🌳 πŸƒ 🍎 “Daughter of Eden – Eve’s Story” (2023) 🍎 πŸƒ 🌳 – Book Review

 



MY REVIEW

   


Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: Revell (February 14, 2023)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800737644

ISBN-13: 978-0800737641

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

The first time she opens her eyes, Eve gazes on One whose beauty nearly blinds her, whose breath is in her lungs. Her Creator takes her hand and gives her to one like her and yet different. Together, she and Adam experience pure joy as they explore Eden. But her favorite moments are when the Creator comes to walk with them, day after day.

 

Until everything changes. With one act of disobedience, Eve finds that her world is no longer a friendly place. With remorse in her heart, she must face the unknown future--the births, the deaths, the sacrifices, the loss of the one home she has ever known. Perhaps worst of all is the loss of trust, not only with her Creator but with the man who shares her life. How will they ever survive out of Eden?

 

Bestselling biblical fiction author Jill Eileen Smith imagines the life of the first woman to ever live, unspooling a story of love, loss, and the promise of redemption.

 

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books), for providing an advanced review copy through Interviews & Reviews. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.



 

As of note, this late review is in any way a reflection on the book or my enjoyment of it. I have had a lot of family obligations and emergencies in the past few months and have not been able to keep up with certain obligations. 

 

That said ... 

 

Biblical fiction is a genre I read very little in. Smith is easily becoming a favorite, much like Tessa Afshar has become. And, the cover drew me right in. It captures the innocence, beauty, and wonder of what those first days might’ve been like. What one might’ve imagined Eden to be like.

 

Most Christians have likely read the bible, or have a good idea of the book of Genesis – our origins. And, given that Eve’s actions and consequences were a huge part of why the world is the way it is now – I definitely wanted to read this story. She was the first sinner, so I was interested in her as a person as well as her potential perspective. 

 

Similar to stories based on actual events, biblical fiction is another genre where spoilers are inherent. And, they’re completely unavoidable, especially by referencing the bible for biblical characters. Thus, the beginning, middle, and end of the story leave little doubt as to what happened. 

 

What Smith does, with her style of writing, is give a voice and character perspective to the biblical characters and stories – bringing them to life and in a way modern readers can relate to. She also tends to give more of a story than what is in the bible. 

 

As with most biblical fiction stories – there are going to be some themes or components potential readers might have an issue with. There is, what in the modern era we’d refer to today as incest. This was not an issue back in the “creation” times – after all, how did one populate the Earth with only two people? As a result, one has to read and view this through a different lens. 

 

There is also detailed animal sacrifice as required by “God” for the sin Adam and Eve committed in the garden. And, most everyone knows the Cain and Abel story, leading to the first homicide. 

 

One cannot view books such as this from a modern lens given that so much has caused us to evolve. Things we didn’t know were wrong then, we know now. 

 

Smith begins with creation in the Unseen Realm – namely certain angels: Michael, Gabriel, Lucifer. Then the creation of the “adams” (Adam and his female companion). The creator then gives them Eden or rather “the garden” and dominion over the Earth – animals and plants. Readers see the innocence and wonder that Eve and Adam must’ve felt until a pivotal moment.

 

As most who know the book of Genesis, Eve is tempted by a serpent (Lucifer) to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, then she offers it to Adam. Adam soon regrets the decision as he knew it was wrong. As a result, the two are cast out of the garden to fend for themselves and “cursed”. It is then that Adam gives Eve her name. Readers also see a fractured “marriage” between the two despite the closeness and desire Adam once had for Eve. 

 

Despite Adam’s anger, they begin to learn new ways of providing for themselves, as well as populating the Earth as they were instructed. And, as we all know – there is the first murder as well – Cain killing Abel. 

 

This story takes us from Eve’s creation all the way up until her death. Though her death was NOT mentioned in the bible. Genesis 5:5 only mentions how long Adam lived.  

 

In addition to Eve’s story, readers also see the corruption of some of the other sons and daughters of Adam. It also shows how the generations began to move away from the sacrifices that were required, away from what God had intended for them. They embraced their own ways and not the Creator’s ways. 

 

Smith also takes readers into the mind of Satan/Lucifer to show what he planned for the humans God loved so much. But, she also demonstrates God’ forgiveness and love for all those who seek it. 

 

As this is based on a book of the bible, the end is predictable. It is neither a happily ever after nor a “cliff-hanger”. It is merely a version of a chapter in an ongoing story. 

 

While the short chapters kept me reading, it did seem to get bogged down a bit with all the children and their stories as well. I did enjoyed the three “UNSEEN REALM” scenes, and feel that more of them could’ve been added. This did draw me in, but at times I did lose some interest. 

 

There was also a bit of confusion regarding one of Seth’s offspring. He was referred to as Enosh – then later in the book it reads as Enoch. After some research, Enoch is either Seth’s grandson or great+ grandson. As of note, Enoch was also the name of one of Cain’s sons. With all the people involved, especially later in the story, a character guide or “family tree” might’ve been a bit helpful.

 

Like Smith’s previous two books (both of which I’ve read); Miriam’s Song and The Prince and the Prodigal; Daughter of Eden - Eve’s Story, is a standalone read. For those like me, looking for Adam’s story, this gives quite a glimpse of that in this book as readers get his POV in addition to Eve’s.

 

Additional POVs are Michael (the archangel), Lucifer (Satan/Devil), Hasia (Cain’s wife/sister), Cain (up until his is banished), Seth, and Enoch (Seth’s descendant). 

 

Fans of the genre and author are sure to enjoy this read. I am interested to see what story in the bible the author tackles next.

 

Despite this being biblical fiction, there were some “intimacy” comments in the book with regard to desire and sex. Though compared to some stories, these were quite mild. This story relies heavily on the events of the book of Genesis. There are very strong faith themes, references, and adherence to rituals.

 

 

RATING: 

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads 

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub 

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html; update: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)



BOOK READ: February 11, 2023 to February 12, 2023

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


 

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling and award-winning author of the biblical fiction series The Wives of King David, Wives of the Patriarchs, and Daughters of the Promised Land, as well as The Heart of a KingStar of Persia: Esther's Story, Miriam’s Song, and The Prince and the Prodigal. She is also the author of the nonfiction books When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams and She Walked Before Us. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan. Learn more at www.jilleileensmith.com.


You can follow her on the following social media accounts:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jilleileensmith/

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JillEileenSmith/

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jilleileensmith

 

 

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