Three-time winner of the Christy Award, author Lynn Austin writes compelling historical fiction. She continues her Chronicles of the Kings series featuring the Old Testament lives and legacies of Kings Hezekiah and Manasseh.
King Hezekiah’s sudden death leaves his son Manasseh as the new ruler. Overcome with sorrow, Manasseh is angry at God and suspicious of everyone around him. Suspecting a conspiracy to dethrone him, he orders the execution of his closest advisors and begins a reign of terror that shocks the kingdom. Barely escaping the carnage, his best friend Joshua suffers the excruciating loss of his family and plans revenge.
Austin’s gripping novel illustrates the pain, intrigue, and deception that cripples one’s faith in God and destroys all that is held dear.
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"Book 4 of Chronicles of the Kings series, another I really enjoyed! So much so that I stayed up extremely late 2 nights finishing it. King Manassah, son of Hezekiah, has come to power and his insecurity leads him away from God and into sorcery. He plots against his best friend Joshua and family. I think I read somewhere else that this one might be more fictionalized because of less info on the characters but still fascinating to me to read about."
— Gail (4 out of 5 stars)
" This is a nice take on what is only about a paragraph of space in the Bible. Set in the days of the Kings of Israel, in this case Manasseh the evil king who sacrificed his first born son, a young man comes of age to lead the remaining faithful priest out of Israel to escape persecution. "
— Steve, 2/20/2014" This book made me evaluate simple decisions in my life. It's so easy to let a little lie slip in and color our judgement. This book provides a great lesson about why to stay strong in your faith. "
— Tami, 2/8/2014" I loved this book as well. However, it did take me a little while to get used to the character changes. All in all, a great read! "
— Kate, 1/30/2014" I really miss the old king. His son was crazy, but it did show the true evil of sin and how anyone can change the context of the word of God. "
— Kenneth, 1/25/2014" I love this series of 5 historical fiction reads dealing with King Hezekiah and his son Manassah. Lynn Austin weaves a great epic story from the Biblical scriptures making it personal. The first book was a little bit slow to get into, but oh my, once you grasp on to the story, you will not want to quit till you finish the whole set from one thru five books. "
— Sheila, 12/31/2013" Joshua love for his family helped him to take them safely to Eygpt. However his unsurety of the role he have to play to trust in God, be patient with him and continue to havethe faith as his father had was difficult for him. Good follow up from book 3 "
— Beverley, 12/20/2013" This entire series is one of the best series I've ever read. I learned so much from each book. I give the series my highest recommendation. "
— Debbie, 12/14/2013" I gave up reading the last 30 or so pages. The book dragged out. The entire series could have been done in 2 or 3 books at the most. "
— Will, 11/28/2013" I have read 4 out of 5 in the series. They are all good and helpful in understanding what was going on in Judea and Israel with the Kings. "
— Carol, 11/16/2013" Again, I love having the Old Testament brought home to me, even through fictional characters. I believe Lynn Austin has done due diligence with her research and stays pretty true to the facts and the times. "
— Diane, 11/6/2013" This one was so heartbreaking but again I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen. This is one of the best series I've ever read. There was some slight description of pagan lifestyle so this series probably isn't appropriate for teens. "
— Tandy, 10/19/2013" the fourth book in the series of the Chronicles of the kings begins with King Hezekiah's death and centers upon his son King Manasseh and Elkaim's son Joshua .. it is a must read "
— Nk, 10/16/2013" The 4th book of the series, this one was very intense and stressful, and I have had to take a break between reading this one and the 5th. I read something light hearted inbetween, because these books are anything but light hearted! :) But still, excellent! "
— Erin, 10/10/2013" I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. Book Four in a five book series doesn't always hold much promise but this one was good. This series continues to grow my interest in the Kings of Judah. "
— Brad, 2/12/2013" The fourth book in a great series..one more and will be done! Really have enjoyed these stories.... "
— Mary, 1/7/2013" This series of books (this is #4) is a wonderful insight into the old testament stories and really helps personify the kings and people of biblical history. Inspired me to pull my bible & read the real stuff ! "
— Mary, 11/29/2012" Continues to be a great series in christian fiction based on the kings of the old testament. "
— Jennifer, 9/25/2012" Didn't enjoy this as much as the earlier ones in the series but it is worn persisting. And you feel compelled to see how the biblical story is filled out "
— Nicole, 5/23/2012" Oh wow! Lynn Austin really pours it on in this book! reads like a soap opera with all the undercover agenda, fears and evils that lurk in a persons heart! "
— Helene, 1/11/2012" Book 4, This was a dinner table discussion as my children were studying Biblical, Book of Kings at school, Austin does a great job of tieing history and todays emotional reaction into the story of love faith and hope. "
— Carol, 12/24/2011" This book was hard to get into but once the story line started to come into place I could hardly put it down! "
— Michelle, 4/6/2011" An OK book at best. Seems a little anachronistic at times. "
— Tom, 3/11/2011" I gave up reading the last 30 or so pages. The book dragged out. The entire series could have been done in 2 or 3 books at the most. "
— Will, 1/18/2011" Again, I love having the Old Testament brought home to me, even through fictional characters. I believe Lynn Austin has done due diligence with her research and stays pretty true to the facts and the times. "
— Diane, 9/8/2010" This is the 4th book in this series and they keep getting better! This one is about King Manassah and the poor decisions he makes. Excellent! "
— Leigh, 7/2/2010" This is a nice take on what is only about a paragraph of space in the Bible. Set in the days of the Kings of Israel, in this case Manasseh the evil king who sacrificed his first born son, a young man comes of age to lead the remaining faithful priest out of Israel to escape persecution. <br/> <br/> "
— Steve, 3/20/2010" More about the Old Testament kings, loved this series! "
— Janet, 1/22/2010" I read this book out of order- it's the 4th in a serious but I didn't realize it. It wasn't my favorite, but still pretty good. "
— Janeal, 1/2/2009Lynn Austin has sold more than one and a half million copies of her books worldwide. A former teacher who now writes and speaks full-time, she has won eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been made into an Original Hallmark Channel movie.
Suzanne Toren, award-winning narrator, has over thirty years of experience in narration. She was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine in 2019. She has won the American Foundation for the Blind’s Scourby Award for Narrator of the Year, AudioFile magazine named her the 2009 Best Voice in Nonfiction & Culture, and she is the recipient of multiple Earphones Awards. She performs on and off Broadway and in regional theaters and has appeared on Law & Order and in various soap operas.