Chaja, a Jewish girl, sees her family slaughtered by crusaders. She manages
to escape to the French-controlled city of Tripoli, where she spends the next few years disguised as a Christian in a convent. Condemned to a life she does not want, her desire to kill the man who destroyed her life grows.
Chaja immediately accepts the Mother Superior’s offer to marry Martin, the
son of a nobleman. She plans to escape during the wedding celebrations to gain her freedom and track down her enemy. When she comes face to face with Martin at the altar, she recognises him as the murderer of her family. She quickly decides to kill him on the wedding night.
This is a story about hatred and prejudice, where cultures and religions collide. It is also about love, forgiveness and mercy.
Readers’comments:
„Man oh man, that was exciting & really good. The book reads smoothly, and is full of beautiful phrases & a choice of words appropriateto the time period“.
„Historical problems, spiritual distortions and views are brought to life from that distant time into our present. Definitely a book with substance!“
„I found the writing style and historical interpretation to be very good. You could really feel the inner struggles of the times.“
I have just finished To Love the Enemy, the first book I have read by Junia Swan. I found its imaginative storytelling to be like a Midrash, a way to enter more deeply into texts and find new meanings in the layers of history. One image especially stayed with me from the early part of the story – the bubbling spring between two rocks, which held its own life, like Chaja’s name, in the story’s twists and turns. Vielen Dank!
“To love the enemy” is a book that shows how Jesus and His word can make a cold and wounded heart find peace and love. How He is able to make two enemies love each other profoundly.
It’s very interesting how the author is able to show different cultures and worldviews through the characters. I learned a lot about the world view of the Roman Catholics and the Jews during that time period.
It has a very exciting storyline and it is hard to stop reading. I recommend it!
I was held captive by this book, I couldn’t quit reading, and finished it the same day I started, very interesting, and I love how she portrays the customs of that era, revealing things that I had no idea that existed in that time…. I love the hope and transformation brought about by Jesus and His Word!!!
A great inspirational read!!!
Alluring and Imaginative. Those are two words I can say about this novel since Chapter 1!
The way Junia sets the murder scene in the introduction, makes me wonder what would happen next to Chaja.
Junia describes the natural landscapes, facial features, and characters’ expressions in detail, drawing my imagination deeper into the story.
Set in the 12th century, this novel proposes a different perspective on the conflicts in the Levant area at that time.
Besides its love story, „To Love the Enemy“ also delivers a message about kindness and helpfulness towards others regardless of their religion, complexion, and ethnicity, which are powerful attitudes.
Despite the familiar genre, this novel still offers an enjoyable reading experience. I recommend this novel as a weekend read.
It is a touching love story between Chaja and Martin and their journey on how to love and forgive each other. You can’t stop reading it after you start reading their story. The conflict they are going through will make you curious for their ending.
What a beautiful story that the writer chose! I never felt so impressed by a novel before, but Junia Swan gives her best to write “To Love The Enemy” with her powerful ideas in this book. I was impressed by the diction that she chose. This book is very well written. Her wonderful stories make for an engaging read and it feels authentic like I’ve been immersed in Chaja’s been through. Very well done, Junia Swan!
I’ve always loved Holy Grail and The Crusades stories since childhood. Thus, reading To Love The Enemy somewhat makes me reminisce about the past while diving into a unique love story.
It’s not your typical romance; it’s your „aha!“ moments every time you turn the page. Curiosity builds up slowly but surely, making you wonder what will happen in the next chapter.
Overall, Junia Swan has created something that is not just about love but particularly about life, forgiveness, mercy, and how to bring back our humanity through Chaja and Martin’s unfolding love stories.
“To love the enemy” you will not stop once you start reading it. The story takes our curiosity and
makes us want to read more and more. It also makes us realize that love can change what you think
you will not.
The way Junia Swan arranges the sentences in this novel makes it feel like a real-life situation, she immerses the readers in the story with its tidiness and ability to evoke emotions. In addition, she offers more than just a novel, it carries significant moral values related to love and forgiveness. A novel entitled “To Love the Enemy” is very recommended for those who are looking for a very nice novel.
To Love the Enemy has succeeded in igniting my curiosity since Chapter 1.
The storyline flowed smoothly and Junia did an incredible job of portraying the imagination of the background and the characters.
I can feel deeply the emotion struggling between the characters.
Still, it is a light reading, I really enjoy it. Well done Junia!
-Kanya P-
To Love the Enemy is an absolute thrill ride that had me hooked from the first page. The plot is so captivating that the more I read, the more curious I became about what would happen next. Swan’s language is like magic, transporting me directly into the heart of the novel’s scenes. I felt like I was right there alongside the characters, experiencing every moment with them. It’s rare to find a book that can whisk you away so completely, but To Love the Enemy does just that. I couldn’t put it down, and I can’t wait for you to experience the adventure for yourself!
Wow, this novel truly brings us back in time with its choice of words and Julia Swan’s adept descriptions of events and the main character’s emotions. It effectively illustrates how someone we initially despise can transform into someone we deeply care for based on their actions towards us in the future. The narrative ignites curiosity about the story’s future direction, compelling us to eagerly race through the pages to discover what happens next
“To Love the Enemy” is indeed very gripping! The flow truly takes me from the first sentence of the first Chapter. Truly strong characters and how the war of internal emotions (rage, disappointment, fear, and missing each other’s presence that resulted in a deep love) are beautifully captured. I can even see myself as ‘Chaja’ in battling my own child’s trauma, to heal the wound by restoring the importance of love by surrendering to having full faith in God’s hands. Truly moving as the story also resembles Ramadhan’s vibe as we clean our souls and remain close to our Almighty. Can’t wait for more great pieces by Junia Swan in the future 😉
-Sampaguita Lamiran-