Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Petra: An Unbroken Legacy by Lisa L. Dorsey is a deep dive back to the time just after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Saul, after his conversion on the road to Damascus, goes from being a persecutor of Jesus’ followers to one of his most adamant and vocal supporters. Following Pentecost, Saul (now known as Paul) is commanded by God to spread the word in Arabia. After traveling to Petra, he is greatly encouraged to discover there is fertile ground amongst the Arabs for the message of Jesus’ salvation. It is a risky time though to be a Christian and Saul is banished by the local king for preaching the teachings of the followers of Jesus. From Damascus, Saul writes to his fellow Christians in Arabia, giving them hope, encouragement, and strength. Two centuries later Kasim Ma’an is following his family’s unbroken tradition of Christianity. He is convinced Paul’s letters are still waiting to be found, buried somewhere near Petra, in Jordan, the site of his family’s estate. Kasim enlists the help of a woman he fell madly in love with twenty years earlier when they were both students at an archaeological dig. Professor Issa Stevens is insecure and lonely having lost her husband three years earlier. The opportunity to join a major archaeological expedition in Jordan may be a chance to restart her life after her husband’s death but danger and intrigue await her, not to mention her long-lost love Karim Ma’an.

Petra is a riveting read. Although this book is listed as Christian historical fiction, do not let the category put you off. Although author Lisa L. Dorsey’s obvious faith does shine through this story, it is still a rollicking adventure split across two millennia that will keep you relentlessly turning pages. With a nod to Indiana Jones, this tale of earth-shattering historical revelations will satisfy any action adventure reader as well as those steeped in the idea of biblical conspiracy theories and hidden scrolls. I particularly enjoyed the character of Issa who was forced to confront her insecurities and doubts about her abilities to overcome the challenges she faced in a strange culture and land. The romantic side softens the narrative and is genuinely sweet and endearing. The literary device of telling the story from two time perspectives was inspired and served to give the book a feeling of authority and genuineness. I enjoyed the tales of Saul as he went from being one of the persecutors of Jesus’ followers to eventually becoming one of the greatest champions of the Christian faith. The setting of the bulk of the story in Petra, with its amazing structures and its almost mythical qualities helped to cement the feeling that you were reading history rather than fiction. This is an excellent read, whatever your beliefs, and I highly recommend it.