I always appreciate an author who makes me long to know more about the topic they're writing about, and I love it when it's based on a well-known story in the Bible but being introduced to a lesser-known story is especially rewarding. This is what Mesu Andrews does in "Brave: The Story of Ahinoam"! She uses two verses in 2 Samuel 3: 2-3 as the foundation for a captivating story about Ahinoam and Abigail, the first two wives of King David, but his first wife, Ahinoam, is the primary focus. Andrews states in her author's note that Ahinoam is mentioned six other times in the Bible and each time she is defined as a Jezreelite. From these few verses, she's created a story that kept me turning the pages, searching the scripture, and pondering "what-if?" I was captivated by this young woman who loved her husband wholeheartedly but realized that she would never be able to lay claim to all of his. She was dedicated, brave, and strong, and in most cases would have been enough for any man, but sadly, she would be the first of David's six wives. Appalling in today's society but acceptable because we know that it was all a part of God's Plan!

There are several authors that I trust and respect in the biblical fiction genre and Andrews is one of them! What did I especially enjoy about Brave? Each chapter begins with Bible scripture, there's more scripture scattered throughout the book, and the story is told through both David's and Ahinoam's viewpoints. True historical and biblical facts are deftly woven with fiction, and I found myself checking my Bible often as I continued to read! Ahinoam is a fascinating story that's made me want to learn more about King David's Brides. I just wonder if any of them will be as brave or appealing as Ahinoam?

If you enjoy fiction that's engaging, enlightening, and entertaining, grab a copy of Brave! I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy historical biblical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.

Brave by Mesu Andrews is AMAZING, and I don’t know how to review this AMAZING story. I’ve been trying to gather my thoughts into something coherent for days. I find that I have too many words. Too many feelings. I’m completely overwhelmed by this superb story.

Brave is set before David officially becomes king of Israel and while he is on the run from king Saul. Andrews does an absolutely phenomenal job of illustrating the level of stress upon David’s shoulders during this tumultuous time. There’s so much tension, I felt stressed for David. Page after page of running away from a literal insane man. Just when David and his soldiers and his soldiers’ families felt a modicum of safety, a modicum of normalcy, crazy king Saul and his army of thousands pop back up myopically determined to murder David and all his followers. It felt like the worst, most-stressful game of Whack-a-mole. But all these times were also awesome illustrations of God’s faithful and miraculous workings. I really loved the examples of true, deep faith in Yahweh as shown through Ahinoam, Ahinoam’s beloved father, and David. It’s a convicting illustration. There truly is nothing to fear with God on our side!

Ahinoam is a lovely character in this story, and the reason why I kept furiously turning pages well into the night. My reader-heart hurt for her so badly. I’m talking sobbing-like-a-baby kind of hurt. I understand Ahinoam’s struggles. She’s the plain Jane who loves Yahweh with her whole being. She’s the weird girl raised by a father. She doesn’t know how to be a proper girl and do proper-girl things, and the world loves letting her know how insufficient she is as a woman. Instead, she’s fierce. She’s a metal worker who knows how to make weapons and fights better than most men. For all intents and purposes, Ahinoam is a soldier and she doesn’t know how to be anything else. It takes Ahinoam a very long time to give her heart to king David. It takes a lot of prayer to Yahweh, a lot of cajoling and words of assurance from David, and a lot of support from her father and best friend, Zerry. Eventually, Ahinoam succumbs to David and gives her heart and body completely … and then he marries another woman, a pretty woman. I’ve never wanted to reach into a story more to protect one character and slap another. I understand the reasoning Andrews gives for why David marries Abigail, but, man, this moment sure did wreck me. Days after finishing this novel and I still feel raw and hurt on Ahinoam’s behalf. What a testament to stellar storytelling!

Brave is a novel I won’t forget. The scary, heart-pounding moments when king Saul was on the attack, the overwhelming weight of responsibility upon David’s shoulders, and Ahinoam’s almost constant heartbreak will all stay with me forever. Mesu Andrews has brought king Saul, king David, Ahinoam, and this time period to life. She’s made these Bible stories, these people who died a really long time ago, come back to life, and has illustrated that truly nothing is new under the sun. The human struggles of David’s time are the same human struggles of today’s time. The answer to human’s problems in David’s day is the same answer to our issues today — run towards God. What a wonderful reminder! I love this story, and I am so glad I read and wrestled with it. I truly cannot recommend this book enough!

I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on September 30, 2024, in order to review. I also received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing via NetGalley. I am under no obligation to leave a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

In the world of ancient Israel, Ahinoam--a dagger-wielding Kenite woman--flees her family farm with her unconventional father to join the ragtag band of misfits led by the shepherd-turned-warrior David ben Jesse. As King Saul's treasonous accusations echo through the land, Ahinoam's conviction that David's anointing makes him Yahweh's chosen king propels her on a perilous journey to Moab and back into Judah's unforgiving wilderness, only to encounter more hardship and betrayal. Amid the challenges, Ahinoam forges an unexpected bond with David's sister and gains respect among David's army through her knowledge of Kenite metalworking. Ahinoam, is scarred by past relationships,and isolates herself to avoid more pain and refuses to acknowledge her growing feelings for the renegade king. As King Saul's army closes in, Ahinoam must confront the true meaning of love, loyalty, and courage.

Mesu Andrews is a great writer of historical fiction of biblical characters. She uses the Bible as much as is possible and researches the times and places of the book so you feel like you are there with her characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting my request to read this new book by Mesu Andrews. I highly recommend!

I absolutely was enthralled with this book. It is the first time I have attempted to read Biblical Fiction, and I know now that I have been missing out. This was a well written and fascinating take from Ahinoam's view. I felt like the novel touched me on a deep level and will stay long after I have finished it. I can't wait for more from this author.

Thank you Net Galley ARC, Bethany House, and Mesu Andrews.

A knife wielding Warrior queen? Yes please!

I was thoroughly invested in Ahinoam's story. I loved her personality and her relationship with the future King David. She was a take charge kind of woman who spoke to David in a direct way, and it didn't matter if he was meant to be a king. I loved that about her. She was spunky and driven, but also had such a tender and broken heart. I also really loved the romance with David, and all of the side characters who became friends.

My favorite parts were the sweet connections between David and the Psalms. I loved how Mesu Andrews used the Psalms as a tool in David's life, rather than just as chapter headings. She actually made them part of David's character and had him sing and write the Psalms during his journeys and trials. I loved that!

*thank you to the author, #NetGalley and Baker Publishing for a complimentary copy of this book to read, all thoughts in this review are my own.

This story, set during King David’s early years, and featuring his wife Ahinoam, is well written with an engaging storyline and characters. The details of the setting and cultural context bring the time period to vivid life. This book is also thought provoking in that it casts light on aspects of familiar biblical characters’ stories that we might not tend to think about, and that may be uncomfortable or confusing to modern sensibilities. In fact, one might say that telling this story feels like a Brave choice on the part of the author. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, and find myself curious to read future books in the King David’s Brides series.

Thank you to the Publisher for providing an Advance Reader Copy through NetGalley for review purposes.

4.5 stars

“But anyone can be taken from you in the blink of an eye… So, remember the only One who never leaves you, never betrays, never abandons, never dies.”

In her author’s note at the end of Brave, Mesu Andrews said that she writes fiction in hopes that we’ll run to the Bible for truth… and boy did this story ever send me to Scripture! Typical of this author’s impeccable research, attention to detail, and rich imagination, she once again brought to life a little-talked-about Biblical woman – Ahinoam, one of King David’s wives. And when I say ‘brought to life’, I mean that Andrews gave Ahinoam a voice, a personality, a heart, and a soul to fill in the blanks that Scripture leaves us with a series of ‘what if’s that, while not to be taken as Biblical fact, gave me a new appreciation for what her life may have been like. The author put me in Ahinoam’s sandals, so that I felt her emotions on a deep, personal level of sisterhood, even in ways I did not expect to relate to her.

A large part of the feelings this story stirred in me is due to the fact that this is a series on King David’s brides… as in, yes, plural. Which means I spent the majority of my reading with a bittersweet knot in my throat and an uncomfortable pit in my stomach, knowing what Ahinoam and her love for King David would have to eventually experience – sharing her husband’s affections and attention with another woman who has the same rights and title as she does. (And then another… and another… etc.) I didn’t want to find King David swoony (even though I caved early to that resolve, thanks to Andrews’ masterful writing), and I found the accepted practice of a king taking multiple wives to be distasteful at best and sinful at worst. I was angry on her behalf, in a way that reading the Biblical account has never made me (but will from now on)… and isn’t that the power of fiction? To engage our emotions, to make someone’s circumstances personal to us, so that we see their story through fresh eyes and remember our shared humanity. I would only trust a novelization of David’s marriages to a select handful of authors, and Mesu Andrews is top of that list… and she showed such great care with this tricky premise.

But this story isn’t really… ultimately … about King David loving two or more wives. This is about all of us trusting God’s love enough to bravely obey Him even when it doesn’t make sense or when it requires more of us than we feel we are willing to give. And in order to trust His love for us that much, we need to be intentional about spending time with Him so we recognize His voice – and His heart – when He speaks. I was challenged and convicted as I observed Ahinoam’s bravery and David’s too, thanks to the alternating first person narratives from each of their respective points of view. Andrews’ insights into David are saturated with Scripture, as well as other historical sources, and I think she did a marvelous job portraying the relatable struggle between his very human flaws and his heart that earnestly sought God.

Bottom Line: Brave by Mesu Andrews introduces readers to a feisty and courageous warrior woman who loves her father dearly, makes some unexpected friendships, and captures the heart of a king. This bittersweet story engaged all my emotions and had me alternating between laughter, tears, and anger, and more importantly it sent me to my Bible and even to my knees. I’m not gonna lie – I remain very uncomfortable with the polygamous marriages at the center of this series, and I would prefer that it wasn’t a part of King David’s life, this man who sought the heart of God. But in presenting the whole truth of God’s Word, the author makes this story about more than Ahinoam or Abigail or even King David… it becomes instead a moving story of being brave enough to obey God in all things (not just the easy stuff) and a grace-filled reflection of the ripple effects of not doing so. Suffice it to say, I will be mulling over Brave in my heart for a long time to come. Fans of Connilyn Cossette & Tessa Afshar will want to read Brave too!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

This immersive work of Biblical Fiction drew me in to Old Testament days. I learned many things while enjoying this skillfully told story of Ahinoam and King David. While reading this book, I was able to imagine what these beloved characters might have experienced.

This book is richly filled with experiences and adventures of all kinds. Deaths, births, weddings, battles, alliances and betrayals were all part of this story. Heartbreaking expressions of lament were balanced with joyous times of worship and praise. There were victories, miracles, divine appointments and many examples of bravery. Lessons were learned, decisions were made and trust was earned.

Loving, loyal friendships played an important role in this beautifully written book. I especially enjoyed the ones between David and Jonathan, Ahinoam and Zerry.

This book captivated me and I enjoyed the time I spent in Ahinoam and David’s world.

I received complimentary copies of this book from Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Brave was the first book I’ve read by Mesu Andrews and certainly not the last!! Amazing imagery of the countryside that David fled to, as well as the customs and traditions of the culture. Such a powerful story of love and strength found only in God. It was absolutely eye opening to see things from Ahinoam’s perspective!

As a reader of biblical fiction, I have a process that precedes actually reading a new novel. First, I look to the author to determine the original text from which they draw their work. Then I read the original text and sit with it for a time to digest God’s holy word before diving into the novel. I want to hold the fact separate from the fiction, but have grown to love the way the fiction fills in context and points toward God’s truth while helping us consider things we sometimes don’t want to stop to consider. One thing many of us hesitate to ponder for long is the relationship between David ben Jesse, God’s anointed king, and his wives. It makes sense that we do not want to linger on the polygamist relationship of a historical figure we tend to put on a pedestal as the icon of a man after God’s own heart. This is an incredibly sensitive subject to cover, but I have great respect for Mesu Andrews and her approach to it in her latest release, Brave. Because the fact of the matter is that even a man after God’s own heart is still a man. David did have multiple wives. And they are important enough that God inspired man to record them by name in the Old Testament.

Brave is the story of Ahinoam of Jezreel, who is interpreted by Andrews as a Kenite with exceptional dagger throwing skills and who works with her father to forge weapons for David’s ragtag army during the years of running from King Saul. She is spirited, fierce, and loyal. She is also not interested in marriage or being a silly woman, like the mother who abandoned her and her father so many years ago. Yet the Lord works in mysterious ways. In this instance, it is to bring Ahinoam and David together as husband and wife, to forge their relationship as the Lord gives and takes away. Giving and taking provision, giving and taking friendships, giving and taking family. Through it all, they must learn grace and forgiveness. They must learn to praise Him and seek His will. They must learn to keep their focus on Him instead of their human desires. Especially when Abigail, widow of Nabal of Carmel, also becomes David’s wife.

Andrews is a voracious researcher and I am always fascinated by the context provided in her novels. It is an honor to camp in the wilderness with Ahinoam, feeling the cool walls of the cave at my back, if only in my mind. It is hard to avoid building relationships with the characters she brings to life in text, particularly this strong dagger throwing, God seeking match for the future king. Brave’s narrative switches between Ahinoam’s point of view and David’s, and though I initially thought I just wanted her POV, it did not take long to see that his is essential for greater understanding. Brave is an enlightening read, if not an easy one, and I now wait as patiently as I can for the next installment of the King David’s Brides series.

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.

Mesu Andrews is a new to me author, but this won't be the last time I read her novels. Ahinoam is a fearless warrior, but is complex because she fears her emotions and feelings towards the future King of Israel, David. Her struggle between being adequate as his wife yet rough around the edges and a master blade thrower is central to this novel. I didn't expect to read David's perspective, but I appreciated it. He is a man after God's own heart, but is a man, none the less. He struggles with situations and the weight of Samuel's anointing.

I could tell Andrews took much care in providing Biblically-accurate details where there was that information. I loved how she brought in so many verses from Psalm and just interspersed them like prayers to God. I will say that I struggled with tears in my eyes and pain in my heart through the polygamous lifestyle David led. I had to remind myself that just because he did have more than one wife does not mean that it was God's design for marriage. Yes, God worked through it, but doesn't make it any less difficult to read. Ahinoam's thoughts and feelings during this time broke my heart. Like tears streaming down my face kind of broken.

Do yourself a favor and read through this Biblical fiction of David's first two wives.

Thank you NetGalley, Bethany House, and Mesu Andrews for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Reading Biblical fiction can be challenging for me.
I find that I get in my head what I feel the bible characters are like or how they should behave--leading to some consternation when an author chooses to represent them differently. Thankfully, Mesu Andrews is one that while she may challenge me to explore "what if" in a different way than I've considered--she does it very skillfully.

Brave (as you know) is the first in a new series on King David's Brides. This one discusses MOSTLY Ahinoam and then Abigail. The lead characters in this story are Ahinoam and David. The book takes place during the time when King-elect David is on the run from sitting King Saul and being chased through the wilderness. It's during the time when he is building his Mighty Men and having confrontations with Saul's armies.

Woven through the book are the psalms of David as he's being inspired to produce them. I did enjoy that. Seeing him teaching his songs to the armies and their families.

I never really gave Ahinoam any thought besides knowing she was wife #2 (after Michal). This allowed me to suspend belief and explore the What If a bit more on her. I admit, her challenges at the end of the story when she's being confronted with the knowledge that David WILL take more wives and how she's going to navigate that...well. I won't say that I agree 100% with how the "understanding of God's will" was portrayed. But since there isn't anything biblical specifically about that--it gives author's license to explore it. And well, it DOES make the reader thing and have to contemplate their own ideas on it.

While not a favorite of mine by Mesu, it was still well done and I expect I will read more in the series.

4 Stars

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to review. All opinions are 100% my own.

This is a story of Ahinoam, wife of King David. While switching back and forth between David and Ahinoam’s perspectives, we witness both of them struggling with accepting who they are.

She struggles because she’s so different that the typical women of her day. And most of them won’t accept her. Where some people capitalize on their uniqueness, Ahinoam is torn between loving what makes her different and being confident in that life, and sadness that it isolates her so much. David has a hard time accepting himself, because he’s been rejected so much.

I really appreciated some of the explanations offered in this novelization, because they give depth and plausible ideas of the whys that aren’t recorded in the scripture. Right or not, they make sense, and don’t conflict with what we do know explicitly from the Bible.

The character growth and storyline made this book an excellent experience. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and chose to review it here. All thoughts are my own.

Brave by Mesu Andrew’s brings to life the life of King David on the run from King Saul. We are drawn in to the love story between David and Ahinoam. This story is rich in details and history. Andrew’s does not disappoint. She brings this time when David is on the run to full color. We see glimpses into the friendship with Jonathon the crown prince. We get a richer understanding of David’s relationship with his family and possible reasons for the distance. Some very familiar Psalms make an appearance in the story as well as some recognizable scenes from the Bible are played out as well. This story was a brave story about Ahinoam and her unusual career and how that affected her emotionally. I was enthralled with the storytelling. I look forward to the next installment of this series. If you are looking for a book to spark an interest in the Bible and the life of David this will whet your appetite. #Brave is worth the read. My thanks to #Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for the ecopy of the book in exchange for my review.

I have always enjoyed reading books by Mesu Andrews and this is no exception. She did a very good jo of telling the story of someone in the Bible I really had no recollection of.
The story flows well and the characters are believable. If you like Biblical fiction you will enjoy this story.
My only negative comment is in her interpretation of God wanting David to have more than one wife. I totally disagree with that concept and believe God only allowed it.

Wow! What a great read Brave by Mesu Andrews was! I loved the stories of David’s wives and can’t wait till August when the series continues. So inspirational, a keeper for my keeper book shelf! 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Highly recommend

Gosh how do you put into words all the feelings this book evoked? Mesu Andrews did such a fantastic job. I mean I would have never thought of telling the story of David's wives but here we are and she truly captivated me. This story had me feeling all the emotions. It was hard at first because our contemporary selves knows that God only meant for us to have one spouse and truly even in the times of David that is what God intended and you can clearly see that in Deuteronomy 17:17 however that is not really what happened and I can't even begin to imagine what God thought of the whole situation, what I do know is that God allowed it and despite there being generational consequences God had good reason for it after all David was the chosen one. But I have to say that was the hardest part of this story.

It is not many Christian fiction books that you read that you encounter multiple love interests so I am extremely curious how Mesu Andrews will continue this series of King David's brides because I fell in love with the character of Ahinoam. She was strong and brave but she was also trying to find herself and who she was in the scheme of things. I felt for her and I was ecstatic when she finally saw herself as the wife of a King but it completely broke me when the next wife came into the picture. Despite David reassuring Ahinoam about his love for her it was a hearbreaking moment.

I loved seeing the side characters in the story especially Jonathan. The love that he had for David was incredible. I am always praying that my kids find their "Jonathan's" in their life so to see their relationship unfold in the story was truly amazing. I also really enjoyed seeing the Psalms come to fruition and how they came about while they were running from Saul.

Overall despite it being one of those reads that was hard to read I really enjoyed the story. As always with Biblical Fiction it is truly fascinating how an author brings forth life to an unknown and gives it what I like to call a "what-if". Mesu Andrews did that through this story and I am definitely interested in seeing how the next book unfolds more of the story.

I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Mesu Andrews does a marvelous job of telling the story of the woman who became David's second wife. Brave is historical fiction at its finest. Taking Biblical history and fleshing out the story, Andrews brings readers a thoroughly captivating read. With descriptive prose that makes the reader feel like you are right there in the scenes and realistic dialogue, the author expertly portrays the struggles and emotions of the characters as they deal with every day circumstances while fleeing from King Saul. I read a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley and was not required to write a review. Readers who enjoy realistic Biblical fiction will not want to miss this one. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, King David's Brides.

Andrews did a great job of bringing these biblical characters, and situations, to life. She made the characters believable, the interactions compelling, and dealt with some sticky situations with grace. A great read!

Brave was a delightful beginning to a new series by Mesu Andrews. It highlighted an element to Old Testament fiction that is often glossed over: the idea of multiple wives in many of the kings and leaders.

I really liked Ahinoam, although I did feel like there was a small part of her story arc wasn't completed, though maybe that was intentional. I felt like she never really figured out that being emotional didn't make you a "silly woman", it makes you human. However, Mesu brought to life David and the gritty reality of his life and family in a way that I really appreciated.

I LOVED the cover of this book! I kept staring at every time I opened the webpage...

Overall, great book! I'm curious to see what is next!