King's Shadow

Author: Angela Hunt
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Series: The Silent Years #4

Two women occupy a place in Herod's court. The first, Salome, is the king's only sister, a resentful woman who has been told she is from an inferior race, a people God will never accept or approve. 

The second woman, Zara, is a lowly handmaid who serves Salome, but where Salome spies conspiracies and treachery, Zara sees hurting people in need of understanding and compassion. 

Powerful and powerless, Idumean and Jew, selfish and selfless--both women struggle to reach their goals and survive in Herod the Great's tumultuous court, where no one is trustworthy and no one is safe.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

King's Shadow by Angela Hunt is the final book in the Silent Years series. It was not only entertaining, but it was a fascinating look at Herod the Great and his descent into madness.

The author focuses on two main characters, Salome (Herod's sister) and Zara, Salome's handmaid. Both are telling the story from their perspectives, giving insight into the dangerous inner workings of a royal court, run by a man who had spies everywhere. Salome recounts how besotted Herod was with his new wife Mariamne and at first, you like Herod and picture him as just another man in love. But that soon changes as Herod's spies present him with evidence from various sources looking to unseat him from his throne.

I had researched Herod for a Bible study I had done on Daniel. It was interesting to see how the author took all this information and created such an intriguing story.

Now if you think because of Salome's name this is the same Herod who asked for John the Baptist's head on a plate, you would be wrong. This is way before that ever happened, during the time of Antony and Cleopatra, who are just two of a host of Biblical and historical figures that appear in this book.

The ending of King's Shadow makes me wish it had continued, but alas, this was about those silent years when the Jewish people did not hear from the prophets of God. If you have not read any of the books in this series, do yourself a favour and pick them up. While they all read as standalone's, this is a series you want to read in its entirety. Ms. Hunt is adept at bringing Biblical figures and history to life. You will find it hard to put this book down.

I highly recommend King's Shadow!

I received this book from Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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