THE LEGEND OF SHEBA By: Tosca Lee Review

THE LEGEND OF SHEBA

By: Tosca Lee
Review By: 09/09/2014
Genre: Historical Fiction

SYNOPSIS: There is the story you know: A foreign queen, journeying north with a caravan of riches to pay tribute to a king favored by the One God. The tale of a queen conquered by a king and god both before returning to her own land laden with gifts.

That is the tale you were meant to believe.

Which means most of it is a lie.

The truth is far more than even the storytellers could conjure. The riches more priceless. The secrets more corrosive. The love and betrayal more passionate and devastating.

Across the Red Sea, the pillars of the great oval temple once bore my name: Bilqis, Daughter of the Moon. Here, to the west, the porticoes knew another: Makeda, Woman of Fire. To the Israelites, I was queen of the spice lands, which they called Sheba.

In the tenth century BC, the new Queen of Sheba has inherited her father’s throne and all its riches at great personal cost. Her realm stretches west across the Red Sea into land wealthy in gold, frankincense, and spices. But now new alliances to the North threaten the trade routes that are the lifeblood of her nation. Solomon, the brash new king of Israel famous for his wealth and wisdom, will not be denied the tribute of the world—or of Sheba’s queen. With tensions ready to erupt within her own borders and the future of her nation at stake, the one woman who can match wits with Solomon undertakes the journey of a lifetime in a daring bid to test and win the king. But neither ruler has anticipated the clash of agendas, gods, and passion that threatens to ignite—and ruin—them both. An explosive retelling of the legendary king and queen and the nations that shaped history.

My Review:
This is a book that any fan of Solomon or the tenth century BC. The history is accurate, and what was not mentioned in the Bible, although fiction, is also based on facts. What I really enjoy about these types of books (religious fiction) is that they add to the Bible. I have read the Bible, but I did not know all the facts that the author does. She has done so much research and it shows in her description of the people, clothes. and common practices. This book includes how women of that time were treated (including rape, etc). It was interesting to read about Sheba and how she rose to the throne. This is a great religious fiction novel. I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review from Howard Books, however all opinions are my own.