Spanish Fork Book Signing & More Reviews

I'll be that the Spanish Fork Seagull Book tomorrow: Friday, December 19th 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

1052 North Main Spanish Fork, Utah

Come see me! I'll bring the chocolate.

Also, check out the latest reviews on Abinadi. Thank you so much!

Wanderer

BellaOnline

Meridian Magazine (Review by Jennie Hansen)

I copied the review from Meridian Magazine below.

Abinadi by H. B. Moore took me by surprise. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but something surely of a lighter nature. Yes, there's a love story, but it isn't remotely what is considered a romance. Moore's first few books seemed intended for a young audience, though her last book in her Out of Jerusalem series showed greater depth and took a great leap forward in technical form and maturity level, so I guess I was expecting something lighter and more romantic than this book proves to be. This one holds drama and excitement, reveals serious research, an understanding of a mature commitment to God, and the ability to speak directly of the sins and excesses of King Noah's court and is, by far, Moore 's most outstanding work to date. Even those with a superficial knowledge of the events portrayed in the Book of Mormon are aware of the results of Abinadi's preaching to King Noah and his priests. We know how the stories of Abinadi and Alma overlap so it's no surprise to see Moore weave the story of Alma 's role as a priest and his conversion into Abinadi's story. What will surprise many is to see Abinadi portrayed as a young man. We're so accustomed to the Arnold Friborg painting that depicts him as an elderly prophet at the end of his life that to visualize him as a young man in his twenties with so much to live for, including a wife whom he loves and a child, is a bit of a shock. Yet there is nothing in the scriptural account that even hints at Abinadi's age and in making Abinadi a young man, the tragedy and poignancy of the story reaches a more intense level.

The book begins with a prologue or preface of the death sentence given Abinadi and his thoughts leading up to the carrying out of this sentence. This is my only criticism of the story. I have a strong dislike of this literary device where an intense scene from the back of a book is picked to stick at the front as a give away teaser. Though, in this case, most readers already know what will happen, I just don't like spoilers or teasers. That said, the story is beautifully told from that point on of a young man who chooses to serve God, care for his elderly mother, and who is intrigued by the daughter of a high priest.

Raquel is Amulon's daughter, a young woman who catches the king's eye and must flee for her life when she rejects both his proposal and his amorous advances. She befriends a young shepherd boy who is instrumental in her conversion to the gospel. She is a strong woman, facing realistic conflicts, yet is tender and sensitive to the feelings of others. Moore handles this tender relationship well without getting bogged down in maudlin sentimentality.

The author paints a vivid picture of the dangers found not only in the wicked city of King Noah and his court, but gives a feel for a city that is isolated in the midst of Lamanite lands, much of which is rugged forests and jungles inhabited by wild beasts. The reader is given a strong sense of the geographic conditions, but the setting never overwhelms the story.

I only spotted one typo in the book. If there are more I was too absorbed in the story to notice. This high rate of accuracy is something to be commended. This book will appeal to both men and women, scholars, and those who read for entertainment. I highly recommend it.