Book Review: Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews
I don’t know how we got here so fast, but somehow we’ve arrived in April! I had so many reading plans in March, but most of them did not happen. In fact, most of the books I read last month were actually audio books that I listened to while I was busy.
(Side note: I totally count audio books as books I’ve read. I know some people don’t, and it’s a big issue in reader communities. But, whatever.) I listened to this entire series from Colleen Coble (except books 4 and 6, which I had somehow read out of order). It is amazing and has now shot to the top of my list of favorites!
As for serious paperback reading, I did very little. But I did devour Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews. I’ve been familiar with Mesu’s books, but I’ve never read one. To be honest, I didn’t think her writing was really my style. But this book intrigued me. When I was offered a chance to be on the launch team, I took it!
I cannot say enough good things about Of Fire and Lions. I shared it on my Instagram and Facebook pages, as well as Goodreads and Amazon reviews, but I want to take a minute to tell you about it, in case you missed those!
Related: Book Review: Beneath Copper Falls
Of Fire and Lions is the story of Daniel, told mostly from the point-of-view of his wife. Now, I don’t know if Daniel had a wife. I actually kind of doubt that he did. But I didn’t allow that little tidbit to keep me from enjoying this book!
The book of Daniel in the Old Testament is rather short, and focused mostly on end-time prophecy. Because of that, it’s easy to just read the story quickly. We know what’s going to happen, so we don’t think about the logistics.
Daniel and his three friends were young men–maybe teenagers or even younger. They were taken from their land and families. They were made rulers in the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel interpreted dreams. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into a burning furnace. Daniel was thrown to the lions.
When we read the story, we know the ending. Four men walking around and One looks like the Son of God. The lions’ mouths shut all night. But those characters didn’t know at the time what would be the ending of their story, and they trusted God anyways.
Even though this is a familiar Bible story, Mesu tells it in such a way that I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen. I cried when I thought of Daniel’s family watching him being thrown to the lions. I cried when I read about the return of the captives to Jerusalem.
It’s clear that this story is fiction. But it’s so well-researched, I promise you will learn more about the story of Daniel and captives in Babylon. And if you immediately run to read the books of Daniel, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, you’ll know you’ve done it right!
If you talked to me in person over the few days I spent reading this book, I probably told you about it. I even loaned it out to friends the day after I finished it. (There’s a waiting list to borrow my copy!) I am not generally a fan of Biblical fiction, because I think authors get so much wrong. But I was wrong in this case and loved this book!
If you are familiar with the story of Daniel and the Babylon captivity or not, I think you’ll find plenty to love in this book. There were several historical facts that I didn’t understand when reading the book of Daniel. But Mesu explains them in the book.
The Old Testament can be hard to read and understand. I enjoyed this opportunity to better understand at least a small part of it. Trust me, this is one you’re going to want to read!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.
