Angela Hunt

When Euodia, a Christ-follower in AD 51, sees a young slave girl being treated terribly by her master, she buys the slave to free her. But though the slave no longer brought a profit for her masters after a Jewish rabbi had robbed her of her "gift" of divination, one of her masters claims the sale was not done legally. He takes the girl back and travels to find someone who can restore her gift so she can continue to earn money for him. Euodia and her servants follow the master and slave in show more the hopes of rescuing the girl who should rightfully be free.

Hunt takes a couple of passages from the book of Acts and weaves them into a rich, heart-filled story that I absolutely loved! The bulk of the story is the journey east from Philippi, Euodia trailing behind Hector Hostilius, hoping to catch up to him before he manages to restore the slave girl's gift with an unclean spirit or sells her for being worthless to him. Even before that, though, and throughout, I was caught up in the setting, from the work Euodia does making purple clothing to the travel on the Via Egnatia and so many other things. A warning for those who might be bothered by this kind of thing—Hunt doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of life during this time period—violence, idol worship, sexual immorality, etc.

Euodia's faith in Christ came from an encounter with the apostle Paul, who is also the rabbi that "cursed" the slave girl Sabina by casting a demon out of her (these are both of the parts that came from Acts). While most of us don't face the kind of situation Euodia is in here, trying to literally free a girl in captivity, I mentally cheered her resolve and wholehearted trust in God. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how it was all going to play out. The book goes back and forth between Euodia and Hector for much of the book, and I'll admit that that led me to expect a far different outcome to the book than it has. An unpredictable plot is a good thing, though, and there was not one thing about the plot or the ending that I would have changed. Well, maybe one thing, but it's small and would be a spoiler to explain. And I did notice a few weird name discrepancies, wherein a slave was first given one name then later referred to by another and Hector's business partner had 2 slightly different spellings for his last name. If either of these things was intentional, I didn't pick up on it.

There is some romance in the story, but it also was not what I expected from early in the book, and it was my favorite kind—subtle and sweet. I appreciate that Hunt didn't give us more than necessary in the way of physical interaction between the two involved, which I feel happens far too often in Christian fiction. Overall, I earnestly recommend this book for those who enjoy Biblical fiction, especially from the time after Christ.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House for providing me a copy of this book to review. show less

“I am a daughter of Rome,” I said, “so I will trust the gods of Rome for my future.”

I’ve been waiting 9 months ( half of forever!) for this book!! Third in The Emissaries series by Angela Hunt, The Daughter of Rome does answer the questions from the second book, The Sisters of Corinth. However, the main characters are not the same, and there is enough back story provided to let a first-time reader enjoy the book, too. Still, the completed storyline is richer if the secondary show more characters are already your friends.

Callandra is a young woman , yet unmarried, who lives with her widowed and accomplished sculptor father. Callandra assists her father in his work and also paints the sculptures.

Having read book two, I was certain that, as this novel occurs in the time of Nero and great persecution, it could be a hard book to read. It is, but it is also so compelling, romantic, and chock-ful of history and Bible passages, too! And, so worth it!!

(A side note, there seem to be some parallels to the time of Elijah and the persecution of followers of God under Ahab and Jezebel. )

Callandra and her father are hired to sculpt a bust of a leading Roman senator. When he is pleased with the result, he hires Callandra and her father to produce an auspicious work. In their dealings, Callandra meets the senator’s compassionate and kind son, Hadrian. While a mutual attraction develops, any romance between the two is impossible because one is a patrician and one, a plebeian.

And then, the great fire of Rome occurs and changes all of their lives. The fire sends Callandra and her father fleeing across the river for their lives. One group of people is welcoming. The same group that Hadrian, by his father’s command, keeps under house arrest unless they will change their beliefs.

It is so beautiful to see the way both the Jewish and Greek Christians freely love, share, and witness. Their generosity in all areas attracts and effects change in many. Many try to reason with Callandra, who is embittered by the losses caused by the fire. “When I had sight, I was blind to the Creator of the world, but as a blind man I began to glimpse His hand. Now I see Him working every day.” But Callandra hangs on to her Roman gods.

As Nero looks for scapegoats for the fire, the Christians make a convenient target. This was especially hard to read, as many of these are now people I think of as friends. The Christians could hold strong, because they believed, “Death is not our enemy; it is a journey to Adonai.” The question becomes, though, as these Christians remain faithful, does God see? Was He watching over these? What response will Callandra, Hadrian, and others who moved and interacted among these people have? Which gods or God will prove to love the people and care for them?

My fave secondary characters were many. Priscilla, Petros, and Mariana and Marcus from the previous book.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“I am not the man I used to be, and my life is no longer my own.”

“Don’t ask for Adonai’s will, I wanted to shout, and promise you’ll do something for him if he does something for you. But Adonai did not operate like the Roman gods. Adonai demanded that his followers surrender everything to his control.”

“Adonai does not live to serve us. We live to serve Him.”

“Adonai always preserves a remnant. Always.”

“I prayed for Adonai to change my poor eyes, and He changed me instead.”

“Art was about more than size. Art was about beauty and design and its ability to provoke thought .”

“And I am content to remain in whatever state Nero confines me, for Adonai rules over kings and emperors.” show less

The Daughter of Rome by Angela Hunt is a masterpiece, a gripping exploration of faith under fire. This book is a relentless emotional ride that questions what it truly means to live and die for Christ.

Set in the perilous heart of Nero’s Rome, the novel brings to life a world of persecution, sacrifice, and devotion that echoes deeply with anyone who’s ever wondered what they would do in the face of unimaginable suffering, hardship, and persecution. Through Calandra, a woman torn between show more the world she knows and a group of Christians she’s only beginning to understand, we see the staggering cost of following the One true God in a world that demands loyalty to its idols. The ancient Roman backdrop is a character in its own right, its streets, temples, and smoky skies echoing the deep clash of cultures, beliefs, and souls that defines this story.

What struck me most was the authenticity of the Christian faith woven throughout the story. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s breathtaking. One particular scene lingers in my heart—when Calandra watches the Christians, including an aged rabbi, stand firm in the face of persecution. His unwavering faith and courageous bravery are an inspiration, and through her eyes, we see how the beauty of that kind of trust in God can break even the hardest heart. “I sat with the weeping believers, brokenhearted and amazed at the faithfulness of the aged rabbi… his earnestness, zeal, and bravery deeply impressed me.” These words hit me hard because they reflect the very essence of the book: faith that endures, faith that conquers.

Angela Hunt’s writing is nothing short of phenomenal. The pacing is perfectly balanced, allowing the reader to absorb the weight of each moment, while the vivid descriptions of Nero’s Rome transport you directly into the heart of the ancient world. I could almost smell the ash from the great fire, feel the tremors of fear, and hear the cries of the martyrs. Yet, amid all the heart-wrenching loss and brutal persecution, there is also hope—a hope rooted in something eternal and unshakeable.

The Christian themes here are powerful and striking. I was especially moved by the questions Calandra wrestles with: “Who is Adonai?” “Why did He protect them, and not us?” These were not just questions asked by a fictional character; they were questions that stirred my own soul, forcing me to reflect on the depth of God’s sovereignty and the eternal truth that He is the only God worthy of worship.

The stakes in The Daughter of Rome are impossibly high, and the characters are so richly drawn that I couldn’t help but feel deeply invested in their journeys. This story will challenge you, make you think, and leave you questioning: What would I do?

Ultimately, this novel is about the unfathomable courage it takes to choose Christ over all else. As the characters face danger, death, and loss, the profound message rings clear: "We believe Adonai is the only God worthy of worship, so we cannot bow before any other. To do so would be a lie." In a world that worships so many things, this book forces us to consider what—who—we will bow to.

The Daughter of Rome is a journey of faith, hope, and sacrifice that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. Angela Hunt has crafted a powerful story that will take you through the fiery streets of ancient Rome and through the fiery depths of the human soul.

It’s a book that challenges, encourages, and deeply moves you. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates faith-filled historical fiction that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impact on the heart.

I received a digital ARC of this book from Celebrate Lit Publicity Group. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability. show less

**Actual rating: 2.5/3 stars. May contain spoilers***

Putting aside the fact that I rather enjoy stories, which take well-known myths or pieces of history and adds a bit of content and character to the legends, so I commend the author for doing that with the story of Delilah & Samson for attempting to bring history and personality to these two characters. Based off of what I know and understand about their connection, Delilah is believed to have been heartless and money-driven Philistine, show more (perhaps, even a Israeli who betrayed Samson for money) who tricked Samson into falling for her only to betray him. Where as Samson is portrayed as this powerful, physical and influential, protector/savior for the Israeli people who fell in love with a beautiful trickster.

However, Angela Hunt depicts the story of two young individuals from two different worlds are forced into some of the most unpredictable of circumstances; particularly, Delilah, in this case.

With that being said, I gave this book 3-stars based off the lack of progressive growth among the main characters, the decision to link Delilah’s lineage to Southern Egypt/Ethiopia and the sluggish pacing of the narrative which did not always grab or hold my attention.

Regrettably, it seemed as though it was longer than it needed to be. It also did not help the fact that for most of the book both Samson and Delilah’s personalities remain consistently the same, despite the passage of time: naive and passive, respectfully. It was bothersome to continuously watch Samson breeze past warnings and times for caution and to see Delilah’s character be passively lead and directed from one place to another, from Egypt to Gaza and to the Valley of Sorek etc. and never seem to be present.

Moreover, while some will object to Delilah’s lineage being connected to Southern Egypt/Ethiopia due to believability and accurately, my issue with it was on a different scale. In fact, I loved the idea. It was another reason I was interested in reading this book. Delilah in Hebrew is after all Layla, meaning darkness (be it a play or words or not in correlation to the woman’s skin tone). Whats more, research has proven that over and over and over again, Delilah’s background, lineage and original allegiance ties were never made clear. She seemed to be a “nobody.”

Subsequently, this brings the focus to one of the topics I tussled with while reading this book. With the amount of misogyny/ patriarchal disadvantages the women in this novel (and time period) faced, I felt it was entirely possible that the threat of slavery was something that could have been left out. As a result, it made me distrust the author's sincerity and treatment of Delilah's character.

As her ethic and religious background are never stated/clarified—though in all sincerity, she could have easily have been a Philistine—it begs the question, did the author decide to make Delilah (born in Egypt) of Ethiopian/Greek decent simply to play up (or exploit) the slavery plot point/possibility? After suffering at the hands of her stepbrother, Achish and the power he gained with the death of his father, and the loss of her mother, Delilah's story is arguably challenging/difficult enough and lacked the need for that aspect in the narrative.

I also had an issue with the author's push to make Delilah's character a "nobody." She grew up in Egypt; her parents were of Cush and Crete (Cretan) decent. That does not make her a nothing or nobody and I felt that the author lost sight of that.

This book was extremely well researched and it is incredibly clear that the author’s goal with this story was to humanize both Delilah and Samson and emulate that their story together may not have been as straightforward or as black and white as it is commonly believed. Overall, there is a love and empathetic connection between them in this book, but the story, in my opinion, was not something to rave about.

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