Opening Sentence: '…That day, and all the days that followed, Horeb remained silent…’

The second in a trilogy - Halter tells the story of Zipporah, the wife of Moses.

Information about her is scanty so her story is made up around the few facts that are known - this is not Christian fiction, and if you read it as that you will be sorely disappointed. However if you read it as a fictional look at Biblical times it is a very interesting story.

A stranger comes into Jethro's lands and he acept Moses into his community. Moses and Zipporah fall in love and have a child, but she won't marry him as she believes his destiny lies in Egypt. After their second child is born they travel to Egypt and marry on the way. Moses obeys God and the Hebrew slaves are set free and travel into the wilderness. The story ends when the ten commandments are recieved - in fact it ends very abruptly.

There are true biblical facts here, and some of it is based on Bible stories - but 90% of it is fiction. If you accept this fact you will enjoy it much better. ( )

Interesting idea, but I have seen better executions of historical fiction. Would have enjoyed more detail, and less liberty with the Biblical text. ( )

I so thoroughly disliked this novel that it’s a little difficult to put my finger on just where it all went wrong. The writing style was mediocre, and the shifting viewpoint was confusing. The lifestyle imagined for Zipporah is very modern and feminist, with little resemblance to the actual culture of Biblical times. In addition, the text is peppered with anachronistic phrases, such as “crack a joke”, “don’t mention it”, and “making hay”. Explicit sex scenes (which some readers may object to) seemed forced and boring, rather than sensual or even titillating. Furthermore, the ending was unfulfilling and nonsensical. Throughout the entire novel, Zipporah is portrayed as strong-willed and confident, yet in the final chapter her entire character inexplicably changes, transforming her into “the weakest of the weak”. Much of the book is given over to contemplation of the coming Exodus of the Hebrews, yet these momentous events are relegated to the last 19 pages of the book and are handled so hurriedly that I felt as though I was being cheated out of part of the story. Finally, a character absent from the text since page 131 unexpectedly reappeared on page 264 to decide the fate of the heroine. In the end, there did not even seem to be a message or moral to take from the book, and certainly nothing to make me feel good or inspire faith.

I really liked this book until I got toward the end and it suddenly was over. It didn't finish; it just ended as if the author had something better to do and just wanted to be rid of this one. ( )

Think a fluffier Red Tent (I recommend the Red Tent most highly, by the way).

Moses' struggle with his destiny was compelling but the end wrapped up rather abruptly and Aaron and Miriam were portrayed quite poorly (although perhaps accurately. Who knows?).

The book did leave me wondering how Zipporah, Gershom and Eliezer really died. I went to the Old Testament but didn't find my answer there or online.

I do enjoy how historical fiction often leads me to further research.

Halter includes the interesting backstory regarding Thutmose III and Hatshepsut, the pharaohs who are portrayed (perhaps accurately) as Moses' "adopted" brother and "adopted" mother, respectively.

I've read Sarah and I'll read Lilah, if that's any indication of my regard for this book. ( )