I read this book as a pre-release e-book obtained through NetGalley, provided by the publisher.

I gave it a 4 star rating because it was an excellent story, yet it was not the book I was intending to read, based on the description. Be aware this is a work of fiction.

When I originally requested this book, I was under the mistaken belief that it was a nonfiction work about the early Church and apostles, proposing unconventional ideas, gleaned from various extra-biblical texts. As I started reading it, I realized this was a work of fiction. Alas, I decided to enjoy it as a work of fiction. I have read many of these ideas in other works, with supporting and contradictory evidence. Upon recognizing this book as fiction, I suspended disbelief and enjoyed the story. I restarted reading from the angle of it being a fictional story.

It was a remarkable story, based on these nonstandard ideas of the apostles, disciples, and early Church. Included among the cast of characters are Yakov, (Yeshua’s or Jesus’ brother), Miriamme (based on Mary Magdalene), Yudah Tzaer (Yeshua and Miramme’s son), Saul/Paul of Tarsus, characters based on the New Testament, and purely fictional characters. It was a romance between Miriamme and Yakov, spanning decades, with Paul as a suitor of the widowed Miramme, trying to get her away from the disciples for his own purposes, as he taught a religion which was very unlike that of these (Jewish) disciples following Yeshua’s teachings – partly borrowed from Hinduism as he travelled “east”. However, Paul/Saul was very successful.
The story takes place over decades, and chapters are labeled with what year they occurred. People age and die. People marry and have children, who grow up and have children. People travel for various purposes, and relate the encounters of these travels.

It has a sad ending, but one which is not unexpected based on what we know of early Christianity, and leaves open the basis for the story that Jesus has offspring who live in what is now France.

Let me start off by saying I was every Sunday School teacher's nightmare. I asked too many questions, pointed out the discrepancies and contradictions and just wouldn't blindly accept, "That's just the way it is." I always needed to know why and I was always confused by the contrasting character of God between old testament and new testament and why there were several different stories of the crucifixion and so many other things. This book answered so many questions that I had always had and it explained so much. So in addition to thanking the author for all the time she must have put into this book, I also want to thank her for the other resources at the back of the book. So this book was about what happened with some of the disciples after Jesus's crucifixion. I loved the way these characters were portrayed. They weren't larger then life, they weren't perfect to the point of unattainability. They were ordinary people with fears and low self confidence and wondering if they were doing the right thing. They were ordinary people which makes them more real then any cookie cutter creation of perfection. It was well written and easy to follow. It was fast paced and spanned several decades. This was a good book. I would like to leave a warning though, there are some adult scenes in this book, so may not be appropriate for young readers or those opposed to that type of imagery in your reading.

2.75/5 stars Another book I just could not get into. I'm not religious, but I'm fascinated by religion. I keep looking for a specific type of book, but unfortunately this just wasn't it. Jesus was all about loving thy neighbor and not judging others, but every man in this book was just as woman hating as the rest. The main male character Yakov literally wishes to God that he hadn't made women. Even women hate other women, and I'm just sick of this narrative. You would think, them being disciples of Jesus, they'd be more loving and forgiving, but that was definitely not the case. Really disappointing read. The writing was good, and that's the only reason it isn't a 2 star rating.

The start of Christianity is the story of this interesting and fast moving story. Ms Duarte has crafted a very likely account. I was drawn to it because of the animosity I have read and heard may have existed between Paul and James, and others. I read with great interest as reasons for many possibilites were given with a human story line that makes them all part of us. A very possible story. But then who knows?