Probably more like 2.5 stars. I had a really hard time with this one and wouldn't have finished if it hadn't been recommended by a dear friend. This is the story of King David, the King of Israel around 1000BC. This was difficult to read because I had no idea who anyone was. Brooks used Hebrew names for the characters and their location, which was difficult for me. Her writing was, predictably, beautiful; I just had a really hard time sticking with the story and paying attention.

I AM glad that I understand the history of David a bit better because I was a total neophyte to his life before reading this book. The ancient rifts in the Middle East are deep -- I sort of wish that Brooks explored that a bit more, but I recognize how difficult that would be given the lack of additional sources for David's life - much less the entire region!