A Higher Ransom (A Light for Christ #1)

Title: A Higher Ransom
Author: Aleigha C Israel
Series: A Light for Christ Collection #1
Genre: Christian Fiction
Publishing Date: June 10, 2016

About the Book:
Two lives so vastly different from each other…
are about to be given a choice that will change the course of their lives forever.

King Raymond is ruthless. He will stop at nothing to see that every Christian is diminished.

But Anna Haddington doesn’t understand why she must keep quiet about her faith. When her plans to stay with her aunt in Carpathia go quickly awry, Anna finds it takes all that is in her to trust God with the outcome.

This is a story full of mystery and sacrifice that will leave you questioning whether you have what it takes to give up everything for Christ, even your very own life.

Discover the account of three lives, all so different from each other. And find out how one person’s decision can affect the lives of so many.

Will Anna stand strong and not waver in her faith? Or will she crumble under the rule of the heartless king?

Review:
I don’t recall the author describing the setting with a time period, but through reading it I would place it somewhere in the Renaissance. Anna Haddington moves to the king’s castle to work as a scullery maid. Christianity is forbidden but that doesn’t keep her from sharing Christ with anyone around her. The book is heavily sprinkled with verses and even full passages from the Bible. Anna has meditated on the Word enough that it pours from her mouth as she speaks. God’s Word was the very comfort she needed to walk in the depressing land around her.

I would have liked to see some more development in the characters as well as the setting. The characters lacked a level of depth that stunted them from appearing real. It was encouraging to see a character so grounded in her faith that nothing could stop her from sharing Christ, but at the same point it felt unreal that she expressed no fear or concern whatsoever for her life. While it’s something we hope we could achieve as Christians, we are still human. Christ himself prayed to the father “If there be any other way let this cup pass from me.” (Matt 26:39)

With the exception of the minor critiques however, I really did enjoy the story. It was encouraging to see someone who was so filled with Christ that nothing could get in the way of them sharing His truth and love with those around them. Not only did she seek to share the words of Christ, but she also saw when others were in need and helped out in whatever way she could. She thought of others’ needs before her own. Her character was someone we should strive to be.

I’m curious to see where the author takes the series, so I’ll be reading the second book in the series A Dim Reflection next. Check back soon for the next review! 🙂

*I received a complimentary copy from the author in hopes of an honest review. I was not obligated to leave a positive review. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

Rating: 

Age Appropriateness: I would consider this book appropriate for ages 12 and up. Despite the persecution that the characters face, it is kept “clean” in content.