Review - The Messenger

The Messenger
By: Siri Mitchell
Publisher: Bethany House
Pub Date: March 1st, 2012
ISBN: 978-0764207969
Pages: 384

    In this Christian historical novel, set during the Revolutionary War, Hannah Sunderland is devoted to her Quaker faith, in which she is not to get involved in political affairs, the war, or her twin brother, who joined the Colonial effort, but is now in a prison cell. She wants to stay loyal to her faith, but she so desperately wants to help him.

    Jeremiah Jones served as a soldier during the French and Indian War, in which he was severely injured. Medical supplies were limited due to the British involvement, resulting in Jeremiah losing his arm. He now spends his day’s bartending at a Pub, where he happens to come across Hannah, who wants him to help her break her brother and the other Colonial prisoners out of the jail.

    The majority of the Christian historical fiction involves the Civil War, so I was eager to read Siri Mitchell’s The Messenger, courtesy of Bethany House, as it is set during the Revolutionary War and I have always taken an interest in the Quaker lifestyle. The main character, Hannah, must decide what is more important, staying loyal to the Quakers or saving her brother from most likely death. Jeremiah Jones is an interesting character who is emotionally and physically scarred, but as he spends more time with the lovely Hannah, he starts to let his guard down. The love story between the two is wonderfully written, as is the main plot. The Messenger is necessary read for historical fiction fans.