Blog Tour: Alma by H.B. Moore

Today, I am reviewing Alma by award-winning author H.B. Moore

From Deseret Book:

King Noah is thundering with rage. The former high priest Alma has vanished from the city of Nephi, and every night more of his believers manage to escape. The king blames Amulon and threatens certain punishment unless Amulon recaptures Alma—a seemingly impossible task. But Amulon has a plan. An equally valuable prisoner is at his fingertips: Noah’s wife, Maia, whose newfound faith means bitter humiliation for the king and an opportunity for Amulon to seize power.

Amulon’s disavowed daughter Raquel has plans of her own. Despite her grief, she is determined to begin a new life in the colony Alma and his followers are building. When Lamanites plunder and burn her settlement, Raquel and her young son are forced to flee to the waters of Mormon.

Drama and danger escalate as Alma the Elder organizes the Lord’s Church and baptizes its members, bringing an outpouring of divine grace and power. But even as they rejoice, the believers have profound and perilous trials to face, from the outward threat of Amulon’s treachery to the inward threat of pride and disobedience. With poignant emotion, gripping suspense, and rich inspiration, this new epic story from H.B. Moore vividly brings the Book of Mormon to life.

After reading the first book in this series - Abinadi (which won a 2008 Whitney Award for Best Historical Fiction AND Best of State for Historical Fiction) - I was anxious for the next book to come out. H. B. Moore brought Abinadi and other Book of Mormon people to life for me. They were no longer flat people in the scriptures, but rather real people with full lives, interacting with others. It's amazing how an incredibly well researched and thought out fiction novel can make the scripture stories so much more meaningful.

Alma was just as incredible as Abinadi. I absolutely loved the visual description of the Waters of Mormon and the baptisms that took place there. Then was heartbroken when such righteous people came under the strict, terrible rule of King Amulon. Moore's description of their faith in Heavenly Father was inspiring. It reminded me that although we go through ups and downs here on Earth - some of the terrible trials - that our faith is was carries us through. And like Alma's people, our faith can allow miracles to occur in our own lives. When I reached the end of Alma, I was once again left wishing the next book was ready for me to pick up and devour.

Abinadi and Alma are both excellent books for youth and adults. In my opinion, they are absolute must-haves your for family bookshelf.

Click here to purchase Abinadi or Alma.