I read this book because I was offered a free copy and because a friend recommended it to me. On the plus side, I agree with my friend that the author writes with more complexity than the marketing for her books would lead one to believe (if such a thing can be determined from reading one book). And I found the plot to be compelling enough that I was eager to get back to the book when I had to put it down. However, the dialogue was wooden and the characters were two dimensional at best. But my main dislike went much deeper. From the first page to the last Austin writes a story about characters that lived in an actual and historical ancient culture. However, she appears to know almost nothing about how this culture viewed the world, themselves, society, and faith. The things she had her characters say, think and do were so entirely the sorts of things people in her own modern day, western, individualized culture would say, think, and do. At times this was merely distracting, but frequently it made the book read like a parody. A few examples: When reflecting on her arranged marriage, a woman reflects that she did not pursue her own desires and dreams but allowed herself to be led by her father's wishes. She reflects that this needs to change. She is asked by a man, regarding her upcoming arranged marriage, if she "ever wanted something enough to fight for it" and the implication is strongly that she has a sad, sorry, weakness she must overcome in this area. And it is stated at one point that it is royalty and a few other segments of society that have their roles cut out for them regardless of their own choosing. Where can I even begin?!? In a society such as this one (and all non-Western, non-modern, non-individualist societies) EVERYONE (not just women, not just people of a certain societal level) follows the path that their place in society by birth dictates to them. To do otherwise is nearly beyond imagining, holds no positive or healthy associations, and is very literally the very definition of sin. To do so would bring trouble and ruin to the entire society. I could go on and on but instead I'll continue. The description of religion and the role it plays in a person and in society!!!! In both big (the King says "religion belongs in the temple, not in the streets and certainly not in the government") and smaller ways (people talking about if they believe in God, or their "faith" or wondering if God really exists and how we can know when we don't see him, and talking about their faith become an "empty ritual" and dozens of other examples found on every page of dialogue) Austin again makes a parody of the book by entirely not understanding the ancient view of the sacred and inserting our own modern, western view. There was NO sacred/secular distinction during this time and in this sort of society. This was NOT how God/religion was viewed or spoken of or thought of nor was this the purpose of it. Not at all. Here are a few other ridiculous quotes: "yet he hesitated, his rational mind refusing to believe in a supernatural answer.""Can you prove any of this? I can't rest the fate of my nation of a superstition. I have to believe in things that can be proved in a tangible way." (A distinction of the modern/western worldview, not the ancient worldview)"I don't have the proof you are asking for. I believe it by faith." (NOT the ancient definition of faith!!!!)Again, I could go on and on and on. Yes, this how we think in this hemisphere at this time. I wonder if Austin was truly unaware of the cultural lenses she wrote with (and did not write with) or if she was aware but was speaking to her readers by using the thoughts and definitions that they would have. Either way, I'm dissapointed.
This is the second book by Austin I read. This is not my favourite genre (suspense) but I really enjoyed this book.What I love about Biblical Fiction is that it break opens the Bible in different ways and you click events better than when reading the Bible. For example, how many times did I read the part in Kings where they said that King Ahaz offered his first born son, but only after reading the first chapter of the book I actually realized what that meant! Another thing that I love about Biblical fiction is that it takes you back to the Bible - after reading the first pages I went to the parts in the Bible this book is about and read it to understand if that truly happened.I loved Hezekiah the child, and will look forward to reading more of Hezekiah as the King. I also enjoyed Zechariah's character and how he realised his faults and asked forgiveness and stood up for what is right after receiving this second chance. What stood out for me is how men craved power back then already and how they will compromise their beliefs for power and lying to themselves about their choices. It made me think how we should on a daily basis be aware of our choices and if we compromise our beliefs.
What do You think about Gods And Kings (2005)?
Great to meet the Bible figures in person. At least that is how it seems to the reader of Gods and Kings: Chronicles and Kings. The king sacrifices his firstborn to the idol Molech in the land of Israel. God had chosen Israel as His nation, but throughout the history Israel did not always choose God. During the reign of king Abijah, idolatry was rife in Israel. Hezekiah witnesses his brother being sacrificed to Molech. Will he survive or is his father going to sacrifice him too? How many sacrifi
—Retha
I am now on the third book of this series and am really enjoying the whole series! Though these are centered around the life of King Hezekiah, I am learning so much about the history of this time period that I have a whole new perspective on other stories from the Old Testament. I now completely understand Jonah and why he ran away when God told him to go to Nineveh. Those Assyrians were so incredibly brutal, heartless and had no mercy for anyone, not even babies! Anyways, this is a really fantastic look at, not only the reign of Hezekiah (mostly in the 2nd and 3rd books), but also his idol-worshipping father Ahab (in the first book).
—Mandi
This is the first historical biblical fiction book that I have read and I loved it. So much so that I had to get the next four books in the series and read all of them in just a few days.The book begins in a time when children were sacrificed to the gods. Hezekiah's father wanted favor from those gods and was willing to sacrifice his children in order to receive it. To see this from a child's point of view and know that it was a part of history was heartbreaking. The story goes on to share how Hekekiah's grandfather, Zechariah, planted seeds of faith with love and teaching that changed history when he became the King of Judah. The story of that relationship is one of my favorite things about this book.
—Wendy
