Review: A.D. 33 by Ted Dekker

A.D. 33 by Ted Dekker
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Center Street
Date: October 6, 2015

Maviah is in trouble. Like big trouble. We left her secure in the knowledge of Christ and his love, but as anyone knows, that can change for humans in a heartbeat. So that said, Maviah’s world is about to have a dangerous shift.

She is a long distance away from where we started in A.D. 30. Now known as the Queen of the Desert, she has tens of thousands following her now. From wizened old Bedu warriors to young untried men, Maviah stands over them all.
The woman who also lost a child brutally now has tribes of orphans and children that she loves and who adore her. The outcast truly is a queen. But she’s missing her king. Judah, captured and being held by Kahil, is in need of rescue and Maviah has a plan. She will need all of her wit, bravery and most of all, her faith, to pull this one off.

Diving back into Biblical times, Dekker has once again shown us far more than just a typical historical read. Packed with details that bring this way of life into clear focus, he also explores the questions that drive us forward. Our fears. Our hopes. Our dreams. How do all of these things play together to create the human being that each of us has become? And the biggest question: How does one actively employ their faith in the middle of the storm?

Maviah’s tale is one that we can all recognize. Fumbling, falling, breaking apart – we all experience these things in our walk. Sometimes we go through them all in the course of a day or even a few minutes. And sometimes we’re stronger and we rise above the challenges.

It’s hard to explain this book. As I mentioned in my earlier review of A.D. 30, it’s been discussed that this series from Ted is really a genre of its own. Part historical fiction (richly detailed and beautiful fiction!) and part of it feels like a devotional or a self help book for your faith.

I feel, very strongly, that these books hold more of Ted’s heart and personality than anything that’s come before them. As I was reading, I heard his voice asking these questions. He has a thirst for knowledge that is unquenchable. The more he knows the more he wants to know. This comes through in vivid, stark detail in this book. It’s a rich glimpse into the mind of someone struggling with these questions every day. And it’s beautiful.

These books cannot be considered just entertainment. A.D. 30 and A.D. 33 should be required reading for all believers. If you’re new to the faith or if you’ve grown up with it, you’ll still find something in here to challenge and engage you.

As Maviah’s story unfolds page by page, so does our own. Occasionally there were thoughts that were so deep, so rich and overwhelming that I had to pause, close the book, take a deep breath and pray.

This journey is nothing short of stunning. The ending will leave you feeling like you’ve just left the best rollercoaster ride. Loops, dips, flips upside down….but all leading you to a solid place with peace that makes more sense than anything you’ve known previously.

Thank you, Ted.

*Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!