Book Review: Fourth Dawn by Bodie and Brock Thoene (A. D. Chronicles #4)

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Even though you know the ending, you can't help but get drawn into this book.

Cons: Are we ever going to get to the crucifixion?

The Bottom Line:

First Christmas fiction

Draws you in like it is new

Gets you in the mood

Brings the Early Christmas Story to Life

Zachariah is thrilled to be chosen for the once in a lifetime opportunity to offer incense before God in the temple. He and his wife are content but unhappy at never having had children. This will take away that reproach for the rest of his life. Then an angel of the Lord appears and promises that his wife, long past childbearing years, will have a son. Zachariah's lack of belief renders him speechless.

This amazing sign only increases the paranoia of Herod, king of Judea. Herod has no true claim to the Jewish throne yet claims to be a descendant of David. Rumors of the coming Messiah only make him more nervous.

Meanwhile, in Nazareth, a young woman also receives a visit from an angel. Mary is awed to learn she has been chosen to bear Messiah. But what will her family say? Does this mean she will loose the love of Yosef, her betrothed? Will her faith in God be enough to sustain her?

The Thoenes have a wonderful gift for telling stories of ordinary people caught up in world shaping events. This book is no exception. Even when we know the outcome of most of the stories, their writing pulls you in and enchants you. And the storylines of the fictitious characters were certainly suspenseful.

It is a little surprising to see them switch gears from the building storyline of the last three books to the birth of John. While the prologue and epilogue do tie into the last book, it felt a little odd.

Still, they provide their normal incites into the story we all know. I was especially fascinated by the astronomer's logs and the genealogical explanations. And they are able to bring Mary and Yosef to life in a very human way. While I knew the outcome, I cared deeply about them and wanted to see them reach it.

This turn of events has left me puzzling where the next book will go - back to Christmas or on toward Easter? Either way, I'll be back for it.

Fourth Dawn would be perfect to read in early December. It got me in the Christmas mood, and I even had to pull out my Christmas music before I was done reading it.