An Unconventional Christmas Story

Before reading this book, I had never heard of Salome Alexandra and was grateful for my Kindle and its search features, Wikipedia aiding me in my historical deficiencies. Not that the book is lacking in information, it’s teeming with detailed facts and a rich tapestry of images that place you in this early civilization. Growing up hearing the popular Bible stories, it’s always intriguing to learn about the integral characters that didn’t quite make the canon.

Anyone who thinks that females took a backseat role in the B.C. era should read this book. Salome was a dynamic force, learned in the Torah, fierce in her convictions but gracious and respectful. She nobly endured an arranged marriage to a cousin much younger than herself, a bloodthirsty man who entertained countless concubines until the day of his death. Upon his demise, she assumed the role of leader and attempted to repair a nation torn to shreds and prepare her sons for their eventual inheritance.

With her faithful slave by her side, whom she later freed, Salome survives starvation in the desert, escapes persecution from her in-laws, and despite these many trials, is fiercely loyal to God and the laws of the Torah. She challenges her rabbis and studies the scriptures in anticipation of the coming Messiah.

The prophecies that proclaim the coming of Jesus are a main theme throughout the book which makes this the perfect book for the holiday season, since the time of Salome’s death was estimated to be only one generation removed from the birth of Christ.

While this is historical fiction, a believable saga has been created outside the bare bones the annals have provided, ensuring a pleasurable read that is comprised of faith, hope, and facts. ( )

The third book in the Silent Years series tells the story of Salome Alexandra, who ruled Judea for 9 golden years a generation before the birth of Christ. This novel explores her early life, her unorthodox education and the influences that shaped her character in the decades leading up to her reign.

A descendant of the Maccabees, Salome grows up in the house of her uncle, the high priest and king of Jerusalem. Granted an extensive education when most girls received little to none, she develops a deep devotion for the Torah and its laws. and is dismayed to see the powerful men in control of her life show such blatant disregard for God’s word.

Struggling to keep her family safe as she seeks God’s purpose for her life, Salome eventually comes to realize that she has been put in a unique position to use the gifts she has been given. ( )

Shelamzion. The peace of Zion. With her father and eldest sister killed in an accident, and a mother who grieves that it wasn't her second-born daughter taken from her, Shelamzion begins a new life in Jerusalem at her uncle John Hyrcanus's household. Her handmaid, Kissa, quickly becomes her confidant even though Kissa is five years older. Thrown into a world of battle strategy and politics, Shelamzion navigates the servant-slave relationship beautifully. Abandoned at heart by her mother, she learns from Alena, John's wife, and Shelamzion's role model. The household quickly realizes that she is clever and intelligent, even if they recognize that she's not particularly beautiful. Little does she know that her devotion to HaShem and her study of the Torah will prepare her for a different life than she ever imagined, even though she is beginning to see how little she is valued by her own family.

Hunt once again tells a compelling story during the 400-year silence between the old and new covenant of Scripture. In a world where the wealth of a man was demonstrated by the number of his wife's himations (a colorful mantle) and the age of 20 was too old to be considered a beautiful bride, Salome Alexandra watches her life unfold in mysterious ways when she is required to marry a man about 15 years younger. HaShem, however, has a plan for her as a judge in Galilee, and a queen in Jerusalem.

Salome Alexandra's marriage and country are soon unstable, but she remains faithful to HaShem. Teaching her sons faithfully, worshiping with other citizens of faith, and acting on the Torah in ways that she can, she helps her husband rule during a rugged time of history. She find friends in place of family, courage despite unfaithfulness and immorality, life in the faith of death, and even lives through the golden age of Jerusalem after massacre and apostasy. Shelamzion, the peace of Zion, brings temporary peace and prosperity to Judea as she yearns and waits for the promised Messiah who would bring eternal peace to a world of turmoil.

*I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review; all opinions expressed are my own. ( )

I have always enjoyed books by Angela Hunt and this is no exception. She did a wonderful job of portraying this queen. This is a fictionalized version of history.

I asked to read and review this book through Netgalley and was given an advanced reader's ebook to do so. Even though it was not fully edited, There were so few errors, I'm not even sure there were any at all. It was very well done.

The story was well researched and the characters were totally believable. The story flowed well and left me wanting more but not feeling like it was ended too soon.

I recommend this book and give it 5 stars out of 5. If you like clean, Biblical, Christian books you will enjoy this. ( )