Forced from her home after the stoning of Stephen and persecution of believers in Jerusalem, Libi and her family now live in the city of Antioch. Days pass quickly in a community where the oppressed are in great need, and Libi finds every opportunity to serve alongside other believers despite growing obstacles and a lack of resources. All of this leaves little time to think about what she has lost, or the growing desire in her heart for what she does not have.
Cassius lives his life in the shadows after witnessing the impossible and deserting the Roman Army as a coward. While passing through Antioch, Cassius accidentally crosses paths with the followers of The Way—the same group of radicals that Cassius blames for his long-dead military career. Staying in Antioch could satisfy his thirst for revenge, but only if he can avoid Libi, whose presence has an effect on him that threatens to break down the defenses he has spent years building.
When a persecutor from Libi’s past re-emerges, Libi is forced to confront doubts she didn’t know she carried, and Cassius must also reconcile with his past if he ever aims to have a future. How far does grace go, and will they have the strength to find out?
This is Book 2 in the Generations of Faith series. Read the first part of Libi's story in Jerusalem's Daughter , available now.
— PRAISE FOR ANTIOCH'S DAUGHTER "Jenna Van Mourik has done it again—created a family that draws you in and touches your heart. Van Mourik shines with a powerful story of grace and forgiveness that's timeless ... Libi and Cassius both have hearts to serve the downtrodden, but will their similarities be able to withstand the truth in their differences? Don't miss this family adventure and sweet romance. Saul and Barnabas make appearances as well as Asa from Jerusalem's Daughter. Another story that shows the grace and love of the One True God." — Barbara M. Britton, author of The Daughters of Zelophehad series and Defending Ittai's Journey "Jenna’s sophomore novel delivers a moving message of God’s redemption that is strong enough to reach even the hardest lost souls. The love story between Cassius, an imperfect man who believes himself beyond redemption, and Libi, a selfless young woman with her own set of imperfections to work through, will both inspire you and cause you to examine your own heart. Wholesome, uplifting, and thought-provoking, Antioch's Daughter is perfect for readers young and old alike!" — Ashton E. Dorow, author of The Royals of Acuniel series
Though I hadn’t read the first book in the Generations of Faith series, book #2 in the series immediately grabbed my emotions. I cared deeply about Cassius, the tormented-child-turned-terrified-deserter. I was drawn in by the loving and sacrificial dynamic of Libi’s family.
Both main characters in Antioch’s Daughter were complex characters with multiple opportunities for pivotal life decisions. For the most part, they remained true to character. Libi’s extremely strong reaction to her past caught me a little by surprise, however. She did make a believable recovery, and the resolution of the story was satisfying. It wasn’t overly predictable, nor did it offer a “bow-tied” ending.
I’d recommend Antioch’s Daughter based on two important signposts. First, I contemplated this book (its story, characters, writing, etc.) in between reading times. Second, I referred to the book’s spiritual theme, “Jesus makes all things new,” in conversations after finishing the book. This tells me Antioch’s Daughter made an impact on my heart, not just my mind. Well done, Jenna Van Mourik! Looking forward to the next work in your series!
I love to imagine Paul's first meetings with believers after his conversion, so this story was great! And seeing Libi all grown up was wonderful. I did miss Shamira, but the new characters were so great.
Jenna Van Mourik has done it again--created a family that draws you in and touches your heart. Van Mourik shines with a powerful story of grace and forgiveness that's timeless. The reader is swept away to Antioch after Jesus ascends. His believers are spreading the Gospel with word and deed.
Libi and Cassius are center stage, but their backgrounds are as different as can be. Readers will remember Libi from "Jerusalem's Daughter." Libi is grown, loves Jesus, and she works with her family to further God's Kingdom even with the persecution of believers.
Cassius is ignorant of Jesus' resurrection, believing it to be a hoax. He guarded the tomb as a Roman soldier, but he believes the lies of a stolen body. When he flees his post, he hides in Antioch where he meets Libi and her family.
Libi and Cassius both have hearts to serve the downtrodden, but will their similarities be able to withstand the truth in their differences?
Don't miss this family adventure and sweet romance. Saul and Barnabas make appearances as well as Asa from "Jerusalem's Daughter."
Another story that shows the grace and love of the One True God.
Jenna’s sophomore novel delivers a moving message of God’s redemption that is strong enough to reach even the hardest lost souls. The love story between Cassius, an imperfect man who believes himself beyond redemption, and Libi, a selfless young woman with her own set of imperfections to work through, will both inspire you and cause you to examine your own heart. A wholesome, uplifting, thought-provoking read perfect for readers young and old alike!
Antioch’s Daughter by @jennavanmourik was an unbelievable book for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It was so convicting. This is Christian historical fiction set in late Biblical times. It has cameos of Saul/Paul and Barnabas and it mentions Jesus and Stephen. Libi (who was healed by Jesus) and her Christ following family flee Jerusalem after grandmother was killed on the evening of Stephen’s stoning. She and her immediate family split from the rest of the family and head to Antioch because they fear for her life since she was one of Jesus confirmed miracles. Cassius was a Roman soldier who flees Jerusalem after nailing Jesus to the cross, and then seeing something unexplainable when he was guarding the tomb on the third day. After years he ends up in Antioch where he by chance saves Libi’s life. He is introduced to Jesus as a savior through her family. Can Libi and her family see past his past as they teach and when Saul comes on the scene, can the forgive him for what he put them through! #Antioch’sDaughter
“Perhaps Cassius, you have lived your whole life empty, wanting, always hungry for more, so that you could experience the fullness of God’s love and demonstrate to others what that love looks like in action.”
There truly is something so very special in Jenna’s books and Antioch’s daughter was no exception, I couldn’t put it down! The characters feel so personal and real and the message is filled with faith and lessons you won’t soon forget. The messages in this book have really inspired me - messages of forgiveness and love and the beautiful and constant reminder throughout Libi & Cassius story that Jesus makes all things new! Thank you Jenna, for writing two books now that has touched my heart, I’m excited to read Daughter of the most high (book 3 of the generations of faith series) and whatever else you write in the future.
Antioch’s Daughter is my new favorite book of 2023. Wow. Wowwowowow😍😍😍It’s rare that I like a sequel better than the first book, but this beautiful book somehow accomplished that. And Jerusalem’s Daughter is a *hard* one to top! There are so many things I loved about this book. The characters. The redemption arc. The setting. Everything. First of all, Jenna’s writing style is so beautiful. The way she brings her characters to life and shows emotion is breathtaking. Her characters😍😍😍 Cassius is my new favorite book boyfriend. I loved watching him grow, change and find Jesus. His redemption arc was so well done. His internal conflict made him such a real feeling character who I fell for immediately. And Libi was so fun to follow. I loved getting to watch her grow throughout the story as well. They both felt so raw and real. And the romanceeee!!!🫶🫶🫶 The plot was fast paced and there was enough action to keep me hooked until the very last page. I was so excited when I read the sneak peek for book 3. It is exactly what I was hoping for! If you are a fan of: 🍂Biblical Fiction 🍂Redemption Arcs 🍂Dreamy Male Characters Running From Their Messy Past (oh, yes, I’m talking about Cassius😍) 🍂Family Dynamics 🍂Strong Themes of Forgiveness 🍂Adorable romance Then this book is for you!
Libi was born deaf and mute, and her cousin Shamira, whose household she was part of, her faith that Jesus was the Messiah being strong, had taken Libi to find Him, seeking - and receiving - a miracle. Now Libi's voice, which she lifts in praise to God, is pure and sweet, and her hearing, acute. But Saul of Tarsus has stoned Stephen and they are going house to house, dragging people into the street and putting them in chains, often stoning them. Their primary targets? Anyone who can say Jesus healed them. Libi's parents and brothers go farther than her aunts and uncles and cousins to avoid people who might kill Libi in an attempt to kill rumors of miracles, and so they end up in Antioch, where Libi helps the leaders of the church with the children they've taken in, including a blind girl. Despite her brothers' best attempts to keep tabs on her in the agora, Libi slips away from them, unintentionally, as she looks for the herbs and spices her mother wanted for dinner. She is rescued from a rape attempt by Cassius, who is not as nice as he seems - yet. Cassius has a father who killed his mother so he wouldn't have to acknowledge his illegitimate son. He entered the army when Servius Arrius allows him despite knowing he is really too young. For a while, he does well, until he mocks the Man he is crucifying as well as the other 2, and Servius makes him leave for disrespecting the families of those crucified. Then he is put on duty at Jesus's tomb, and what he experiences makes him run, meaning, as a deserter, he will be put to death if he is caught. He ends up in Antioch, where he saves Libi from the would be rapists and thieves, and earns the respect of the family when he tends their donkey's bad leg and it heals up, plus he uses the miscellaneous skills he learned in the Army and accepts a position as what we would call a handyman in exchange for room, board, and a small salary. Libi and Cassius grow closer, esp. after Cassius gives his heart and life to Jesus, but something is about to shake both their worlds to their foundations. The appearance of Saul of Tarsus, now Paul, saved, proves too much for Libi, and Cassius's confession of being the one who nailed Jesus to the cross doesn't help matters. But the leaders of the church in Antioch take Cassius in, and Paul teaches him via his own witness. One of Libi's brothers offers to write her a letter to Shamira, and Shamira's husband Asa comes to visit with her answer. Will Libi face and conquer this challenge to her faith, which up to now has been largely untested? And can Cassius face down his past by faith, and become. the believer Libi can rely on? Will they end up together or will their individual crises keep them apart? And what will happen when Servius Arrius shows up looking for lodging for himself and his horse and finds Cassius there? One thing the author does is consistently use "reign" when the correct term is "rein." "Reign" means to rule. "Rein" is part of the tack on a horse. It is a loop that goes from the bit on one side to the bit on the other, and is used to guide the horse when riding, or to lead it into a stall or to a hitching post. It can also be used as a synonym for holding your tongue - i.e., "She has to learn to rein in her tongue before she says something that will get her in trouble." It can also be used for pulling a child closer to you to keep them out of danger, as in, "The father reined in his rambunctious son to keep him safe from the crowds." When you are unsure which to use, always look it up. And the homonym, "rain," is of course water falling from the sky to the ground. Although that was not misused, I thought I would include it because it is easy to misuse it since the words all sound the same. A 3rd book is in the works, apparently, but not yet released as of this writing.
I enjoyed Jenna Van Mourik's debut novel "Jerusalem's Daughter," and was looking forward to reading the sequel.
Like the previous book in the "Generations of Faith," series, "Antioch's Daughter," is full of wonderful faith content. Scripture is constantly quoted and the characters are always praying and praising God. If you are looking for fiction that is also edifying, this would definitely be one to check out!
Another thing I liked about this book was how it richly described the cultures and events taking place at the time. I can tell the author spent a ton of time researching. Also, make sure to check out the author's note at the end, because it further explains the context of the setting and time.
While I really enjoyed the faith content and rich history, where I struggled with this book was with the main character, Libbi. I really had a hard time relating to Libbi. She was so perfect through most of the book, to the point that it was unrealistic. When she does struggle with the sin of unforgiveness at the end of the book, it happens very abruptly, feeling out of character for her. Also her struggle with this sin ends in just a few chapters and she goes back to being nearly flawless again. I wish that we had seen her struggle with forgiveness from the start of the book, as it would have made her both more relatable and made the scene where she forgives hold more weight.
As for Cassius, the other main character, I liked him and his journey. I think many who have had a dark past and have come to Christ would be able to relate to his struggle with feeling forgiven and accepted.
While I didn't like this book quite as much as the previous book in this series, I am glad I read it and am looking forward to the next book of the "Generations of Faith" series.
I loved everything about this exceptional book. Being able to read more about Libi was a treat. Just like real life the characters had struggles,hardships and real life issues. What a treat to read and listen to this author's beautiful words. The Scriptures at the beginning of each chapter are so welcomed by this reader. There were many passages so beautifully written to savor. This author puts her whole heart and soul into her masterpieces she creates for readers. That is why I read her books,,tell all my family and friends about them as well as gift them to others.
This book is very sweet. It is different than Jerusalem’s Daughter in that it is less plot-driven. The plot of this story is much softer and slower, and very sweet. I really enjoyed it! Libi is such a darling character and Cassius’s struggles were realistic and I can see him being very relatable to many people. I struggled following the timelines a little bit but pretty sure that is just a me problem. XD Jenna did a fantastic job with this story and I look forward to the next one!
“All things new.” If a single line could summarize an entire book it would be “all things new.” Watching Cassius’ life unfold and Libi’s life after her miracle was a beautiful story. I loved how much Jenna showed how we become new in Christ and how He guides our paths for good, even when we don’t see it right away. A beautiful story of God’s mercy, love, grace, and provision. I also loved how Saul’s story intertwined as well.
After reading Jerusalem's Daughter which I thought was fantastic, I wasn't sure if this one could live up to my expectations. Was I wrong! This book was as good, and I think, even better! I couldn't put this book down and devoured it in no time. If anyone is looking for an author they haven't read or a good book, try this book and this author. You will be so glad you did.
Jenna Van Mourik is fast becoming a great Biblical fiction writer. This is her second book. She does a great job weaving faith and redemption in a fictional story, about Christians after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
I loved the characters as though they were real. Great story, any person of faith or one who is searching for greater faith will find this book inspiring. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Reading this story was wonderful. Everything in it pointed to God‘s love. It was a blessing in every way. Showing how people can turn to God‘s love in every situation. I would like to see more books like these thank you very much.
God’s love in this book is so evident. And I so enjoyed living back and having ‘flesh’ come to the accounts we have in the book of Acts. The Bible becomes so real when we can live in the pages through various individuals, even though they are fictional!
It’s a story right out of the Bible! At least that’s how it came across to me. I didn’t want to put it down. The characters were real and full of personality. Tears of joy and sadness, hardships and laughter, overcoming experiences and salvation! Great book!
I loved this book even better than the first in the series! Jenna Van Mourik does a great job at crafting the characters and intertwining their lives together.
I loved this book. This second one was even better than the first book in this series.
I don't find many books where I am satisfied with the character's conversion to christianity but I thought this was well done. It didn't feel rushed and I appreciated seeing the growth of the characters.