Gods and Kings (Chronicles of the Kings #1) [Paperback]

Lynn Austin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2005

Gods and Kings is the story of King Hezekiah, heir to the throne of King David. When his evil father plots to sacrifice him, Hezekiah's mother, Abijah, searches frantically for a way to save him. But only two men can help her, and neither of them seems trustworthy. In a time and place engulfed by violence, treachery, and infidelity to Yahweh, Abijah and her son must discover the one true Source of strength if they are to save themselves and their country. Book 1 of Chronicles of the Kings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... bring(s) the Old Testament to life in a way that is not only entertaining, but educational as well." -- Inspirational Romance Writers

"If you don’t think you’d like biblical fiction, try Gods and Kings. Lynn Austin might just change your mind." -- Christian Book Previews.com

"This is a terrific work of Old Testament historical fiction that provides an insightful look at two intriguing Hebrew descendents." -- Review Centre

"brings this biblical account to life in her well-researched fictionalization of the life of one of Judah's most fascinating kings." -- RT Bookclub

About the Author

Lynn Austin is a former teacher who now writes and speaks full time. She has won three Christy Awards for her historical novels Candle in the Darkness, Fire By Night, and Hidden Places. She and her husband have three grown children and make their home near Chicago, Illinois.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Reprinted edition (February 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764229893
• ISBN-13: 978-0764229893
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lynn Austin, a former teacher who now writes and speaks full time, has won four Christy Awards for her historical fiction. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been made into a Hallmark Channel movie. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and make their home near Chicago, Illinois.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pageantry and danger in ancient Judah..., October 21, 2006

By 

Ruth Anderson "Book Reviewer" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gods and Kings (Chronicles of the Kings #1) (Paperback)

Hezekiah, prince of Judah, lives in a kingdom under siege from hostile forces within and without. His father, King Ahaz, has abandoned the worship of Yahweh and led his nation into idolatry. Gods & Kings chronicles Hezekiah's coming of age, detailing his turbulent childhood when he saw his father sacrifice his older brother Eliab to the pagan god Molech. Overwhelmed by fear, Hezekiah first encounters the life-changing touch of God through the love and teaching of his grandfather, Zechariah, a Levitical priest. These seeds of faith are all that Hezekiah has to guide him in a kingdom threatened by invasion and corrupted by idolatry. But surrounded by threats to his very existance, can he hope to survive and be given the chance to change the future of his country?

This is one of the best biblical fiction series out there, easily on par with Angela Hunt's Legacies of the Ancient River series. I don't feel that Austin's writing is as strong or her characters quite as well-developed as is evident in her later books (such as the Christy award-winning novels Candle in the Darkness and Fire By Night), but that's a very minor issue. Austin does an excellent job bringing the world of ancient Judah to life in all of its color, pageantry, danger, and intrigue. She breathes fresh life into the character of Hezekiah, creating a flesh-and-blood man whose struggles and weaknesses make his triumphs as one of Judah's greatest kings all the more inspiring. And the book lives up to perhaps the best measure of whether or not biblical fiction succeeds or fails - it inspires study of the actual biblical text.

When reading this book (incidentally this was my second time), I was struck by how timely the story felt. Hezekiah was one small drop in an overwhelming sea of danger and false gods, but God used his life to literally change the course of an entire nation and people. So read, study, and be inspired as Austin helps to bring to life the truth of 2 Chronicles 7:14 -- "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

56 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This series really bring situations in the Bible "to life", May 18, 2007

By 

C. Bowen "Glad I'm Saved" (Belle Vernon, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gods and Kings (Chronicles of the Kings #1) (Paperback)

Every now and then, I enjoy "escaping reality" by reading a good Scriptural (and historical) based novel. I purchased the first book, "Gods and Kings" at a discount store, not even knowing that it was part of a series, and could not wait until I found it's sequels! I have read all 5 of the "Chronicles of the Kings" series and I hope that Lynn Austin writes more sequels to this particular series.

I did get a bit confused at Amazon's website while looking for the rest of this series, so I am going to list them here in order for the convenience of future buyers:
book 1 "Gods And Kings"
book 2 "Songs Of Redemption"
book 3 "The Strength Of His Hand"
book 4 "Faith Of My Fathers"
book 5 "Among The Gods"

Another author whose sequel I am eagerly awaiting is Ellen Gunderson Traylor's "Jerusalem The City Of God - Part Two", also set in Old Testament times. These types of books really "take you back in time" to the way that things really were.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you want the Bible to come alive, this is the book for you!, October 18, 2005

By 

J. Martin "J. Straussberger" (Bartlett, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gods and Kings (Chronicles of the Kings #1) (Paperback)

I loved this book (series) because not only was it a very interesting read, but more importantly because it gave me such a good insight into life during the Old Testament. The stories of Kings Ahaz, Hezekiah, and Manassah have never been so real to me as when I read that book. I will never again read the Biblical accounts the same way!