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.