The Way by Kristen Wolf Review & Giveaway

Anna is a young girl living in ancient Palestine in a male-dominated world. Her mother, Mari, and her father, Yosef, try to be good parents, but they both have their own beliefs. Yosef feels like he is less of a man until his wife gives him a son. Mari, a quiet woman, tries to adhere to his ways and ensure that their daughter is taught as well, so she may survive. Mari secretly though, plans an escape for young Anna.

Anna is an inquisitive yet quiet child. Her mother calls her handsome, but she has the mannerisms of a male, a square jaw and a thick brow, wide shoulders, but her sex deems her a female. When her mother dies and her father sells her to a shepherd, Anna is taken from everything she has ever known and tries to find her way.

In a camp of shepherds, whom are all male, Anna knows the only way she will survive is if she can pass as a male. She takes the name of Jesus, and becomes a grand shepherd. The leader of her band of shepherds, Samson, knows that Jesus is special and tries to come up with a way to get him to where he needs to be. There is a hidden society of women hiding in the mountains and they teach and learn what is called, “The Way”. They have unique healing abilities and have a higher calling.

When Samson’s trick to get Jesus in the mountains is successful, Jesus is confused. Why would his friend play such a trick on him? He wants to leave immediately, but the women urge Jesus to become whom she really is and before long, she can’t help but answer the call. But someone is hunting for the secret society and won’t stop until they are all annihilated. Can help come before it’s too late? Or will Anna take it their lives into her own hands, along with her own destiny?

The Way is a page-turning and compelling story that will bring many questions to the reader. Is this a new twist on the story of Jesus? Is it a story of a young girl finding her own way in ancient Palestine? That answer is unique to each reader in my opinion. Wolfe has done a sensational job of portraying the ancient times as well as painting the details to bring the old world to life. With exotic and compelling characters and resplendent writing, The Way is a magnificent read that will stay with you days after you’ve read the last page. I highly recommend it!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will win their own copy of The Way

FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER WIDGET TO ENTER!

a Rafflecopter giveaway USA & Canada Only.  Prize shipped direct from publisher.  Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be selected. Contest ends March 8, 2012. Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of The Way in exchange for a review.  All thoughts and opinions are expressly my own.