The Messenger

By: Siri Mitchell

Narrated by: Scott Sowers, Morgan Hallett

The author of two Christy Award finalists, Siri Mitchell has earned widespread recognition for skillfully blending spirituality and rich storytelling.

Set in Revolution-era America, The Messenger features Hannah Sunderland, a young woman who is devastated when her brother is jailed for joining the Colonial cause. Spy Jeremiah Jones sees in Hannah a way to access the prison to obtain valuable information, but Hannah’s Quaker beliefs stand in the way. Nevertheless, Hannah and Jeremiah develop a mutual fondness, even as they become caught in history’s tumultuous churn.

©2012 Siri Mitchell (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

Good but abrupt ending

The narrators do well. Sometimes Morgan (the female voice) hesitates between each sentence. It was a very good story. I liked it. I wonder if there is a sequel. Not enough unfinished story for a whole sequel but it just ended too abruptly. Another chapter would have been nice.

The Messenger is a terrific story!!!

Wow! What a great book. Took me on a roller coaster ride never knowing what was going to happen next. My nails and hair are now totally gone from the stress. First book I have read of this author and will be reading all. Loved it! Thank you Siri!!

A Solid Story

WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Hannah Sunderland felt content in her embrace of the Quaker faith..until her twin brother ran off and joined the army and ended up captured and in jail. Suddenly Hannah's world turns on end. She longs to bring her brother some measure of comfort in the squalid, frigid prison where he remains. But the Quakers believe they are not to take sides, not to take up arms. Can she sit by and do nothing while he suffers?

Jeremiah Jones has an enormous task before him. Responsibility for a spy ring is now his, and he desperately needs access to the men in prison, whom they are seeking to free. A possible solution is to garner a pass for Hannah. But while she is fine to the eye, she holds only disdain for him--and agreeing would mean disobeying those she loves and abandoning a bedrock of her faith.

With skill and sensitivity, Mitchell tells a story of two unlikely heroes seeking God's voice, finding the courage to act, and discovering the powerful embrace of love.

MY TAKE
This was my first book by Mitchell, and I really enjoyed it. It was an interesting look into what it would mean to be a Quaker when you're being challenged by a position taken by your particular congregation.

I enjoyed the slow way that Hannah and Jeremiah's relationship grew--and their love for each other. I loved the way they impacted each other's thinking and grew to rely on each other. There were only a few of things that bothered me enough to drop it a star, but it's still a great read.

Morgan Hallett did great with the narration of Hannah's chapters. Scott Sowers was a little gruff sounding at first, but he quickly grew on me for Jeremiah's chapters.

The Messenger Offers the Best Message

Hannah and Jeremiah share an amazing plot, and a love story on a vertical and horizontal plane. Siri Mitchell writes strong characters with credible issues, framed in a faith strong enough to question organized religion and political chaos. Set in 1770s when fighting gives birth to freedom, Hannah learns to speak up for her beliefs and Jeremiah learns to listen. This is a PG13 rated book only because of the nature of life in times of war. A beautiful romance for adults and I recommend it for the YA audience studying Revolutionary America too. Excellent read and even better listen. Scott Sowers and Morgan Hallett are the perfect narrators for this book.

Another Fabulous Book by Siri

This is the second book I've listened to by this author and thought it as fabulous as the first book. Great characters with clean values without coming off preachy. Off to ordering another book by Siri :)