PenWorks of the Word | Featured Book Review | Leading Philippi - Jenifer Jennings

Greetings, 

As we continue this blog tour, one of the things I wanted to do was write a few book reviews. I mean, we are all here wanting to learning about books and read them, right? Well... I think that's part of it anyway. Today's review is for a book called Leading Philippi, and it is a Biblical Fiction Novel written by our Jenifer Jennings. Yes, that is the same Jenifer Jennings who gave us an interview to start this whole tour off. 

Today, 10/10/25, is launch day for her book, and I was blessed to receive an advance copy of it to review. The review you are about to read is my honest review of this wonderful addition to the world of Biblical Fiction.

Let’s dive into this one, and I’ll see you in the ‘digital’ pages.

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Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Overall Description:

In the raging sea of fear, Epaphroditus finds his faith.

In the bustling colony of Philippi, Epaphroditus, the son of a traveling merchant, finds himself ensnared in the threads of destiny. Blessed with wealth and privilege, his life is shadowed by a prophecy whispered by one of Aphrodite’s priestesses: a grim fate aboard a ship awaits Epaphroditus.

Living vicariously through his best friend Luke, a compassionate physician traversing the seas to aid the afflicted, Epaphroditus grapples with the threat of mortality and the uncertainty of his future. When a bold traveler named Paul arrives, bearing tales of a humble craftsman from Nazareth named Jesus, Epaphroditus finds himself drawn into a journey of faith.

Join Epaphroditus on his extraordinary odyssey, where he discovers the transformative power of grace and the strength to battle fear with faith. Dare to embark on a journey that will stir your soul and ignite your faith as the letter of Philippians comes to life in Leading Philippi, Book 1 of the Paul’s Patrons series.

My Review of the Book:

Jenifer Jennings' novel, Leading Philippi, which releases on 10/10/25, is a deeply engaging and historically powerful story that brings the early Christian community of Philippi to life in a fascinating way. As someone given early access to this story, and who writes biblical fiction myself, I consider it a privilege to be among the first to review this wonderful addition to the Biblical Historical Fiction genre.

It was clear to me from the beginning that the author did her research. The way she brings the city of Philippi to life is nothing short of masterful. As I was reading, I could practically visualise the streets of the city, and the small merchant shops as Epaphroditus and the other characters walked up to them. The way Jennings describes a scene, or a detail on a character's face, showed me the story as it unfolded before my eyes. Leading Philippi is not one of those historical novels that offer a dry account of how the early church lived and breathed. 

The author transports the reader into the story almost as if they are watching it on the big screen. When it comes to the character-driven aspects of this novel, the relationship between Luke and Epaphroditus was probably one of my favorite aspects of the story.  It provides a compelling anchor to the narrative, and the richness continues beyond that. The intricate details are beautifully present through every character relationship the author brings to life.  

Beyond the historical setting and the character-driven aspects of this story, Leading Philippi offers profound encouragement and depth. While I will not reveal any spoilers in this review, I will say that Epaphroditus struggles with some pretty strong fears throughout the narrative, and I felt like Jennings did a phenomenal job conveying the impact of those struggles on the page. The struggles felt real and relatable on so many levels, and when you come to the end of the adventure these characters embark upon in Philippi, and other ancient cities, you’ve learned something along the way about yourself, too. 

Jennings expertly weaves this story together with a steady flow that brings every aspect of the narrative together in a meaningful way. This craftsmanship, combined with the deep spiritual matters she went into as she told this story, pulled me into a world that I truly felt was authentic, and I can’t wait to continue reading the series. Leading Philippi is a captivating read that I am already reading for a second time. 

 

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys biblical fiction. This review is written entirely of my own accord.

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Matthew (also known by his pen names M.J. Elliott and E.M. James) is an award-winning, dedicated writer with a deep passion for sharing the word of Christ. He is married and the proud father of three wonderful children who continually inspire his faith and creativity. Through his writing, Matthew seeks to minister with love, equip others with encouragement, and help readers encounter God in real and meaningful ways.