New York Times Bestselling Author’s Newest Biblical-Era SeriesFive decades before the birth of Christ, Chava, daughter of the royal tutor, grows up with Urbi, a princess in Alexandria’s royal palace. When Urbi becomes Queen Cleopatra, Chava vows to be a faithful friend no matter what–but after she and Cleopatra have an argument, she finds herself imprisoned and sold into slavery. Torn from her … sold into slavery.
Torn from her family, her community, and her elevated place in Alexandrian society, Chava finds herself cast off and alone in Rome. Forced to learn difficult lessons, she struggles to trust a promise HaShem has given her. After experiencing the best and worst of Roman society, Chava must choose between love and honor, between her own desires and God’s will for her life.
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I enjoy reading Angela Hunt because I’ve learned that she will beautifully weave and incredible about of history and culture into her storyline so that I don’t just enjoy a character’s journey but learn about a time and a place as well. This story did not disappoint, and she expertly wove in details of the rich and poor, the Jews, Romans, and Egyptians, the learned and the commoner. Mrs. Hunt wonderfully crafted a believable story around what little is known about Cleopatra, and created in me a yearning to reach outside of the fiction world to read that we know for myself. You can enjoy this story for the spiritual journey of Chava itself, or you can slow down and learn more about the cultures and thought processes that caused the political intrigues and clashes of the time. Either way, it’s a really good book.
Enjoyed.. Looked up history of Cleopatra after reading.
Enjoyed it very much!
I absolutely love Angela Hunt’s biblical fiction. This one is a little different because it takes place during the 400 years between the last book of the Old Testament and the first books of the New Testament. The “Silent Years.” Cleopatra is a secondary but pivotal character in the story, and I felt myself steeped in history (in the very best sense) as I read it. Perhaps my favorite part of the book was watching Chava (the protagonist, childhood friend of Cleopatra and daughter of a Jewish scholar/tutor) mature, both in life and in faith. I don’t know if Chava’s story will continue in another book, but if so, I will buy it the instant it is available.
Egypt’s Sister is a Christian historical novel about Jews in Alexandria, Egypt, fifty years before the birth of Jesus.
Chava is the daughter of the Jewish tutor to the Egyptian royal family. Her best friend is the princess. But when the princess is crowned Queen Cleopatra, with all the political complexities that come with it, Chava’s friendship and her loyalty to God (HaShem) are tested.
This book was … wow. Very good. It took me a while to get into it, but I was thrilled with it by the time I finished.
The plot was complex, with layers of historical, cultural, and political detail woven into it. One of the things I was particularly fascinated by were the events in Cleopatra’s life, since that wasn’t something I’ve actually studied. And the second thing was the reality of what slavery was like in the Roman Empire at the time. It was nothing like the very racist slavery in the historical US, which is part of what is so interesting about it.
Unlike most Christian historical fiction books these days, this one was not a romance, which I appreciated. There was a little bit of romance in it, but that wasn’t the focus at all. However, there were a couple hints of sexual things. For instance, when a slave was instructed to entertain a man in his room. Nothing happened, but the instruction was there. Other similar things happened in the story, but again, nothing was “on screen.” Because of that, the youngest people I would recommend this adult book to was older teens.
This was an interesting, if a little slow-moving, information-rich novel, and I loved it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated for it, and everything I said was the truth.
I have always enjoyed Angela Hunt as an author from the few books I’ve read from her. Whether it be Pilgrims forging their way in the New World in “Roanoke,” or adventurers sailing across the ocean in “The Golden Cross,” I always thought her books were lively and interesting. “Egypt’s Sister” was the first Biblical Fiction novel I picked up from her and all I can say is WOW! This book had the perfect balance between history, an interesting storyline and a great heroine. Hunt really knocked it out of the park with this story of ancient Egypt, Queen Cleopatra and the Jewish people living in Alexandria!
The story begins in Alexandria, Egypt where a young Hebrew girl, Chava, is the childhood friend of Cleopatra. Chava’s father is a tutor in the royal household, and so Chava grew up with more privilege than most. The novel covers about 15 years in the girls journey of life and through that time, we see two childhood friends grow to be completely different people. I loved how Angela Hunt developed Chava’s character. Chava began as the naive, gullible one who had a good heart and was slightly spoiled, but in the end grew to be wiser to the world and a hard worker. (On that aspect, I connected really well with her!) Chava’s journey was fascinating and I couldn’t put the book down as she went from Alexandria to Rome, studied to be a midwife and then went back to Alexandria to find her family.
I love history and so the historical part of the novel was of great interest to me! My knowledge of ancient Egypt and its rulers is pretty “beginner-ish.” I’ve read plenty of books set in different time periods in the land of Pharaohs and Sphinxes, but I’ve never studied the era of Cleopatra, and that made the historical part of this novel so interesting to me. It wasn’t like reading a textbook (Chava and her friends made it so much more interesting than that!), yet, I felt like I went through a major history lesson! What I liked the most? The history flowed so seamlessly into the story I didn’t even know I was learning new things!
And the end! It was soooooo good! I won’t spoil it for you, but suffice it to say that Hunt wove in a great theme of what it means to be at the receiving end of undeserving grace. There was a certain chapter at the end that made my eyes leak. It was completely unexpected, but so satisfying that the author chose to conclude Chava’s story the way she did. You’ll just have to read it to find out what I’m talking about, but when you do, you’ll know! 😉
Conclusion: An excellent read! “Egypt’s Sister” will forever be on the “keeper shelf.” This story had everything you could want in a good Historical Novel – it was interesting, full of historic detail and great characters, both “real-life” and “made-up” ones! It’s the kind of book you would recommend to a friend who likes fiction without romance. The plot is all about Chava’s journey during a tough time in Egypt’s history and focuses solely on her life. (It’s also written in the first person – and done very well!) I would highly recommend this book to those who love Historical Fiction, who are interested in Egypt’s history during the time of Caesar and Mark Anthony, and those who just love a good story!
The direction this book took was not unexpected but it was still suprising. What I really like about it is how it stays true to the Jewish practices and their unwavering devotion to God. I love how it addresses the fact that our inactiveness is sometimes action in and of itself. The author clearly brought out how God uses all circumstances and works them out for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.
Good read!
I really enjoyed reading this book. It kept my attention and had some bible history in it.
I enjoyed this book. It was an easy read. I enjoyed the historical aspects of the book.
Romans, slaves, fiends, danger, history, politics. It was awesome. a clearer picture into the elite of the times, the experience of the world in this time and the mystery of how God works in our lives.
I found this book very intriguing. Builds on some facts and elaborates fictional side of things. Keeps things very interesting. Good read.
I loved this book. It seemed like a lot of research has been done to give it authenticity. Many parts are tragic but trust in God carries the day!
Angela Hunt has a way of telling a story of history and bringing it to life. I love all of her books.
Loved this story!
I really enjoyed how Angela was able to write a story that made the characters come alive. She showed how resourceful a person can get when every thing looks bleak. Chava taught herself how to be a midwife with the thought she could ultimately buy her freedom from slavery and be reunited with her family.
We don’t know much about the period between the Old and New Testaments, but Angela Hunt has done an impressive amount of research and come up with a plausible, fascinating story about a friend of the famous Cleopatra. Good book!!!
Surprisingly I had not read any of Angela Hunt’s books before I read Egypt’s Sister. I am a Biblical Fiction lover, and get all giddy when I find a new to me author that takes the time to research in depth to provide the reader with an exceptional experience. Angela Hunt is this kind of author!
I had not previously dove deep into Cleopatra’s story. I know she was a female pharaoh and that she was neat to dress up as. As far as actual history? I hadn’t a clue. Angela Hunt wove an amazing tale of Cleopatra and her fictional “blood sister of her heart”. It was so inspiring that I googled and researched Cleopatra’s life when I was done with the book! (I could not do it during the book in case I uncovered spoilers!).
Angela Hunt is an author that I will come back to. I am looking forward to the other books in this series!!
Loved how this historical fiction was written. I could not put it down.
I loved the thought of how life May have been for Cleopatra, and possible friendships, even with Jews. Loved the characters and the real life possible interactions. I’m really into this era now.