Today for Fiction Friday I’m sharing my book recommendation for Wells and Wanderers, the first standalone novel in Christine Dillon’s Light of Nations Biblical era fiction series.
Here’s the Book Description:
Sometimes freedom and family are found in unexpected places.
Inanna, an Amorite chieftain’s daughter, craves to be free as the eagles that fly above her hometown.
Utu, her loyal twin, just wants to keep his wayward sister out of trouble.
Neither succeeds, and their dreams are uprooted as they’re sold into slavery. During their forced travels, they encounter nations they’d only known from stories, palaces beyond description, and fickle kings claiming to be all-powerful deities.
Yet when serving the wandering household of Avram and Sarai from Ur, they encounter a mystery god intent on upturning national boundaries, calling new loyalties, and directing the eyes of his followers to dreams vaster than the star-filled sky.
But what has this god of unexpected paths and promises to offer two Amorite slaves?
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading Wells and Wanderers, a historical fiction novel set during ancient times when events recorded in the book of Genesis took place. The twins, Inanna and Utu, are Amorites who were enslaved as young children and ended up working in Avram and Sarai’s household. Avram and his family didn’t own land and they wandered around the desert, setting up camps in different places for various lengths of time while awaiting God’s promises to come to fruition.
It was fascinating to walk in Inanna and Utu’s shoes and see their perspective on the choices made by Avram, Sarai, Lot and their family. The Amorite twins were raised in a dysfunctional household where they feared the demanding and fickle gods of their ancestors. Avram’s God was unlike any god they’d previously known or experienced.
Inanna had issues with the limitations imposed on women and she craved freedom. Her friendship with Hagar was beautiful and provided an insight into Hagar’s world and the unique challenges she faced in Avram’s household.
Utu walked a different path to Inanna. He was willing to consider faith matters and observed firsthand how Avram’s God was different to the other gods.
Being familiar with the stories in Genesis, I knew how certain events would play out in the story. The beauty was in how the story events impacted the characters and influenced their life choices. The story ending was satisfying and heartfelt. I recommend Wells and Wanderers to historical fiction readers who like Biblical era fiction set in ancient times with characters seeking truth and freedom.
Learn more about Christine’s books (and visit her book store) at her website.
