The Messenger

ONE OF MY FAVORITE ENDINGS EVER!!

I spent every spare moment of the last few days reading this book until it was finished. It was such a good book! At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, but the two characters quickly changed my mind and just kept drawing me in further and further. They were both so... different.

Hannah Sunderland was so quaint saying her "thee's" instead of "you's" and so darn unabashedly straight-forward! I could really tell at the beginning of the book that she was a little lost, caught right smack dab in the middle-ground of "having no side" in the Revolutionary War because she was a Quaker. I could also tell when she went from just being what any Quaker maiden was "supposed" be... to living with her her own convictions, but all the while staying just as true to herself as she did to everyone else.

And the hero, Jeremiah Jones... wow. He really had a ways to grow on me... which he did. Just as he slowly grew on Hannah. The love that slowly grew between them was just plain adorable. There weren't a ton of physical descriptions, or even much description at all since it was written from first person point of view when the reader is really only able to see what a particular character would be noticing.

And not a single (real) kiss in the while thing!?! There were lots of "displays of affection" that only went as far as hugging (with one arm... so sweet!) and kisses on hair... And all this coming from a writer/reader (me, that is) who is madly obsessed with the romantic passion portrayed in all of Julie Lessman's books! But oh, did this book have passion! It was tie up in their love and in their beliefs and their duty to do what they could... no matter the cost. And it was just so subtle and reserved... so like Hannah and Jeremiah themselves. Which, as it turns out, was a very interesting twist, since Hannah and Jeremiah were polar opposite in every way possible besides this very important aspect.

Siri Mitchell is an amazing writer. She does first person so well! But so differently than others may write it. Since I also write from first person point of view, I have a particular love-affair with it... especially when I see it so well done... the way Siri Mitchell always writes it. The Messenger was even half written from the hero's perspective... which I don't see often done. And I ended up I loving it.. a lot.

This, put quite plainly, is one of the best books I've read in a very long time.

My FAVORITE part of the book was one sentence in the second to last scene, on the second to last page. I'm not going to tell you what it is because I want it to perhaps hit you as it did me. Square in the chest. All I will tell you is that I think I'll probably be carrying around that one moment from this book for the rest of my life.

Bethany House Publishers gave me a paperback copy of this book to review in exchange for my honest opinion of the book. I give Siri Mitchell's The Messenger 5 stars.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Love admist the Revolutionary war

This is the second book bu Siri Mitchell that I have read. Hannah and Jeremiah had such in depth personalities. One chapter you may have thought you had figured it out but to turn around and it is something different. Siri writes from a unique histrical perspective that it is worth all the background information. It also makes us understand how families were divided between England and the Colonies. Worth it the entire way through til the end.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Mixed emotions

I really, really enjoyed this book. In fact, I finished 3/4 of it in one day because I couldn't put it down. Having said that, I did have a few issues with it. Some of the writing didn't feel authentic for the time frame, there were moments where the plot seemed a little rushed, and there was some disconnect in the plot from the beginning to the end with characters coming in without much previous mention. My biggest disappointment, though, was the ending. It felt rushed and incomplete...while there is a bit of a resolution and the ending you hoped for, it wasn't complete and left me wanting a sequel.
I would definitely reccomend this because, despite the little things i wasn't particularily fond of, it was a great book.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

anonymous

Great read. I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to everyone.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pleasantly Surprised

This book was a free offering and I was not expecting it to be one that I did not want to put down, but it was. There were a few places where the story seemed to slow down, but overall, I can recommend this book to other readers.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

What a story!

Could not put it down!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Very good book

I loved the story line and characters. It was very well written.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House for review. I

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House for review. I was happy to get a copy and from the first page to the last, I greatly enjoyed the story. Siri Mitchell wrote the story in such a way that kept me reading further. The two main characters, Hannah and Jeremiah, were both fun to read about. Hannah, a Quaker, becomes a spy who refuses to lie, and Jeremiah, also a spy, is the one she reports to. Both have intriguing back-stories, both are determined to do what they feel in their hearts is right. I am happy that I chose this book for review. This was the first book by Siri Mitchell that I read, and I will definitely be checking out her other ones.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

I really enjoyed this book. The story had a historical aspect a

I really enjoyed this book. The story had a historical aspect and the characters really drew you in. I would recommend it to everyone.

Very good

I enjoyed reading the book but it ended kind of abruptly.

So the Revolutionary War + British-occupied Philedelphia + Georg

So the Revolutionary War + British-occupied Philedelphia + George Washington’s spies + a Quaker girl questioning her beliefs on non-violence = Amazing! As I’ve come to expect, Siri Mitchell once again takes Historical Romantic Suspense to new levels with The Messenger. Don’t miss this one.

The greatest book i have read in a very long time.

The greatest book i have read in a very long time.

Hannah Sunderland is stuck between a rock and a hard place-follo

Hannah Sunderland is stuck between a rock and a hard place-follow the rules of her faith and try to forget her brother, or do her best to care for him as he languishes in a British prison. How to choose? As she battles between loyalties, Hannah encounters Jeremiah Jones, a tavern owner who also happens to be a Colonial spy. He needs someone who can get in and out of the jail and avoid suspicion and who better than the sister of a prisoner bringing food and blankets? As they work together, their partnership grows into something more.
This was a very enjoyable read, and Siri is one of my favorite authors. My only disappointment is I would have liked more romantic elements than there were in this book, but that's just me :) Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a copy for my honest review!

Great historical fiction

One thing I really appreciate about The Messenger is all of the research that went into the Loyalist occupation of Philadelphia, as well as life in the 1770s and the religious beliefs of the Quakers. Siri Mitchell hits all the high points of historical fiction with enough descriptions and customs to engage the reader in times past but with enough activity and plot advancement to keep the reader interested. Solely as a historical novel, The Messenger shines.

It also excels as a novel about Quaker beliefs and is a very interesting way to learn about a different faith. Treatment of the Quakers' beliefs is respectful, even as Hannah questions what she's been taught. The discussion of religion is key to the novel, yet it never feels overdone or tells the reader what they ought to be thinking.

As for the story and the characters, I was also very impressed. Hannah is very sincere, if a bit irritating until she proves her sincerity. Within a short period of time, she had won me over as quickly as she did Jeremiah. Now he took a little longer to convince me, but eventually I was rooting for all the people I was supposed to and was invested in the conclusion. As I was reading, I noted the depth of all the characters. The attention to detail and consistency of character are impeccable.

Hannah is a Quaker. But when her twin brother joins the Colonial

Hannah is a Quaker. But when her twin brother joins the Colonial cause she is torn between her love for her brother and her belief in not taking up arms. When her brother ends up in prison she goes against everything her faith and family has taught her to visit him.

I enjoy books that take real historical events and weave a story around them. This is a thick book. But I was able to read it quickly, because the story flowed so smoothly. The author created a fascinating story that was not only enjoyable, but also informative. It had a intrigue, romance and inspiration. I'll definitely be checking out the author's other books.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Highly Recommended.

A fascinating book about colonial spies.

" The Messenger" by Siri Mitchell is a Christian hi

" The Messenger" by Siri Mitchell is a Christian historacal novel set during the revolutionary war. It follows Hannah Sunderland who is a devout Quaker and Jeremiah Jones, a colonial spy who feels he has nothing to live for. The story alternates points of view between these two central characters as their paths meet and they both become involved in aiding a group of patriot prisinors.

I thought that the way the story explored the historic setting through the eyes of two such differant characters to be fasinating. I must admit, however, that I found the first half of the book a bit difficult to get into. By the end I was completely caught up in both the plot and the characters. The spiritual growth that takes place in the story was slow to unfold and I felt it was rather incomplete but at the same time it was thought provoking. I found Hannah's honesty and desire to do the right thing no matter what the cirrcumstances to be very encouraging. By the time I finished the novel I had a renewed intrest in colonial America and a much deeper understanding of the Quaker faith. Overall I would say that I enjoyed this book very much.


I recieved a free copy of this book from Bethany House publishing.

The Messenger by Siri Mitchell This book doesn't need another

The Messenger
by Siri Mitchell
This book doesn't need another review since it has already been well reviewed. That fact alone shouts one of two things, either the book is a great read, or a lousy one. This review places it toward the ‘great read’ end of the spectrum. The amazing amount of research that Siri has done, should afford it a five star rating, but flaws in evidence toward the end of the work gave it four stars.
In “A Note from the Author” at the end of the book, Siri relates the actual event upon which this story is based. I did a subsequent fact check. The account of the Walnut Street jail is well documented. Siri has been faithful to history in every respect. What her remarks at the end did was to add veracity to the work. Thus I suggest you read this book by beginning with her note at the back.
Although the plot Siri devised offers an explanation of how one of the Walnut Street jail breaks might have occurred, it is a bit contrived, but it fits well within the historical context. There is more about the plot and characters already posted in other reviews than you need to know to buy the book , which I urge you to do, so I will not repeat what has already been said.
I found it difficult to tear myself away from the story, but my eyelids grew heavy. Having said as much, I've no fatal criticism of the book. It was an alluring, fascinating and captivating read right up to the very last chapter where I wanted more, needed more, and hoped for a sequel.

The Messenger

This was my firsgt Siri Mitchell book, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The setting being during the Revolutionary War was interesting in itself. The author gave vivid details of the times and I was overwhelmed with what I learned about the war era.

Hannah and Jeremiah were the two main characters we follow throughout this book. These two were an unusual pair, Hannah being a Quaker lady and Jeremiah being a war veteran who had been wounded. The task these two take on is dangerous because it involves helping prisoners of war escape, and Hannah made it even more dangerous by refusing to do things that would compromise her faith.

Siri Mitchell created her character well, building their character throughout the book, drawing them to the reader in a unique way. The many twists and turns in the story captures the readers attention enough to want to keep on reading until the very end.
I found the compromising situations the couple continually had to face intriguing and wanted to keep reading to see how they would handle the next issue they faced. This is a book well worth your read. I encourage you to consider grabbing a copy of The Messenger and read for your enjoyment.

A copy of this book was provided by Bethany House for me to read and review. This review is my honest opinion of how I fee about the story.

"The Messenger" by "Siri Mitchell" will take

"The Messenger" by "Siri Mitchell" will take the reader on an emotional roller-coaster. The story switches from anger, fear, commitment, and desperation to a love/hate relationship between countries and religions. This historical facts were well researched by the author. Emotions between the characters was high as the story unfolds in the readers mind. The characters are strong in both emotional and Spiritual aspects during a time when war controls the lives of everyone. This is a story of war, religious beliefs and love.


I was confused for the first few chapters. I felt like the story was a sequel to a previous story but the more I read, the more the storyline formed and I was rapidly drawn into it on a very intimate basis. I felt the fear as the characters very lives were in danger. I felt the confusion as they fought to find their place in their religion, families and America. I learned a lot about the Quaker faith and how it fit into the shaping of not only the story but the foundation of America as well. I felt as if I was in the midst of the war and could feel the characters emotions as strong as if I was there. The development of love in the midst of war was amazing.


I enjoyed the storyline and the historical setting of the Revolutionary war


I recommend this story to anyone who loves a good historical fiction story that if filled with action, both love and war. The great thing about this book is that there is no obscene visions, words or thoughts. I love the Bethany House publishers because I know I can read the book without being embarrassed at the scenes that are evolving in my head.


The back of the book has discussion questions for book clubs that really add depth to the story for any reader when pondering them.