Another moving tale: "King's Shadow" by Angela Hunt

about the book....

Their Lives Couldn't Be More Different,

but Their Goal Is the Same:

Survive King Herod's Rule.

Two women occupy a place in Herod's court. The first, Salome, is the king's only sister, a resentful woman who has been told she's from an inferior race, a people whom God will never accept or approve of.

The second woman, Zara, is a lowly handmaid who serves Salome, but where Salome spies conspiracies and treachery, Zara sees hurting people in need of understanding and compassion.

Powerful and powerless, Idumean and Jew, selfish and selfless--both women struggle to reach their goals and survive each day within Herod the Great's tumultuous court, where no one is trustworthy and no one is safe.

my review....

Angela Hunt's latest Biblical tale is a stunning portrayal of King Herod's court and the madness that prevailed. Her research shines through every scene, transporting readers back in time with her vivid rendering of Herod and his sister Salome and the land of Israel just before the time of when Jesus was born. The story is very well written, and is certain to entertain those readers who typically gravitate towards tales of Biblical fiction while appealing to those who may normally not pick up a novel like this.

It is one thing to read the Bible and to get a sense of who Herod was, who seems plenty mad just by the account written there. But when you add in the bizarre details that Hunt has unearthed about who married who and who King Herod had killed and why, it makes for some fascinating and sobering reading indeed! Hunt has done a wonderful job at contrasting the character of Salome (a complex character in her own right) and that of her handmaid Zara, and their intertwined and alternating viewpoints keep the story moving at a brisk pace. Zara, with her purity of heart, is a beacon of light in what is a spiritually dark place, and I loved the way that she is gently drawn towards God and the promise of the Messiah. Hunt has thrown in a unique twist at the end of the story that has since left me long in thought about Jesus and his early years - but I dare not say more so you can discover it for yourself.

The author notes from Angela Hunt indicate that this is the final installment in the "Silent Years" series, and what a series it has been! "King's Shadow" is another absolute must read, and I award it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

about the author....

The author of more than 100 published books and with more than 5 million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angela Hunt is the New York Times bestselling author of The Note, The Nativity Story, and Esther: Royal Beauty. Romantic Times Book Club presented Angela with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. In 2008, Angela completed her PhD in Biblical Studies in Theology. She and her husband live in Florida with their mastiffs. She can be found online at www.angelahuntbooks.com.

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