Michal is the younger daughter of King Saul and is used to her father’s black moods.  When the fit is upon him, the only thing that soothes him is the harpist, David.  This handsome young man catches the eye of both Michal and her beautiful older sister, Merab, but it is Michal who ends up marrying him.  For David has killed the Philistine’s champion, Goliath, and her father’s subjects are singing his praises for the deed, but compare him rather too favorably against her father.   Soon there is civil war with Saul on one side, her husband David on the other, and Michal caught between the two.

This is a Bible story well known to all Christians, but Ms Smith has put plenty of lively flesh upon the bones to bring it all to vibrant life.  In the Bible we are more aware of the main male characters, such as Saul and David, while the women and lesser players get sidelined.   The author has got under the skin of the story and manages to create not only a compelling description of life 3000 years ago, but also to tell a love story and paint a vivid picture of the lot of women, including princesses.  Although I knew the story well, I found the pages turning faster and faster to find out not only what happened in more detail, but how it affected the various characters.  I look forward to reading the rest of this series.