Zion Legacy Series

by Brock and Bodie Thoene

Jerusalem Vigil

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Jerusalem Vigil is the first novel in a planned Zion Legacy series that will chronicle three millennia of Jerusalem's history. Authors Bodie and Brock Thoene, whose Zion Chronicles and Zion Covenant Series have sold more than 6 million copies, write with the suspenseful flair of Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, and convey the historical knowledge of authors like James Michener and Herman Wouk. Jerusalem Vigil unfolds over a period of five days during the British withdrawal from Jerusalem in 1948. Its Jewish, Christian, and Arab characters (including Holocaust survivors, British military officials, and Arab insurgents) find themselves drawn into a mysterious and violent tangle of events that can only be understood in reference to ancient prophesies, particularly those of the book of Isaiah. The historical detail of this book is impressively deep, and its use of Scripture is always clever and surprising. (c) Amazon.com

I have read only the first book in this series. Anticipating the arrival of this series because I enjoyed their other series so much, I was greatly disappointed in this first book. I found it to be overwhelmingly dark and gruesome. It lacked their usual emphasis on hope and God's justice, and relied on man's strength instead. I hope the next two are better, but I haven't read them yet.

~ Tracy

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May 19, 1948. The state of Israel is five days old. The city of Jerusalem is tenuously poised for a clash that will be critical in the life of the new country. Holding the keys to an Israeli victory is a diverse, rag-tag group: Peter Wallich, once a teacher of agriculture in the kibbutz, now instructing teens in the assembly of Molotov cocktails; the 74-year-old mother superior, who desperately wants to preserve her convent from annihilation; Commander Moshe Sachar and his wife Rachel, who cling together amidst the horrors of war; and an Arab street urchin, Daoud, who repays the kindness of the so-called infidels in the best way he knows how. Interspersed throughout is the appearance of a mysterious old gardener, with wounds on the palms of both hands. In the Zion Legacy series, the Thoenes return to a cast of characters and themes from their bestselling Zion Chronicles series that earned them a sterling reputation and a faithful readership in the Christian fiction arena. This second installment, Thunder from Jerusalem, starts slowly as the characters are reintroduced, and the stage is set. Then, the pace accelerates. The lives of Muslims, Jews, and Catholics all intersect in a tale of romance and suffering, patriotism and betrayal. Here is solid historical research paired with dramatic storytelling, a combination that has won Bodie and Brock Thoene eight Gold Medallion Awards. Those who enjoyed the bestselling Jerusalem Vigil, the first book in the Zion Legacy series, won't want to miss this latest offering from the pens of the popular Thoenes. --Cindy Crosby (c) Amazon.com

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The newest volume in the best-selling historical epic of the world's holiest city. With more than seven million books in print, Bodie and Brock Thoene have taken their works of historical fiction to the top of the bestseller charts and into the hearts of their readers. Jerusalem Vigil, the first book in their latest Zion Legacy series, begins the sweeping saga of the history of Jerusalem in 1948 with the withdrawal of the British. Thunder from Jerusalem, the next installment continues the story of the harrowing and glorious battle to liberate this ancient enclave. Jerusalem's Heart, the third riveting episode, plunges us into the maelstrom of the conflict between Jewish and Muslim forces during five brutal days of struggle to defend the Old City from a treacherous takeover. Again we meet the richly drawn cast of characters whose ongoing heroism and faith, passions and destinies, are interwoven with the soul of the city and played out in its bloodstained alleys. With its gripping drama, Jerusalem's Heart is an unsurpassed and timely blend of superb storytelling, historical authenticity, and spiritual adventure that will stay with readers forever. (c) Amazon.com

Jerusalem Scrolls

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After days of brutal fighting, the Israeli forces, overpowered by the Arabs and running out of supplies, are positioned for defeat. Moshe Sachar, their courageous leader and one of ony a few Israelites remaining in the Old City, has followed the dying wishes of an elder rabbi and has escaped into a secret tunnel under the city, where sacred scrolls that tell the history of their faith and people are safely hidden. Moshe opens a scroll and becomes immersed in the extraordinary story from the first century A.D. of Myriam, a beautiful yet troubled young widow, and Marcus, her Roman suitor. While Marcus, a centurian who is fighting to keep his position in the empire in the face of corrupt officials and a native population on the brink of rebellion, feels passionately for her. Myriam, ashamed by an act of sin and haunted by the death of her mother, is still searching for true meaning in her life. When a mysterious prophet threatens the security of the Roman empire, Myriam's quest for love and forgiveness puts them all in the middle of a dangerous, manipulative plot that will change the course of history. (c) book jacket, The Jerusalem Scrolls, Brock and Bodie Thoene

After just finishing Second Touch of the A.D. Chronicles and being thoroughly pleased with it, I decided to risk reading this one that has been on my shelf for some time. I was again impressed by the portrayal of real sin and the love and forgiveness that Jesus offered when he was on earth at the height of his ministry.

I was captivated by the character of Myriam early on in the story while the character of Marcus had to grow on me. Both characters were strong, likeable, and pitiable. They both had demons to deal with in their lives and were using one another in their search for fulfillment. It isn't until they meet this mysterious prophet and their eyes are opened, that they realize they do care for one another.

The theme of sin and forgiveness of sin is strong throughout the story. It incorporates several biblical stories into the telling of their fictionalized one. It rings with sincerity and truthfulness although artistic license has been taken with some interpretation of scripture. For example, the intrepretation that Jesus was writing the ten commandments and the names of those who broke them in the sand is purely speculative. There is no mention of what exactly Jesus was writing in the sand in the Bible. As long as one understands where the fact ends and the poetic license begins, this story is fascinating. The danger would be in accepting everything presented in this fictionalized account of the ministry and miracles of Jesus as truth. Also, the woman who is about to be stoned and the one who bathes Jesus' feet with expensive perfume is never connected in the Bible, but the authors present this as the same women, Myriam.

There are several other themes worthy of mention here as well. The theme of Satan trying to convince Myriam to turn away from Jesus is interesting (presented as the voices in her head.) The theme of healing is presented beautifully throughout this novel. The reader can't help but empathize with the pain of the parents whose child is severely ill. We also rejoice with the healings.

There is nothing as beautiful as seeing one who has been ensnared in sin, meeting Jesus, and experiencing freedom they never thought was possible. That is the beauty of this book.

Stones of Jerusalem

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I have not read this book yet.

Jerusalem's Hope

Viking; 2002

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I have thoroughly enjoyed the Thoene's Zion Legacy series, and this last novel has been the best one yet. The premise behind the books is telling the story of life in Israel in the last three years of Jesus' life. It is such an intriguing perspective, as the reader sees events through the Roman centurion's eyes, a shepherd's eyes, Mary Magdalene's eyes...

Not only is this novel interesting, but it gives such a compelling picture of what Christ has done for me. The story of orphan lambs wearing another dead lamb's hide in order to be accepted by a different ewe is an amazing picture of how God accepts us because we are covered by Jesus' blood. This is just one example of the depth of this novel, yet it is so enjoyable at the same time. I've never wanted to underline parts of a novel before this one. The Thoene's display a passion for the Scriptures, for the Jewish heritage of Jesus, and for writing itself.
It is best to read the whole series to really know the characters and see the power of their encounters with Jesus. The earlier books are not as gruesome and dark as the previous reviewer suggests; reality is sometimes not very pretty. Anyone who has an interest in Jewish history, Jesus' life and times, or the Thoene's writing, should not miss this one!
by Cindy