Gods and Kings: Chronicles of the Kings #1 [Kindle Edition]

Lynn Austin (Author)

Book Description

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

• File Size: 866 KB
• Print Length: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (February 1, 2005)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004X7B8QQ
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,764 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #46 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Religious Fiction > Christian > Historical
  • #46 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Religious Fiction > Historical
  • #49 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Religious & Inspirational > Historical

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

127 of 129 people found the following review helpful

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

By Ruth Anderson VINE™ VOICE

Format: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."

205 of 212 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Better Christian Fiction Books April 6, 2012

By Michael Gallagher HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

In my opinion, most religious fiction is not very good as everyone is just too nice or the scenes just aren't realistic as it's not "Christian" to write about how people really are. Lynn Austin, on the other hand, does a really nice job of fictionalizing a brief passage of the Bible into a full-length novel, and gets you into the heads of the characters. The imagery and scenery are very realistic and, for example, I could imagine me walking the dusty streets of the Middle Ages. The thing that struck me the most was this book really got me thinking and getting more out of the story than a random section of the 28th chapter of the book of Second Chronicles and makes me want to read the next one in the series: with the volume of books I read on a monthly basis, having one stick with me and recalling various sections of the book long after I read it (about a month ago) is, to me, impressive and tells me this was really a good book.

I initially got this book during a Kindle free promotion and, as I write this review, the price is now $5.38 in the Amazon Kindle store - you will certainly get a lot more than $5.38 in entertainment value if you get this one!

108 of 112 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

Format: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.

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.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#46 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#64 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical

#73 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#46 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#64 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical

#73 in Books > Religion & Spirituality