Risen--movie to novel

Clavius, a Roman soldier, was present when thief and murderer Barabbas was captured and taken prisoner after being part of the death of many Roman citizens. After the people choose to release Barabbas and encourage the crucifixion of Jesus, Pilate instructs Clavius to be the one to make certain the deaths of the two thieves and King are complete before darkness.  Arriving at Golgotha, something seems different from the other crucifixions.  Even the centurion on guard doesn't appear quite himself.  Once it is finished, Pilate fears the Followers of Yeshua my attempt to steal the body.  When the body does disappear, Clavius begins a quest that at first appears one just to find the body but instead he is led on a journey for Truth.

Widowed Rachel is on the streets when the two thieves and Yeshua are led through the city, bearing their own cross.  Yeshua's flesh has been torn and ripped away, not from the typical whipping but something more severe than is common.  When he falls at Rachel's feet from the loss of blood and weight of the cross, she looks into his eyes full of more pain than she had ever seen. 

The skies grow dark.  The earth trembles.  Could this Yeshua be more than the Judean he appears to be?

Angela Hunt has given us yet again a compelling and heart wrenching novel but this one is different from any of the other works of hers I have read.   I have read a couple of her Biblical women accounts but this work puts you right in the thick of the crucifixion and resurrection.  The novel is told from the perspective of both Clavius and Rachel with chapters alternating between the two.  The often overlap when Clavius and Rachel become lovers. (Probably not for teens even though nothing happens that is blatant.) While not word for word Biblical truth, the novel takes the reader into the days following the Resurrection and gives you a glimpse what it MAY have been like should you have lived through those days. 

When I first started reading the novel, I stumbled over some of the account from Clavius' perspective.  A little technical regarding armour and the people in command but either I got used to it or that challenge only occurred in the first chapter or so because it was much easier reading from that point forward.  Rachel's language and actions were a bit more contemporary than I expected for Biblical times but then, with new translations, perhaps that won't stand out to others.  Her refusal to remarry and live on her own don't seem that typical for the time period. That isn't completely a criticism because those characteristics made her easy to relate to.

Overall, I really liked the book and would recommend to adults only.  Since the book followed the film, I am certain Ms. Hunt was obligated to follow the story line but was excellent in allowing the reader to use their imagination.  I do wish Clavius and Rachel could have married rather than being lovers but again, book followed script writers Kevin Reynolds and Paul Aiello.  Timely in its release, I only hope the book and film cause each viewer and reader to examine the scriptures.  I particularly enjoyed the account of the crucifixion as odd as that might seem.  Ms. Hunt portrayed the event well and brought to light the thoughts of the centurion on hand.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one..