Mountain of Full Moons by Irene Kessler ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

"You were convinced you were doing the right thing.  I asked to change my name and we got into a battle over that.  I never told you...but I called that fight over my name 'my mountain full of moons' because it took so long for you to agree." (p 298)

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

April 2020; She Writes Press; 978-1631528606
ebook, print (328 pages); ancient historical fiction

Synopsis:  Thirteen-year-old Elisha lives in a village near Shechem in the Land of Canaan in ancient Israel. She wants to be like other girls but is unmarried, speaks to an angel, and composes and sings her own songs—a pursuit her parents disapprove of. When she tells the village women to stand up for themselves, the men are outraged he tribe banishes her.

Mountain of Full Moons explores how we overcome our fears, go out into the world, and gain the courage to speak up and be whom we choose to be.

My Comments:

Mountain of Full Moons is totally different than any book that I've ever read because of the time period -- 5,000 years ago in ancient Israel.  Even though the time period is very different, the storyline of accepting yourself is universal.

Mountain of Full Moons is a coming of age novel about 13-year-old Elisha, who is banished from her village because of her views - she likes to make music and play her harp and she talks to an angel that no one can see but her.  She is appalled about the way women are treated and thinks that they should have more rights than they do.  After she is banished, she makes a treacherous trip to Jerusalem and eventually meets Abraham and Sarah who take her into their family.  With their help and the help of her angel, she learns how to use the gifts she's been given and how to become a godly woman who can stand up for herself in a man's world.

Elisha is a well written main character that we see change throughout the novel. In the beginning, she feels that she is stupid and useless because that is what everyone in her village, and even her mother always told her.  It takes years of teaching from Abraham for her to learn that she is a good person who has the gift of her songs to share with other people.  Her journey is a spiritual and emotional journey and it was interesting to see the changes in her from the beginning to the end of the novel.  It's a novel of spirituality, love, and learning to accept not only the people around you but more importantly to accept yourself.

Buy Mountain of Full Moons at Amazon

About the Author: 

Born in New York City, Irene Kessler is a Jill of many trades.  She is 85 years old and this is her debut novel.

Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Author/Irene-Kessler-Author-
Twitter: @IreneKessler

Susan Roberts lives in North Carolina when she isn't traveling. She and her husband enjoy traveling, gardening and spending time with their family and friends. She reads almost anything (and the piles of books in her house prove that) but her favorite genres are Southern fiction, women's fiction, and thrillers. Susan is a top 1% Goodreads Reviewer. You can connect with Susan on Facebook, Goodreads, or Twitter.

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