Book Club: Book Review of Voice of the Ancient

 

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Weaving together Biblical events and historical fiction is one of Connilyn Cossette's talents. In reading Voice of the Ancient to review, I was able to see the early years of Saul as king come to life. Cossette introduces readers to a beautiful land with harsh conditions. She also brings back the boys from Between the Wild Branches for another adventure. 

About the Book 

Voice of the Ancient is the first book in The King's Men series by Connilyn Cossette. She sets her story during the years that Saul sat on the throne of Israel. According to the author's note, Cossette feels that many gloss over the years Saul was king, but he was still chosen by God to unite Israel under one banner.

The early chapters of the book bring us into a battle with the Ammonites. Cossette has been fighting her own battles. For those who don't know, she shares in the book that she has battled cancer, which caused upheaval and deadlines that were pushed back. I think the extra time spent walking that path has brought something special to Voice of the Ancients.

The story focuses upon Avidan, the eldest son of a Levite and a Philistine, and Keziah, the daughter of a powerful clan chief. Both end up in the same area—near an invading force—and come to rely upon each other. 

Avidan leaves his home to join his cousins and friends to answer Saul's call to repeal the Ammonite invasion, while Keziah is on the road to escape a marriage to an evil man. The novel moves between each of these characters, allowing them each time to share their own viewpoint. 

My Thoughts 

First, let me share that I haven't finished reading Voice of the Ancient, but as I will be offline for over a week, I wanted to share my review now. The book was published in August, so I do not want to wait too much longer to share my thoughts about the book. I will be updating this post when I have finished reading it. 

Both of the main characters have drawn me into the story. By alternating the viewpoint between Avidan and Keziah, I am ready to keep reading well past bedtime because I want to know what has happened to both individuals. Their stories are compelling. 

I appreciate that Avidan wishes to try and forge a life for himself. As a member of the Levite bloodline, he is supposed to remain with his tribe. His family legacy is to share the stories of their ancestors but he wants something more. This leads him to join his cousins to fight the invading force. His experience with his first battle is very jarring and wonderfully written. 

Keziah's family is located very near the area the Ammonites have invaded. Her father is afraid for his land and people so he brokers a marriage with another powerful man between his daughter, Keziah, and that man. This man turns about to be very cruel so Keziah's maid intervenes. This leads Keziah to run away from her home where she meets Avidan. 

I love the interaction between Avidan and Keziah. They end up in an area where the people have not heard all the stories of Jacob and Joseph. So, Avidan barters the telling of the stories for dinner. Keziah has not heard these stories, either. In fact, her village doesn't just worship Yahweh but also Asherah as the consort. This seems foreign to Avidan. I appreciate that he tries to carefully explore Keziah's feelings towards Yahweh and the goddess.

I am eager to finish reading Voice of the Ancient to see where Avidan and Keziah end up. Will they find his cousin? Will they find her mother's family? What will become of Avidan's cousins who are still with Saul's army? These are great questions pushing the narrative forward.

Read more about one of Cossette's other books here: Until the Mountains Fall