Jerusalem’s Queen

Author: Angela Hunt

Series: The Silent Years #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: November 6, 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

As the silent years continue, an unlikely leader emerges to guide the Jewish nation.

Salome Alexandra has spent all of her six years of life in the small town of Modein. But when her father and sister are killed in an accident, she and her mother’s lives are on the brink of change.  A distant relative from Jerusalem has come to claim them to live in his house.    He is the son of the high priest and they will have a good life.  As the time draws near for them to come to Jerusalem, the high priest and two of his sons are murdered and the relative that claimed them has now become high priest.  When they arrive in Jerusalem, Salome begins to get educated and is given a personal attendant.  These two women, slave and free, begin to realize they are merely pawns in a man’s game and neither are truly free.  But God works in mysterious ways and Salome was always told that she had a purpose in life for which God had set her aside.

I think my favorite part of reading historical fiction by Angela Hunt is that she picks characters that I know nothing about and gives me a history lesson. She makes me go research the characters so that I can compare sources I can find against her work and I love it.  I love the research she does to make these past figures come back to life and I love the research she makes me to do learn more about it.  This book was no exception.  I had not heard of Salome Alexandra before, but I know about her now.  Told between viewpoints of Salome and her attendant Kissa, this story unfolds tragedy, growth, forgiveness, and purpose.

I recommend this book to historical fiction lovers, biblical fiction lovers, and people who enjoy Hunt’s work!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.