Book Review of 'The Ark and the Dove' by Jill Eileen Smith

Happy Monday Bookworms!

I hope you all had a good weekend and had a Happy Father’s Day! Our celebrations were low-key since we weren’t feeling too well over here, not to mention some storms that rolled through that kept us homebound, but it was still a nice, relaxing day at home regardless.

Today I am featuring another Biblical Fiction that my husband actually chose for me to read this year. For those that don’t know, I have been struggling with my mental health this year, and my sweet husband chose some novels from my library that he thought might help.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Biblical Fiction and let me know in the comments if you’ve read any other good Biblical or historical fictions recently that you’d recommend for me.

About the Book

Title: The Ark and the Dove
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: February 27, 2024
Genre: Biblical Fiction

Zara and Noah have walked together with the Creator for their entire lives, and they have done their best in an increasingly wicked and defiant world to raise their three sons to follow in their footsteps. It has been a challenge--and it's about to get much, much harder.

When the Creator tells her husband to build an ark to escape the coming wrath against the sins of humankind, Zara steps out with him in faith. But the derision and sabotage directed their way from both friends and extended family are difficult to bear, as is knowing that everyone she interacts with beyond her husband, her sons, and their wives is doomed to destruction. And when the ark is finally finished and the animals have been shut up inside, Zara and her family embark on an adventure that will test their patience and their faith as they await deliverance and dry ground.

Experience the story of Noah and the flood like you never have before. With bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith as your guide, you'll never look at a rainbow the same way again.

My Review

I read The Ark and the Dove during some particularly powerful storm that came through my area, and I kept thinking about Noah and his family and all the apprehension they must’ve felt when the rain started to fall. I’ve never really stopped to think about the myriad of emotions that went along with such an endeavor. Not only the ridicule but the personal fears and doubts that must’ve plagued them. There were many things I’ve never considered the myriad of times I’ve read the Biblical account of Noah’s ark. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever let my mind go to just how emotional and traumatic of an experience that must’ve been.

The overall story is great, but I felt like the middle began to drag. Much like those on the ark that felt like time was going at a snail’s pace, I felt that same sensation as I was reading. Keziah’s character in particular was so grating to me. I have zero patience when it comes to people who have malicious intent and a scheming, selfish spirit, and this is Keziah in a nutshell. You would think with everything that she’d witnessed that she would choose a better path, but sadly that wasn’t the case.

My favorite part of the story was the moment they exited the ark. That had to be such a moment of rejoicing and such a surreal feeling. To be on the ark for so long to then touch dry land and essentially start life over is just wow.

Seeing this Biblical account through fresh eyes was quite refreshing and brought up a lot of points that I had not considered before. I am thankful that I was able to read this novel.

My Rating: ★★★★

About the Author

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs, Daughters of the Promised Land, Heart of a King, Star of Persia, Miriam's Song, and The Prince and the Prodigal. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.

When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable, “helpful” cat Tiger. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

Connect with Jill by visiting jilleileensmith.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours.

All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.