A.D. 30 by Ted Dekker

Dekker’s characters, whose lives are filled with conflict, pain, suffering, and overcome with conquest and survival, experience the unexpected invasion of heaven on earth in the person of Jesus Christ. And when they find Him, they realize who they truly are.

Dekker writes from the perspective of Maviah, an Arabic woman from the mighty Kalb tribe, Maviah was born into a life of shame—the daughter of a king to a mother from the lowliest of tribes. As a child she was sold as a slave and sent to Egypt, but later found herself back in her father’s palace as a shameful outcast. Maviah's story itself is that of an outcast, slave, single mother.  Her world has been turned upside down and she has been tasked with appealing to Rome to restore her father’s throne. With only two faithful companions, she sets off across the desert to find the help she seeks.

Unfortunately, things don't really improve in her situation. One of her companions, Judah, is determined to find the Anointed One that the stars have proclaimed. Seeking her destiny is hard for Maviah and she has many obstacles to overcome. Be warned that this is the first of a series; you're left with something of a cliffhanger at the end. The next one is A.D. 33. It appears to be out October 2015, but if you read this one, you're going to want to know what happens next.

A.D 30 intersects with the character of Yeshua in way that makes his words come alive. Dekker treats Yeshua in a way that both honors and adds an air of mystery to him. He paints him as a man that many long to follow, but few can understand. I love this biblical fiction, it is one of the best stories I have read all year. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

I received a copy of this e-book from FaithWords, through NetGalley in exchange for my review.