Shield of the Mighty (The King' Men, # 2)
By: Connilyn Cossette
Publication: August 20, 2024 by Bethany House Publishers
352 pages
Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Biblical Fiction
Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)
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Goodreads description--Captured by the Philistines as a young boy, Zevi has grown into a formidable warrior. As a captain in King Saul's army, he is assigned a crucial mission: Recruit soldiers, gather tribute for the royal coffers, and find talented artisans for the king's court. But when he is sent to Maresha, the town he was forced to leave as a child, he faces a startling truth--the elder council rejects King Saul and his campaign against their enemies.Yochana, a widow and skilled woman of business, is captivated by a stranger who enters her perfume shop. Upon discovering he is not only a soldier but a captain responsible for enlisting young men to die in battle, fury and pain from her past loss resurfaces, threatening to consume her. But when Zevi's actions in Maresha entangle Yochana in his radical scheme, they're forced to confront present dangers and past scars.
Embark on a journey through ancient Israel with bestselling and award-winning author Connilyn Cossette in this exhilarating tale of vengeance, justice, and healing.
I enjoyed Voice of the Ancient when I read it in 2023, and I knew I wanted to continue the series. Yet, when I received Shield of the Mighty for review, I ended up putting it off. The biggest reason is that books involving a mystery component can allow the plot to overcome the relationships. I don't like it when that happens. I end up enjoying the book less than I want to. I wasn't sure if the mystery part of Shield of the Mighty would overtake the character building, but I worried it would. I needn't have worried--in this case.
Zevi had an even more interesting backstory than Avi from the previous book. Yet, Zevi's adoptive father and mother have their own books in a prequel series, The Covenant House. (I haven't read the prequel series.) So it would make sense that Zevi's background would feel more fleshed out than Avi's. Zevi has grown up with a desire to become a warrior. He has a vendetta against the Philistines for capturing him as a young boy and murdering his family. Now a captain in King Saul's army, Zevi needs to recruit others to service. Yet he's finding that not everyone in Israel supports Saul or believes in his divine appointment.
Yochana is a grieving young widow. Her husband was killed already in a prior battle following King Saul. She is actually supporting those plotting against Saul. But when she meets Zevi, she has no idea that her life is about to change. Zevi can't explain why he captures Yochana to take her to Saul's court against her will. He knows that Saul will punish Maresha for not supporting his claim to the throne. And he doesn't want to see Yochana punished for the decisions of the city elders even though she supports the same decision. He kidnaps her to force her into King Saul's court as an artisan making perfumes for Saul's wife.
There's a bit of Stockholm syndrome as the two continue to grow closer to each other through their journey. Zevi is determined to find ample men to replace the ones that Maresha wouldn't supply, but he's having no luck anywhere he turns. And then to make matters worse, he hears potential news of his cousin, Keziah. He may be traveling with traders in the area and Zevi will never forgive himself if he doesn't try to find Keziah. But following this trail goes against Saul's orders for him, and his soldiers begin to question his ability to lead them.
Favorite quotes:
-"I have learned not to question Adonai's will. Only to obey."
-"I realized that my understanding of Yahweh was far too small and that I had no right to demand he bend to my will."
-"Somehow, while I was chasing after the world, Yahweh was still my shield."
-"Only Yahweh can stand as a righteous judge. Leave vengeance in his capable hands."
-"There is nothing wrong with fighting for our people, Zevi. It is a noble thing to sacrifice your life for another. But just as a soldier trusts his commander and a commander trusts his king, you must trust the King above all Kings to direct you. And as I've learned over these past years, the orders are more often whispered than shouted."
-By holding on to bitterness and hatred against those who'd wronged me, instead of giving thanks for how Adonai had rescued me from their grasp, I had become far more like my enemies than my God.
-"My only defense is that Yahweh was in it, Yochana. He placed me there, at the right time, and provided me with the perfect opportunity to join a work he'd already begun. I obeyed my orders."
And then from the author:
-We serve the God who spoke the universe into existence. The God who split the sea to rescue His people. The God who conquered death with an empty tomb. There is nothing at all that He cannot do. So keep your eyes on the Lord, my friend, for he is at your right hand. Do not be shaken (Psalm 16:8).
There are betrayals and near-death experiences. There are grand declarations of love and battle. Zevi and Yochana's relationship was beautiful to watch. I didn't need to worry about the plot taking over and overshadowing the relationships in this case, but I can see myself worrying about the same thing for the next release, Splendor of the Land. Shield of the Mighty gets 4 Stars. Have you read Shield of the Mighty? What did you think? Let me know!
