Song of Ancient Lovers by Laura Restrepo is a beautifully written story that blends myth with the present day. It follows Bos Mutas, a young writer who travels from South America to Africa to learn more about the Queen of Sheba. Along the way, he meets Zahra Bayda, a Somali midwife who helps guide him through refugee camps and his growing understanding of love, strength, and history.

The book retells the love story between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, showing how their story still echoes in modern times. The author shows how powerful and independent Sheba was, and how her spirit lives on in the strong women Bos meets on his journey. I really resonated with this because I love reading about strong women, and this book really highlights the strength of women during a poignant historical period and touches on important issues that disproportionately (and unfortunately) affect women. I also love that the author takes her own liberties, because it really enhances the book, leaving me with more than just history, but a romance for the ages. Her prose is also beautiful, and even with the translation to English, absolutely nothing felt like it was missing.

This book feels both magical and real, mixing ancient legend with today’s struggles. It’s a thoughtful, moving read about love, history, and the strength people carry with them, even in the hardest times. I think it is the perfect book to be reading during today’s climate and circumstances, and I especially loved that this shined light on refugee camps, migrant women, and those from different cultures. I especially want to give a warning that there are very heavy themes in this book, like war, rape, and different modes of harm inflicted on women, but I think it is a very important story to tell and one that should not be shyed away from. This is definitely a story that will sit with me for a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Restrepo, and HarperVia for the eARC of this book.