Reviewed by K.M. Weiland
Author of A Man Called Outlaw, and Behold the Dawn
In this unconventional historical love story, long-time author (and photographer) Aggie Villanueva takes a thoughtful look at an event in the Bible that is often brushed over. When Manassahite patriarch Zelophehad dies, he leaves his five daughters alone in the world, without any reliable male relative to take his place as head of the family. The Israelites, after wandering in the plague-ridden desert for forty years, are preparing to move on, at last, to the Promised Land.
Under Moses’ direction, they tally their fighting men and begin casting lots for their portions of land. The only problem? Only the men are being counted, which leaves no land for the daughters of Zelophehad. But then history is changed forever when headstrong second-born daughter Rizpah (Noah in the biblical account) takes matters into her own hands and does the unthinkable by barging into the assembly and demanding an equal share of land with her father’s brothers.
Villanueva’s careful research—aided by a visit to Israel—is evident on every page of this fast read. With a light hand, she sketches the history of a people that, in our modern age, seem very foreign indeed. But Villanueva never allows the intricacies of historical detail and customs to obstruct the heart of her story: the insistent, unrequited love of a man and the demanding, struggling faith of a woman whose heart is torn between her lifelong passion for the famed warrior Caleb and her need for the just treatment of herself and her orphaned sisters.
Villanueva follows no clichéd storyline. She presents an array of plausible characters and includes an intimate look into the lives of some of the most famous biblical heroes, never faltering from uncomfortable historical facts. Her portrayal of a humanity struggling between safety and destiny is touching, palpable, and memorable. This is easily one of the best biblical novels I’ve ever read.
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