Thief of Corinth

     BOOK REVIEW:   First-century Corinth is a city teeming with commerce and charm.  It's also filled with danger and corruption---the perfect setting for Ariadne's greatest adventure.
     After years spent living with her mother and oppressive grandfather in Athens, Ariadne runs away to her father's home in Corinth, only to discover the perilous secret that destroyed his marriage: though a Greek of high birth, Galenos is the infamous thief who has been robbing the city's corrupt of their ill-gotten gains.
     Desperate to keep him safe, Ariadne risks her good name, her freedom, and the love of the man she adores to become her father's apprentice. As her unusual athletic ability leads her into dangerous exploits, Ariadne discovers that she secretly revels in playing with fire. But when the wrong person discovers their secret, Ariadne and her father find their future---and very lives--- hanging in the balance.
     When they befriend a Jewish rabbi named Paul, they realize that his radical message challenges everything they've fought to build, yet offers something neither dared hope for.

     MY REVIEW:   Tessa Afshar is a favorite author of mine, and it was with great excitement I anticipated this book. It did not disappoint. Whereas the others of her books have been about a certain Biblical character, this one is about a fictional character in a Biblical setting, with a few Biblical characters having secondary roles. In "A Note from the Author" Tessa reveals that this book was written more for those who are not familiar with the Bible, those who would see no significance in the book focusing on a key character.
     Ariadne lacked a mother's love, and was taken from her father at a young age. By the time she returns to him at 16, she does not even realize how this has shaped her. She loves her father with all her heart, but cannot see that it is her own selfishness dictating her actions. When a daring adventure reaps serious consequences, she is able to discover the reality behind her choices and lay it aside.
     Ariadne was never drawn to the popular gods, but chose rather to rely on "The Unknown God". When later she is introduced to Paul, she at first rebels against a god who would demand the whole of herself. But through the tragedy mentioned above, when she is brought to the very end of herself, Ariadne is able to accept God. An added bonus: the rest of her family has accepted Him as well.
     For background (albeit very limited) on this story, read the end of Acts 17. Dionysius is a member of Areopagus, where Paul is invited to preach. In this story, Dionysius is Ariadne's brother, the particular member who invited Paul to Areopagus. The reason for involving him is Tessa fascination with his being such an intelligent man, yet choosing to follow God.

   I received a copy of this book from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review.