Customer Reviews

Among the Gods

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem." (2 Kings 21:1). "Manasseh misled Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do more evil than the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the sons of Israel. And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention." (2 Chronicles 33:9-10)

Faithful to God, and refusing to follow Manasseh, a remnant of Jews escapes to Egypt where they live Among the Gods. Included are Joshua, a mason by trade and mercenary by choice; Prince Amariah, the King's brother and next in line for the throne; and Miriam, a servant girl who will stop at nothing to protect those she loves.

The story is two-fold: one establishes a Jewish community in the far reaches of Egypt, and one continues to fight against Manasseh's godless reign. Lynn Austin has woven the parts together using actual Scriptural references and good fiction writing.

Although fiction, I learned much about God and His love for His people; a lot about Scripture; and the timing of events. For example, Isaiah was alive at the time of Manasseh. (Tradition holds that Manasseh had him put to death by sawing him in half.) Joshua looks to the "scrolls of Isaiah" for fulfillment of the prophecy--"Hide yourselves for a little while until His wrath has passed by. See, the Lord is coming to punish the people of earth for their sins." (Isaiah 26:20-21). I haven't finished checking all the cross references, but I did enjoy the reading of Manasseh's reign in 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33. I also found the reference to Amariah; he never becomes king himself but he plays an important part in the royal line of David.

Action, adventure, romance, testimony to God's love, wisdom and power, all wrapped up in one story. The thoughts are great for solitary contemplation or for a book club.

Armchair Interviews says: Among the Gods is the fifth book in the Chronicles of the Kings series, so you can read this as part of the series or read this book that stands alone.

Ms. Austin's books, the series from Kings and Chronicles have been excellent and informative. Her writing capabilities are beyond words. This 5th book in the series, Among The Gods was spell bounding, heart pounding and could not be put down. You will truly feel like you know the characters before you are done, and you will hate for it to end.

I have been following this series since book 1. I loved all of them. I especially appreciate the effort made to keep things as historically and Biblically accurate as possible. Among the Gods really challenges the reader to consider how idolatry may be affecting their own life and relationships. Lynne Austin also has a unique way of making you really attach to one or two characters and champion them the whole way through even if you already have some knowledge of how the story may end. All in all, I loved it and am eagerly waiting for any other historically based Bible fiction that she will offer.

"Do you know that in the two years I've known you, I've never heard you laugh or seen you smile? I'll bet you have a nice smile, too. Like your mother's. She told me that A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Joshua tried to smile, but his heart felt as if it were breaking. "Would it help you to heal faster if I laughed?"

She considered for a moment, then shook her head. "No, I think the shock would probably kill me."

He did laugh then, but it was bittersweet. He sat up and wiped the tears from her cheeks because he knew that she couldn't do it herself.

"You're right," he said. "I can't remember the last time I laughed. And I'm so tired of feeling this way. Grief has affected every area of my life--it's hamstrung my work, blinded my judgment, poisoned all my relationships--but I don't know how to shake it off. I can't get free of it."

"It isn't grief that did all that," Miriam said. "It's hatred."

Excerpt from Among the Gods by Lynn Austin

Based on the life of King Mannasseh, chronicled in the Old Testament, as well as current archeological finds of an exact replica of Solomon's temple on Elephantine Island located in the Nile near Egypt, Lynn Austin has masterfully intertwined history with both Biblical and fictional characters.

Book five of the Chronicles of the Kings series, Among the Gods follows the physical, emotional, and spiritual struggles of Joshua as he impatiently waits on Yahweh to purge Judah of its evil king, Mannasseh. As the temple is defiled by false Gods, babies are being burned in sacrificial fires, and every type of depravity scourges the land, Joshua and Prince Amariah (the king's brother) followed by a host of Levites carrying the sacred Ark of the Covenant flee to Egypt for asylum.

Joshua thinks that waiting on God to act is torturous, but understanding His ways results in being more difficult a task. Even with the enduring support and encouragement of the woman who loves him, Joshua spiritually fails God again and again.

His relationship with his Heavenly Father isn't the only one that is daunting. The one he's attempting to build stone by weary stone with his rebellious, hate-filled adopted son, Nathan, is as well.

When will Yahweh once again call his people out of Egypt to inhabit the sweet hills of Judah? Can Joshua's insatiable need to control be broken, and will he withstand the test of fatherly love despite all, so that Nathan might see God's love through him?

Lynn Austin has given life--faults and all--to her characters in a way rarely seen. I invite you to pick up Among the Gods and take a ride into Judah at one of its worst times. Feel the utter wickedness of the kingdom, experience the robe-tearing sadness of God's people, and see Yahweh's justice and forgiveness as He sets the nation aright.

I deem this work a superbly written piece of historical fiction.

I love this series so much that I have had to replace the entire set three times. I lend them out and they disappear!
These are by far the finest novels that Ms. Austin has written. I was drawn into the story, and I just couldn't put the books down. Ms. Austin provides Scriptural references so it is easy to see what she is basing her story on. After reading the Scriptures, elements in the story that are taken right out of the Bible are easily discerned from those that the writer may be taking an artist license with. It breathed life into these characters and made them very relevant to me.

I immediately began reading the remaining books in the series, and every one was a delight. I enthusiastically recommend the series.

This has to be the most awesome series that I have ever read.

I can't begin to put into words how this entire series has blessed me. I only wish that it didn't have to come to an end. Absolutely excellent!

The last book of the chronicles was good but not great. The author did squeeze my heart more than just once. But there were parts in the book that I could just left reading without coming back to them. The book didn't have that spark from the beginning to the end. It didn't keep me long at night like some of the author's other works.
I have read the first edition of this book (maybe someone has noticed the mistake and corrected it in a newer edition)--the author presented something that didn't make sense. She had a protagonist lose his leg, then forgetting all about it. Later, she presents the hero running.
But overall, the author did describe deep point of view of the characters. You can get really close to them and feel what they're feeling. The scenes did come alive. :)
I will be reading more from this talented author.

My hat is off to Lynn Austin!!!! The whole Chronicles of the Kings series is fantastic, if you haven't read it, you should!! Of all the Books I've read so far I'd have to say that this entire series was by far the best! She did her research, you felt like you were there. I could "see" where they were. I traveled with them, felt their struggles. I was scared for them, happy with them. I shed tears when they did and laughed when they did. This series will always be on the top ten of anything I have read!! I would love it if she would write MORE with this theme in mind. I am officially a FAN of Lynn Austin's Chronicles of the Kings series!! Read all the Books from #1 to #5 You will NOT be disappointed.

Lynn Austin does a wonderful job of bring ancient history
alive as well as aligning it with the Scripture accounts.
I am sorry this is the last book of her series.