From the very beginning, with the four cousins hiding above and spying on the proceedings as the nation of Israel waits with bated breath for lots to be cast and a king to be called forth, Voice Of The Ancient moves furiously and eloquently through the bloody beginning of Saul’s reign. Zevi, Gavriel, Avidan, and Shalem are cousins on the cusp of manhood when the new king’s ragtag volunteer army is called up for battle and the pact of their blood brotherhood is put to the test. With two of them meant for the life of a soldier, the others must decide who they are and who they are meant to be in the eyes of the One Who Sees. And the One Who Sees has a plan beyond their rebellion. For Avi, that includes crossing paths with a young boy who is mistaken as his missing cousin and who is not actually a boy, but a woman in disguise for the sake of her treacherous journey to the safety of family she has never known. As Avidan and Keziah search for his missing cousin and her family, they learn together to listen to the Voice Of The Ancient for guidance.

Connilyn Cossette writes this coming of age story filled with turmoil and hope in a message about value and redemption from the One who gives both. I tried so hard to read it slowly and savor every detail, but was captivated from page one and finished it in a day. Connilyn has a great knack for truly immersing the reader in the lives of her characters. I am particularly fond of the longstanding relationships built throughout the course of her novels, which could be read enjoyably as standalone stories, but have a richness in the familiarity that has been developed through generations as I have read each of her novels.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

BOOK REVIEW - Voice of the Ancient - Connilyn Cossette - 4/5 Stars

THE STORY
Connilyn Cossette is one of my favourite authors and I'm so in awe that she was able to write this story while being so unwell. While storywise it wasn't my favourite of hers, the lessons within the story were so profound and thought provoking. Voice of the Ancient is so rich in Biblical history that the whole time I was reading, I just wanted to go read my Bible to remind myself of the stories it contained. While I love my warrior battling heroes, this story was a welcome reminder that there is nothing glorious about war and that there are other ways to 'fight' that can be more powerful when you have Yahweh by your side. This book is a great kickoff and I'm so excited to read the rest of this series!

THE ROMANCE
I think the romance was the reason I didn't fully embrace this story. I have a personal pet hate for insta-romances that occur over a matter of a few days/weeks. Avidan and Keziah were extremely sweet but a bit too young for my liking. The older I get the more I want mature characters and romances.

THE TRUTHS
When you read through the early years of the Hebrew nation, the one consistency you'll notice is that they kept forgetting everything God had done for them which led them to sin and its consequences. We must always always remember the great things He has done for us, blessed us with and forgiven us for. When we forget, we begin to doubt God's goodness and promises and seek answers elsewhere leading us away from Him. So remember to count your blessings, be thankful and remind yourself and others of God's continued goodness to us, His loved ones.

Voice of the Ancient by Connilyn Cossette is such a good story. I was captivated by the end of the first chapter and did not want to put this book down. I have been a high school teacher for 18 years. I know teens. I love how Cossette perfectly captures the bravery, honesty, and immaturity of her main characters. This story begins with teen boys being teen boys: wrestling, playfighting, and goading each other. Then a real-world, adult thing happens — King Saul summons all able-bodied men, 20 and older, to fight against the Ammonites. Disregarding the advice and wisdom of his father, Ronen, 18-year-old Avidan sneaks off to join King Saul’s army. Full of arrogance and the assuredness that comes with being 18, Avidan thrusts himself into his first military skirmish…and things don’t go as he had planned. Every adult reading this story will shake their head and say, “Yep. Should have listened to your dad.” Being a teacher to teens, I knew Avidan was heading into trouble, but I also knew he had to experience and live through the consequences of his actions and choices. Adults can give all sorts of well-meaning advice and wisdom. Some kids genuinely take it to heart, but most kids have to live life and learn the hard way. Avidan, it turns out, has a lot to learn and what ensues is a beautiful and adventurous coming-of-age story about humility, truth, relationships, and responsibility.

Keziah is a quiet, unassuming 16-year-old who blossoms into a strong and courageous woman of action. I love how brave she becomes. I don’t know if I could do half of what she does throughout this story. I also appreciate that she is willing to listen, learn, and adjust. At the start of her story, Keziah has long-standing, but incorrect, beliefs. But as she listens to Avidan, as she allows him to be her teacher, she understands that her long-held ideas are grossly incorrect and she needs to ask forgiveness, denounce her incorrect views, and move forward in truth. Her journey to this understanding is fraught with all the things women fear most (seriously, as a woman, I was so tense for most of this story), but she picks herself up by her bootstraps and does what needs doing regardless of how scary a situation might be. She really is quite the tough cookie! It does help that she has her life-long companion — an amazing war horse named Sarru — and Avidan to help her through this arduous journey. The relationship between Avidan and Keziah, from strangers who help each other out, to trusted friends, to lovers, is fantastic. The chemistry is there from the beginning, but the pacing and timing of their budding relationship is realistic. I was initially worried at the start of this story that I would struggle with Keziah’s pretending to be a boy because I hate what I call the Victor/Victoria trope. You know, where one character lies about who they actually are for most of a story, falls for the hero (or heroine) while they are smack dab in the middle of the lie, and then reveals their story in a way that makes the lie OK? I hate this trope because it means the relationship’s foundation is a lie. But Cossette is a master of her craft. I had nothing to worry about. She navigates the situation in a way where there really is no lie, making Avidan and Keziah’s relationship real and based on a strong foundation. So good!

As with all my reviews for a Cossette novel, this one does not do Voice of the Ancient justice. The book is just too good and too full of amazing truths and adventurous moments for me to adequately cover in a single review. I loved every second of this story and highly, highly recommend it. If you are a fan of Biblical literature, if you love solid, well-researched Historical Romances, and if you love masterful storytelling, then I recommend you get a copy of this novel ASAP. Voice of the Ancient is a 2023 #MustRead you do not want to miss!

I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Bethany House Publishers, via NetGalley in order to review. I also purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on July 5, 2023. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Great piece of Biblical fiction and great opener to a new series--it left me totally wanting to read the subsquent books in the series to find out what will happen to Avi's cousins (who I presume will be the male protagonists in the rest of the series).
I really liked seeing Avi's journey, both physically as he searched for his cousin and spiritually as he came to know more both about Yahweh and himself, and how he came to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. I found Keziah, an Israelite who had unknowingly strayed from truly following God, coming to know Yahweh, to be quiet compelling as well. I quite enjoyed learning a bit about this period in history. I think my favorite elements of the book, though, were the reminders that Yahweh is the God who Sees and the God who Hears--and that no one is beyond His view or His hearing.
4 stars.
I read an ARC publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is the first book in a series, set in the era of newly-crowned King Saul and of Samuel the prophet. The story focuses on four cousins to start, in their young adult years eager to grow up and be men of war. The problem is, Avidan is a Levite and his place is as a future musician. In an act of rebellion, Avidan takes off with his cousins to join the King’s army, and begins a journey of adventure and great trial. In this journey, he meets Keziah, a runaway bride seeking sanctuary with her mother’s family while her horrible bridegroom chases after her. With dangers on all sides, these two young people come to trust and rely on each other for survival, finding friendship and something more along the way.

With immersive and beautiful imagery, I was swept away into this ancient world and times - on the edge of my seat with just the right amount of adventure, suspense, and gentle romance. A coming-of-age tale, I especially enjoyed Avidan’s growth in wisdom and understanding as he tried to right his wrongs, and how tender he was toward Keziah along with his courage in protecting her. Keziah was the perfect match for Avidan, with her sweet personality and bravery.

The conclusion was a bit rushed - as far as the development of their relationship. And I was disappointed in the lack of closure with Avidan’s family after his behavior and all he’d put them through. This overshadowed what could have been an amazing ending. But that aside, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to teens and adults. It is a clean read with mild violence.

I was given this book for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Connilyn Cossette never disappoints! Her Biblical fiction is so well written. You can tell the time and research she puts into her books. This makes it so easy to become fully immersed in her stories. I feel like I can easily picture her characters and the places she takes me. Speaking of her characters, they always worm their way into my heart. Voice of the Ancient, book 1 of The King’s Men series, was no different.

I loved Avi and Keziah’s story! So many unpredictable things happened that I hard a hard time catching my breath! I enjoyed every second of it! The character growth for both Avi and Keziah was so well done and their relationship was just perfect!

The childhood bond between Avi, Shay, Gavi, and Zevi - the next stories in this series- is definitely tested in this story as they start to find their own ways. I can’t wait for the rest of the stories to see what happens to them and their relationships with each other.

I highly recommend this story and any other story by Connilyn Cossette. Her Biblical fiction is the best!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is very prominent throughout. 5 stars!

Wow! Amazing! I love Connilyn Cossette books! I hated to finish it. This is another amazing book from Connilyn Cossette. The story weaves so effortlessly and draws you into ancient Israel. This book captivated my heart and calls me to worship the One Who Sees. The characters learn to trust God, even when they don't understand how the circumstances could possibly be good. I can't wait to read the adventures of the next book(s) about the King's Men!

Connilyn Cossette is back with a gripping new series, The King’s Men! Return to Ancient Israel as King Saul assumes the throne and the Ammonites attempt to conquer the North.

After an anticipatory two-year wait, Connilyn Cossette returns to our bookshelves with an enthralling new book, Voice of the Ancient. Filled with rich history, relatable characters, and profound lessons in faith and obedience, this book swept me off my feet, immersing me into pages of the Bible I’ve read dozens of times but never taken the time to consider… until now.

"Let our enemies underestimate us and our God, as they had always done. We would show them that a well-crafted sword alone does not make a warrior but a heart of fierce devotion to his king and country can transform the humblest of men into legend." ~ Connilyn Cossette

Voice of the Ancient is an incredible novel, written with clarity and depth, that transformed a few chapters in 1 Samuel into a vivid experience. I genuinely admire Connilyn Cossette’s ability to bring these historical events to life and dive into the twelve tribes of Israel’s differing opinions, lifestyles, and beliefs. After everything Yahweh did to take His people out of Egypt, you’d think they would worship Him forever, but after settling in the Promised Land, many turned away, forgetting their history and adopting their neighbor's gods. Watching Keziah open her heart to Truth as she listened to Avi tell the stories of their ancestors was beautiful to witness. Avidan’s own journey from rebellion to embracing his true calling was also inspiring. I loved seeing these characters grasp the true meaning of Yahweh’s steadfast love and grace. 

"I clung to him and wondered how it was that he’d stumbled into my life when I needed him most. It was almost as though some unseen hand had gently shepherded us onto the same path." ~ Connilyn Cossette

While many of us read to escape our world, Voice of the Ancient’s captivating storyline is more than entertainment; it’s a reminder to hold tight to God’s promises and trust that He knows what is best for us. Though we might think we know better or that the weight is ours to carry, Avi and Keziah’s story shows us that the Ancient One is always there to light the path and release us from burdens that aren't ours to fulfill. In her author’s note, Connilyn writes of the modern parallels between her character’s struggles and our own lives, urging us to examine the divisions, misconceptions, and distractions that cloud our spiritual identity and purpose. I pray the reminder of our sacred covenant with Yahweh and the call to stand against the Enemy will be woven into the hearts of everyone who picks up this book.

"The anointed one shall abide by the counsel of the Most High, The voice of the Ancient One to light his every step. A shield to both the humble and the valiant, His mighty fortress offers refuge to all who call on the Name. From ashes and dust shall his glory arise, a diadem of splendor to grace the head of the lowly." ~ Connilyn Cossette

Lastly, I cannot forget Sarru, Keziah's horse, who consistently stole the spotlight with his charisma and charm — he reminded me of Black Beauty. I hope this won't be the last we see of Sarru or Connilyn's portrayal of animal companions!

*Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with a pre-release copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.*

Connilyn Cossette's latest offering presents wonderfully developed characters within a captivating journey through time. Her descriptive writing and adept story development kept me captivated. This is such an enjoyable read for fans of Biblical fiction (and Cossette!)

Voice of the Ancient had a very slow start for me. The background story needed to be established for both of the narrating characters. But I think it was about 30+% before I felt invested in the story and wanted to keep reading.

Avidan is a Levite. He isn't meant to go to war. His future is serving the priesthood and God. But Avi rebels against the path that has been planned for him. He wants to go with his cousins to fight. He wants to be a warrior. So when the call for every able-bodied man comes from King Saul, Avi slips away with his cousins to join the fight. He has one cousin that is old enough to fight, one who is just shy of being of age, and then their little cousin sneaks out and follows at a distance. Avi quickly finds out that the battlefield is not the place for him, and to be honest, it's a miracle that he survived the battle. When he returns to the spot his younger cousin is supposed to be hiding out waiting for him, Avi finds him missing and a bunch of blood and hyena tracks. The other two cousins believe him to be dead, but Avi can't face going back to his home and his aunt and uncle without his cousin and so he sets out to find him.

Keziah's mother passed away a while back, and her father hasn't treated her the same since. His other wives and their children never treated Keziah very well. And now she's basically being sold to a man in marriage in return his people will protect the clan from the threats around them. The man she has been promised to his much older than her. He is already married to more than one woman, and he gives Keziah no indication that he will be a good husband. In fact, he bruises her simply for speaking to his son. Keziah's mother's faithful servant helps her escape by dressing her like a boy and taking her place in her wedding clothes to fool her betrothed. Keziah runs into Avi when he thinks that she might just be the cousin that he's looking for.

Avi can't let Keziah travel by herself. She's already been robbed and nearly beaten. And besides, traveling with her to her mother's people is actually in the same direction as the only lead his has on his cousin. So two birds with one stone. These two of course fall in love on the way as they share their pasts and experiences and lean on each other for safety and comfort from the challenges they face and the memories they've left behind.

I have to applaud Connilyn Cossette for the amount of research she must have done to be able to write this story so deeply rooted in the culture and historical events happening during this time. She wrote the story and culture in such a way that I wasn't bored or put off. I was interested. And honestly, the number of Biblical stories she was able to include due to Avi's affinity to tell stories was really impressive. Also, reading the Bible growing up, I've so often wondered how it was possible for God's chosen people to so easily forget Him, His miracles, His promises. But Connilyn Cossette does a great job showing how easily this happened. I liked her author's note on how she saw so many parallels between this time period and the one we live in now.

Favorite quotes:
-"A truly great leader will inspire his people to unite, not threaten them into submission."

-"There is no glory in war, only destruction."

-"In the kingdom to come, we may understand all. But for now, our eyes are blind to the ways of the Ancient One, are they not? Only Yahweh knows the end from the beginning. You, my new friend, do not."

-...if there was anything I'd learned from Avi's stories of Yahweh, it was that love was nothing without sacrifice.

I also highlighted three lengthy quotes from the author's note at the end, but I'll refrain from including those.

Voice of the Ancient had a slow start for me. But once things got going I got sucked into Avi and Keziah's story and their journey. I wasn't thrilled that we didn't have any closure on the cousin (I can't remember his name), but I imagine he will take the lead role in an upcoming book in this series. I was so impressed with the amount of history woven into this story. Connilyn Cossette did a wonderful job, and I will certainly be back to check out the other books in this series. Voice of the Ancient gets 4 Stars. Have you read Voice of the Ancient? What did you think? Let me know!

This is the beginning of a new series and a spinoff from a previous series Connilyn Cossette wrote. You do not need to have read the previous series to start this one but it was fun to see this families come to life again.

This is a wonderful story of God's love and presence in our lives, even when we aren't being completely faithful to him. He will always welcome us back to him with open arms.

As the author mentions in her note at the end of the book, we often don't give Saul much thought, especially the beginning of his reign. I loved that this story focuses on that time, causing us to think about him as a normal person given great responsibility, as more than a paranoid ruler.

The characters in this story are relatable. At times, it cause tears of joy. I look forward to their stories continuing on in the next book.

This story is set in the time of Samuel the last Judge of Israel and Saul the first king of Israel. More specifically 1 Samuel 8 - 12. The main character is Avidan the son of Eliora and Ronen from “To Dwell Among Cedars”. Avi is a Levite, but he desperately wants to join his cousins Gavi and Zevi in fighting for his people under their newly appointed king. He sneaks away from home and goes with his cousins to join the army as it’s preparing to fight the Ammonites. Their younger cousin Shalem follows them even though he is too young to fight. The prequel novella, “The Wedding Gift”, is available from the author for download when you preorder this book. I highly recommend reading it before this book because is gives a greater understanding of the four cousins and their relationship. I have a feeling their “brotherhood” is a central relationship in this entire series.
The battle against the Ammonites reveals a lot about each of the young men and one of them is separated from the rest. They are each forced to leave their childhood behind at that battle in different ways. I believe each one of them has now begun a journey to discover the men God wants them to become. Avi sets off on his own to find his missing cousin. Along the way he meets Keziah. She is the daughter of a wealthy chieftain from the tribe of Manasseh, living across the Jordan River. She has run away from home after her cowardly father promises her to a violent, much older man in marriage. She is disguised as a boy, but inadvertently reveals the falsehood to Avi early on. They join forces to find his cousin and her mother’s family. Along the way Avi learns a different way he can fight for his people. Keziah learns about the true God of Israel and discovers her true worth in Yahweh’s eyes through Avi’s teaching and the love she finds in Avi and her family. The lessons learned by Avi and Keziah are profound.
The insight into the lives of the people living in Israel at this time is eye opening. Mrs Cossette brings the Bible to life through her fictional characters and give us deeper understanding of the complexity of the times. I don’t always think of the divisions between the Israelites and the fact that there were large groups of them that barely knew anything about the God who chose them and gave them their land. The sweet romance between Avi and Keziah is like the icing on the cake. I was in tears at one point when it seemed like they would be separated for good. I cannot wait for the next books to find out what happens to Zevi, Gavi, and Shalem!
This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to give a favorable review.

I couldn’t wait for this book to come available to read! I’ve loved Connilyn Cossette’s books for years, and although I know her writing hiatus wasn’t by choice, I am really glad that she’s been able to come back with another story. I may have bugged the publisher a little to get a copy to read (nicely, of course), and I was excited to finally be able to dive in.

There was so much to love in this story!

1. Setting: I’ve never known Cossette to not deliver on the setting. No matter whether you’re climbing up to a cave, watching a waterfall splash over the rocks, or (as in this book) stuck in the middle of a wedding feast, she nails it. And she does it well.

2. Characters: I loved the way Avidan saw the world, and the way he was able to translate what he saw into stories…I’d love to have that gift. And Keziah…I felt so sorry for her, but admired her courage, too!

3. Family: I think this is true of almost all of Cossette’s books, but the healthy families she depicts are the kind of families that don’t appear in fiction very often these days. There was one family in particular that I really fell in love with in this story—I wish we could have had more time with them!

4. Gentle romance

5. HISTORY! This time period is hardly ever covered in fiction, so that aspect of the story was pretty neat.

There were a couple of things I struggled with, too. People were shown eating dairy and meat in the same meal, which was prohibited in the Mosaic law, and an unmarried couple spent a lot of time alone traveling together, which I don’t think would have happened in that context.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. But several times, the historical inconsistencies jerked me out of the story. Regardless, it was great to get a bit of a peek into Ancient Israel, and I found this to be a gripping, fast-moving read. I loved the characters’ spiritual growths through the story (this book had some of the best I’ve seen in a while!), and I loved the wisdom sprinkled throughout the book.

I particularly loved this quote from Ronen:

“Those songs don’t teach us about ourselves, son. They teach us about the God who freed us. Because if we forget who Yahweh is, if we let ourselves slide down that slippery slope, then we are no different from the nations around us.”

If you enjoy Biblical fiction with a dash of romance and adventure, you’d probably enjoy this story.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

Wonderful beginning of what promises to be a great series! I love the fact that the author chose to set the series during the early years of King Saul's reign, a setting that has not been explored much by authors of Biblical fiction.

In Voice of the Ancient, readers will be captivated by Avidan and Keziah's story. Avidan chafes under the restraints of his destiny as a Levite, longing for adventure and glory in service to the newly crowned king. Readers will find his journey compelling, as he learns that following his own will leads to unexpected consequences and disillusionment. Keziah is running away from an abusive betrothal and finds safety as she journeys with Avidan.

I found this to be an engaging blend of rich historical detail woven into a story filled with action, danger and a sweet romance. While there is a satisfying conclusion to Avidan and Keziah's story, the author masterfully leaves some loose threads, foreshadowing intriguing storylines as the series unfolds.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book was AMAZING! I was so excited to hear the story of Avidan and Keziah! They traveled together on their separate journeys to find not only their family but themselves. I was slightly disappointed not to get closure on the missing cousin but I know he has his own story to tell! Cannot wait for the next one.

This was another WONDERFUL read by Connilyn Cossette! This is the beginning of The King's Men series, which is a spinoff from the Covenant House series. If you haven't read that series, you won't be lost, but if you have, you will enjoy seeing more about the families that Natan and Eliora end up with. This book takes place when Saul is crowned king of Israel. When the Ammonites attack Jabesh Gilead and Saul brings Israel to their aid, the tribes are united. This was an interesting and innovative look at this time in Israel's history, well after the deaths of Moses and Joshua, after which the tribes each went their own way. It was interesting to see how the coronation of the first king brought some unity.

If you pre-ordered this book, and received a copy of the novella that bridges the gap between the Covenant House and King's Men series, you're already familiar with the hero of this book and his cousins. (I definitely recommend this prequel novella as it sets the stage for this book very nicely!) This book follows Avidan, who longs to escape his lot in life as a Levite musician and find glory in the battles under the new king of Israel. When he sneaks off with his cousins to go to the battle, he finds more than he bargained for. As he seeks out a cousin who goes missing after the battle, he also finds a young woman on the run. They join forces to help each other and they both find more along the way. I enjoyed seeing Israel from Avidan's vantage point. Having grown up in a Levite community where the Ark of the Covenant was hidden and Yahweh was revered, he learned pretty quickly that not all of Israel believed the way his family did. As Avidan and Keziah travel - him in search of his cousin and she in search of her kinsmen, they both learn more about the God Who Hears and how He cares for them.

This was a beautifully written novel that dealt with a little-spoken-of time in Israel's history. Deep themes of God's love shine through the story line. With richly developed characters, a brilliant look into the old testament times, a bit of mystery, lots of action and adventure, I could not get enough of this story. It was thoroughly enjoyable, wonderfully convicting, and has me wanting more! Though the main story-line had closure, there is still a bit that is wide open that we need to get answers to. I can't wait to see what comes next! Special thanks to Bethany House and Netgalley for an advance e-copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

I had compassion for Keziah the second I met her. I spent a lot of this book worried for her safety, because really, Ms. Cossette did an excellent job of making her sympathetic.

I loved Avidan's character and the way he protected Keziah. The romance between these two characters began as friendship and slowly evolved into more.

Voice of the Ancient will remind readers of the importance of following YWH instead of our own thoughts or other human beings.

Voice of the Ancient is a fabulous start to a new Connilyn Cossette series and I look forward to the reading the other books.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley as part of the author's launch team.

As usually, Cossette creates wonderfully developed characters with depth. I always like her descriptive writing and the development of the story. I'm usually not a big fan of Biblical fiction, but Cossette knows to keep my attention throughout the book. This book is a pleasant journey through time that I would recommend to readers that enjoy Biblical fiction.

*I received an eCopy from the publisher. Thank you! This does not affect my review. My review is voluntary.*

I think this one might have overall more of a 3.5 for me, only because of how much I loved [book:Like Flames in the Night|46125029], and as my first book by her, I've yet to find another that really compares. That's not to say this one isn't good! It's just hard for me to fairly rate a story after finding one that sow beautifully spoke to my soul the way Tirzah's story does. Alas, I'll try to review this one fairly though.

I loved meeting Keziah, and really did enjoy her story. She has a gentle courage and spark that I adored and I enjoyed seeing her learn and grown in her travels. I also really liked seeing the boys grown up, and can't wait for the other stories, but as the first book in the series Avidan's story is a brilliant start to what looks to be a wonderful new series!

I also loved Sarru! I mean, let's be real here, he's the real star of this book!

But really, this story has a lot going for it. I enjoyed the glimpses of history and Jewish/Isreal's culture during this time period, from the rise of their first king, to a war breaking out soon after. That paired with the faith elements and a bit about the 'divide', or those tribes that were separate by time and distance across the Jordan and a little about how they lost their way and the Redemptive power of YHWH to bring HIS people back to HIM. I loved seeing Keziah's faith journey as well as her personal journey and character growth. This young lady has some crazy impossible odds to overcome and some horrible situations to endure, yet she's a champ all the way! I know I wasn't the only one cheering her on as the story plays out!

I also appreciate the quiet wisdom and maturity we see later on as Avi realizes his mistake and becomes a better leader, son, and man than when he first left home by the time the story ends. I knew we'd get character growth, as that's one of the things I love more about Connilyn Cossette's writing, but wow, I was actually a little surprised (in a good way!) but the amount of growth we see, and the depth of wisdom in his arc!

Connilyn Cossette, you are amazing! I'm so glad you have many stories you are eager to write because I am just as eager to read them! Friends, I have read all her Biblical based fiction novels and they never fail to transport me to a world filled with dusty roads, tunics and voices from the past. She quickly became one of my favorite voices in Biblical fiction and she never fails to touch my heart. She wrote Voice of the Ancient while battling illness and I was prepared to offer grace, thinking this might not be her best work. You guys! I think this ended up being her best! While her stories are set during Biblical times, they usually surround a specific event and are focused on imaginary characters, depicting what their lives may have been like during that experience/time period. So, if Biblical fiction doesn't sound like your thing, but you like Historical fiction I'd encourage you to give it a try.

Voice of the Ancient begins a new series which is a spin off of Between the Wild Branches. It focuses on four cousins who were young boys at the end of that story but have become men eager to fight for the newly crowned King Saul. I think you'd easily be able to dive right into this series without having read the Between the Wild Branches. From the gorgeous cover to the authors note (definitely read it) at the end, this story touched my heart. After one of the boys goes missing, they separate and Avidan begins his quest to find his missing cousin. He teams up with a runaway, desperately fleeing an unwanted arranged marriage, and from there Avidan and Kez's adventure begins. It's a lesson in learning to trust and a reminder of our call to be set apart, showing the love of God to others through our actions/ speech.

Read this book if you like:

Bonds of friendship/family
Danger
Romance
Forgiveness
Faith Based Message


Thank you Connilyn Cossette, Bethany House and Net Galley for the complimentary copy of Voice of the Ancient. The opinions expressed here are my own.