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 Thoughts ~
Angela Hunt's Biblical Fiction stories never cease to fascinate me, and King's Shadow is no different! What a spellbinding fictionalization of King Herod's court! Political drama and historical fact are coupled with fictional characters and realistic perceptions of historical figures in King's Shadow. The result is a story that feels fresh while also staying true to history!
In an author interview that is included in the book, the author explains that she has learned no one is completely good or evil and that perspective changes everything! This shaped the characters -- both fictional and historical -- into some of the most realistic characters that I have ever encountered! Salome felt bound by family duty to protect her brother and his kingdom, so her scheming was born out of love for Herod. But as she encountered God's heart in Zara and other people in her life, Salome had to confront her misconceptions. We meet Zara when she's a little girl and follow her well into adulthood. I really liked seeing how she transformed from someone who followed the rules of the law because that's what was taught to her to someone who loved God with a personal faith! And the end of Zara's story made my soul leap for joy! Even Herod was fascinating and layered! His progression from ambitious man to bloodthirsty killer was intense! There were times my heart broke for Herod because the author aptly showed how his fear and desire to be loved drove his actions. Unfortunately, instead of looking for security and love in God, Herod looked for man's approval. Truly, all the spiritual lesson packed into King's Shadow are too great for one review!
Four Stars ~ King's Shadow by Angela Hunt is full of intrigue, suspense, betrayal, and triumph! King's Shadow is the fourth and final book in The Silent Years Series from Angela Hunt. It can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading Egypt's Sister before reading King's Shadow for greater enjoyment and understanding.
Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.
See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!
Hugs!
~V. Joy Palmer
V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.
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