Voice of the Ancient

by Connilyn Cossette

Book Overview

As the eldest son of a Levite and a Philistine, Avidan is torn between his duty to his family legacy and the desire for something more. When Ammonites attack the city of Yavash-Gilead, he takes the opportunity to fight with his cousins for the newly crowned King Saul. But when one of the cousins goes missing during the battle, Avidan stays behind to search for him in hopes that he's still alive.

Keziah is the daughter of one of the most powerful...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764238914
• ISBN13: 9780764238918
• Release Date: August 2023
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

5 out of 5 stars! I love this book!!!

This is a review for The Voice of the Ancient by Connilyn Cossette, book 1 of her brand new series called The King's Men, that will be released on August 15. I have the privilege of being on the launch team for this book as I am a huge fan of Connilyn's books, and this indeed was the privilege I thought it would be because I loved this story! When I read Connilyn's books, I feel like I am actually part of the stories, because the setting and the characters always engage me from the beginning, and it was the same with this book! I got carried away to Bible times, and felt like I got a front seat look into the Israelites' story that included familiar characters of the Levites, Samuel, King Saul, but then I also got to meet some new characters, the group of 4 young Israelite men Avidan, Zevi, Gavirel, and the youngest of the cousins, Shalem, who is just 15 years old, all of who are cousins that have grown up together, and who witness the crowning of Israel's first King, King Saul, and immediately want to follow him when he calls the men of Israel to arms! They have no idea what really is in store for them on this adventure! Plus I got to meet Keziah, a beautiful young Israelite woman who must overcome some great obstacles to learn to trust so she can get to safety, and be free. There are other characters too that make this an excellent story, but I will share about the main two, Avidan and Keziah. So Aviden hears the call to arms to join King Saul along with his young cousins, but he is torn because he is the son of a Levite and a Philistine, and he knows that being a Levite forbids him from fighting or going to war, but he refuses to be left behind! It has always been the four cousins together, and when King Saul calls for aid to help another of Israel's tribes, he decides to go along with his two older cousins, following them to fight in a battle, but they are followed by Shalem, who is not old enough to fight, but who also won't be left behind. Avi takes responsibility for Shalem, telling the others that he will watch over him while they are fighting. Avi tries to keep that promise, but Shalem gets lost in the confusion of the battle, and Avi is determined to find him, and bring him back home just as he promised. That leads him on an adventure that includes war and danger, but also where he runs into a young boy who needs his help, but later realizes that is no boy at all! We are also introduced to Keziah, a young, beautiful Israelite woman whose father is one of the most powerful clan chiefs of the tribe of Manasseh, and who finds herself forcefully betrothed a man who is only interested in money, and abuses his other wives and son to get his own way. She must flee from him before the wedding, and has to make her way to her mother's people, the Rehavites, who are descendents of Mosheh (Moses), who live in the land east of the Jordan, far from her father's household. The way is dangerous for a young woman whose only companion is her beloved stallion, Sarru, so she dresses as a boy, she must not only escape her betrothed, but try to find safety among her relatives. She gets unexpected help along the way, running into Avidan while he is looking for his young cousin, and they make a pact to travel together. Along the way, Avi & Keziah will have to work together because they will face many trials and danger. As they are faced with those challenges, they must learn to trust each other, and also trust and rely on the One who is guiding them, Ha-Shem, so they can survive every step of this dangerous journey, and so they will both find freedom and the purpose that Ha-Shem has for each of them!!! I absolutely loved this story! I learned a lot from these characters! From Avidan, I learned that going out from what God has for you, like Avi leaving his family because he wanted to do things his own way, was what we all do...we have to do our own thing away from God and His plans, and then we also pay the consequences of

Biblical fiction at its best

"His strong leadership was perfectly balanced with his humility, and although he was certainly not perfect, he never forgot who sat on the throne of the heavens." Every book by Connilyn Cossette I have read is perfection, deserving of the Carol and Christy Awards they have received, and this inaugural book of her new series is no exception. The author knows how to masterfully weave the reader into the era and culture of her story, with plenty of adrenaline-filled action, a touch of sweet romance, and rivers of spiritual and practical wisdom. She's a gifted storyteller who joins first-person voices of Keziah and Avidan to take us on an adventure that crosses to eastern side of Jordan during the early years of King Saul. I learned so much about how different tribes of Israel may have lived during that time and also saw these Bible stories through a different lens, as if I were truly living within the events. I will never read Saul's anointing, the battle at Yavesh (Jabesh), and Saul's coronation the same way again. I had always known that the infant Israel of this time was fractured and fragile but the author's vivid painting of the dissident political and spiritual landscape was eye-opening. Avi's kind, compassionate, loyal heart made me love him almost immediately. His growth in faith and maturity made me love him even more. His ordained talent of storytelling and his passion for reminding others of Yahweh's goodness, mercy, and faithfulness through stories made him the best kind of hero. Keziah with her tender, bruised heart was easy to love and her acceptance of the One True God was delightful to see. It's one of my favorite books of 2023! I am so happy that this series continues the lineage of families I loved in the author's previous series The Covenant House. This book (and series) can definitely be read as a stand-alone but having the background to Avi and his cousin Zevi's parents will make the story a richer experience. I received the book from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.