Splendor of the Land ~ Review

Splendor of the Land 

The King's Men #3

By Connilyn Cossette

Gavriel skill with working metal earned him a place as a soldier under Yonatan. But his reckless ways find him with one final chance to prove himself. When he finds himself forced to marry a stranger, Gavriel is forced to face the unwelcome truth - he has turned into the man he most despises, his dead father. And his new wife may pay the cost if he cannot change his ways.

Zahava's skill with gold is a secret; if the truth were known, she would be in danger. Her family has hidden the truth for years, and if she cannot marry a man who shares her passion for goldsmithing, she may be forced to abandon her gift. 

I find it interesting how Gavriel's past and the guilt he carries force him to step away from what he knows to be right and true. Zahava, though not in open rebellion to God, doesn't trust God or her father to know how to best provide for her future. This was a story of redemption and second chances, of letting God have control in the midst of our fears and doubts.

The Splendor of the Land is the third book in The King's Men series. It is best to read the books in order. One could read this book without reading the other books, but there would be some definite gaps in understanding the backstory. While reading this book, I was reminded of the statement, "Let go and let God." The writing was excellent in both character development and detail. One could feel Gavriel's pain and Zahava's insecurities. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy Biblical fiction.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

"A triumphant story in which flawed characters face real choices and must rely on a real God to save them."--MESU ANDREWS, bestselling and award-winning author

Gavriel, a soldier in the elite company of Yonatan--son of King Saul--dreams of forging his destiny through crafting weapons with his own hands. Despite earning his place among Israel's finest, he is haunted by a dark past that no distraction can dispel. When his reckless behavior crosses a line, Yonatan gives him one last mission to prove his worth: help persuade a distant Kenite tribe to sever their ties with the Amalekites.

Zahava, a gifted goldsmith hidden behind her father's legacy, lives in the shadows due to her physical affliction. Her unmatched and unrecognized talent is a closely guarded secret within her family. Disheartened by a future that seems unattainable, she resigns herself to a life of obscurity. However, when Gavriel arrives in her village, they're tangled together in ways neither could have imagined. As they navigate unforeseen dangers and enemy threats, Gavriel must confront his past and either bend his knee to the One True King or lose the woman he loves forever.

Set against the backdrop of ancient Israel, this exhilarating Old Testament-era tale is threaded with themes of redemption, courage, and sacrifice. This Iron Age story will appeal to readers of biblical fiction, Francine Rivers, Tessa Afshar, and Angela Hunt.

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