated the way she clung to Scripture on her harrowing journey. Hers wasn’t a faith with no doubts, but a faith that refused to give up, regardless of the doubts.
What I didn’t like about A Marvelous Redeemer:
Unfortunately, there were some road hazards to reading this book from the very beginning. First, I had trouble with the portrayal of Amira’s family. There are some accuracy issues regarding Islam and the way some of the conversations happen. Having many Muslim friends and having studied Islam, I remember thinking “that’s not how a Muslim would argue that.” But here’s something else I struggle with: Is it helpful to portray Muslims this way? Accurate? Yes, in some places there are terrible consequences for converting to Christianity. But if people only got one view of Muslims, I wouldn’t want this to be it.
Second, while the storyline itself was great, there was a lot of back story and a lot of preaching, to the point where I found myself wanting to skip over it. If you have to preach to get the point across, you’ve missed the point of storytelling. I also found it a little confusing jumping between different storylines. I’m not sure what the second storyline was really doing there (although I do want to get to know those characters! Haha. But they were distracting.)
The other thing that was confusing to me was the setting. I did finally find a date: 1849. Just now. Because I checked the prologue. But some of the women’s roles and most of the dialogue didn’t fit with the time period. I can work around the roles. I’m all for characters breaking the mold if the story still makes sense. But I kept thinking “no one talked like that back then!”
Would I Recommend A Marvelous Redeemer?
It wouldn’t be my first pick, for the reasons mentioned above. But I do think this author has potential, and I’d like to read something of hers in the future.
A Marvelous Redeemer is on Tour with Celebrate Lit
About the Book
She knew the decision would change her life. But she didn’t know she’d have to fight to survive. When Amira put her faith in Christ, she knew life wouldn’t be easy. But hiding her conversion from her Muslim family soon becomes the least of her worries. Forced to leave the only home she’s ever known, she travels to the island of Gabeburough, trying her best to make a fresh start. Two escaped convicts and a treasure map. A leafy paradise that becomes her home. Amira begins to wonder, where is her Redeemer when she needs Him the most? Caleb Haddington is prince of Carpathia. Life should be perfect, but he can’t get a certain dark-haired girl out of his mind. Amira was his best friend when he lived in France, but her letters to him have suddenly stopped. Her last letter is filled with terror that her faith will soon be discovered. Only a single hope keeps him alive; when the time is right, he’s going after her. He’ll bring her back and prove to the kingdom that he’s a man. But the journey proves to be more perilous than he’d ever imagined. Ridicule, comfortless days and the threat of a hurricane are just the start of his problems. Lying becomes easy for Caleb until his own life crumbles before him. Brought to his knees under the pressure of his actions, he comes to realize the sweetness of his Savior. Forgiveness, grace, and mercy are granted fully to those who ask. Caleb and Amira soon discover that they don’t just serve a gracious Savior, but a wonderful, magnificent, marvelous Redeemer.
Click here to purchase your copy.
About the Author
ALEIGHA C. ISRAEL writer of inspirational fiction and poetry is an author of multiple books and enjoys sharing God’s love through the powerful art of storytelling.
Aleigha loves being a Community Assistant at the Young Writers Workshop and teaching writing classes to her talented students.
When she’s not daydreaming about a new story idea or playing with her sidekick “Marley” (a Pomeranian mix) she can usually be seen traveling with her family’s gospel bluegrass band, “Fret Not” or making personalized author swag for her business Literary Treasures.
She doesn’t have to search very hard for inspiration.
Living in the Israel household, it’s guaranteed there’s an adventure waiting around every corner!
More from Aleigha
I’m beyond excited to finally share Caleb’s Song with you all!!
Something I love doing with my stories, is writing songs that become the character’s life songs.
I’ve done it for most of my books.
In A Marvelous Redeemer, Caleb suffers his way through learning several valuable lessons. But His Redeemer never left his side for a single moment.
We don’t have to try and make it through this world alone, because Jesus walks beside us all the way.
Through Jesus, we can find freedom, victory, peace, love and forgiveness. We can find ultimate joy in the sweet presence of our gracious, Marvelous Redeemer.
I hope you enjoy Caleb’s Song!
You can also check out his song on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXykDvOTGVc
And read an exclusive interview with Caleb Haddington and more of the royal family on my blog: https://thepenofthewriter.weebly.com/character-fun.html
(And even have the chance to ask Caleb a few questions of your own!!)
Caleb’s Song:
“A speck on the horizon, nothing big, nothing tall.
Just an ant on this earth,
trying to break down this wall.
A trembling wind, a small ship on the sea,
Understanding this world is not all about me.
Trying to fix all my problems, trying to right all my wrongs.
I just need someone stronger to carry me along.
I can build up walls, and hide within,
but the pain is still there, with no way to win.
I need love,
I need a Savior,
I need the Prince who was born in a manger.
I need strength, in all my weakness.
I need a light to chase all my darkness.
I need Jesus, I need Jesus.
My well is so empty, my spirit is dry.
No relief from this pain, though I try and I try.
I can’t do this anymore, my life is a mess,
I just want to win this battle, nothing more, nothing less.
This world offers answers that only appease for a day.
But I’ve finally found my life source, the only One, the only Way.
My burden’s now been lifted, I’ve found a life boat on the sea.
My walls are broken down, I’ve found victory!
In His love, in my Savior, in my Prince
who was born in a manger.
He is strength, in all my weakness.
He is the light to chase all my darkness.
I’ve found Jesus, I’ve found Jesus.”
Blog Stops
Real World Bible Study, May 30
Texas Book-aholic, May 30
Bigreadersite, May 31
janicesbookreviews, May 31
Carpe Diem, June 1
Girls Living For God’s Glory, June 2
Through the Fire Blogs, June 3
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, June 4
Mary Hake, June 4
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 5
Inspired by Fiction, June 6
For the Love of Literature, June 7
Pause for Tales, June 8
For The Love of Books, June 9
A Reader’s Brain, June 9
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 10
Aryn the Libraryan, June 11
God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae, June 12
Inklings and notions, June 12
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Aleigha is giving away a grand prize package that includes “My Foolish Heart” by Susan May Warren, “The Blessing” by Wanda E. Brunstetter, “Hidden Treasures” by Aleigha C. Israel, Song of the Mountains candle by @BookBurnCandles, a $10 Amazon gift card, and chocolate!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e2a7/a-marvelous-redeemer-celebration-tour-giveaway
This sounds like a great book, thanks for the honest review.
This book sounds like a fascinating read.
I appreciate your honest review. I don’t know more than the basics of Islam, but I definitely hope that Christian authors would provide an unbiased view of Muslims in their books.
Me too, Dianna – but most Christians (authors or otherwise) don’t even realize.