In the days when Biblical icons walked the Earth and their infamous tales were still unfolding, notable men took upon themselves the privilege of penning these life lessons as the word of God, one day to be combined in what we know as the Bible. But what would happen if women re-wrote some of these infamous tales from their own perspectives? Might the heroes or villains change? Would the lessons communicated millenia later through that book's words be altered? India Edghill's Delilah is a perfect example of how a famed tale and its protagonists can be represented differently — though still justly — when told from the feminine perspective rather than the traditional masculine one.

Delilah has served her life as a priestess-in-training in one of the most majestic and highly favored temples in her land. As a child, she was encouraged in the arts, dance and knowledge of her world. With maturity, her talents were skillfully enhanced through years of hard training under the guidance of sister priestesses and their goddess. However, her true value was always kept secret from her as she toiled to earn her place among some of the goddess's greatest priestesses.

Aylah is not so naïve as to follow their religion blindly and believe everything the priestesses portray as a commandment from above. She also knows that her value to the temple is indeed high, although it is Delilah’s friendship that keeps her safe from the high priestesses’ scheming. Her future was told to her a long time ago; as the years have passed, only her love for Delilah has kept her steadfast on the road to a fate she fears with all her being. Delilah and Aylah — the priestesses of night and day — are the most sought-after in the land. Their beauty beyond measure and skill in dance are more mesmerizing than any who has come before them.

Though Samson is neither a warrior nor responsible for the actions of those trying to elevate him to be their leader against the Five Cities, his name continues to garner great strength and generate a growing fear among the adversaries of his people. His good nature and true disinterest in pursuing war with the Five Cities is not acknowledged, and therefore his path is fated to tangle with foes greater than any one man can handle. Finally, with the strength of the night beside him, Samson’s ultimate fate will be revealed. Only God knows if he will triumph or fail.

India Edghill breathes life into the story of Samson and Delilah with engaging characters and a refreshing perspective on their heartrending Biblical love story. The author of Queenmaker and Wisdom’s Daughter uses elegant prose to weave her storyteller's spell.