Title: Unspoken: Bathsheba
Author: Francine Rivers
Published August 1, 2001
213 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780842335980 (ISBN10: 0842335986)
Rating: 4.2
Overview
When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.
Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her.
It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy – and her father’s “law firm” – than she realized.
Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation – an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons – his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch?
It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all.
A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe. A secret Kale will kill to protect.
About the Author
Francine Rivers, a bestselling author, has garnered both industry recognition and a global fanbase. Her impressive list of bestsellers includes Redeeming Love, A Voice in the Wind, and Bridge to Haven, and her work has been translated into over thirty languages.
She is a member of Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame and has also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). To stay connected with her readers, Francine can be found on Twitter at @FrancineRivers.
Editoral Review
Francine Rivers’ Unspoken: Bathsheba is a powerful work of historical fiction that tells the story of one of the most controversial figures in the Bible. Rivers, a best-selling author known for her biblical novels, masterfully weaves together the biblical narrative with her own creative storytelling to create a compelling and thought-provoking tale of love, betrayal, and redemption.
Set in ancient Israel, the story follows Bathsheba, a beautiful and headstrong young woman who captures the attention of King David, a powerful and charismatic ruler who is already married. Bathsheba’s dalliance with the king sets off a chain of events that leads to tragedy and the darkest moments of both characters’ lives.
Through the careful and nuanced portrayal of her characters, Rivers explores themes such as power, morality, and love. Bathsheba is a multifaceted character who is both strong and vulnerable, and Rivers skillfully navigates the complexities of her relationships with the men in her life, including her husband Uriah and the prophet Nathan.
David, likewise, is a complex character, torn between his love for Bathsheba and his duty as a king. The novel’s historical and cultural significance is undeniable, with Rivers providing a rich and detailed portrayal of ancient Israelite society.
She also touches on timeless issues that are still relevant today, such as the abuse of power and the consequences of one’s actions. Rivers’ writing is evocative and lyrical, imbuing the novel with a sense of poetry and beauty.
The pacing is expertly done, with tension and drama expertly building throughout the story. The plot structure is well-designed, with the story expertly weaving together the various narrative threads.
The one potential weakness of the novel is that, given its biblical source material, some readers may find the plot predictable. However, Rivers’ expert storytelling more than makes up for this, creating a rich and nuanced version of the story that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
For fans of historical fiction, Unspoken: Bathsheba is a must-read. Rivers’ expert craftsmanship and compelling characters make for an engrossing and moving story that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
