Daughter of Eden: Eve's Story ~ Review

Daughter of Eden: 

Eve's Story

By Jill Eileen Smith

First off, let me just say, Biblical Fiction isn't really my thing as it is so subjective to imagination to fill in the in-between bits that may or may not be plausible in my opinion (or denominational upbringing). But I was curious about how Eve's life would be portrayed. 

We are first given a glimpse of Creation with the waking of the angelic beings, specifically Michael, and from there, the world we know, but in its infancy - perfect and unmarred. When Adam was brought forth he worked this new world, enjoying its beauty, naming the animals he lived with, and talking with the Creator. His singleness resulted in one last creation - the first woman. Together she and Adam tended the world and animals around them, enjoying perfect joy and love, no strife until Lucifer sought to inflict great pain upon the Creator. Through deceit, he convinced her to disobey, to eat what was forbidden, and to offer Adan the same.

What follows after takes us through a narrative of Eve's life - her pain, her struggles, her shame, and her guilt. Everything changed, including her relationship with her husband. No longer the happy, loving man she had always known, their relationship is now laced with guilt and blame.

I will admit when I first started reading it I was a little surprised that the author had Adam and Eve competing with one another as they ran or swam. Competing seemed out of place in a world that was perfect and without greed or strife. But after the first sin, it made more sense because now there was resentment. Eve was now under Adam's authority, whereas before, they had been equals, partners.

This book is Eve's story, the story of humanity's story, but it is also the story of the unseen. The birth and fall of Creation and humanity were entwined from their earliest moments. Both fell when jealousy was allowed to grow within Lucifer; he stoked it - desiring more for himself than what was given. This is the story of the ultimate longing of the heart, the separation of what should be.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

The first time she opens her eyes, Eve gazes on One whose beauty nearly blinds her, whose breath is in her lungs. Her Creator takes her hand and gives her to one like her and yet different. Together, she and Adam experience pure joy as they explore Eden. But her favorite moments are when the Creator comes to walk with them, day after day.

Until everything changes. With one act of disobedience, Eve finds that her world is no longer a friendly place. With remorse in her heart, she must face the unknown future--the births, the deaths, the sacrifices, the loss of the one home she has ever known. Perhaps worst of all is the loss of trust, not only with her Creator but with the man who shares her life. How will they ever survive out of Eden?

Bestselling biblical fiction author Jill Eileen Smith imagines the life of the first woman to ever live, unspooling a story of love, loss, and the promise of redemption.