Redemption’s Promise is an exciting adventure/romance set in Jerusalem during Jesus’ death through His ascension. It also weaves in Old Testament prophecies and their fulfillment in Christ. All this in a fast-paced fictional story you won’t be able to put down! - Jason bar Micaiah is just sixteen years old. His father, an insurrectionist, has been killed; his mother is missing. Given the choice of death, slavery, or becoming the son of a Roman centurion—he chooses adoption. Though he despises his new identity, his secret goal is to use it to his advantage—to continue his father’s fight against Roman tyranny. Jason's life becomes an exciting, dangerous, and soul-searching adventure that ultimately leads to the true meaning of Redemption’s Promise.
Perspective by Peter:
I may become a convert to Biblical historical fiction! I have not read much in this genre, but Rebert's novel has changed that! Now, I realise that all novels in this genre will not be like this one, but it has whetted my appetite to read more of these.
This is such a beautiful story. I was totally engrossed in it. I stayed up late over two nights just to find out what would happen next. I loved the romance, even the forbidden sense of it, between Jason and Rebecca, Antonius and Deborah, but this is not as it seems by the end of the novel and forms the basis for the sequel. There are some loose ends and questions left unanswered, that Rebert outlines at the end of the novel in preparation for this sequel:
Does Braedon ever enter the story again?
Does Ruth’s mother live or die? Will Antonius and Deborah marry?
Will Jason keep his promise to Yosef and Maya?
Is this the last we see of Petronai and Aurelius?
To answer those questions and provide another exciting biblical fiction adventure, I am working on a sequel that will also include the conversion and ministry of the Apostle Paul!
Rebert has written this novel so well that you are in the novel with the characters. More than an observer, unattached to the characters. You will become endeared to them. You relate to them, you experience their happiness, their joy, their sorrow, their despair. You might even re-experience the Joy of your salvation, that feeling of joy when you accepted Jesus as Saviour. I did again when Jason accepted Jesus as His Lord and Saviour. I had a bit of a cry of Joy during this.
I became incensed at the harshness of Antonius' discipline and punishment towards Jason's disobedience towards him, I cried at the scourging (whipping) of Jason at Antonius' hands. I understood his reasons for doing so, that were explained later in the novel. It was such a difficult position, his superiors had put Antonius in. Such a harsh test of his loyalty to the Roman hierarchy. Antonius was just a product of his Roman training and indoctrination of the Roman way of thinking and military mindset. However, deep down, he was always a man conflicted. There was a pain in his heart from the death of his son and loss of his wife. This is expressed in him adopting Jason as his son and preserving the life of Jason's mother. I had a soft spot for Antonius despite his many flaws and harsh behaviour. Maybe the father in me came out when I read about the trials of their relationship.
I loved the puppy love that originally existed from Jason towards Rebecca that grew into full unconditional love. If there is one thing that I appreciated was the prayers that Jason expressed in his despair when he could not ever be with Rebecca (until God answered this prayer). They are tender, sincere, heart felt and show a teachable spirit. We could all take a lesson from this. How to accept God's will for our lives despite what we want. I have said before in other reviews that I don't understand why fellow Christian readers criticise an author for including the content of a character's prayer. I can understand a non-believer doing this as it is unfamiliar to them and even a form of spiritual resistance in their fallen/unregenerated spirit. It does not detract from the story, it does not slow the plot down. To me, it shows a realistic and essential way of life and Christian living for the Christ follower. These prayer inclusions enhance the story and show the relationship we need to have with Jesus.
This brings me to another spiritual aspect of this novel. It is replete with wisdom of forgiveness. The dialogue between Deborah and Jason concerning the latter forgiving Antonius and Ephraim shows the power of the Gospel and what Jesus achieved on the Cross for us. Rebert writes from her heart here and it is beautiful and powerful. I am sure it might convict some readers to re-evaluate their hearts towards those they are struggling to forgive. I know it did me. And this is one aspect of Christian fiction I love to see in novels, where it encourages a deeper walk with Christ, where it convicts you of a stronghold, where it edifies your spirit, it educates you in another aspect of God, or our Christian living and how to be more Christ like. Rebert shines here.
And I must say that Rebert shows in this novel what Redemption's Promise is all about. As Jason's states,
and when he is witnessing to Antonius,“I’ve been thinking. Perhaps redemption’s promise has to do more with spiritual freedom, the forgiveness of sins, rather than escape from the bondage of Rome. Jesus claims He has the power on earth to forgive sins!”
"The life-changing words of Jesus that Nicodemus had shared with him echoed in his mind. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Jason looked at the centurion. That includes Romans! Suddenly, he felt an overwhelming concern for his stepfather’s eternal destiny. He reached out and touched Antonius’ arm. “Redemption’s promise is not for the Jew alone, but for all who come to Jesus in repentance and faith.."
Rebert has depicted the life of the time for both the Jew and the Roman and the obvious conflict of the Jews living under the rule and dominion of the Romans. She portrays the attempts of the Jews to overthrow the Roman rule and how the Jews felt they could engage the services of the Messiah to do this. This is explored with Jason wanting to engage Jesus in his quest to overthrow Roman rule but became disillusioned when he discovered that Jesus was not here for physical warfare or revolution, but for spiritual peace and restoration of man's soul. It was this that turned his attitude around.
It was good having one of the Jewish scholars, Benjamin, be open to the claims in the Old Testament that had clues to who the Messiah could be and how he investigated these clues against Jesus and his background. This also assisted Jason in believing that Jesus is the Messiah and him accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour. I loved this character and the relationship that developed between both of these. Even Nicodemus played a part here.
I am very taken with this novel and I am glad there will be a sequel. Sandi is an author who writes from the heart, with a focus on the Gospel and showing the power of the Cross. This is one God-honouring novel, tender, beautiful, entertaining and spirit edifying.
I highly recommend this novel.The following three ratings are based on my judgment:
World Building 4/5
Characters 5/5
Story 5/5
Overall Rating: 4/5The two classifications below are based on the booklet, A Spiritual System for Rating Books by David Bergsland:
Spiritual Level: 4
Enemy Spiritual Level: 2
Spiritually, based on my review and on the aforementioned reference booklet, A Spiritual System for Rating Books by David Bergsland (Radiqx Press) and that Redemption's Promise contains elements of the criteria of what constitutes Christian Redemptive Fiction outlined in this booklet, (click on the title below to see what this is based on), I bestow to Sandi the:
Reality Calling Christian Redemptive Fiction Award
Congratulations, Sandi!
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