The drama of the Old Testament comes to life as Judah’s most notorious king ascends to the throne in this gripping novel from the award-winning author of Isaiah’s Daughter. At eight years old, Shulle has known only life in a small village with her loving but peculiar father. When Uncle Shebna offers shelter in Jerusalem in exchange for Shulle’s help tutoring King Manasseh, Judah’s five-year-old … tutoring King Manasseh, Judah’s five-year-old co-regent who displays the same peculiarities as her father, she’s eager to experience the royal court. But Shulle soon realizes the limits of her father’s strict adherence to Yahweh’s Law when Uncle Shebna teaches her of the starry hosts and their power.
Convinced Judah must be freed from Yahweh’s chains, she begins the subtle swaying of young Manasseh, using her charm and skills on the boy no one else understands. When King Hezekiah dies, twelve-year-old Manasseh is thrust onto Judah’s throne, bitter at Yahweh and eager to marry the girl he adores. Assyria’s crown prince favors Manasseh and twists his brilliant mind toward cruelty, beginning Shulle’s long and harrowing journey to discover the Yahweh she’d never known, guided with loving wisdom by Manasseh’s mother: Isaiah’s daughter, the heartbroken Hephzibah. Amid Judah’s dark days, a desperate remnant emerges, claiming the Lord’s promise, “Though we’re helpless now, we’re never hopeless–because we serve El Shaddai.” Shulle is among them, a girl who becomes a queen through Isaiah’s legacy.
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“I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My Word and have not denied My Name” (Revelation 3:8).
Isaiah’s Legacy by Mesu Andrews is an outstanding novel. This story allowed me to confront real, heavy darkness. It held a mirror up and showed me some of my deep fears and personal, spiritual failures. This beautiful story led me back into my Bible to really study God’s Word on a man I have always judged as irredeemable. I failed to ever see Manasseh as redeemable until after I dealt with some of the spiritual failings Isaiah’s Legacy showed were in my heart. This novel is a phenomenally hard story to read — it’s got a lot of ugliness and sin illustrated, but it is a remarkable testament to God’s redemptive love. No one is ever too far gone to be saved. As 1 Peter 4 states, love covers a multitude of sins and God’s redemptive love can cover anything.
This novel follows three main characters — Zibah, Shulle, and Manasseh — over the course of some of Judah’s most tumultuous times during Manasseh’s reign as king. One thing that is insanely clear is that women had almost zero control during this time. It was so frustrating to read because I struggle so hard with my own powerlessness. In today’s day and age, I see so much bad. I hear bad, misguided thinking. There is so much deception that common sense and logic have almost totally gone by the wayside. And, I have no power over any of this craziness. In this, I can relate to Zibah and Shulle 1000%. I find that I often ask God WHY a lot, and then I spiral because my tiny mind cannot understand God’s plan and I start to fear, doubt, and worry. In Isaiah’s Legacy, there is this glorious moment where in a fit of complete powerlessness Zibah loses her emotional cool after a very bad incident with her son, Manasseh, and she starts to ask a million WHY questions. Yaira, Zibah’s best friend and sister-in-law, pulls Zibah to her and lovingly scolds her: “Why questions lead only to doubt. Only who questions build faith.” I can personally attest to the truth of this statement. In my frustration and powerlessness, I always retreat to why questions, and then inevitably spiral out of emotional control. But, I’ve been working really hard lately to stop asking why and to speak Truth. My new mantra is “God is the BOSS!” As soon as I take myself away from the why focus and focus on the Who, I calm down and that sense of powerlessness disappears.
I began this review with a verse from Revelation because this one verse kept popping into my brain as I was reading Isaiah’s Legacy. As I was dealing with and confronting my own sense of powerlessness, and fears and doubts were popping up left and right, I didn’t want to spiral. So I took up my “God is the BOSS!” mantra. In the moments of peace that settled on me after I cried out that God is the BOSS, Revelation 3:8 would pop into my head and I would focus on the fact that Jesus “knows.” He knows my powerlessness. He knew Zibah’s and Shulle’s powerlessness. Nothing gets past God. This realization struck me like a ton of bricks and brought real peace. Part of being powerless is a frustration that truth isn’t seen. That injustice and ugliness and deprivation aren’t being seen. But when Jesus says in Revelation 3:8 that He knows we’re powerless it means He sees and nothing has gotten past Him, including one bit of bad. It also means that Jesus has a plan because He is the BOSS! Our job is to wait, to keep His Word, and to never deny His Name. In this command, Jesus has given us all something to hold onto. He has made us part of the plan, and He’s given us a choice. We can choose to wait, keep His Word, and never deny His Name, or we can go our own way. In this, Jesus has given us power. Isn’t that amazing?!
There is no way to do Isaiah’s Legacy justice in a review. It’s just too good a story to put into words. Isaiah’s Legacy is masterful and must be experienced. I highly recommend this novel. Reading Isaiah’s Legacy will change your life for the better!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, WaterBrook Press, via NetGalley. I have also received a review copy of this novel in paperback form from the author. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Isaiah’s Legacy is a well-written book about a particularly dark part of Israel’s history, but it also contains a redemption story. The boy king Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, is written to have autism. Meshullemeth, frequently called Shulle, a young girl who wins the heart of Manasseh, leads Manasseh away from God. In spite of the great evil that she causes, Shulle is a likable and sympathetic character. She herself has been tricked, manipulated, and blackmailed. Manasseh decides to tour other kingdoms and learn from their rulers. He picks up concubines from these rulers, as well as a new queen. He learns great cruelty from the Assyrians, such a change from the boy that hated Passover because of the death of the lamb. This story gave my emotions a work-out! There are characters in the story, as in the Bible, that are faithful to Yahweh. Although many lose their lives, there always remains a remnant that God preserves. Mesu Andrews does an exceptional job researching the period of history and then bringing it to life for her readers. I hope there will be more to read in this series. I intend to read more of this author’s works and recommend her books. I received a complimentary copy. I chose to write a review and share my opinion of this wonderful book. #partner @waterbrookmultnomah
I feel as though this books was written “for such a time as this.” In a time when so much of the church has turned to compromise, Isaiah’s Legacy encourages us to stand steadfast, to hold true to the the Cross, to the gospel, to the truth. Regardless of the cost, it is worth it.
And Andrews pulls no punches in this painful yet lovely novel. The cost is high, and she shows this without flinching away from the terrible accuracy of Jesus’ predictions that the Truth will split families and cause friends to betray each other to death. She shows, too, the terrible cost of sin – its immediate seeming pleasure, followed by the weight of guilt and the devastation.
Yet in the midst of this “dark night”, Andrews shows us the narrow path of mercy, open to all who will turn from the wide path of destruction. This mercy forgives and restores beyond what appears humanly possible.
I loved this book, perhaps more than Isaiah’s Daughter, which was also excellent. May God continue to bless Mesu Andrews with stories that display His story so accurately and beautifully.
Recommended for mid-to-late teens and adults.
Over the past 18 months, I have devoured all of the books Mesu Andrews has written, so when I had an opportunity to read Isaiah’s Legacy, I was ecstatic!
I love the way Mesu Andrews researches everything thoroughly! In a historic fiction book, especially a Biblical fiction book, I think it is extremely important for an author to take the time to research in depth the period they are writing about. Her writings always inspire me to go back and re-read the Biblical account surrounding the stories, and so far I have not been disappointed!
In Isaiah’s Legacy, we see some familiar characters from Isaiah’s Daughter, but many more characters are introduced. We see how it may have played out for Mannasah to become king at 12 and how his reign was. I’ve honestly wondered before while reading the Bible why it seemed like king after king would go back and forth between following God and following other gods. This book has shown me insight as to why that may be.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Biblical fiction. It has been well thought out and researched and I finished it in just over 24 hours it was so enticing!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and netgalley. All opinions are my own and a review was not required.
A stunning account of Judah’s most wicked king – and his redemption
King Manasseh’s history is filled with idolatry and evil, yet it is also a story of redemption and hope. It is so amazing to think that if God could forgive Manasseh, He can also redeem me!
Knowing the despicable things this king had done gave me pause as I considered reading this book. I mean, really, he spent most of his life in rebellion, right? So wouldn’t a story about him have to be pretty bad as well?
Before Isaiah’s Legacy, I had not read any of Mesu Andrews’ books about Biblical characters who were not walking with God through most of their lives. And yet, what I’ve seen of her heart in her other stories and what I’ve come to know of her through newsletters and Facebook groups, I just knew, that she would find a way to make Manasseh’s story accurate and still filled with hope. And I was right.
I love the way she chose to explain why Manasseh did so many of the things he did. Not by saying that someone on the autism spectrum is prone to evil, because this was not even insinuated. Instead, by explaining that he could have been more easily led astray due to his difficulty in reading social cues that come more easily to many others. In his desire to please one he thought was his friend, he turned his back on the God his father worshipped.
I certainly didn’t expect to actually like him in the story, nor to like Shulle, his wife who encouraged him in his evil practices. And yet, in her masterful way, Mesu Andrews created very loveable, hurting, characters who were in need of redemption. While the author didn’t hesitate to tell of the sins of the characters, she did not glorify or overemphasize them.
If you enjoy well-researched Biblical fiction that makes history come alive, you won’t want to miss reading Isaiah’s Legacy.
Read my review of Isaiah’s Daughter by Mesu Andrews at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
“We learn the Truth in daylight so we can walk in darkness.”
Every time I pick up a Mesu Andrews book, I am astounded by her melodic poetry and the way she brings the characters and settings of the Bible to vivid, touchable reality. I recently read through the Books of Kings, Chronicles, and Isaiah and gleaned much from my studies but the author’s book paints Manasseh’s life in full color and helped me better understand the political turmoil and pressure during that time period.
The book is divided into four parts and spans most of Manasseh’s life. Meshullemeth, his queen, has a first person voice while Manasseh and his mother Hephizibah have third person voices. There is a fascinating in-depth look at the kings of the nations surrounding Judah and of the key court officials of Manasseh’s court. The author builds on these extraordinary details to show who Manasseh may have been, living under the righteous and honored Hezekiah, and his story is unforgettable. There is dark sorcery and idol worship and the persecution of the righteous by Manasseh which is heart-breaking and devastating…..but we are reminded, every step of Manasseh’s journey, Who is really in control. If you enjoy Biblical fiction, this book is an absolute must-read. It will open your eyes to Judah’s most evil king’s struggles and triumphs and bolster your faith.
I received a copy of the book from Waterbrook Multnomah and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
With her impeccable research Mesu Andrews brings the scripture to life. So much so you can feel the emotions and see the setting as if you were sitting in Judah watching everything take place.
As with all biblical fiction I walk away learning something. I didn’t know much about Manasseh prior to reading this book. I liked that Ms. Andrews took creative license with Manasseh giving him autism. It added a unique twist.
This book is a definite must read for all biblical fiction fans!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Mesu Andrews has yet again written another outstanding book. The amount of research that the author puts into a book shows, I was pulled into the story from page one. “Isaiah’s Legacy” continues the story that started in “Isaiah’s Daughter.” The author took me through the reign of King Manasseh who was considered one of most wicked kings. Mesu weaves biblical history and historical fact into a book that one should not miss reading.
I prayed for Manasseh that he turns his life to God and learn the truth in daylight. Shulle questions God and wonders how he can be sovereign, Zibah reminds her that God is always with us. Lots of truth is displayed with each character and will leave the reader asking for more. I reread the story of Manasseh and it gave me a different perspective of his life. If you love biblical fiction run to the closest bookstore, carve time out to read “Isaiah’s Legacy.” I highly recommend this book.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review and opinion.
I have thoroughly enjoyed Isaiah’s Legacy! This book drew me in right from the start. I have read the Bible many times and knew that Hezekiah’s son Manasseh was a king that did not follow God. But the way Mesu Andrews wrote this story had me wanting to re-read the Bible story. God dealing with Manasseh’s heart was a wonderful thing. God always goes after that lost sheep. There were many great quotes in this book but this one stuck with me.
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”
I loved the way Manasseh’s mother took up with Shulle and helped her see the real power of Yahweh, even though everything she was doing was against what Hephzibah believed. Andrews shows so well the one true God, His mercy and forgiveness through her characters. In the Bible days false idols were worshipped when they would forget God. But God’s loving arms were always outstretched even for the most evil king.
If you like Biblical Fiction I believe you would love this story that is dark but shows God’s faithfulness.
I requested a NetGalley copy from the publisher to read. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I love any book by this author.She is one of my all time favorites.
Excellent read by biblical storyteller Mesu Andrews, Isaiah’s Legacy, third the the Prophets & Kings series. Mesu Andrews has become a must read biblical fiction storyteller for many, myself included.
King Hezikiah’s court is full of mystery and intrigue; even mayhem and murder plots by those who would see the king in disrepute, worse dead. When a prophet predicts the King’s death within ten years, there are those who are determined to make sure it happens.
Young Shulle is hired by one of the King’s advisors to tutor Manasseh, the kings young son. Though Shulle is only 8 years old, her own father has trained in Yahweh’s ways; it isn’t long before the girl begins to question those teachings as those around her attempt to sway her in the way of the stars. If they can sway Shulle, they can reach young Manasseh thereby bending him to their will and placing themselves to be in the lines of power upon the kings death.
Manasseh has become cruel and hard to control so that upon his father’s death, he arises as one of the worst kings in history, much to the dismay of his mother, Hephzibah, the prophet Isaiah’s beloved daughter. Watching her now husband become more and more cruel, Shulle falls on her youthful teachings of Yahweh, and with the guidance of Hephzibah, soon finds her way back to him.
Is it too late for Manasseh? Will he too, become a follower of Yahweh once more?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and am under no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions therein are solely my own, and freely given.
Loved this book it was a great story and I didn’t want to put this book down once I got started. If you are a little confused in the beginning on what’s exactly going on keep reading it works itself out after the first couple of chapters. Great Christian Fiction and I’m going to reccommend it to all of my Facebook reading groups!!!
Wow! What a book. I enjoyed the path the author took in this fiction story. I’ve not read a fiction book using biblical characters before—but I see I’ve been missing out.
The book is rich with emotions in each of the characters. You feel as if you know them by the end of the book.
The author did a great job of making me read just one more page, turned into chapter, turned into finishing the book in a day and a half! I needed to see how it ended, but loved how we got there.
Very well done!
Disclaimer: I have received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing as part of the Launch team with no expectations in return. The comments above are my own.
The ending brought tears to my eyes. Based on a true, but wayward King of Judah, Isaiah’s Legacy comforts the heart of anyone who believes a family member is hopelessly lost. Yes, indeed. God can capture the heart of an evil king. And He captures ours daily as we watch Him work.
These Biblical characters come to life as Mesu weaves history with prophecy in an engaging and poignant manner. It was so rich in its setting and story, I could only savor a chapter each night. It was my spiritual rest before turning off the light. It can be yours as well. I received a complimentary copy, but my viewpoint is entirely my own.
Young Shulle is taken from the peaceful life with her loving father, to a world fraught with intrigue and sorcery in Prince Manasseh’s court. She finds herself lost and confused drawn away from the faith of her youth, to worshipping false gods, while fighting for the love the young prince as he becomes king.
Set during Manasseh’s turbulent reign, Mesu Andrews deals skillfully with this complex and at times painful story of sacrifice, forgiveness, and restoration. The story is told through varying points of view, shifting between Shulle, Zibah, and Nasseh, showing the confused and vulnerable king and the women who loved him most.
Though a sequel, this book stands well on it’s own. A well researched fictional account showing the danger and darkness of idol worship, as well as the sovereignty of God, in the good and bad. I loved how this book portrayed people with different challenges as equal, but different, showing that they are capable of a great many things.
At times it wasn’t an easy book to read, and this book deals with many mature themes–though not explicitly, like the sexual nature of pagan worship, so I wouldn’t recommend for younger or more sensitive readers.
Overall, a compelling, and at times heart-wrenching fictionalization of Manasseh’s reign and restoration. I loved Shulle from the beginning as a kind hearted young girl, patient and understanding, yet confused and taken advantage of, my heart went out to her. I admired Zibah’s faithfulness and her mother’s heart for her child. A beautifully, heartbreaking read of love, sin, idolatry and God’s sovereignty through it all.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Mrs. Andrews again takes us into the biblical world to explore the “what-ifs” of King Manassah.she paints a vivid picture of what that world might have been like. This world is quite dark spiritually much of the time. The book leads to reflection. I caught myself thinking about the lengths we go to trying to do things our own way. We still do a lot of evil ourselves. Mesu’s characters become real to the reader very quickly. She has a character list which lets the reader know which characters are biblical and historical and which are totally Mesu’s. I read the book as part of a book launch team.
It is truly the darkest before the dawn…
There are books, there are books, and then there are books. Isaiah’s Legacy is one of the latter. This is one of those rare books that I loved and hated, which, shows just how talented Mesu Andrews truly is. I can’t imagine it was easy for her to write this story, I certainly know that it wasn’t always easy to read. Sometimes I simply couldn’t put the book down, and just kept on reading in horrified fascination. Why, you ask? Because, this is the story of Hezi and Zibah’s (Isaiah’s Daughter) son who is known as the wickedest king in Judah’s history. My heart broke as the character, Zibah, that I had so come to love in the previous book had pretty much everything stripped away from her as she watched her son spiral into unparalleled evil. My heart cried out for little Shulle as she was systematically stripped of her innocence and faith in God to become the instrument of evil people bent on revenge and power. And then there was Manasseh himself, young, naive, gentle, and manipulated by those who should have protected him.
Isaiah’s Legacy was a hard book to read. I both loved and strongly disliked the heroine. The violence, the pain, the betrayal, and the abuse, heaped on the characters was heartrending. But it was true. Even if the fictionalized parts of the story didn’t play out quite as portrayed, it was still TRUTH. This is the story of every little girl, or boy, who has been physically and emotionally assaulted by the very people they should be able to trust the most. This is the story of every mother dealing with the pain of a wayward child. This is the story of every child yearning for approval and finding it in the worst places. This is the story of every person who has to be torn down for Yahweh to build them back. Who has to find the end of themselves before they can truly be healed. This book is a terrible, beautiful, roller coaster of emotion that will leave the reader in tears but standing stronger than they were before. This is Isaiah’s Legacy and it’s our story now just as much as it was 2,700 years ago.
Please do not be scared off by what I’ve said. As hard as it was to read this story it’s one that I think every adult SHOULD read. Ultimately, this book is a story of hope and of God’s provision through the darkest of days. I wouldn’t have said the things that I have if I hadn’t become so invested in the story, if it wasn’t so well written, if Mesu Andrews wasn’t so amazingly good at her research and at making history and the Bible come alive in such vivid full-color detail. I can say without hesitation that Isaiah’s Legacy will be on my list of favorite books this year and I can’t quite say in words just how much I recommend this book from phenomenal pen of Mesu Andrews.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
When I settled in to read a story about Judah’s most evil king and his once mentioned wife, I wasn’t sure how I would connect with Manessah and Shulle. I shouldn’t have worried. Mesu Andrews knows how to write characters that draw you in, even if you don’t always agree with their actions and decisions.
Manipulation and its far-reaching consequences are big part of this story, but it also explores the powers of forgiveness and love. Andrews really nailed it with this story and I’m looking forward to picking up some of her other books.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Mesu Andrews is a fantastic author, and Isaiah’s Legacy is proof of that. I’m fortunate enough to have the read the bible, and Manasseh’s story in particular. I know how his story goes and ends. Andrews made me forget – and I mean that in a good way. As I was reading this story, I was so engrossed in what was happening that my mind couldn’t concentrate on anything else. Andrews pulled me into Manasseh’s world, into Shulle’s world. I was sitting on the edge of seat wondering where the story would take me next.
One thing I appreciate about Andrews is all the research she does before writing her stories. Not only does she include biblical characters (it is biblical fiction after all), but she includes historical characters. She references things that actually happened during that time, such as rituals and traditions. She makes sure the clothing, the dialogue, and everything about her writing matches the time. And yet somehow it is easy for this modern day reader to read and understand. It just blows my mind!
Speaking of modern day, I love the fact that she gave Manasseh a “modern day” characterization (autism). Somehow it just made me connect with his character more, or it made him more real. Something, I just don’t think I can put it into words exactly. And I loved the fact that he found a friend in Shulle – someone who could comfort him.
Shulle’s character intrigued me. I always saw a ray of light in her, even when she didn’t. She had a good heart, which at times became her downfall (in the world’s eyes anyway). I think she truly did love Nasseh, even though he frightened her at times. And same goes for Nasseh. I do think he truly loved Shulle, even though he did not have the best way of expressing it.
Isaiah’s Legacy is not just my favorite story of Mesu Andrews, it is my favorite biblical fiction novel to date. It is more than just a story. It’s a powerful message that will entice readers to study their bible more, and thank the Lord that we live in the day we do. Thank you Ms. Andrews for once again hitting a homerun!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
For me, the best Biblical fiction books are the ones that drive me back to Scripture to read a story with new eyes and understanding. Mesu Andrews manages this with every book she writes.
King Mannaseh is not someone you learn about in Sunday school. In fact, his story is often one that’s glossed over in lieu of the focus on the kings of the Old Testament that lived God-fearing lives. Yet, his place is cemented in Scripture (and in the lineage of Jesus) for a reason.
There is so much to unpack in Isaiah’s Legacy. This is a cautionary tale about how easily swayed young minds are (as evidenced through both Shulle and young Mannaseh). It’s about greed and the jostling of power in the king’s court. It’s also a story of leaning on God’s promises when your world is falling down around you. It’s a redemption story while it’s also about the consequences of our sin. It’s about loving the unlovable.
With Andrews’s impeccable research and well-developed characters, I was drawn into this story from start to finish. And then, I went back to 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles to read about this prodigal king again.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.