Herod’s Steward is a wonderful story that captivated me from the start. Katrina Hamel does a superb job pulling the reader into the first century as persecution and political unrest make ordinary life volatile for the characters. Love is truly the anchor as faith is continually tested and fear lurks in the shadows for those called to build the foundation of the early church.

I especially enjoyed the husband-wife relationship between Chuza and Joanna with its beautiful undertones of Ephesians 5 subtly woven into the narrative. The romantic, long-distance tension between Leah and Jovian kept me interested in resolution. Hamel’s writing style supplies the perfect amount of description to paint all the way to the edges of the canvas of imagination until you feel as if the characters are your friends. The way she sprinkles historical context into the narrative sets a tense backdrop that makes this a page-turner.

The narrative has a steady pace that keeps you wanting more as the heart of the evangelical themes grip the mind with contemplative take-aways. Fear and faith truly mingle as believers collide with resistance, not only in the community at large but in their own families as well. The story is historical but does not lack relevancy. Reading Herod’s Steward is a worthwhile investment of time.