A God for the Killing

by Kain Massin

Judith, a daring and beautiful woman, hardened by her life as a slave and angered by the treatment of her people, the inhabitants of Nazareth, becomes a feared and powerful figure beginning with the brutal assassination and decapitation of an enemy general. Hoping to retire as a free woman and into obscurity, Judith is sent on one last mission to assassinate the Messiah, Joshua, a Christ-like figure, who she discovers is her childhood sweetheart.this is a work of stunning originality that echoes the work and style of Michael Chabon (the Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and the Yiddish Policemen's Union). Combining historical events, biblical conspiracy theories and a story of survival and triumph, A God for the Killing brings history and myth to life, captivates with its inventiveness long after the last page is turned.

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting take on a well known story. Judith is a slave and an assassin trained by the Romans. It is 33AD and her final mission,which will gain her her freedom is to kill Joshua of Nazareth. But Judith and Joshua were once childhood sweethearts. Will she be able to do what she must do?
I was curious to read this book and although it was a quick, entertaining read it wasn't as good as I'd hoped. There were some interesting twists in the story but in the end I didn't feel that it delivered what it had promised.

[PRJ Greenwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Roman slave is sent to Judaea to kill Jesus...this book is at its finest when it keeps to the third person narrative. Toward the end, it slips into the viewpoint of the protagonist, Judith, and things get a little too metaphysical. Recommended.