Gods and Kings - Lynn Austin

Published by Bethany House Publishers/Baker Publishing Group: Bloomington, Minnesota/Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2005.
Book 1 of 'Chronicles of the Kings.'

One of my favourite Old Testament figures is King Hezekiah. I've even done two sermons talking about him. So, when I noticed this book series on my mum's book shelf (while we are staying at their house, between house purchases) I was interested enough to pick it up.

The book is an easy read, and only took a few sittings to get through, but despite the easy nature and a subject that I was predisposed to like, Gods and Kings didn't really 'grip' me as I read it.

I was wondering why, and eventually clicked that the narrative is a very 'literal' read - every feeling of every character is explicitly stated: he felt sad, she was angry, etc. This all makes it feel very... shallow. Weirdly.

I miss the metaphors. I miss the 'show, don't tell.' I want to feel engaged by the text, but I only feel informed.

As for the story, it is interesting... but without it "gripping" me it is simply average. This story fleshes out Hezekiah's childhood - the reign of his father, particularly - and has moments that should have great impact - two brothers are 'fed' to the god Molech, his mother is killed, his grandfather imprisoned - and yet, these things just 'happen.' In fact, some of these even happen "off-stage", possibly because Austin wants to spare her readers the scene of a 'beloved' character being executed. Unfortunately, this simply adds to the disconnect of emotions - I wasn't even fully convinced the character was executed until the book ended and they hadn't re-appeared!

Overall, this book hasn't sold me on Lynn Austin as an author, or this book series particularly. I understand that Austin is quite a popular Christian writer... but I'm not going to race to pick up her next book.

On the other hand, if I'm bored one evening, it was an easy read...

Completed 28 April 2026.

Previous Book ~ Next Book

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