He Who Lifts the Skies

One of my favorite series by one of my favorite authors, it will never cease to be one of my book recommendations ☺️

I have almost given up on fiction retellings of Biblical history as very rarely does an author actually stick to what the Bible states on the subject. Therefore, I was tremendously pleased to read this wonderfully, vividly written story! It stuck faithfully to the Biblically provided information, though there really wasn't much there for this period (post-Flood during the time of Nimrod and the building of Babel). This author not only is a talented writer, but she put a lot of time, research, and thought into what the post-Flood world during this time period would be like. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

It has been many generations since the Flood and already much of mankind has rejected the Most High God again. Nimr-Rada, The Mighty Hunter and descendant of Khawm, has challenged the Most High and made himself Great King over all those who follow him. Karen, the youngest daughter of Meshek, and descendant of Shem and Annah lives with those few who have not yielded to Nimr-Rada and refuse to abandon their beliefs. However, through the cruel scheming of Sharah, her sister, Keren is taken against her will to the city of Nimr-Rada, where he has his own plans for her. Now she must keep her faith while being drawn into a dangerous web of manipulation, betrayals, and deceit where a wrong move will put her and those she loves to death. He Who Lifts the Sky is a fascinating telling of the events during the building of the Tower of Babel. I found the story very well told and I enjoyed it even more than the first book, The Heavens Before. The author did an excellent job of making the characters real and interesting. I look forward to reading the third book in the Genesis Trilogy.

Sometimes when you wait to read a book it seems a serious letdown when it doesn't meet your overwhelming expectations. But my reaction to this book can be reduced to three words: I wasn't disappointed. Kacy Barnett-Gramckow brings the ancient world to life in a way I've never seen paralleled. The characters are as real as your next-door-neighbors, yet the entire book (and the prequel, The Heavens Before) is permeated with a sense of wonder at things of which you've only read the bare facts in the Bible. Men living past nine hundred. Generations piling together as parents see their great-great-great-grandchildren. A city and a tower built in defiance of the Most High. Genetic differences appearing and lifetimes shortening. And that's only the setting! Imagine being taken from your family and someone you are just starting to love by a man who stands for all you despise. Imagine that your brother and sister will do anything to help you submit to this mighty hunter who claims to protect the world from the righteous anger of the Most High and who kills, enslaves, or banishes for the slightest infraction. Imagine if your very touch brought death. Purchase this insightful, exciting read and you won't be disappointed.

The author's vivid imagination of what the world was like after Noah's flood came to life in my mind. She made it seem real, like I was there watching each event unfold. The origin of different races has an intriguing beginning at the time of the tower of babel. This piece of literature is full of adventure, romance and truth. I couldn't put the book down and lost many hours of sleep.

This is the second book in the GENESIS TRILOGY and it is as exciting and well written as the first in the series, THE HEAVENS BEFORE. I love the way the author adds 'meat to the bones' and gives life to these biblical stories that are mentioned only in skeletal form. Although she takes great artistic license, you never feel that the scriptural accounts are polluted or distorted. Her embellishments work beautifully to transport you back to the earliest days of man on earth. HE WHO LIFTS THE SKIES is the thrilling story of Nimr-Rada and his rebellion against the Most High. We are reintroduced to, and comforted by the presence of Noakh, Naomi, Shem and Annah. Many years have passed since the Great Destruction and several generations of children have been born to repopulate the Earth. Sadly, not all of Noakh's kin have followed his lead in worship of the Most High. Nimr-Rada, Noakh's great-great-grandson, with his tremendous strength, charisma, and mighty hunting prowess, convinces many of his kinsman that they need not suffer under the weight of a guilty conscience for satisfying the lusts of the flesh if they would simply bow to, and serve him. He leads them to believe that he is the Promised One who will free all men from the curse brought upon the earth by their Adversary, the Serpent, in the Garden of Adan. He promises to protect them from the judgments of the Most High, thus, he is given the name of He Who Lifts the Skies. The great-granddaughters of Shem and Anna are pawns used by Nimr-Rada in his scheme to subjugate all the tribes of men on the earth. Those who won't willingly follow him are attacked, plundered and forced into submission. But, in the end, he suffers the consequences of his own pride in his attempt to enslave and deceive mankind. I highly recommend this book and anxiously await the release of the final installment of this trilogy. I have added this new author, Kacy Barnett-Gramckow, to my 'favorite authors' list and look forward to reading more of her imaginative tales.