The year is 993 BC. After years of bloody civil war, Eleazar son of Dodai, one of King David’s most elite warriors, wants nothing more than to finally live peacefully in the land. But on the plains near the Great Sea, a terrifying army of Philistines has mobilized to crush the Hebrew tribes once and for all. In the sun-drenched valleys and dark forests of the hill country, Eleazar and his warriors make their stand against Israel’s deadliest enemy. The fate of an entire nation rests on the courage of a small band of heroes known as the Mighty Men. In a land torn by conflict, depleted by drought and threatened by treachery, the horrors and heroism of the ancient battlefields come to life. Covenant of War is the second book in the Lion of War series—the intense, gritty, and stylistic portrayal of the Mighty Men of Israel, a rag-tag band of warriors who came to King David in his most desperate hour and fought with him while he claimed the throne he was destined to fill. Their legendary deeds are recorded in 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11.

I was torn with this book. On the positive side, I like the fact that Graham has created a series about the Bible’s greatest warriors. Cliff Graham did an excellent job researching the ancient Israel times and giving David more depth to his character. But in showing us more of David’s character it slowed the action. It felt like the story seemed to drag along with too much time between the action.

But when David’s army clashes with the more powerful Philistines, Graham’s writing really shines. He makes you feel as if you’re on the battlefield slugging through fields of mud, sweat and blood. The fight scenes are intense and may be too much for some younger readers so please be warned. Dad’s (or mom’s if you’re into intense action), read this before giving to your sensitive reader.

Overall, the fight scenes out way the slow sections of Covenant of War and you should Buy The Paperback.

• Author: Cliff Graham
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
• Series ‏ : ‎ Covenant of War
• CIA Review Rating ‏ : ‎ Buy the Paperback