"Jerusalem's Queen" is a glimpse into the life of the Hasmonean dynasty in Israel during the silent years. There is everything, including the good, the bad and the ugly, the author is not sugar coating or glorifying anything or anyone. Here we have a very solid character in Salome Alexandra, who does what's right and makes lemonade out of the pile of lemons she was given. She was given away to her relative half her age, someone with different attitude and moral choices. Not only this book shows an example of faith but also makes life in ancient Israel a little more vivid.

There were several things I did not like. I think Kissa's story line is not necessary, it just drags the story longer and makes it boring. It takes half the book to get us through Salome Alexandra's childhood, it is very repetitive. I wish there were more stories about the high priests and politics of the temple. Here we have only bits and pieces.

This book was really amazing! It made me hunger and thirst for more of the story, but more importantly more of His word. I'd never heard of this strong godly woman before and I am a bible reader. She falls on the scene in the silent period between the old and new testament. She was in the Hasmonean family - that of the Maccabees.

I am drawn to her. She is strong in her faith and continues even when those around her that hold all the power don't, she continues to seek out God and his will and word. Her faith and devotion to her God and her people truly changed the world around her.

I highly recommend this book!

I was intrigued as soon as I read the summary for this book...and I was not disappointed! The story of Salome Alexandra sucked me in from the first page. While I know that many aspects of her story was fictionalized, the author did it in a way that was believable, and made the book a true page turner! From becoming fatherless at a young age, to living with a distant uncle, to surviving an arrange marriage to a much younger man who became a tyrant, Salome held on to her faith in God and persevered. If you enjoy historical fiction, you will want to pick up this book!

JERUSALEM'S QUEEN by ANGELA HUNT tells the story of Salome Alexandra, who was taken into her uncle, John Hercanus, the High Priest's home in Jerusalem, when she and her mother were left destitute after her father and sister were killed in an accident.
She didn't have a good relationship with her mother who mourned the death of Keturah, her beautiful daughter, for the rest of her life. She had a good friend in Kissa the young Egyptian slave and, as she was taught by the tutor her uncle arranged for her, she taught her young friend what she had learned.
She had started learning the Torah as a young child with her father, and yearned all her life to live righteously before Hashem. This stands her in good stead when her young husband becomes king and when she eventually rules Jerusalem as queen.
The story takes place during the silent years between Malachi and Matthew.
The author has obviously done a great deal of research and it is an exciting and inspirational read. I particularly like the way she describes the rift between the Pharisees, Essenes and Saducees, and the realization to which Salome Alexandra comes, that it is impossible to keep the whole Law, especially with what men have added in order to "protect" the Law. She has heard the prophecies about the promised Messiah and longs for His arrival.
I was given a free copy of the book by Bethany House Publishers from NetGalley. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Jerusalem's Queen is about Salome Alexandra who became the queen of Judah when her husband died. This story takes us from her early childhood to her reign as queen in her 60s. It sheds light on a lot of the scriptures in the Old Testament leading up to the New Testament when Messiah arrived on the scene. Like the book before this one in the series, the research has been done well and the story is well crafted -- so much so that I could not put this book down. I read it through over two days time.


The story is not only about Salome Alexandra but also about her slave that was with her from childhood and throughout the rest of her life. Kissa, the slave, was sold into slavery in Egypt by her parents and brought to Judah and sold to the High Priest at that time (Salome Alexandra's uncle and guardian). The two girls became good friends and both benefited from the association.


Angela Hunt has always been one of my favorite Christian authors, but with the latest series of historical novels about the Jewish High Priests / Kings / Prophets she has really stepped up her game and I can't wait for the next installment.


I received a copy of this story from Bethany House through NetGalley.