A review by mokey4
The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman

3.0

I loved the historical setting and the story itself was interesting, if a bit melodramatic (think soap opera set in 1st century Israel). But the prose was just barely acceptable- there is no economy of language here, everything is described literally and without any play or poetry. There is no way I would have been able to finish this book if I wasn't stuck on a plane with nothing else to read. That got me through the first half, and then I was vested in the characters. It's a good enough read if you want to learn about Masada, and if you can tolerate goopy prose. I will not be picking up another Alice Hoffman anytime soon, unless I am stuck somewhere with little choice.