The Novelization of the Major Motion Picture

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..

"Risen" is the novelization of the major motion picture (written by Angela Hunt). The story, which takes place in the days surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection, follows the Roman solder, Clavius, weary of war and death and his required allegiance to Rome, as well as a Jewish widow, Rachel, disillusioned with her people's religion, as both find themselves on a journey seeking answers, truth, and ultimately Christ. Having read the Biblical accounts, I was intrigued to read how these events might have played out, not just through the novel form generally, but also from the unique point of view of the main character. In both senses, "Risen" was an interesting, thought-provoking book, which gave depth to stories I've known my whole life and a clear message of Christ's sacrifice and love, and the forgiveness and new life He offers.

When I first started reading "Risen", I was surprised to find that Clavius and Rachel are involved in a promiscuous relationship, which I will admit didn't settle well with me. For one, I feel it's unnecessary (their lives one way or another would eventually intersect as they each sought Jesus); and for two, it's disappointing because, even if nothing is explicit, there is still "content" that may be considered inappropriate for younger ages and would mean families, for instance, couldn't read this book together. As I read and thought more, while my previous two opinions remained unchanged, I did also consider, more realistically, that much of the Bible is not rated "G" (because the Bible is about broken, sinful people), and even though I want a nice, clean story, the story of this world is broken because we are broken, and the incredible underlying storyline throughout the pages of Scripture is the message of Yeshua, the Messiah, the perfect Lamb offered as a blood sacrifice once-for-all for the sins of mankind; and Rachel represents man forgiven, no matter how "bad" her past may have been in our hierarchical view of sin. (Come to find out, as the Notes at the end of the book explain, Rachel's character isn't even in the movie at all: it was cut due to time constraints.)

As I read, what hit me the most were the characters! Throughout the book, many different scenes and paragraphs fleshed out the relationships and interactions between various people (Pilate and Caiaphas, for instance), between Israel and Rome, Jews and gentiles, etc. I found the description and characterization of the disciples the most eye-opening (since it's easy to forget they were human or, on the other extreme, only think of their shortcomings); albeit it is the writer(s)'s interpretation, I appreciated how these men were portrayed having an unabashed love for one another and an enthusiasm about following Christ (both good reminders for Christians in this century as well!), as well as the interactions between the brothers. :) On another note, I also loved how the author wove Scripture into dialogue as often as she did (there is a neat, brief scene when John preaches to a crowd the words of what we now know as the first paragraphs of the Gospel of John, then later jokes he should "write that down").

I am glad to have had the opportunity to read "Risen". I highly recommend this book for older children and adults as not only an enjoyable, easy read, but also a book that will bring to life the most important event in History and give a refreshing reminder of the life and hope we have in Christ.

Disclaimer: This book was received for free from Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my review. Risen: The Novelization of the Major Motion Picture

[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. The film, Risen, is scheduled for release on February 19th, 2016.]

There is a lot to like about this novel, especially given that it is a novelization of an upcoming movie about a plausible but fictitious Roman tribune who goes AWOL after getting caught up in the search for the risen Jesus Christ. Clavius is a convincing figure as a rationalistic and ambitious Roman whose mission to find where the disciples of Jesus stashed his body runs up against the reality of a risen Messiah who seeks to free people from fear of death and guilt over their sins through a radical commitment to peace and love, as well as truth. The book contains a character, one Jewish widow named Rachel, who happens to be Clavius' secret paramour and also a curious seeker of truth about the resurrected Jesus who feels ashamed for her lack of interest in marrying the younger brother of her deceased husband, who was a man of great emotional distance, just like her Roman lover. Alas, time constraints forced Rachel to be cut out of the movie, but from this novelization, the movie looks quite excellent anyway.

In terms of its contents, this novel is straightforward and very easy to read. It took me about an hour to an hour and a half to read the 300 pages or so of this novel, and the chapters glided by easily and pleasantly. The book has two POV characters, namely Clavius and Rachel, and the vast majority of the material belongs to Clavius, who shows a marked and dramatic change from a man with little to live for who is sick of living in Palestine surrounded by fanatical Jews to a godfearing Gentile who lays down his career as a Roman tribute to preach the resurrection in Rome. The book begins at the time of the crucifixion, and continues to the time of the Pentecost. The author, and the source material in general, take the Bible seriously, even if they look at it from the point of view of a Roman outsider rather than a Jewish insider, something which I think has a far greater significance that immediately meets the eye, and which is worthy of some discussion. This is a movie that ought to appeal to a wide audience, and it ought to especially please those Christians looking for a good film option [1] this spring. Having read the novel, I look forward to seeing the movie myself; if it's even half as enjoyable to watch as the book was to read, the movie will be a good one.

This is not to say that the book is perfect. Rachel's immoral relationship with Clavius, in which neither of them believe that marriage can result, is certainly to be blamed, but there is no romantic intimacy after both become followers of Yeshua. Clavius is portrayed as an idolater, with a particular fondness for worshiping Mars, but once he sees the risen Christ he sees his idols for what they are, and changes his ways. There are really two areas of substantial comment or criticism that can be made about the film, and they are related issues. For one, the author deals with the Sabbath and other biblical laws as someone coming from a clearly antinomian perspective, and who is thus unable to fully enter into biblical discussion from a genuinely Christian, that is to say, Jewish Christian, prononomian perspective. The author therefore seeks to enter into early church history through a Gentile who is almost, but not quite, a believer, someone who simply cannot make the full leap to obedience to God's ways even if they long for God's grace to cover their sins. Clavius, therefore, is a stand-in for contemporary Hellenistic Christianity and our own contemporary society's inability to truly enter into a covenental relationship with God and Jesus Christ on their own terms. The film thus combines a gripping plot with surprising and deeply melancholy emotional depth concerning the state of contemporary society, where we view Christianity from the point of view of outsiders who are mystified by God's laws but drawn to Jesus Christ's love and kindness towards others anyway.

[1] See, for example:

[...]
[...]

[...]

About the Book:
A Powerful Novelization from Bestselling Author Angela Hunt
Epic in scope, yet deeply personal, this novelization offers a unique perspective on the story of the resurrection. Roman Tribune Clavius is assigned by Pilate to keep the radical followers of the recently executed Yeshua from stealing the body and inciting revolution. When the body goes missing despite his precautions, Clavius must hunt it down.
His investigation leads him from the halls of Herod Antipas to the Garden of Gethsemane and brings him in touch with believer and doubter alike. But as the body still remains missing, Clavius commits to a quest for the truth--and answers that will not only shake his life but echo throughout all of history.

My Review:
Roman Tribune Clavius has seen many things, many wars, many deaths.But none of them have ever been a shocking or amazing as the death of Yeshua the Nazarene. The ground shook and the day turned dark unlike anything he had ever seen, but of course it could be nothing more than a coincidence. Clavius does his duty in making sure Yeshua is sealed in his tomb and everything seems to back to normal, that is until the body comes up missing.

Rachel misses her late husband dearly, but never did she want to marry her husband's kid brother in order to give him an heir. She is perfectly fine with baking bread and living by herself in her own home. But one day while selling bread, she hears a commotion. Crowds are gathered around a man beaten beyond imaginable carrying a heavy crossbeam. The call him Yeshua, the Messiah, the king of the Jews. Rachel runs to the man when he falls, but he does nothing other than stare at her. She knows deep down that she must know who this man is and what he has done to deserve such a cruel treatment.

Risen is a wonderful novelization of the the major motion picture. This book was a wonderful read. I enjoyed every minute of it. I loved how this novel gave you a view of the crucifixion from a roman's perspective. And with Easter coming near, what a wonderful time to read this book.

**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author.

I have just finished reading this novel, but have not seen the recently released movie. The story revolves around the death and resurrection of Jesus, as seen through the eyes of a Roman Tribune. For those familiar with the Bible, the events in this story will be predictable. It's for this reason that I say the book is just "ok". I would have liked more character development.

The book introduces two main fictional characters into the familiar story of the resurrection; Clavius (a Roman Tribune) and Rachel (a Jewish widow). The story-telling switches frequently between these two characters. Since I consider their interaction and differing perspectives to be one of the highlights of the story, I was very surprised to read in the Author's Note that the character of Rachel was completely cut from the movie! The bulk of the story centers around Clavius searching for the body of Jesus and interviewing his followers for information. The author did a fairly good job of representing the Biblical characters in a matter consistent with the Scriptures.

Some of the vocabulary used in this book is specific to that time period in Roman history, and can be a bit difficult to decipher. I would have liked to see more explanation given in the text, or a glossary of terms in the back of the book.

In summary, if you already know the details of the resurrection, this story won't be new, but it will be told in a different way. If reading the book or seeing the movie gets people thinking about and investigating the truth of this claim - I say that's a good thing :)

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

RISEN
A novel by Angela Hunt, Based on the story by Paul Aiello
Screenplay by Kevin Reynolds and Paul Aiello
The novelization of the major motion picture.
The book starts when the crucifixion of Yeshua (Jesus) is taking place and the book is able the search for the body of Yeshua to prove that Yeshua has not risen from the dead and alive as the believers are saying. Clavius, the Roman tribune, ordered by Pilate to find the body so the rumors would end.
Clavius is determined to find the truth and interviews many that knew Yeshua and had part in the crucifixion. The author uses most of the details from the four gospels in the story making it very true to the Gospels. Through many interviews and searching the facts, what Clavius discovers is more than he had hoped for.
Other characters of the story: Rachel, the Jewish woman, Lucius, Clavius’s helper assigned by Pilate, and many people from the Gospel story are included.
I found the story of great interest and an actual version of the Biblical account, just from a different view. This is great fiction based on Biblical facts. The book would be, in my opinion, a great resource for a family or small group discussion book. Another use could be to compare it with the Gospel account.
I received this book free from Bethany House Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

The underlying story has been told throughout the ages, but the perspective is a fresh take on this age old story that is the foundation of Christianity in Angela Hunt's new book "Risen." This novel is based on the movie with the same name - "Risen" - by Paul Aeillo and Kevin Reynolds. Clavius is a Roman Tribune in Rome's Tenth Legion stationed in Jerusalem. This is his perspective of what happened during the passover, Jesus' crusifixation, and after his burial. Clavius is a devoted follower of the god Mars. So when he is sent to investigate what happened to the body of Jesus, the reader is given an inside view of his thoughts, his inner turmoil, and his final decision: "By the time I had finished relating my encounter with the Nazarene, my next step became clear: I would return to the Antonia Fortress and testify truthfully when questioned..."(2015, p.306). Also, interwoven into the story is the story of a widowed Jewish woman, Rachel. Rachel relates her secret and her quest to discover if Jesus is the true messiah. This is a fictional account what could have occurred during this time period so Hunt has taken a few liberties for the sake of the story. I found the story rivoting and fast paced. Now I want to see the movie to see if it is just as gripping.
I received this book free to review and give an honest opinion from Bethany House Publishers.

RISEN, Angela Hunt’s newest release is the novelization of major movie of the same name. Hunt’s novelization of the Kevin Reynolds and Paul Aiello screenplay takes the reader on a beautifully developed journey of two characters, the Roman Tribune Clavius and the Jewish widow, Rachel.

Clavius is assigned by Pontius Pilate to investigate the bizarre tales of the recently executed Jewish man, Yeshua. He’s missing and depending upon who Clavius asks, the man’s body was hidden by his radical followers, or the unthinkable happened.
Rachel, searching for love, takes her own unthinkable journey to find the man who will fulfill her deepest yearnings. I loved her sweet childhood memories.

Hunt’s character development is impeccable and draws the reader into the story. She captured the Jewish mindset of the disciples—not typical in Biblical historicals. The more modern-day language was a little distracting sometimes, but overall didn’t keep me from being in the moment.

Clavius’s drive for truth is believable especially when considering as a Roman he must overcome a completely different faith system—one that is based on love, and accountability and one God. There were moments when I wept and other times laughed out loud.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bethany House.

Tasked with finding the missing body of Yeshua, Clavius faces several difficulties. How do you find a body that disappears, why are the followers acting so strangely, why does the evidence contradict what he was told? On top of that, how is he going to reconcile what he has followed for so long with what he is learning? In Risen, by Angela Hunt, Clavius has to deal with his lifestyle being called into question, just as we all do when Christ enters our lives.

Clavius spends his search seeking for answers that coincide with what he believes, but that proves impossible. His way of thinking keeps him from understanding how Yeshua could be the Son of God and still endure death. He has to decide what he will do with the Truth, just like we have to today.

Though this is a work of fiction, the truth about crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus play an important role in the story. Details and some characters were added to create a story that could be read as a book. Even with that, the scripture references and the people that are mentioned in the Bible are portrayed accurately. I enjoyed reading the book and I think Hunt did a great job in writing the story.

I received a free copy of Risen from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for this review.

I loved this powerful,emotional book by Angela Hunt. A novelization of the motion picture by Paul Aiello and Kevin Reynolds, it contained a lot of brutality that was present at the time of Jesus's crucifixion. In fact, the main character, Clavius, is a Roman Tribune who has hardened himself to the death he sees and causes in Judea by the phrase,"Rome is always right." When Jesus's tomb is found empty, Clavius is commissioned to discover where His body could be and who could have removed it.

Rachel, a young Jewish widower, is the other narrator in this moving tale told in the first person pov. Rachel is looking for peace and love, but uncertain whether she can find either in Clavius.

Clavius brings in persons of interest to question regarding people claiming to see Jesus, post-resurrection. One old, blind woman, Miriam,asks Clavius, '"Don't you want to know what He said?"...
"Of course."
"He said a grain of wheat that falls to the earth and dies produces much fruit." Her face glowed with confidence."You're too late to stop the harvest."'

My thoughts on the story itself:
The Scriptures used fit into place well, although some of what Jesus said was actually spoken before His death. I was impressed by the research that went into the project.
The story flowed well between the two narrators, and the action kept me quickly turning pages. It was easy to identify with the characters, and to hope that they would eventually identify with the Messiah. I was not expecting the ending. If you like Biblical fiction, this is a great book to flesh out the Scripture! I highly recommend it!

The Story:
In the aftermath of the Crucifixion of Jesus, Roman Tribune Clavius is assigned by Pilate to ensure that the followers of Jesus do not steal His body and incite revolution. But when the Body is missing despite his best efforts, Clavius embarks on a quest for truth. Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Could the rumors of His resurrection really be true?
My Thoughts:
I was very excited to read this book. It sounded so intriguing, and with Easter just around the corner it seemed a fitting read. I was, however, very disappointed. I was looking for "epic", such as Lloyd Douglas's "The Robe". Yet this book simply fell flat. The story idea itself has its merits, but it was presented in such a way as to be void of any emotion. I felt nothing as I read this book, it was just words on a page. Perhaps in part because the book was too rushed and overly descriptive. I did not necessarily dislike this book, but neither can I recommend it. In my opinion, if you are looking for a Biblical epic with a similar story line, Lewis Wallace's " Ben Hur" or Lloyd Douglas's "The Robe" are much better options.
The Bottom Line:
I neither liked nor disliked this book. It did not speak to me at all. Perhaps if I had not already read and loved the aforementioned classics, I would have enjoyed it more. Also, there are elements in this book that may not be suited to younger readers. While not overtly graphic, there is violence and an implied affair between a Roman officer and a Jewish woman.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.

Angela Hunt is one of my all-time favorite authors. She lends her skills to the novelization of the book Risen, based on the story by Paul Aiello and Screenplay by Kevin Reynolds and Paul Aiello. I wasn't sure if this book would pull me in and keep my interest, but master storyteller Hunt did it again. The story is told from a Roman soldier's point of view and it is beautiful. I truly could not put this book down and devoured it in just a couple of hours.
As always, more people will watch the movie than read the book, but I feel that the emotion in the book and the meaning is much deeper in written word than what will play out on the screen. In the book we get to be inside the character's heads and see what they are thinking.
Fantastic and highly recommended

Angela Hunt has done an admirable job of describing the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus in an entertaining and engrossing manner. It was somewhat hard to separate facts from the Bible and additional stories and characters which, according to the author, were added to help fill out the story.

As I finished listening to the book, an advertisement for the new movie “Risen” appeared on my TV. This book is a novel based on the screen play for the movie “Risen.” I am now anxious to go the see the movie version of the story.

Although I have been a Christian for many, many years and am very familiar with these events, this book and presumably the movie are stirring me to go into my Bible and compare the events with those in the book.

The first-person telling of the story added to the experience. P.J. Ochlan & Alana Kerr’s excellent narration added to the play-like experience of listening to the book.

I was given a free audio version of this book for my agreement to review it but this has not influenced my personal impressions of the book.

The political climate in Jerusalem is ripe for revolt. Already insurrections, often bloody, are put down on a regular basis. Balancing the will of all powerful Rome - and the emperor - and the local religious sects takes finesse and knowledge of the inner workings of both cultures. Knowing this all too well, Roman Tribune Clavius has been tasked by Pilate to ensure that the latest round of crucifixions end before sundown, as the Jewish Passover begins then, and Pilate doesn't want another reason for the Jews to complain.

When he arrives, one of the trio of men, Yeshua, is already dead. Ensuring this is so, he orders a soldier to thrust a pilum into his side. Following Pilate's orders because of the status of the Nazarene and the possibility of his followers stealing the body to incite revolution, Clavius follows Joseph of Arimathea to the tomb, witnesses the tomb being sealed, and heads home for the day, his daily orders completed.

Only, the body goes missing, and so Pilate orders an investigation. With time ticking away and pressure building as the Sanhedrin, and the upcoming visit from on-high Rome, put the heat on Pilate, Clavius commits himself to find out the truth. But the more Clavius probes, the more reality doesn't add up. Meeting followers of Yeshua and condemners alike, Clavius' journey leads him to unexpected places . . . and people.

Risen is a compelling story offering a unique point of view of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I loved the narrative, told from the point of view of Tribune Clavius. Scattered throughout the book, in the background, are depictions of Biblical scenes, such as the earthquake the day Jesus died, the Roman soldiers gambling for Jesus' clothes, the women who followed Jesus. The way these are woven into the story, combining real events with fictional characters, brought a new feel to the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Clavius' narrative also offers a more objective, if withdrawn, view of the death and resurrection of Jesus. He doesn't believe from the start - far from it. He approaches his mission of finding the body methodically and from the point of view of a pagan Roman, who prays to the Roman gods often.

Interwoven with Clavius' story is that of Rachel, a Jewish widow who finds herself in the unlikely place of falling out of her faith because of life's circumstances. Only seeing Yeshua (as Jesus is called in the novel) one time before his death, she begins to be drawn into His following and becomes a believer. The author's note tells readers that Rachel's character was omitted from the movie for time constraints, so it will be interesting to see how the movie is without her story interwoven into Clavius'. I think the two narratives together adds another level of humanness to the story - the need for redemption and a new start.

My recommendation: read the book!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany Publishing Company book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Risen is a new full length motion picture that is currently in theaters. I can't wait to see it, and if it's as good as the novel of the same name by Angela Hunt, it's going to be a great film.

This novel is based on the screenplay, and not the other way around. I found out after reading this book that the author, Angela Hunt, is also the author of one of my very favorite children's books ever, The Three Trees.

Risen, the novelization, takes place beginning the week of Jesus's crucifixion, and focuses on two main characters: Clavius, a Roman tribune, and Rachel, a young Jewish widow. Rachel bakes bread in the marketplace to support herself, and Clavius is her secret lover. (The character Rachel was omitted from the final draft of the film.)

Rachel and Clavius must rendezvous in secret in the dead of night, and she keeps their meetings clandestine for fear of being ostracized by her fellow Jews. As she hears more about Jesus, her heart begins to tug, and she begins to wonder if there is more to life than what she is living.

Clavius is a hardened warrior, and is unable to open himself to anything but the glory and power of Rome. Clavius is well-known among the leaders of Israel, including Caiaphas and Pilate, and is put in charge of making sure that the body of Jesus remains entombed after his crucifixion. Because of the political climate, the Jewish and Roman leaders are worried that Jesus's (whom they refer to a 'The Nazarene") followers will steal the body and make up the story that he is risen, in order to create a rebellion against Rome.

Clavius watches Jesus die on the cross, and accompanies his body to the tomb, where it is sealed behind a giant boulder. Several days later, he receives word that the boulder has been rolled away and that the Nazarene's body is indeed gone.

The Romans, headed by Clavius try to round up as many followers of Jesus as possible, in order to find his body before the people get word of it and start a revolution. As he interviews all the people about the "risen Messiah", his heart begins to change, little by little. Will he stay with his Roman ways and do all for the glory of Rome, or will he learn what true love is, and how Jesus is the key?

I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read, but also epic in scale. The perspective of the death and resurrection of Jesus was also unique and fascinating. I am looking forward to seeing the movie just because of the book.

*I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

I approach Biblical fiction very carefully, because I think that genre walks such a fine line. On one hand {and the biggest hand!}, I think authors have to be very careful about how they present the truth of Scripture within the setting of fiction, and I want to be wary of anyone who may misrepresent the Word of Truth for the sake of story. On the other hand, I think it's easy to forget that the people chronicled in the Bible were real people with real lives and real emotions. Reading Biblical fiction helps me remember I have much in common with the core of who they were.

You might have heard that there's a new movie out called Risen, but you might not know that Angela Hunt wrote the novelization of that movie, also titled Risen. I read it this week and am excited to tell you about it.

Risen tells the story of a Roman Tribune named Clavius, who is assigned by Pilate to keep Jesus' followers from stealing His body after He is buried. Clavius was present at the crucifixion and is intent on working his way up the ranks of the Roman military. When the Body goes missing, Clavius is charged with finding it and presenting it to Pilate before the whole thing creates a fresh uproar among the people.

One thing I really loved about this story was the fresh perspective it brought to me about a section of the Easter account that I never give much thought: the mystery of how Jesus rose from the dead from the perspective of those who were not believers. If you grew up in church, you celebrated Easter, but the reading comes to a close after the empty tomb. That is just the beginning of this story. It opens with the Crucifixion and moves on from there to explore the belief and doubt of followers and skeptics alike. I've never before considered what that might have been like.

I was highly impressed with the detail to Scripture. Yes, Clavius is a fictional character, as is his assistant and Rachel, a young Jewish woman who has captured the heart and affection of Clavius. But if you're familiar with Scripture at all, you'll recognize not only other people throughout the story, but also pieces of the Bible itself, recounted in conversational form. I found nothing that alarmed me as a misrepresentation of Scripture as I read, and that impressed me.

I have not seen the movie, but my sister has, and she said it was quite gory. The blood and gore doesn't come in so much from the Crucifixion, as you might expect, since it is actually a minor scene in this book, but from all the fighting among the Roman soldiers. I actually am not sure I want to see the movie, because I struggle to handle graphic scenes like that, and my sister said there are many; she had to look away often. But in reading the novel, I could capture the truth of the story without being sidelined by the violence. So if you struggle with graphic violence on screen, reading the book might be a far better choice for you.

They market this book and movie as "the story of the Resurrection as you've never seen it before," and that is highly accurate. I think if you read it, you'll have a fresh appreciation for the confusion, doubt, and victory the people living in that day experienced!

* Thanks, Bethany House, for making a book version of the movie available and for sending a copy my way in exchange for an honest review. *

With Jesus crucified and his dead body entombed, the Jewish religious leaders are able to breathe a BIG sigh of relief. The “imposter,” who said he was the Messiah and had caused great unrest, had finally been eliminated. But if the Nazarene’s body was removed from the tomb by his disciples, they could claim he had risen just as he had predicted, “making the last deception worst than the first.” The Roman governor, Pilate, agrees to seal the tomb and post a contingent of Roman soldiers under the command of Tribune Clavius Aquila Valerius Niger, who had also supervised Jesus’ crucifixion. Clavius, a hardened veteran of many military campaigns and dedicated to the cause of the empire so far as it advances his career, has struck up an unlikely relationship with Rachel, a lonely Jewish widow looking for love. Their clandestine affair appears to have absolutely no future.

Incredibly disturbing news soon reaches Pilate: Jesus’ tomb is empty! The governor angrily orders Clavius to find the missing body, or else! The tribune desperately searches for clues to the whereabouts of the Nazarene’s body, leading to MUCH more than he bargained for.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Ms. Hunt does a decent job of weaving the Biblical account of Jesus’ resurrection with fictional embroidery. As would be expected, the book generally avoids doctrinal controversy; both Christians and quasi-christian legalists can read this book without getting their feathers too ruffled. But I did appreciate the book’s stand on salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus alone:

“I (the risen Yeshua) loved you enough to present my blood as your sin offering. Enough to give my life as your peace offering. Forgiveness is yours, if you will only accept it.”

“It cannot be that simple,” I (Clavius) argued. “Even the Jews know that a man has to live a holy life, do certain things, offer sacrifices-.”

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,” Yeshua said. “Because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

He (Yeshua) straightened his back, hugging his knees as he lifted his gaze toward the heavens again. “The work of salvation…is finished. Even for you.” – pp.292-293.

Clavius comes face-to-face with the risen Christ and must choose; will he continue his life as before or will he accept Jesus as his Savior and follow Him? Boy, can I relate to wrestling with that choice!

We often think about Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross for our sins. We’ll never be able to fathom the depths of that love. But His glorious resurrection was His absolute victory over sin and death! He offers eternal life and fellowship with God to all who accept Him as Savior. I shed a few tears reading this book contemplating ALL my Savior has done for me. Thinking about His magnificent resurrection sent chills down my spine.

I pray the Holy Spirit uses “Risen” to draw people to the Savior and that many will accept Him.

When I selected this book, I did not realize that it is a novel based on a movie. I've never read a book based on a movie before, so this is a first for me. (I usually refuse to watch movies based on books until after reading the book, just fyi.) This book is the story of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus told from the viewpoints of a Roman soldier and an estranged Jewish woman. First of all, the Roman Clavius was a good character to use for a viewpoint of the Resurrection. He is a man who is used to seeing - and inflicting - death. He has some understanding of Jewish ways, but they are really foreign to him. He is an interesting character, and I enjoyed seeing things through his eyes.
Rachel is a Jewish widow. She has been living outside the customs of her people for some time, but she feels a longing to return to God. I felt that her situation was not very likely, in that neighbors in ancient cities not only lived very close to one another, but people also did not have modern attitudes of privacy, and I feel that her neighbors would have realized that she was a widow living alone long before this point. That said, I enjoyed her character. Her sense of longing was palpable.
Yeshua (Jesus) is portrayed as both loving and compelling, and many of his words from the Bible are given here, although not necessarily in the scriptural context. The author plays with events from the Bible, having some happening out of order, or with different disciples/people present. This novel does portray Jesus's teachings in an inspiring light, and I should note for readers that it was obvious to me that the author is Protestant.
Also, and this is a very minor point, but as someone who studied Roman mythology and history, I have to point out that some of the author's generalizations about Roman morality are a bit off. For example, women who were adulterers could face punishment in this era, as Augustus's own daughter Julia was exiled. Also, they did believe that their gods could send weather, disasters, etc. (Neptune was known as the "Earthshaker" and thought to be the cause of earthquakes, for example.) There were many substantial differences between Jewish and Roman culture, but I'm a stickler for little facts like this. Sorry for being picky. :)
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. The characters are compelling, and the end is not predictable. There is plenty of action, and the devotion of the early believers shows through.

I received this book from the publisher, Bethany House, for the purpose of writing a review, but all opinions are my own.

Risen, by Angela Hunt, is a historical fiction based upon the story by Paul Aiello. The time of Christ’s Crucifixion and events thereafter are realistically told through the eyes of His disciples and two fictional characters. Roman Tribune Clavius oversees the Crucifixion and the subsequent burial and then is assigned by Pilate to find the body of Yeshua, thought stolen by the disciples. As he investigates and then associates with the believers, his quest for truth radically affects him.
The other fictional character, Rachel, a young Jewish widow, also is searching for spiritual truth. Having rejected the marriage offer of her late husband’s seventeen-year-old brother, she chooses to live alone and to support herself, selling loaves of home-baked bread. An encounter with the Christ on His way to the cross and subsequent testimonies of believers causes her to pursue the truth.
The Roman Tribune Clavius frequents Rachel’s stall to buy bread and is drawn to her beauty. The two become involved for a time but grow apart, only to cross paths later on their search for truth. This compelling story brings to life the events of the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and more. True to scriptures, the story presents the gospel that has the power to change lives—no matter how lost, hard, or broken. Angela Hunt is a master at recreating Biblical stories. I recommend this book which I received through TBCN in exchange for an honest review.

The story was written in first person through the eyes of non-believers Clavius, a Roman Tribune and Rachel, widower and intimate friend of Clavius. The thing that jumped out to me about the book cover was the author Angela Hunt and the fact that this was a novelization of a movie that would be out in theaters February 2016. I’ve read several books by this author. I love the way she weaves biblical events into a heart-felt, interesting, suspenseful read. I instantly cared about the characters. She writes in a way that cause me to look up scripture references and see things for myself.

This novel takes a look at the events surrounding Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. I like the fact the author is always up-front with readers about what is “fact” and what is “fiction” in her biblical stories. I like knowing where she had to fudge the facts to make the story flow. I usually read that first so I’ll be prepared for the journey ahead.

This is a unique view of a very familiar story. Pilate sends for Tribune Clavius to make sure three people crucified that day were dead before sunset to be sensitive to the Jewish Sabbath. When Clavius arrives Jesus is already dead, it doesn’t take long for the others to follow. A few days later the Tribune is summoned again by Pilate to investigate the disappearance of Yeshua's body. The followers were claiming he was alive. Pilate wanted his body to shut down the rumors. The Tribune assured Pilate he would do what it took to find the Nazarene. Readers are brought into the investigating room as Clavius interviews people who say he’s alive and others to dig for information about the disciples. Surely Yeshua would be with them.

In the second chapter readers are introduced to Rachel who makes and sells bread at the market. She’s a Jew who isn't happy with herself, “I was such a hypocrite. Why did I bother to keep the traditions of my people? Why did I obey the law when my heart had so thoroughly let me astray?” and into the arms of Roman soldier, Tribune Clavius.

Clavius was the one to deliver the news of her husband’s death. He brought bread from her daily and they both had seen Yeshua. Rachel saw him alive on the street when he dropped his cross. Clavius saw him dead on the cross. It was a moment they’d never forget. When news of the empty tomb is confirmed their worlds are jolted.

The Tribune writes his twin sister about what he's learned about Yeshua, “…Today I executed a man who supposedly worked miracles…according to the rumors the messiah, a Nazarene, fed thousands from a few loaves and fish. He healed lame men, opened the eyes of the blind, and raised a dead man who had been dead four days in the tomb..Can you imagine what a military commander this messiah would make? His army would not need to carry food or medical supplies. Any man who died by the sword would be raised by the word, and forward they would march, conquering all as they went.”

Seeing this story through the eyes of a Roman soldier and meeting the people he meets from scripture (the disciples and other characters who interacted with Jesus) had me look at the events, people and scripture with fresh eyes. I found the list the author included with scripture references to Yeshua’s post resurrection activities helpful. There was seventeen passages listed.(I appreciate the help in taking this aspect of the story deeper)

I’m excited about seeing the movie. I really enjoyed the fact that the novel alternated view points; some chapters through Clavius eyes, and others told from Rachel a Jewish woman trying to find her way after her encounter with Yeshua. Nothing was the same.

I’m even more interested in seeing the movie and how it will differ from the book because of what the author shares in author notes. “The character of Rachel, who adds so much to the story (I agree) is a creation of Paul Aiello, the screen writer, but her role had to be cut from the movie due to time constraints. I’m happy that she lives within these pages and adds an additional point of view!”

I agree she added a lot in seeing events through a Jewish female’s point of view. I learned much of their culture. I think this would make a good book club pick and book club event. It would be fun to take your group to the movie after they read the book; then you could discuss the differences between the book and the movie at your next meeting. It would be fun to discuss how closely they stuck to the book and what changes you liked and didn’t.

This is also just a fun read to get your heart and mind reader for the Easter season.

Disclosure of Material Connection: #AD Bethany House
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

This book is a novelization of the motion picture Risen by the amazing author Angela Hunt. A fantastic story taking place during the time of the passover, Christ's crucifixion, burial and a unique perspective of Jesus resurrection as told through the eyes of Clavius and Rachel.
Clavis is a Roman Tribune who has been assigned to guard the tomb of Jesus so His followers cannot steal His body. He believes that Rome is always correct. He is strong and faithful to the command of Rome. He is a follower of the god Mars. When the body of Jesus disappears he is determined to find out what happened and where the body was taken to. Not to give away to much of the story you will want to read it yourselves to see where his journey takes him.
Rachel who is a widowed Jewish woman is searching for the truth. If Jesus is the true Messiah. Her deceased husband's parents come to Rachel to take her to their house and marry his younger brother. Rachel who bakes bread for a living and wants to stay in her own home declines. What happens when Rachel and Clavius meet?

Written so well you feel like you are there yourself. A new fictional perspective on what might have happened during the resurrection of Christ.
This book is a great read and I highly recommend it. Can't wait to see the movie.

I received a free copy of this book from boookfun.org for my honest opinion and review.

Review posted by Donna McGinnis

I have been attempting to broaden my fiction collection. The description of the book Risen intrigued me as it was not the cliched plot of typical Christian fiction.

Upon receiving the book, I realized that it is the novelization of a movie by the same title...Risen. The novelization is by Angela Hunt.

I must say that I enjoyed the book. Clavius, a Roman centurion, is tasked to look into the mysterious disappearance of the body of a Jewish man who had been crucified. Of course, the body cannot be found, and Clavius must come to grips with the reality that Yeshua has indeed risen from the dead as His followers claimed.

Of course, we do not know that these events took place. Thus the fiction part of this historical fiction book. But it seems a fair guess that some of this did indeed go down as Rome was forced to deal with the impossible.

One aspect seemed to take the fiction part a bit far, in my opinion. In the book, Clavius becomes romantically involved with a young Jewish widow. They begin sleeping together. It is not graphic in the book, however it seems somewhat far-fetched and mostly irrelevant to the story.

I have read the account of the resurrection many times in the Bible. Reading it in this context, however, caused me to think about aspects of the story I had not thought of before. It put me more in the story in a way I have not done in a long while. Some of Jesus' words struck right to my core.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this novelization, and I was pleased to also see the film in the theater this past week.

Note: I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for this review.

The book Risen, by Angela Hunt, is a novelization of the motion picture and tells the Biblical story of the resurrection through the eyes of Clavius. Clavius is a Roman military tribune (basically Pontius Pilate's right-hand man in all military matters). During this time of "Pax Romana," peace is kept by military force and Clavius with his assistant Lucius, are overwhelmed when they hear that the Israelites so-called "Messiah" has died. When people claim that He will rise again from the grave and there is a frenzy of excitement and rebellion through the people when, on the 3rd morning the body of Jesus has vanished. Pilate wants this whole matter cleaned up and quickly. Jesus' body MUST be found before it causes and uprising among the people. Clavius and Lucius are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Jesus in order to prove that there is no such thing as a risen Messiah and avoid upheaval in Jerusalem.

Although she takes a back seat through though the book, I also enjoyed the parallel story of Rachel. A widow, whose husband was killed by a Roman soldier, Rachel becomes friend and lover to Clavius, opening a door for him to consider the possibility of the truth and reality behind this person the people call Messiah.

I don't want to tell much more because you may want to see the movie and I don't want to spoil it, but, I really enjoyed the book and following Rachel's and Clavius' conversion story was powerful. This was a wonderful read leading up to Easter!

"Risen," by Angela Hunt, is historical fiction based on the movie “Risen” by Kevin Reynolds and Paul Aiello. This book is easy to read and understand. While it is based on the crucifixion of Jesus from the Bible, it is a fictitious story, mixing made up people and events in with real people and events.
"Risen" is told from two viewpoints, a Roman soldier, Clavius, and his Jewish lover, Rachel. Neither of these people have any understanding of Jesus. Clavius worships a stone idol, and Rachel has all but given up on her faith.
Pilate puts Clavius in charge of protecting the body of Jesus, to be sure none of his followers steal it. When his body turns up missing despite the safeguards put into place Clavius must find it and fast! His attempts to recover/find the body will lead him all over Jerusalem, where he desperately searches every grave and tomb. Clavius is so very tired of being surrounded by nothing but death.
As the story unfolds Rachel and Clavius become involved in an intimate relationship which meets their needs, saving each of them from loneliness, although each of them knows their relationship is wrong. Will an encounter with Jesus change their lives? But, how can one have an encounter with a dead man??
Angela Hunt is an excellent author and I would recommend any of her books without any hesitation. She writes well organized stories filled with action. "Risen" does contain some violence, as would be expected with a crucifixion. The sexual relationship is obviously implied, but not described. There was one tiny part in the book that I asked my spouse about, if it could be accurate, and he found one verse in the book of Mark that did make that part a possibility, but I don't want to give it away. This is a great read!
I received this book from The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion.

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like during the time that Jesus walked the earth? How it must have been like for both the believers and non-believers. What was was going through their minds? What they must have thought or felt when they saw Him resurrected. Risen by Angela Hunt gives you that perspective, it is a work of historical fiction, so there may or may not have been a tribune who were affected by the resurrection such as what had happened to our main character.

The confusion, the way people must have thought and felt, how illogical and not possible it would be to have someone rise from the dead. I mean really, anyone of us who witness someone die, watch as the person is buried, and truly believe they are dead, would certainly question different what I know.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I could not put it down. It's quiet possibly the easiest reading I've done in a while. The story was easy to follow and each character was easy to relate with. I have not had the chance to watch the movie, though after reading this book, it was risen ( see what I did there? ) to the top of my "to watch" list.

If you haven't watched the movie, or even if you have watched the movie, I highly suggest reading this book.

DISCLAIMER: I received this product free for my HONEST and UNBIASED review. I am not compensated in any way for my time or review of the product. If you found my written review or pictures helpful, please click “yes” that my review was helpful. I certainly appreciate the feedback. Thank you!!!

The novel Risen tells the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ or Yeshua from the perspective of a Roman soldier Clavius. Well written and poignant in its description of the events surrounding the Resurrection, author Angela Hunt creates a story of passion and fear much like it must have been for the true believers who witnessed Yeshua’s resurrection and surrounding events first hand.

A hardened soldier, Clavius finds himself drawn to a young Jewish widow Rachel. Clavius and Rachel both meet believers in the resurrected Lord and find themselves drawn to understand more about Yeshua and his small band of devoted followers. Rachel feels compelled to join with the believers as they teach her that the prophecies of Isaiah she believed as child have found fulfillment in Yeshua’s teachings, death, and resurrection. Clavius, on the other hand, is compelled to seek out the believers because of his direct command from the prefect Pilot to find the missing body to prevent political upheaval. Both Clavius and Rachel are authentic and approachable as they share their stories.

Riveting in its historical detail and poignant in its emotional portrayal of the varied people who witnessed Yeshua’s resurrection, Risen tells again in touching and vivid details the story surrounding the most profound event in the history of this world. Bethany House gave me a complimentary copy of Risen by Angela Hunt for my candid review.

Angela Hunt is one of my very favorite authors, so I was excited to read her novel adaptation of the movie "Risen." Her books paint such vivid pictures of time periods throughout history, and this book does the same with the onset of the New Testament era.

I love a great story that allows me to use my imagination to envision the way an event played out. This is especially why I love Angela Hunt's ability to weave factual stories with a creative fluidity and grace. She has given me a clearer picture in my mind of the events surrounding the Resurrection of Jesus. But she's also given me much to think about in relation to my own journey to belief in the resurrection.

I particularly love the premise of looking at this event through the eyes of a Roman Tribune. Who else would have searched so incredibly hard for the resurrection to not be true than one who had to answer to Rome for anything less than the found body of Jesus? There is beauty and truth in each of our journeys to faith in the Lord, and I think that's what resonates with me the most in this book. By walking with another through his own journey, my journey of faith has been strengthened in intangible ways.

While this isn't my favorite Angela Hunt book, it is one I will keep to read again down the road. I look forward to seeing the movie and allowing the art of film to help me view this story in another compelling perspective.

Risen by Angela Hunt is a novelization of the recent movie by the same name. The story is of Clavius, a Roman Soldier and Tribune who is present at the crucifixion of Jesus and then is task with ensuring that the body is not stolen by Jesus' by his disciples so that they could say He was "risen" as he had foretold. When, despite surely sealing the tomb and posting guards, Jesus' body is gone from the tomb on the third day, Clavius undertakes an exhaustive investigation of what happens and vows to find the body of the crucified "Nazarene." As he searches for answers, Clavius interviews anyone who came into contact with Jesus or His followers and eventually he interviews Mary of Magdala who leads him to others of the early disciples. Faced with his own increasing doubts about his service to the Roman Empire, questions about his own life as well as the loss two people he holds close, Clavius' search for the truth about "Yeshua" (Jesus) eventually brings him face-to-face with the risen Lord.

In all honesty, I don't usually enjoy fiction based Biblical stories, because I don't like the insertion of fiction into what I consider truth, however, Risen caught my interest and I had heard good things about the movie of the same name. I was planning to read book around Easter, but life got in the way, and I just finished it. The story is still relevant, no matter what time of year and I am glad I read it. It was interesting and well-written. It kept me turning the pages and wanting to know what happened next. The author seemed to have researched biblical events thoroughly and authoritatively, yet she did not confuse actual biblical persons with fictional characters. For those who have already seen the movie, there is at least one major character in the book who does not appear in the movie. The book was definitely worth reading and thinking about. I am glad that I did. I hope to see the movie soon.

I give this book four stars **** out of five.

This was an interesting and beautifully woven story of historical fiction. It helped me visualize the potential things that could have been happening after the resurrection of Christ. I especially liked seeing the Roman citizen's cultural point of view. This was helpful in visualizing that particular time period. I really have wanted to see this movie as well but have been unable to up to this point. The author states that the novelization includes more than the movie but this is true of most books. I like the Novel because I enjoyed the entire story that it portrayed. It was a good and interesting read all around.

I was first introduced to this author when I read her book about Bathsheba. These books really are beneficial, though they are fiction, because they are well researched and give a realistic picture of the time periods they are about. I think most believers could benefit from these portrayals. They stretch the imagination in order to place yourself in their shoes or rather sandals of the time period. Not only is this important in a realistic historical novel but also helps in personal Bible study thought.

I enjoyed this and recommend it.

I received a copy of this book free of charge from the publisher for an honest review.

I received a complimentary copy of Risen by Angela Hunt to review from Bethany House Publishers. This one intrigued me because it is literally "the novelization of the major motion picture," as quoted on the front of the book. I am that annoying person who always asks, "Oh, did you read the book?" when people tell me about movies they liked that were based on books. I have literally never seen the opposite - hey, here's a great movie, we should make it a book!

I haven't seen the movie (because it releases this month), and to be honest, I'm not sure that I will after read this. The concept is fantastic - an eyewitness account of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus by a Roman soldier (who is then charged with conducting the investigation into where the body went). I liked huge chunks of this book, but the ending was so over-the-top "Christian Buddy-J" who just smiles at people and hugs them that I found it to be a huge let-down.

In true Angela Hunt fashion, the story is told from two different perspectives, that of Clavius the Roman soldier, and that of Rachel, a Jewish woman having an affair with him. A little risque for Christian literature, I guess, and it seems like the author didn't know what to do with the relationship at the end. So she did what any author does when tired of a character... I can't even begin to tell you how disappointed I was that she just threw away this opportunity to make sense of the relationship and how Yeshua would have actually responded to it. If you read the book, let me know so I can discuss this less cryptically. And, actually, the author's note at the end of the book mentions that Rachel's character was written out of the screenplay for the sake of time, so perhaps that's why she didn't develop a more meaty conclusion.

I will tell you, though, that Hunt wrote the most phenomenal description of the resurrection from the guard at the tomb's viewpoint. It literally brought tears to my eyes, so if nothing else, read the book for that. I wouldn't say don't read this book, but just don't expect as much from it as other Angela Hunt novels like Esther and Bathsheba.

You know what’s freaking awesome about Risen? The storytellers. Clavius a Roman Tribune (like a soldier) and Rachel an Israelite who lost her husband. How this two collide? Well, you’re going to have to read it to find out.

This story is set during Jesus crucifixion. Clavius is in charge of making sure Jesus is dead and the body, locked away. But when the body goes missing he goes on a journey to find it.

I have to say that Angela Hunt is an amazing writer. Her descriptions and details take you there. You feel like you’re actually seeing it. That’s how great she is.

Everyone knows how the story ends, but the great thing about Risen is that is told through the eyes of an unbeliever and a believer who is not sure about anything. This book made me reflect on a lot things and I’m pretty sure it would do the same to you. When you are struggling with your own believes, sometimes it’s good to see it through someone else’s eyes.

Go read this book you’re going to love it. Also the movie is on theaters right now. So go check it out.

This book was given to me by Bethany House Publishing in exchange of an honest review.

I love books that “put me there” in the midst of the story, especially at Christmas and Easter. Risen, by Angela Hunt, does just that. It is about a tribune in the Roman army who is there at the crucifixion and burial of Christ, then is assigned to investigate the disappearance of his body three days later. He is amused by the testimonies people give of their association with Jesus, and is perplexed by the mystery, until he meets Jesus himself.

This book is the novelization of the movie of the same title, released in early 2016. At this writing, I have not seen the movie, so I cannot compare the two. However, I know the account of the Easter story well, and when this book kept me asking, “What happens next?” you know it’s a good book. Angela Hunt tells a compelling story that is full of well-researched details of the time. The characters are well-developed, and the story is fast-paced.

I give this book a 5-star rating and recommend it for women and men.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Bethany House, in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.

The characters of Clavius and Rachel are fictional and extremely well developed. I really enjoyed both of them and seeing their different viewpoints following the crucifixion of Christ. Their backgrounds are clearly described and how they are affected by events is easy to understand.

I was captivated by the story and completely caught up in reading how Clavius’ search for truth would play out. I am fascinated by the ability of writers to take biblical accounts and add depth and descriptions to them. Knowing the story from the bible itself didn’t take anything out from my interest in reading this book. I credit that to the ability of both the writer of the screenplay and Angela Hunt to weave a magical story.

This is the first time that I have read a novelization of a motion picture before ever seeing the movie. I look forward to seeing the movie to see what additions were made in this book to make it novel length.

I received a free copy of this book through The Book Club Network. I chose to write this review expressing my personal opinion.

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook of the film Risen. Although I'm very familiar with the resurrection story from the bible, this novel brought out lots of extra historical and cultural facts for me. I liked the way the story was told from the Roman and Jewish viewpoints, making it far more human than the accounts in the bible. The characters were well developed and their storylines kept my interest throughout.
The narrators Alana Kerr and P.J. Ochlan were very easy to listen to, although some of the male accents did niggle me a bit.
I would definitely recommend this audio to anyone who feels they've become over familiar with the Easter story, as it really helped to think about it with fresh insight.
Thanks to christianaudio.com Reviewer's Program for this copy.

This was an impulse purchase. I saw the audiobook in a stack for sale at my library. It wasn't what I was supposed to be looking for. I'd never seen the movie, but the synopsis intrigued me. From the beginning, I found the story engaging and fascinating. The fresh perspective on the resurrection and the opportunity to learn more about first century culture were also beneficial. The characters were well-crafted and interesting. Hunt's addition of Rachel to the story was excellent. I enjoyed Rachel's portion of the story just as much as Clavius's and thought the voice actors were perfect for their respective roles.

I also appreciated Hunt's care in not putting words in Jesus's mouth. Including Jesus as a character in novels is always a very delicate matter, but I felt that the author did very well in that regard as well. In all, it was quite an enjoyable read, and I'd happily recommend it. When I finally saw the movie, I just appreciated the author's work all the more.

This book is INCREDIBLE. Never have I read a novel from an unbeliever’s point of view. And not just an unbeliever, but a Roman Tribune who was in charge of making sure that the crucifixion went smoothly. Seeing the events from his perspective was absolutely addicting for me. Because I know the Yeshua that he kept hearing about from Pontius Pilate. I know the followers of Yeshua, that the Tribune and his men were keeping an eye out for. I know this story, because it happened, and I know the risen Lord personally. But Clavius; Clavius not only didn’t believe that Jesus was anything more than a delusional man, but had a shrine set up in his home dedicated to the gods that he did believe in.

There really isn't much that I can say without giving away the details (although we know how it ends, don't we?) but Friends, read it. Read it, share it, read it again.

The synopsis of this book really caught my attention. It seemed like such an interesting premise (the story of Jesus Christ through the eyes of a Roman, which is a perspective never given in the Biblical narrative), but I did not realize until I received the book that it was a novelization of a movie. Generally, I tend to not like novelizations of films because the end result often feels incredibly contrived.

I didn't love this book, but you may like it! It is indeed an intriguing premise and when I read the author's afterward I completely understood what she was going for and why she made the choices she did. But it didn't quite work for me.

The language was too modern. I don't know how else to describe this other than to say that the descriptions and dialogue read like a modern realistic fiction book. It was hard to immerse myself in this era when it felt so contemporary.

I also did not like the choice to write the story in first-person narrative. Given the expansive setting and the descriptive nature of such a large scope story, I would have preferred a more removed voice. I think the choice was meant to make the stories more personal, but I felt that we could have gotten into the minds of the characters just as well with a the more traditional third-person narrative and also been able to give the rich setting and scene descriptions in a more believable way. To the same point, we bounced back and forth between characters frequently so a third-person narrative would have made that feel less abrupt (constantly switching between being inside the mind of different characters).

The character of Rachel was added to the story and is actually, a great addition. It is nice to have a new voice, and specifically the voice of a woman, in the story. We don't get to hear a female perspective from this period of time very often. That being said, as great as Rachel is, she doesn't really fit. Her attitudes and notions seemed very modern to me. I found it hard to believe that this is how a Jewish woman would act in the first century. I could be completely wrong, of course, but it distracted me quite a bit because I didn't buy her self-sufficient, defiant of Jewish traditions lifestyle. This is historical fiction so I expect it to feel historically accurate, even if it's not.

I believe this is one of the most difficult eras to write a story in and that is why you don't often see authors attempt it. I appreciate Angela Hunt's efforts to remain faithful to the Biblical text and history of this event. A bit of research informed me that she has a Theology degree and I think that is evident in her writing. If you want to read fiction that crosses over with the Bible in ways that doesn't destroy the text, this is a good book for you.

I am very familiar with the story of the resurrection of Christ but this book made the people in the story seem more real. The story follows Clavius, a Roman Soldier charged by Pontius Pilate with locating the missing body before the Emperor arrives in Jerusalem.

Fast paced and vividly described, the story came to life and was highly enjoyable. The author took liberties with the story, as it is historical fiction, but I imagine that many of the scenarios in the story were fairly accurate. The Romans would have been very frustrated and panicking over what happened to this man’s body…the man who many were calling the Messiah. I really loved the story, and I could see myself revisiting it yearly, as Easter approaches.

I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

While this book is not 100% biblically accurate, the liberties taken are very minor. Angela Hunt added a few characters in order to make the movie flow. At the end of the novel she gives a list of the changes made and explains why she did it. She gives scripture references, which I found to be very through. I felt the biblical tie-ins were well chosen. The characters used and stories given were well known and helped the reader to understand how it tied in biblically.

I’m counting the days until February 19th! Go see this movie opening weekend, let’s send Hollywood a message. We want more Christian films.

A unique spin on the story of the Resurrection, told by a different perspective that has been portrayed before. The story of the Resurrection is seen through the eyes of a Roman tribune of Prefect Pontius Pilate. Clavius is directed by Pilate to investigate the missing body of Jesus. Clavius begins a journey of discovery not only for the Prefect but for himself as well. The answers he uncovers will ultimately stand the test of time and provide hope for all humanity.

Even while writing this review I still have goosebumps when I think about the story Angela Hunt has woven. The viewpoint of Clavius provides the reader with a unique take on the Resurrection and the story behind it. Because Clavius was not a believer in the ministry of Jesus, his quest provides testimony of the greatest occurrence of all time. All through this story I was met with such raw emotion knowing the sacrifice that was made for all of God's children. I only hope the movie will do this wonderful story justice. Amazing!

I was provided this book for review from Bakers Publishing Group. All opinions expressed are my own.

1) What I most appreciate about Angela Hunt is how she researches the historical times, stays true to the Biblical account, and delivers insights you either hadn't thought of or wouldn't expect to find so seamlessly integrated in a novel. She does all of this so well in Risen. I really enjoyed the contrast she made between Roman thought and Jewish thought, and then how each of those ways of thinking interacted with the reality of Yeshua--Jesus. I personally value this book because I felt like it brought the post-resurrection part of the Gospels uniquely to life for me. In fact, I'd almost like to re-read that section of the book to imagine and absorb more of the real-life reality we read about in the Bible. That's the great thing about novels--you start seeing historical events through the characters' eyes, which in this case not only included the main fictional characters, but also the disciples.

2) Unfortunately, this is the last Angela Hunt book I'll be requesting to review. The sensual/sexual content, while understandable in novels based on Esther and Bathsheba, was uncalled for here. Backing up, the story alternates perspectives between Clavius, a Roman tribune, and Rachel, a Jewish widow, who are secretly sleeping together. Granted, their conversational interaction adds to our understanding of Jewish vs. Roman thought, but why does there have to be fornication in a book on the resurrection? When I was reading, I assumed this subplot was part of the film and that that was why it was included in the novelization. But the author's note at the end says that Rachel appears in the screenplay, but did not make it into the movie (which gives me a better opinion of how the movie might be than I would have thought otherwise!).

So Risen is a mixed bag for me. Part of it is so good--the insight, connection, and feeling what it would have been like to see Jesus while He was on earth! And yet, you've got a compelling and sinful affair, which although is not particularly condoned, the characters never get the opportunity to actively repent of at the end. In conclusion, I probably would recommend this book to select people, with caveats.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Author Angela Hunt does her usual beautiful and intricate retelling of Biblical truth and drama. Her faithful attention to detail, her masterful storytelling skills, and her unparalleled gift for blending truth with fiction have combined to give us both an enjoyable read and a closer look into Scriptural facts too often overlooked, yet vital to the events surrounding the rising of our Savior. Don't miss this!

Predictable is not a good choice for the plot. All Christians know that Jesus is risen. This is presented in a very plot driven, character developing way and I learned to not only love most characters, but to feel good about the book once finished. Life in Palestine during Jesus time on earth became real to me. He wasn't walking two feel off the ground, glowing white! Yet, He lost none of his wonder.

I received this novel for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was quite excited to read this book, since Biblical based stories are ones that I tend to enjoy. However, I was disappointed in Risen. I never felt connected to the characters, and I never felt drawn into the book. I could have put it down at any time without a second thought. It wasn't the worst book that I have ever read, but it wasn't my favourite, either.
Probably my biggest issue was that I just didn't care about the characters at all. Normally I connect at least a little bit with characters in the book, but in this story, I didn't care about any of them. Not even Yeshua. I didn't really feel any emotion while reading this book apart from boredom.
All that being said, this is just my opinion. Others might really enjoy this book. The premise is quite intriguing and is what drew me to the book in the first place.

***** 4 Stars

Risen

by Angela Hunt (Based on the story by Paul Aiello and Screenplay by Kevin Reynolds and Paul Aiello)

320 Pages

Motion Picture Debuted February 2016

Genre: Christian, Fiction, History

ISBN-13: 978-0764218453

*Disclaimer: This paperback copy was received from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Gilt & Buckram Reviews . . . the framework that holds adventure.