Magda Revealed reimagines the life and legacy of Jesus through the eyes of Mary Magdalene, two millennia after his death. In this historical-speculative tale, Yeshua returns in spirit form to enlist Magda in correcting centuries of misinformation, misogyny, and institutional spin. Together they relive travels through Galilee, confront Roman oppression, and unravel the true story behind his crucifixion while showcasing Magda’s own awakening to a unique spiritual power.

Magda Revealed reimagines the life and legacy of Jesus through the eyes of Mary Magdalene, two millennia after his death. In this historical-speculative tale, Yeshua returns in spirit form to enlist Magda in correcting centuries of misinformation, misogyny, and institutional spin. Together they relive travels through Galilee, confront Roman oppression, and unravel the true story behind his crucifixion while showcasing Magda’s own awakening to a unique spiritual power.

Seamless audio production with balanced volume levels and crisp sound quality.

Thoughtful use of pacing to highlight dramatic peaks (e.g., confrontations with Roman authorities) and quieter, introspective passages.

Consistent character differentiation through subtle vocal adjustments, aiding listener immersion.

Strengths:
Emotional resonance: Magda’s journey from scorned disciple to empowered narrator feels authentic and moving.

Thematic depth: Radical equality, female empowerment, and the reclamation of silenced voices give the narrative fresh urgency.

Immersive world-building: Atmospheric descriptions of first-century Judea come alive through evocative language and performance.

Potential Drawbacks:
Dense historical and theological references may require occasional replay for full comprehension.

Listeners seeking a strictly traditional gospel retelling might find the feminist speculative angle challenging.

It was an interesting listen. I've gone through a few more books retelling the storyline of different portions of the Bible. The narrative was easy to follow, and the perspective was a fresh one. You go through the story and you make your own opinion on how Mary Magdalen's history gets shaped. Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to review the book.

Review of Magda Revealed by Ursula Werner

Ursula Werner’s Magda Revealed is a bold and provocative reimagining of Mary Magdalene’s life, framed as an alternative gospel narrated by Magda herself—a striking fusion of feminist historical fiction, cultural critique, and spiritual exploration.

While praised by secular and feminist readers for its fresh take, others—especially devout Christians—have strongly objected, finding depictions of Jesus as too human and irreverent.

Magda Revealed is a daring, immersive, and emotionally resonant alternative gospel. It challenges traditional narratives with unapologetic feminist and recontextualized spiritual motifs. Expect clear-eyed storytelling, feminist critique, and a strong narrative voice—though the irreverent tone may not suit all readers. For those open to reframing biblical history, this novel is a compelling, thought-provoking journey.

Magda, Revealed offers a compelling and refreshingly original retelling of the Jesus story through the eyes of Mary Magdalene. Ursula Werner brings a contemporary feel and a conversational tone to this reimagining, making the narrative feel personal and approachable without becoming overly religious or preachy. I really appreciated how the story stayed grounded in human emotion and experience, allowing Magda’s voice to shine through with clarity and strength.

The audiobook narrator also deserves praise—her performance added depth and warmth to the storytelling, enhancing the emotional resonance of Magda’s journey. Overall, I truly enjoyed this audiobook. It’s thoughtful, engaging, and provides a unique perspective on a well-known story. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a fresh take on biblical history with a modern sensibility.

As someone who is not religious, I am very open minded with regard to the bible. I enjoyed this version of Magda’s story, bringing a voice to one of the mysterious women I had heard about. An easy read.

Gripping and beautifully imagined

This audiobook really pulled me in from the very beginning—the writing is vivid, and the narration brings it to life in such a powerful way. I’ve had some exposure to biblical stories, and I loved how this one added cultural context. It paints a picture of Jesus and some of the women in his life.

That said, I don’t think you need to be familiar with Christian stories to enjoy this. At its heart, it’s just a really good story about people trying to live with purpose and love in a complicated world. If you’ve had your own spiritual journey—especially outside traditional theological frameworks—I think this will resonate.

By my own scale, this is a 5-star read: it was totally immersive, the narration was strong, and it made me think differently about things I thought I already knew.

I wrote my master's thesis on Mary Magdalene. If I had written a historical fiction about her, Magda Revealed would have been it. The author expands on the minimal information we have on Mary, and makes her a strong, educated woman who was Jesus' helper. Mary recalls her experience with Jesus and corrects the misconceptions about her the Church made. It is a wonderful story of female empowerment.