Evil may live in cracks and holes, but when it is embodied
in kings and queens, it makes for a dangerous world filled
with late night murders, prophecies and narrow escapes.
While followers of Jahweh had been promised that they would
always have a King from the House of David, the marriage of
King Ahab to Jezebel introduced many new idols beguiling to
the early believers as well as an evil Queen bent on doing
her will. Used to the bloody ways of her mother, Queen
Jezebel, Athaliah, is even more determined to have her way
and root out and destroy this "God" as ell as his prophets
and priests.
Enjoying the trappings of her royal lineage, Athaliah's
daughter, Jehoshebeth, is shocked to find out at a royal
banquet that she is being married off to an old merchant
and sent away. As she flees the palace, she is drawn to
the Temple of Jahwah and soon finds out that circumstances
are far different than she had ever imagined. How can it
be that her beloved mother wants to see her dead? Can
Jehoiada, the High Priest, be able to save her and those
she loves?
Ginger Garrett already has a strong reputation for being
able to pull people right into the times and spirit of the
Biblical past and her rendering of the incredible novel
deserves particular acclaim. I was so caught up in the
story of Jehoshebeth, the realities of her situation and
her courage that I couldn't bear to put this book down.
While most of the dramatic and bloody action in "Dark Hour"
focuses on the massacres of women and children, which may
prove disconcerting for some readers, it is not gratuitous
violence, but true to the Biblical version in Kings II and
Chronicles II on which this story is based. After finishing
this incredible account, I had to read the Biblical
chapters and found the strength and fire in verses I never
realized was there before. I can hardly wait until the
next two books in this Serpent Moon trilogy are released
for the story ended just when I wanted to read more. This
is a highly recommended read for anyone, but especially for
those who enjoy this genre.
One of the darkest and bloodiest stories of all time
comes not from a medieval battlefield but from inside one of
the most opulent palaces ever built. The strategies come not
from men eager to extend their influence, but from women
bent on exercising their wit and prowess in a kingdom not
their own. Treason and murder are fair game.
Marriage is
manipulation, a means to an end. Children are the enemy. And
the days of the House of David are numbered-unless one woman
can find the strength to conquer them all.