Review of Amora

[Drianie]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Amora" by Grant J. Hallstrom.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Inspired by the woman mentioned in Justin Martyr's letter to the Roman Senate, Grant J. Hallstrom wrote Amora. This historical novel takes place in Rome during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, where the majority of the population viewed Christianity as a cult.

We begin on a festive note with Amora and Leo getting married. Both of them look forward to a life of bliss, ignorant of the many obstacles life has to offer. However, in a world where Rome rules supreme, the slightest deviation from the norm meant severe scrutiny from the upper class. Amora slowly comes to this realization when her choices and actions create a rift between her, Leo, and their friends. When tragedy strikes, their marriage experiences severe strain, and each deals with their grief in different ways. Years later, Amora meets Justin, who introduces her to Christianity. Can this strange religion restore peace in her heart and give new meaning to her life? How will this affect her already crumbling marriage? Meanwhile, the Senate is growing restless, seeking ways to obliterate Christians from Roman society.

At its core, this story is about forgiveness versus vengeance. At the beginning of the book, Hallstrom shares his own journey of forgiveness when his nephew murdered his brother. Sharing this personal tragedy added a layer of depth to his story, with characters embarking on a similar journey. I appreciate how Amora didn’t just stumble across Christianity and immediately convert without hesitation. She struggled with her grief on her own for years before she chose to learn more about God. Her emotional struggles felt real and made her transformation so much more beautiful to experience.

That being said, I personally felt that Leo was the true star of this story, and his journey captivated me right from the start. Amora forms the foundation of the narrative, but it's more about witnessing her influence on the people around her, especially Leo. I also enjoyed Antonio's character, who gives us a slave's perspective. Through his eyes, we experience the life of a gladiator as well as the terror of battle. Switching to his more action-packed scenes felt like a welcome break following the deeper content. The variety of characters and their different experiences allowed for a fascinating and well-balanced narrative that was a joy to read.

Despite the serious tone and Christian influence, this book has a lot more to offer. Hallstrom did extensive research into the history of Rome. His portrayal of the different social classes and their interactions with each other felt accurate. He refrains from flowery descriptions, although he offers readers enough to bring the settings and events to life. Moreover, I found it interesting to read about Rome’s treatment of Christians at the time. Hallstrom ends the book with more information on the historically accurate characters and events portrayed in his story.

There was nothing I disliked about this well-written book. The pacing does slow down a bit when discussing biblical concepts such as forgiveness, guilt, love, and justice. However, the message was sincere and got me thinking about my own life. Additionally, I only found six minor errors, which did not distract me in the least. Therefore, I conclude that the text was professionally edited. Considering my overall satisfaction with the execution of this novel, I gladly rate Amora 4 out of 4 stars.

History buffs interested in this specific period in Roman history will find something to love in this novel. Readers experiencing emotional struggles such as grief will find comfort in the author’s well-put words. Those of you who enjoy a hint of romance will be both satisfied and heartbroken. If you get the chance, give this book your time. It’s worth it.

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Amora
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[Eddy E]

I love how this book takes a historical setting with true events and influence of the times it's set in but chooses a set of peoples lives for us to have a look into.

[Christine Onyango 1]

Amora is must read book for a person struggling with grief, vengeance and forgiveness, especially from a Christian point of view. Thank you for this review.

[Pandora10]

I enjoy historical romance and ancient history so not surprisingly this book caught my attention. After reading the excellent review, I decided to take a look at the book. I find the writing rich and descriptive. The preface to the book was a moving account from the Author's own life. Looking forward to finding out how Amora faces tragedy and challenges in her life, learns about God, the effect that has on her and her life, and how it changes Leo and others around her.

[Tarie07]

Amora grabbed my attention from the second paragraph. This is a must read for me. Thanks for the lovely review.

[MAGDALENE DUNG]

The book captured my interest from the very beginning to the end. The focal point of the novel, which is forgiveness, is a conflict killer. Amora , her son and her husband struggled with forgiveness. The book is relatable in real life as many people face diverse harm done to them. The book is a must read as it is a prefect blend of education, entertainment, enlightenment, philosophy and a form of emotionally therapeutic.

[Mimidee Vanilly]

I am newbie here as a reviewer, and this book is third book that i read. And i admire how the author, Grant J. Hallstorm convey the story very well. We can imagine how Roman Empire and Culture clearly. He also can develop every characters very well. So the plot flows smoothly. Two thumbs up for Hallstorm.

[Drianie]

I love how this book takes a historical setting with true events and influence of the times it's set in but chooses a set of peoples lives for us to have a look into.

This books does this so well! You should definitely check it out! Thanks for reading my review and commenting!

[Drianie]

Amora is must read book for a person struggling with grief, vengeance and forgiveness, especially from a Christian point of view. Thank you for this review.

I agree! Readers can learn a lot from these characters' experiences. I appreciate you commenting! Thanks!

[Drianie]

I enjoy historical romance and ancient history so not surprisingly this book caught my attention. After reading the excellent review, I decided to take a look at the book. I find the writing rich and descriptive. The preface to the book was a moving account from the Author's own life. Looking forward to finding out how Amora faces tragedy and challenges in her life, learns about God, the effect that has on her and her life, and how it changes Leo and others around her.

I am so happy you enjoyed this book too! I wasn't expecting such an emotional connection between the author and his story, but sharing his personal life was truly moving! Thank you for your kind words!

[Drianie]

Amora grabbed my attention from the second paragraph. This is a must read for me. Thanks for the lovely review.

Amora is definitely worth the read! Thank you so much for reading my review and sharing your thoughts!

[Drianie]

The book captured my interest from the very beginning to the end. The focal point of the novel, which is forgiveness, is a conflict killer. Amora , her son and her husband struggled with forgiveness. The book is relatable in real life as many people face diverse harm done to them. The book is a must read as it is a prefect blend of education, entertainment, enlightenment, philosophy and a form of emotionally therapeutic.

It's great that you enjoyed this book! Amora has so many complex life lessons to share with readers. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!

[Drianie]

I am newbie here as a reviewer, and this book is third book that i read. And i admire how the author, Grant J. Hallstorm convey the story very well. We can imagine how Roman Empire and Culture clearly. He also can develop every characters very well. So the plot flows smoothly. Two thumbs up for Hallstorm.

Welcome to the review team! This was a great choice for one of your first reads. I loved learning about Roman culture and how it was depicted in this book. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!