Book Reviews of The Betrayal (Abram's Daughters, Bk 2)

This is the first book that I have ever read from Beverly Lewis. I happen to find the book on a fluke and I am glad that I did. It is the 2sd book in a series and I plan on starting from book 1 and reading them through in order. The story was very touching and very open when it came to how the 'players' in the book where feeling and acting. She does a great job of 'painting' a picture for you on the life style and of the family in the book and why it is the way that it is. I enjoyed this book a lot.

This is the 2nd book in the "Abram's Daughter's" series. Every day we are faced with difficult personal choices, but how many times do we make the wrong choice simply because the right choice is too difficult? Leah, the main character, has to choose between the longing she has for her future husband (who has moved to another state) and helping her sister through a rough time. The results of her choice lead her to emotional turmoil, but relies are her faith in God to help her through (something we can all be reminded to do once in a while).

This is a great look into the Amish way of life, and although the culture is based on Christianity, this book is in no way preachy. It simply shows how one group of people faces the same challenges that everyone--regardless of background--faces throughout their own lives. :-D

Very good story about Amish life in Lancaster County Pa.

Bestselling author Beverly Lewis continues to till the rich Lancaster County soil in her latest book, THE BETRAYAL. Set in the fictional Amish community of Gobbler's Knob circa 1947, this is the second installment in the "Abram's Daughters" series and continues the story of the Amish Ebersol sisters --- Sadie, Leah, and twins Mary Ruth and Hannah. The stories of these courting-age girls are woven together, but Leah's narrative takes center stage through the course of this installment.

As the story opens, Sadie and Leah are both dealing with the continued fallout of Sadie's irresponsible behavior during "rumschpringe," a period of time in which young Amish people are given the freedom to explore the outside world to determine whether or not they want to be baptized and commit their lives to the "Plain" way of life. Sadie's downward spiral is chronicled in THE COVENANT, and it's clear her descent is not complete, as anger and sadness eat away at her in THE BETRAYAL.

"After their private talk Sadie had gone inside and created a fuss, all because Mamma had suggested Sadie take herself upstairs and lie down. 'You look so hot in the face,' Mamma had said sweetly, offering a concerned smile, no doubt noticing Sadie's swollen eyes.

'I'm all right, really,' Sadie replied.

'Just thought a rest might do you good.'

Then Sadie burst out crying. 'I'll go out to the pasture if you say to --- coax all the cows home for milking --- do Leah's chores, but I won't be resting!'

Both Hannah and Mamma gasped, though Mamma the louder. 'Such foolish words, Sadie dear. Time you behaved like a baptized church member … and bite your tongue.'

Sadie brushed her tears away, standing there silent now.

'You best go to your room,' Mamma insisted. 'Tis not becomin' of you to disobey.'

Suddenly Sadie brushed past Mamma and Leah, breaking into an all-out run. Out the back door and down the steps she went, toward the barnyard."

As Sadie seems to be pulling away from the only life that she's known, Leah decides to get baptized and marry her devoted childhood sweetheart, Jonas Mast. A rift between the sisters develops despite their love for one another, and the whole family is thrown into tumult. Secrets both large and small abound in the Ebersol household, and Leah and Jonas's union ends up in jeopardy. In the end it's unclear which betrayal THE BETRAYAL refers to --- Leah of Sadie or Sadie of Leah.

Lewis grew up in Lancaster County, and her body of work shows an obvious affection for the Amish way of life. Her stories are often set among the Plain people, and her descriptions of their everyday lives are idyllic. THE BETRAYAL is no different, and fans of Lewis are likely to embrace her newest novel despite its somewhat abrupt and unsatisfying ending. It's nothing the forthcoming third installment in the series can't fix.

Uninitiated and more critical readers of the book may chaff against an overabundance of colloquial language (redd, Dat, ach, wonderful-gut, jah), the idealized presentation of the Plain life, and thinly drawn characters. Much of the dialogue and inner thought of the characters seem highly contrived, like soliloquies of earnest actors in a drama about an Amish life they only know about through movies.

Nevertheless, it's clear that the author does truly care about her characters and this can atone for a number of literary sins. The community of Gobbler's Knob is a vividly drawn world the likes of which most readers will never be able to inhabit apart from Lewis's affectionate prose. The agriculture-based economy and simple lives of the Amish provide a welcome vision of fulfilling lives apart from our fast-paced culture.

--- Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel

This is a good read. You have to read the 1st book of this series to know what is going on to truly enjoy.

Abram's Daughters was my introduction to Beverly Lewis. She is by far my favorite author.

enjoyed

great book

Excellent book, held my interest till the end and left me wanting to read more.

Great as all of Beverly Lewis books.

I read this series and enjoyed it very much. Passed it on to my daughter and think she will as well.

An insight into Amish life. An interesting jouney into a Amish families every day life.Found it very interesting reading.

The Ebersols are raising their four daughters on a firm foundation of Plain traditions and carry that heritage into the future, safe and secure in their cloistered community. But Sadie, the oldest, has found little appeal in her Amish life compared to the lure of the world outside. When Sadie's traditional rumschpringe before embracing baptism goes terribly awry, sister Leah's life may also be forever altered by a secret pact.

Good Book Enjoyed the series. Good information about the traditions and lifestyle of the Amish.

This series is wonderful. I have a specific vision of each of the characters and feel that I could run into them if I was visiting Amish country in PA. I cannot wait to read the next books in the series.

You'll fall in love with all the characters!

Good book about the Amish. This is book two of four. Fast easy read. Love story and lives of the Amish/

The characters of this book develop and grow. a look at the Amish community and the resistance to the Plain Life and the consequence of sinful acts. I liked this book. Second in series.

I've always been fascinated with the Amish. This is a good christian series and I've learned to respect the Amish for their beliefs.

Excellent continuation of the story.

Book 2 in the series about the Amish just after World War II.

another excellent book about the amish people and most specifically about a set of sisters called Abrams daughters. This one focus' on Leah mostly and has a startling ending.

great series, wonderful way to learn about the Amish ways.

Spanning three generations, the compelling novels of the ABRAM'S DAUGHTERS series introduce four courting age sisters, their family and community, whose way of life and faith in God are as enduring as their signiture horse and buggy. Or so it seems. Excellent reading...

The second book in a series of books written about the Amish communitte and Abram's four daughters.

This was another good book.

Excellent book. At the top of it's category. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good story. 2nd book in the series.

This is book 2 in a series called Abram's Daughters. It is about a Amish family. Leah is the main character. The series is about her coming of age and falling in love with a young man. Many problems get in the way. It is very descriptive of the Amish beliefs and way of life.

Abram's Daughters Series. Great reading. #1 of 5

Book 2 of Abram’s Daughters. Spanning three generations, the Abram’s Daughters series paints a powerful family portrait of four Amish sisters growing up in Gobbler’s Knob, Lancaster County. In Book One, The Covenant, when oldest sister Sadie is beguiled by a handsome, dark-haired "Englischer," it is younger sister Leah who suffers from her sister’s shameful behavior. In Book Two, The Betrayal, Leah and her beloved Jonas are separated for half the year when he accepts a long-desired carpenter’s apprenticeship in Ohio. They are confident that by letter and heart-felt promises, their love is strong enough to survive the temporary separation. But never could they have foreseen the bitter test facing them and their families… This astonishing story of the strength of family, the miracle of forgiveness, and the power of hope has all the emotion, character intimacy, and true-to-life drama, as well as the message of truth that fiction readers have come to expect from a Beverly Lewis novel.

GREAT READING,I'M NOW ON THE THIRD ONE "THE SACRIFICE" YOU CAN'T PUT THESE BOOKS DOWN ONCE YOU START.

I am enjoying this series very much, I can't put the books down!

I loved this series.. this is book 2 in the Series! Great story!

Spanning three generations, the copelling novels of the ABRAM'S DAUGHTERS series introduce four couting-age sisters, their family and commuity, whose way of life and fiath in God are as enduring as their signature horse and buggy. Or so it seems.....

The Covenant began the saga with Sadie's resistance to the Plain life and its tragic consequences. The Betrayal continues the journey, with Leah and her beloved Jonas now separated by hundreds of miles. BUt more than time and distance are conspiring to keep them apart.....

gives some nice background to the amish culture as well as being great story line

Great book, and I can't wait to read the next one. It is not absolutely necessary to have read the first book to understand this one, I didn't but am now curious to read the 1st one.

great #2 book in the Abram's Daughters series!

This is a wonderful series! I just can't WAIT to get the next from the paperbackswap member I ordered it from!

If you read the 1st. you must go on the the next..the story just gets better and better.A wonderful series about an Amish family and secrets that effect everyone.As you finish one you can't wait to start the next.Five books in this series and this is number 2.I will also be posting the rest.

Great series

2nd in the Abram's Daughters series.
Wonderful story, it holds you from the first page to the last.
I can't wait to read the rest.

i read the whole series of 5. i have cried and laughed at each one.Lewis is an awesome writer.

Awesome love story

I Love her books

Good story about an Amish girl and her struggles.

Absolutely LOVE this story. You defintely will want to complete the series, though :)

This is book 2 of Abram's Daughters. A good book on its own. About a family of Amish. Well written, good, deep characters.

My mom enjoyed this book very much.

Great book in this series!!!!

Wonderful! (I have all the Abram's Daughters series listed.)

An excellent read. I couldn't put it down.

Beverly Lewis is a great writter. The first book in the series set me up to read the entire series. Great book for all ages.

An interesting look into Amish life.