Shadow of the Mountain: Exodus by Cliff Graham

Caleb and Joshua Roar to Life in this High-Impact Old Testament Saga

Two men were brave enough to tell the truth about what awaited the Hebrews in Canaan. This is their story. From the slave pits of Egypt to the efforts of an eighty-five-year-old Caleb as he drives out the last of the giants, Shadow of the Mountain is a vivid portrait of two of God's chosen champions, and a meditation on masculine mentorship and the challenges and blessings of growing older.

For the sake of his new God and his loyalty to his friend Joshua, Caleb will not spend his twilight years resting, but taking the battle to the enemies of God's people until his dying breath. From his early days as a mercenary for Pharaoh in Egypt watching the Hebrews suffer under the yoke of slavery, all the way through a desperate fight with giants in the dark forests of the hill country, this is a story filled with epic battles, gritty intensity, and supernatural events that made Graham's Lion of War series a hit. Shadow of the Mountain is sure to ignite a love for the Old Testament in popular culture. 

My review:

  The Christian fiction market is a woman's market. Most of the Christian fiction novels are by women and for women, with a small portion of books being geared just for, or more for men. Cliff Graham is one such author whose books I would classify as more for men than women.

  This is not your average love story with a biblical story woven around it. It is more of a gritty novel with descriptions of fighting and wars in it.  As with any biblical fiction novel, a lot of license has been taken with the story. We don't know a lot about Caleb, other than the fact that he was one of two spies who believed Israel could deliver their enemies into their hands, and he survived the 40-year wandering in the wilderness. Upon entrance to the promised land, he asked for a mountain and conquered those who lived on it.

  Graham fills in the gaps of what Caleb's life may have been like, going back to his time in Egypt and up through the wilderness wanderings. The book is a fascinating and exciting read that brings the biblical account to life, and I don't mean to put down the biblical account by saying that.

  The story is very well written and kept my interest, and it was cool to read more about this interesting character, even if it was from the author's imagination.

About the author:

Cliff Graham is a former soldier and officer in the United States Army who now spends his time writing, speaking, and operating a growing series of media franchises. A graduate from Black Hills State University with degrees in political science and military science, he wrote his Lion of War series while working as a youth pastor. He currently lives in the mountains ofUtah with his wife, Cassandra, and their children, and speaks to churches, men's groups, and conferences all over the United States. He can be found online at www.cliffgraham.com.

Shadow of the Mountain: Exodus is available from Bethany House Publishing, part of Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Bethany House for the review copy.