Jerusalem's Heart

I love these series! I think they are even better than the "Left Behind" series, and I could not put those down! Again, the Thoenes do an excellent and captivating job of telling a great story and the history of the Israeal's beginnings at the same time. The characters' losses are your losses and their happiness is your happiness.For those of you who have read the other series though, the beginning of "Prague Counterpoint" involves events and characters in this series during this same time frame at a crucial moment. However, the event in question is not mentioned in this book (involving Jacov and Rabbi Leibovitz), and I am wondering if anyone else noticed that. The events in "Jerusalem's Heart" makes one wonder how the characters could accomplish the event in the prologue of the former book, unless the reader is to assume it was possible.Also, Jacob and Lori had no family members left in this series, but they both had younger brothers that escaped with Lori to England before WWII in "Warsaw Requiem". Do we ever find out what happened to them?Email me back if you also noticed it!

The Thoenes are quite a team. The amount of research and detail that Brock's research brings to Bodie's talented writing is amazing. The combination is enthralling for history and fiction buffs. This book, like the others in the series, races from start to finish with tight plotting and razor-thin scenes. If anything, it can be overwhelming at times. Don't try to stretch this book out over a few weeks; you'll have difficulty keeping things straight. This story is meant to be swallowed and digested quickly.Which is not to say that it's a fast-food diet. Bodie Thoene delivers rich metaphors here. From the Khamseen winds at the opening, to the Hurva at the heart of Jerusalem, this story strikes deep into the struggle for Israeli independence and the personal struggle for salvation through the Messiah. Without preaching, the Thoenes tell of powerful grace and love in the midst of horrific bloodshed. The message of valor and courage rings true in light of the terrors the Jews endured.If you're a fan of the series, this book is a must. It'll go down quick and easy, and still leave you satisfied with the sustenance of good writing. (As a side-note, don't turn to the maps for help in deciphering the story...some of the major settings aren't even listed, such as Latrun.) With the secrets still waiting to be revealed at the end of this story, I'm anxious to plunge into the next, "The Jerusalem Scrolls."

I finished this book the same day the film "Uprising" premiered, and the similarities are striking. Once again, the Jews are outgunned, outmanned, and hungry. And once again, the Thoenes do honor to Jewish heritage and record little known stories--like that of the Jewish struggle in Warsaw--for a legacy of bravery. In this, book #3 of the series, the Jewish defenders try to hold the Old City, while the Jewish army tries desperately to give aid. It's classic Thoene, great action and passion, great writing, great material. The journey is everything. That's the shout from Warsaw, and that's the shout from this book. What stays with me are the words of a woman under siege in Jerusalem..."Life is the hardest thing...that's where real courage is. Not in dying bravely, but in living bravely."

Picking up minutes after the last book in the series (THUNDER FROM JERUSALEM) ended, Israel is still at war. The Jewish quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem is fighting for it's very life, cut off from the rest of the world. They are rationing food and water, but only fairing a little better then the New City, also under siege. While the defenders try to hold out, their commander struggles to get back to the quarter from the Arab controlled area. And others try to break the Arab blockade keeping the entire city from getting fresh supplies.The more of the Thoenes' books you have read, the more you will enjoy this one. Many of the characters have appeared in previous series, specifically the Zion Chronicles and Zion Covenant series. I also found rereading the end of the last book helpful since this one starts immediately after. Of course, reading the Thoenes' novels is a pleasure because of their skill as storytellers.I enjoyed this book more than the previous two in the series because the action takes place in many different settings. It moves quickly, and the authors do a great job of balancing the large cast of characters. The characters are also well developed, especially considering the book is set during a war. As always, the history presented is accurate as well.This book is a must for any fans of the Thoenes' previous work and people interested in the time period presented. I highly recommend this novel.

Another thrilling installment of the Zion Legacy series. The Thoene's have a gift for putting their readers in the middle of their novels' fast paced action, and Jerusalem's Heart is no exception. Everything- from the characters to the dialogue to the non-stop suspense is carefully crafted and well executed. Whether read as part of the series or as a stand alone book,Heart is not to be missed.