Description: The drama of the Old Testament comes to life as Judah's most notorious king ascends to the throne in this gripping novel from the award-winning author of Isaiah's Daughter .
At eight years old, Shulle has known only life in a small village with her loving but peculiar father. When Uncle Shebna offers shelter in Jerusalem in exchange for Shulle's help tutoring King Manasseh, Judah's five-year-old co-regent who displays the same peculiarities as her father, she's eager to experience the royal court. But Shulle soon realizes the limits of her father's strict adherence to Yahweh's Law when Uncle Shebna teaches her of the starry hosts and their power.
Convinced Judah must be freed from Yahweh's chains, she begins the subtle swaying of young Manasseh, using her charm and skills on the boy no one else understands. When King Hezekiah dies, twelve-year-old Manasseh is thrust onto Judah's throne, bitter at Yahweh and eager to marry the girl he adores. Assyria's crown prince favors Manasseh and twists his brilliant mind toward cruelty, beginning Shulle's long and harrowing journey to discover the Yahweh she'd never known, guided with loving wisdom by Manasseh's mother: Isaiah's daughter, the heartbroken Hephzibah. Amid Judah's dark days, a desperate remnant emerges, claiming the Lord's promise, "Though we're helpless now, we're never hopeless--because we serve El Shaddai." Shulle is among them, a girl who becomes a queen through Isaiah's legacy.
My Thoughts: Though I had read about the king's of Israel in the Bible, I'll be honest and say that I never really thought much on how one of Israel's most righteous kings could father the wickedest king of them all. Yet this book brought up a question I hadn't thought to ask, making it applicable to relationships that we all have.
Most everyone has suffered through the pain of watching friends and family turn down the wrong path. I empathized strongly with Shulle, who not only was losing her husband, but had to watch her son turn from God based on the influence of those around him. He let lies lead him instead of trusting the wisdom of the prophets and the scriptures.
If I had anything to complain about with this story, it would be the leaps in time between many of the scenes, mentioned only in the small header before each chapter. As the story follows these characters from the time that Manasseh was five and then on throughout his reign, it makes sense that there would be a lot that is left out, with short scenes taking place days, months, and even years apart.
I think this is a great ending to the series, and especially the part Isaiah plays. It is hard to imagine his life and what he and his family would have experienced due to his prophecies, particularly the ones that the ruling kings didn't like. I loved this glimpse into those experiences and am excited to share this story with friends.
I have provided an honest review after having received an ARC of this book through the publisher and author.
Many of her faithful readers are members of her launch team—Mesu’s Biblical Fiction Fans (BFFs)—and offer their time and service to promote God’s word through story. Andrews lives in North Carolina with her husband Roy and enjoys spending time with her tribe of grandchildren. For more information, visit www.mesuandrews.com.
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