Daughters of Jared by H.B. Moore

From the Book of Ether comes a haunting story of two royal sisters. The elder sister, Ash, will do anything to bring her father, King Jared II, back to the throne. The younger sister, Naiva, only wants to save her family from destruction. The bond of sisterhood becomes precariously fragile when one man . . . named Akish . . . falls in love with the younger sister, Naiva. Yet he chooses to marry the elder sister.

The sisters’ hearts are divided. And when Ash becomes queen, seduced by the promise of power and wealth, Naiva watches her world crumble away. She sees only one way out. But it will require forsaking all that she holds dear.

First line:
"What have I done?" my sister asks me.

H.B. Moore has beautifully written another great Book of Mormon story. Inspired by the Book of Ether, the author takes us on a whirlwind ride of politics, deceit and love.
Naiva is the main character and we learn much from her point of view about the palace and royal intrigue. Her life is changed forever by a greedy king, a selfish princess and dark oaths as old as Cain himself.
Naiva is the second daughter, the one who gives everything to help the first daughter, Ash. Ash has plotted to help her father, the king, resume his throne.  She makes a plan to dance for Akish and when he asks for her hand in marriage, the king will ask for one thing-the head of his father, Omer, reigning king. Akish agrees.
Ash's choice to get her father back on the throne throws them all into a twisted life that no one could predict the outcome.
 As the story progresses, Naiva questions her life as a princess, daughter and sister in the sinister game of royalty.  She also learns more about the gods her family worships and the one true God her grandfather worships. Which one will help her and her family?
Naiva also wonders when is the right time to lead your own life and not the one dictated by others selfish or abusive desires?
Many times through the story I wanted to hug then slap Ash. What kind of person turns on her sister? And I kept wishing Naiva would run away. 
H.B. Moore does an excellent job of weaving scripture, description and fiction. Everything from the food to the clothing to the stone to Naiva's paintings added to the story.
I know there are many who shy away from "Mormon fiction" and I understand that thought process. H.B. Moore is one author I have no problem recommending to any reader because of her writing style and deep research.
After reading DAUGHTERS OF JARED, I turned to The Book Ether (in the Book of Mormon) and read the account of Akish and Jared. I wanted to read the scripture account of Akish and Omer.
Keep 'em coming, Ms. Moore!


Rating: PG 13
S: No
L: No
V: No

Liked:
Naiva
Plot
Levi

Disliked:
Akish
Ash
Not enough Levi! :)

5 STARS