This may be one of the first times The Rebel Christian got a copy of Christian historical fiction for review. I am always on the hunt for great Christian fiction, so I was pleased to be given a story detailing the lives of three shepherd boys who help put King David on the throne.

For starters, I’ve got to admit that I wasn’t sure how I felt about this book. I believe authors should be given a liberal amount of creative expression—especially Christian authors—but I also believe there is a very thin line between creative expression and outright misrepresentation. That aside, Dee Blackshear does a wonderful job at knitting together historical elements with storytelling and imagination.

The three boys who grow up alongside our King David are three different personalities; Abishai is a leader, Joab is a warrior, and Asahel is a messenger—three vital positions needed to put the famed Shepherd Boy on the throne, but also necessary to keep him there. What I liked most about this book is that it never disregards the importance of King David in the Bible and in our Christian faith, but it also gently reminds us of the people who helped him and supported him throughout his journeys.

In my time as a book reviewer for The Rebel Christian, I have come across a fair number of Christian works that tell stories of King David, his descendants, and even his enemies. This is the first time I have read a story that centers on his supporters and I’m glad to say I quite enjoyed it! Like I said, I believe Christian authors should be allowed a sense of creative expression in their writing; we serve an awesome God who is full of fantastic and wonderful ideas—Christian fiction should be the height of entertainment! Shadow Warrior does Christianity justice as it honors the faith and incorporates creativity and suspense, action, and even tougher topics like loyalty, sacrifice, and decision-making.

If you are a Christian reader, I implore you to pick up a copy of this book today. Shadow Warrior can also be enjoyed by secular audiences who appreciate historical fiction with action and other thrilling elements. I recommend this book to readers ages 14 and older.

*The Rebel Christian received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*