“The Salt Covenants” by Sylvia Bambola
Fiction
Review copy from BookCrash
My Rating: 4 our of 5 Stars
About the book:
“Bambola (Rebekah’s Treasure) elevates a simple historical tale into something transcendent, in this beautifully written novel about a young Jewish noblewoman, Isabel, who flees the Inquisition on Christopher Columbus’s second voyage to the New World.” Publishers Weekly starred review
“But these plans they have laid out for me like an embroidered rug, showing me where my feet must travel, is to me an awful penance for sins I did not commit.” Isabel
Spain 1493: Isabel has broken her mother’s heart by becoming a sincere convert to Christianity. But when she is noticed by Friar Alonso at La Casa Santa, the Holy House, she is forced to flee the Inquisition by entering into a loveless marriage and sailing with Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the New World. But all too soon Isabel is forced to struggle alone in her new life and new faith. With all the risks and hardships how is she to survive? And will she ever find love in this strange land? And what of the dangerous Enrique Vivar? Will his hidden agenda cost her her life?
My Thoughts:
I was quite impressed and pleased by this book. I had previously read Mrs. Bambola’s “Rebekah’s Treasure” and enjoyed that one, so I was excited to read another book by her when the chance came up. Though the time period was different, and thus the themes varied, it was still excellent.
This was a fascinating and well-written story, and a very full one. It is kind of hard to review because of that reason, but it really was good. At one point towards the end, I was worried it wouldn’t end happily, but I was really glad – and relieved – when it did! Main character, Isabel, had to go through a lot of trials, but the Lord gave her strength through them all. The history behind it all and weaved through it was spectacular.
I enjoyed seeing more into what it would’ve been like for those in 1493, especially for the Jews – or conversos* as they had to be, though it was sad too. So many struggles and wrongs and so many committed to them in the name of Christ. I loved though, that Isabel came to know Jesus and believing in Him as her Savior. It was all written beautifully. Oh and the part where they mentioned the Salt Covenant – that was so cool! I hadn’t heard of a salt covenant before, but it was really neat, and I loved it.
There were some more graphic scenes in various situations, which is why I would recommend this book for more mature readers (perhaps 17+). However, it was still a good read.
For me, it was a relaxing, quiet, yet very adventurous book, one I enjoyed!
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers through BookCrash in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.
*A convert from Judaism to Christianity; usually implies a forced conversion – from the glossary in back of book.
