The story of King Ahaz and his son Hezekiah told in novel form – and a powerful story it is too. Powerful enough when read in the Bible but dramatised in this way, I found horrific passages better to skip through so appalling were the things that happened - they were too explicit for me. Despite the evil perpetrated in the land there are still those faithful to Yahweh, notably Isaiah and the group of prophets he taught. There is hope throughout this bleak and terrible episode of history. Lynn Austin has taken the Biblical story and created a compelling and moving tale of love, hate, fear, forgiveness and faithfulness. I read far into the night to finish it. ‘A note to the reader’ at the start, outlines the historical background and gives the Biblical references so that you can read the Bible story for yourself.

Oh, what an amazing book this was and indeed the whole Chronicles of the Kings series. Found myself totally engrossed in the story. Could hardly put it down and it made me go back to the Bible to reread the passages around the story. Fantastic.