DEBORAH; PROPHETESS OF GOD by H.B. Moore

After years of mistreatment, the Israelites prepare to defend themselves against the oppressive Canaanites. Readying for war not only takes secret military training but also an Israelite leader who is willing to both stand against generations of oppression and follow God.

Deborah, a young Israelite woman, lives a quiet and isolated life with her father and brothers. As a shepherdess in the hills near her home, she knows well the perils of her work. But when faced with incredible danger, she witnesses a series of remarkable events that preserve her life. The hand of the Lord is apparent, and it is clear that hers will be no ordinary life.                

Years later, Deborah is a faithful wife and mother when she learns that the Third Judge of Israel has died--and she has been called to take his place. It is a tumultuous time in history, and soon, Deborah--prophetess, judge, and military leader--faces a seemingly insurmountable task: alongside the commander of the Israelite army, Deborah must lead ten thousand soldiers in their final campaign against their Canaanite oppressors with only her faith in God to guide her.

More Biblical Novels by H.B. Moore:

Esther the Queen

Ruth

Eve: In the Beginning

Anna the Prophetess

The Moses Chronicles

 

 Opening line:
"Laughter echoed against the hillside where Deborah crouched as she watched the two dozen Canaanite soldiers set up camp."

Another fantastic Biblical story told by H.B. Moore. She knows how to weave setting, language and characters into a believable story.

Deborah is a woman from the Bible who scared off Canaanite soldiers, killed a lioness with a bow and arrow and later, became a judge in Israel and led them to victory over the Canaanites. She's basically a She-Ra in Bible times.

What I love about H.B. Moore's Women in the Bible stories, is that I want to know more about these women. I go back to the scriptures and I learn and come away wondering how I could've forgotten such an amazing story.

Keep writing these stories! The world needs more amazing women to write about more women.

Thanks to netgalley for the early read.

 

WARRIOR IN THE WILD by Tricia Levenellser

An eighteen-year-old chieftain's daughter must find a way to kill her village’s oppressive deity if she ever wants to return home in Warrior of the Wild, the Viking-inspired YA standalone fantasy from Tricia Levenseller, author of Daughter of the Pirate King.

How do you kill a god?
As her father's chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: To win back her honor, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year or die trying.




Opening line:
"An axe swings for my head."

Rasmira is betrayed again and again in her village where she has to chose between being a warrior and a woman. She's destined to be chieftain one day and must prove herself in a trail. But at the last moment, just as she almost wins, she is betrayed and banished to the wilderness with a mission to complete to go home: kill a god.
In the wild Rasmira learns more about herself and her character grows and becomes a better person than she would in her repressive village. She learns how to lead, set traps, use her brain and brawn, and maybe most important: she learns to trust.