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A review by sarahetc
The Legend of Sheba: Rise of a Queen by Tosca Lee
3.0
Historical fiction with very limited, and often contradictory, source material can be dicey. Tell too much of a story and you create misunderstanding about historical events. Stick to closely to the events and you risk not telling a story at all. Lee does an admirable job at both-- keeping the major details major and letting her characterization tell most of the story for her.
The most central part of the plot is not necessarily Bilquis's ascension to the throne of Saba, although that event and its attendant machinations make up the first third of the book. Once queen of a thriving nation of overland caravan traders, Bilquis comes to the attention of King Solomon of Israel. Source materials would probably rank Bilquis of Saba a footnote to economic history if not this connection. She and a caravan of thousands travel to Jerusalem to meet the king. Years of devious poetic exchanges have helped them fall in love with one another. But they must make the most of the difficult politics between their kingdoms and among the many more controlled by Solomon's treaty marriages.
A good book overall. The pace slackened here and again. There was nothing explicit. A nice read if you're curious about the Solomon/Sheba legend from her perspective.
The most central part of the plot is not necessarily Bilquis's ascension to the throne of Saba, although that event and its attendant machinations make up the first third of the book. Once queen of a thriving nation of overland caravan traders, Bilquis comes to the attention of King Solomon of Israel. Source materials would probably rank Bilquis of Saba a footnote to economic history if not this connection. She and a caravan of thousands travel to Jerusalem to meet the king. Years of devious poetic exchanges have helped them fall in love with one another. But they must make the most of the difficult politics between their kingdoms and among the many more controlled by Solomon's treaty marriages.
A good book overall. The pace slackened here and again. There was nothing explicit. A nice read if you're curious about the Solomon/Sheba legend from her perspective.