Maviah is the illegitimate daughter of Rami bin Malik, a powerful Bedouin ruler. As a child, she was outcasted and sold into slavery. Upon being returned home, Maviah still only knows shame and deceit. When a devastating attack reaches their walls, Maviah manages to escape with the help of two of her fathers warriors, Saba and Judah. The three set out to reach King Herod of the Jews and plead for help on behalf of the father and people who never loved her. But such an alliance proves to be deadly and fraught with treachery and betrayal. All seems hopeless, until Maviah meets a man named Yeshua who changes her life.

Wow. What a book. A.D. 30 gripped me from the very first sentence. Reaching only the end of the first chapter, all I could think was, how in the world have I not read this book before now? and then, this is going to be one of my favorite books ever. And it was. Wholly enthralling, richly suspenseful, powerfully told, and delightfully lengthyA.D. 30 is a biblical fiction masterpiece, filled with mind-blowing moments that gave me chills and enough action to make my heart skip a beat. I loved it.

Colorfully described to appeal to our humanness, Maviah is a character to behold. I so admired her strength in the midst of fear and despair; she radiated regality in spite of being enslaved and abused her entire life. Judah, the warrior who could read the stars, pulled at my heartstrings. I loved his yearning for something greater, and his always growing loyalty and love for Maviah was beyond sweet. Saba, oh Saba. Hes the perfect example of a man tough on the outside but a teddy bear at heart. Each and every person in this book was gold. And the story! There were so many riveting plot twists and heart-wrenching turns, all the time weaved in with inspiring truths. The way the author wrote the Yeshua scenes was admirable, making sure to keep His teachings prevalent and reachable, while quoting straight from the Bible.

One of the best historical novels I have come across by far. Rarely do you have a story that has you so fully engrossed and invested, where you forget to even eat or sleep because you have to see what happens. I havent read anything from Ted Dekker before now, but if this is an example of his writing and storytelling abilities bring on all the books! Highly recommended.

Epic, epic, epic is all I can say about this one! This by far is one of the most gripping and heart-compelling novels I have ever read hands down.

The cover mentions "experience the way of Jesus as you never have" and I have to agree with that statement. The way that things are explained/broken down and then placed into action by the characters was truly eye-opening. I learned so much and had a new perspective on the teachings of Jesus when finish readings as well as how the people might have responded to Jesus' teachings during that time.

Maviah's story alone was excellent. This is some of the best writing I have read because its told in a fashion that is so honest and heart-wrenching that I can't help but feel and relate to her. She's passionate, fearful, bold, uncertain, and so many other things that make us human. I am definitely looking forward to reading more of her journey in the upcoming novel "A.D. 33." I also really liked Judah and Saba. Both very compelling characters that stuck with me.

I very highly recommend this story to Biblical/historical readers and have plans to read this again in the future. I feel there is so much depth to this one that you can't fully comprehend everything in just one reading.

Wow! I cant really find a better word to describe this story. Its as emotional as it is epic. I wasnt prepared for this book. Its one of those that leaves you feeling that it found you. And Im so glad that it did.

A.D. 30 is a book readers will not forget. It wont let you. The spiritual, physical, and emotional journey within its pages caught my heart and with it caught my breath. There were dark moments I was unprepared for. And there were beautiful moments that left me speechless. Both brought tears to my eyes.

I loved that it was in first person. I loved the questions and lessons each of the characters faced. I loved, most of all, every page that contained a word or a glimpse of Jesus, or Yeshua as He is called in the book. Ive never read anything like this. Even though so much of it was fiction, it all felt very real and very applicable to me. I have no doubt it will grip the hearts of many readers.

I wont say it was an easy read. I was surprised at many points along the way, but each of those difficult moments just left me that much more eager for when Jesus would walk onto the scene. And by the time He arrives in the book, I was about in tears. I was so happy to see Him. Yes, parts were fictionalized, of course, but the heart of Christ and his followers was still there, written beautifully to brighten the story and bless the reader.

I have never read any of Ted Dekkers books before this, but I will be looking him up in the future. A.D. 30 is a captivating tale of unconditional love and the way of salvation. I knew from the start that it would be a roller coaster of a read. And it did not disappoint. I closed the book with the same word on my lips that I had when I turned the first page. Wow.

Thank you to Center Street and Tiffany from Shelton Interactive for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Set in the deserts of the ancient Near East, A.D. 30 follows Maviah, the daughter of a powerful Bedouin sheik. An outcast from birth, Maviah lives the life of a slave until her people are attacked by a vicious enemy, and she is called upon to protect them. On her journey she has Saba, a skilled warrior, and Judah, a Jew looking for the future king of his people.

His name is Yeshua.

I am a Dekker fan. Books like this are the reason. Ted makes you feel like you are really there, alongside Maviah and her companions. The characters are real. Relatable and flawed. The insertion of Maviahs journey into the historical events of Yeshuas life is brilliantly done.

It is quite possible to learn through fiction. After all, Yeshua himself taught with parables. Those teachings are used in this book, and I think we can really see how to put them into practice when combined with Maviahs story.

Dekker has created more than a story here. Its a learning experience. I havent been this moved by a novel since the Circle series also by Dekker.

When I opened the book and read My Journey into A. D. 30 written by the author, I have to say my heart resonated with what he wrote. Ted Dekker writes very transparently in this section. Let me give you a sample to help you capture the heart set forth, For ten years I dreamed of entering the life of Jesus through story, not as a Jew familiar with the customs of the day, but as an outsider, because we are all outsiders today. I wanted to know what He taught about how we should live; how we might rise above all the struggles that we all face in this life, not just in the next life after we die. (pg V) Well, how did that just impact you?

Readers who are familiar with the writing of Dekker might be surprised when discovering a very unique writing that is unlike what the author has shared before. As a reviewer it is difficult to even know how to capture how the story touched my heart, emotions and mind. Truly I am at a loss for words, but in a good way! As I viewed the tale through the eyes of the main character named Maviah in ancient times and a vastly different culture, it captivated me even more due to the way she experiences life along with her meeting Yeshua.

No matter how long one is a follower of Jesus, also known as Yeshua, this story will hopefully introduce you to a refreshing way of being a follower along with a few of his teachings. I could understand how a couple of side players werent sure about the man or mystic as they understood Yeshua, and how easily His teachings are far grandeur than the box we tend to put them in. Ted Dekker reminds us that no matter whom we are, our job titles, where we live, etc when it comes right down to it, we are all seeking Him. Nothing in this life can even compare to what awaits us in heaven as well as how we live each day drawing close to Yeshua. The novel reminds us that all the apps, journals, gadgets, books, etc are but a tool to help us or remind us that we are encountering a Person not just reaching a goal or crossing off our reminders to read the Bible on our To Do Lists. Even then we need the Spirit to lead us or draw us to Him in a way that defies description or anything else man might conjure up. When you sit and read this story after reading Teds heart in the My Journey into A. D. 30, I hope you experience a refreshing encounter with Yeshua!