Thirteen-year-old Elisha lives in a village near Shechem in the Land of Canaan in ancient Palestine. She wants to be like other girls but is unmarried, speaks to an angel, and composes and sings her own songs—a pursuit her parents disapprove of. When she tells the village women to stand up for themselves, the men are outraged he tribe banishes her. After journeying alone through the desert, … escaping bandits, wild animals, and men who would sell her as a servant, Elisha makes it to Jerusalem, where the angel guides her to study with Abraham and Sarah. She learns much including reading and writing, and Abraham even gives her Doron, his servant, to accompany her as she sings her songs throughout the country. Doron becomes her lover and her songs are well accepted—until she sings one about equality for women. Mountain of Full Moons explores how we overcome our fears, go out into the world, and gain the courage to speak up and be whom we choose to be.
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This book is totally different than any book that I’ve ever read because of the time period — 5,000 years ago in ancient Israel. Even though the time period is very different, the story line of accepting yourself is universal.
Mountain of Full Moons is a coming of age novel about 13 year old Elisha, who is banished from her village because of her views – she likes to make music and play her harp and she talks to an angel that no one can see but her. She is appalled about the way women are treated and thinks that they should have more rights than they do. After she is banished, she makes a treacherous trip to Jerusalem and eventually meets Abraham and Sarah who take her into their family. With their help and the help of her angel she learns how to use the gifts she’s been given and how to become a godly woman who can stand up for herself in a man’s world.
Elisha is a well written main character that we see change throughout the novel. At the beginning she feels that she is stupid and useless because that is what everyone in her village and even her mother always told her. It takes years of teaching from Abraham for her to learn that she is a good person who has the gift of her songs to share with other people. Her journey is a spiritual and emotionally journey and it was interesting to see the changes in her from the beginning to the end of the novel. It’s a novel of spirituality, love and learning to accept not only the people around you but more importantly to accept yourself.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
This book is just so unique and different from all of the other books I’ve read this year. And that’s saying something since I’ve been focused on reading a wider range of things this year. This is definitely a debut to watch out for, especially for fans of historical fiction and epic tales of survival.
Up until this year I didn’t read anything that was overtly religious, but I’m finding the religious elements in the books I’ve picked up this year have been quite an interesting addition to the stories and I feel like I’m learning some things each time I do pick up one. Plus talking to an angel sounds like it’d be a pretty interesting thing. What makes Mountain of Full Moons extra unique is that it is a historical fiction with religion interwoven, and also what made me like it more. It was such an interesting setting and the ideals/beliefs of the people, while mildly infuriating, were intriguing to read about.
This is a story of women overcoming injustice, and that’s something that always immediately pulls me in. There’s nothing like watching a female protagonist find the courage to step outside of the ideals placed on society and become her own person. It’s just so pleasing to read about.
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Mountain of Full Moons” by Irene Kessler, She Writes Press, April 14, 2020
Irene Kessler, Author of “Mountain of Full Moons” has written a captivating, page-turning, and intriguing novel. The Genres for this novel are Fiction and Women’s Fiction. The timeline for this story is in ancient times and takes place in a village in ancient Israel. The characters in this story are complex and complicated.
Elisha is a 13-year-old girl, who is unlike the other girls in the village. She loves to sing her own songs and speaks to an angel. Elisha is upset to see how the women of the village are treated by the men. This causes outrage with the men of the council and Elisha is banished. The only one in her family who supports her is her brother. Her family feels shame and anger at her actions.
Elisha is on her journey to Jerusalem, where she hopes she can have Abraham teach her. She hopes there are other people like her, who are different. Elisha is facing a dangerous and deadly journey in the desert. Her Angel does provide some guidance, but Elisha has to face her danger and fears and does get to meet Abraham and Sarah.
I appreciate that the author describes the inequalities of women in ancient times and the consequences of change. The author also discusses the importance of self-growth, self-worth, and making a difference in the world, and learning acceptance of who you are. I would highly recommend this thought-provoking novel.
What a different book! Truly Original! Unlike at story I have ever read! Irene Kessler brings us back thousands of years to to the Ancient Land of Canaan and Jerusalem.
Her protagonist, Elisha is an intensely strong-willed and determined girl that I was rooting for through the entire story. Her village and family banished her because of something she believed in and stood up for!
This is the tale where following your Guardian Angel, and trusting your inner soul, you remember to stay true to inner self!
“Mountain of Full Moons” dares to teach us all lessons from way back in ancient times, all while watching a young lady try to deliver the message through song!! Most especially females.
I absolutely found the power and strength in this story!
I received a copy of this book by the author and GET RED PR in exchange for a fair and honest review.
4.5 Stars.
This was a very interesting read. I picked it up knowing it was outside my comfort zone (I do not prefer stories that are overtly religious, christian especially), but wanting to push myself to try something a bit different. And that it was.
I was intrigued by the idea of feminism, of women being viewed as worthwhile as men, being placed against the backdrop of ancient times. I appreciated watching Elisha grow in her courage and sense of purpose, despite being continually told otherwise. And I was quickly frustrated with her being shunned for speaking to her guardian angel, despite everyone being highly religious. . . Because she was a woman.
This is going to appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction, women’s stories, religious themes, an underdog, and coming of age stories.
MOUNTAIN OF FULL MOONS
By Irene Kessler
A completely different book unlike any others I’ve read recently. This was a historical fiction journey based on a 13 year old Jewish girl, Elisha who is banished from her village for being different. For going against the guidelines set by men in Ancient Israel. Something as simple as talking to another woman or voicing an opinion; which woman were not supposed to have in those days, caused anger among the men. Nor was her longing for playing music or using her gift of song. It was heavily frowned upon. Her Guardian Angel appears to her and helps to guide her and help her learn but the villagers see it as her talking to herself and believe she is wicked. The Council decides to banish her and sends her off on her own, leaving her family and everything she’s known behind.
This novel by Mrs. Kessler, brings about the story of mens’ original distrust in women based on the Bible and with Eve giving into temptation when taking the bite of the apple. This is about a girl growing into a woman and finding her voice and going against the norm in a society where a woman had a specified role and the man was known as their “Lord”.
Her Angel tells her that she must make it to the Urusalim where she will find a man named Abraham that will teach her. But along her journey she must overcome obstacles and look death in the face. She learns many lessons along the way with some oversight by her Angel but fought mostly on her own.
She arrives at her destination where a family takes her in and what she must face while learning the teaching of Abraham; she learns what it’s like to meet others that are like her. She finds her voice and learns to have courage , have friends and have confidence, seek her spiritual self for affirmation and can she possibly find love when she was told such ugly things by men throughout her life?
This is a beautiful story that allows you to see the growth of a character change in miraculous ways. It’s teaching makes you also question yourself at times and I find they were very thought provoking and created a positive experience within myself.
This debut Historical Fiction novel Mountains of Full Moon was a mesmerizing read that caught my attention for its captivating story line about a young girl, Elisha.
The story was set some 5,000 years ago in ancient Israel. Elisha – strong willed, and a wonderfully written character has unique gifts and talents. She endured hardships in a life filled with challenges and difficulties. Ousted from her village, her guardian angel lead her to Jerusalem where she was taken under the wing of both Abraham and Sarah.
The author wrote an enthralling and vivid story that I thoroughly enjoyed that weaved themes of survival, determination and strength in order to overcome obstacles in this spiritual and inspirational journey.