Sunday, March 16, 2014

In the Shadow of Jezebel - by Mesu Andrews

Cover Art

About the book:

In a kingdom controlled by cruel and manipulative women, one princess will discover the power of truth and love.
Trained as a priestess in the temple of Baal, Princess Jehosheba strives to please the demanding Queen Athaliah, daughter of Jezebel. But when a mysterious letter from the dead prophet Elijah predicts doom for the royal household, Jehosheba realizes that the dark arts she practices reach far beyond the realm of earthly governments.

Forced to marry Yahweh's high priest in order to further Athaliah and Jezebel's power plays, Jehosheba enters the unfamiliar world of Yahweh's Temple. Can her new husband show her the truth and love she craves? And can Jehosheba overcome her fear and save the family--and the nation--she loves?

With deft skill, Mesu Andrews brings the Old Testament to life, revealing a fascinating story of the power of unconditional love.


My review:

This was an interesting story about the palace intrigues and betrayals during the time of Jezebel.  I can't imagine how horrible it would have been to not know who to trust and to constantly be on your guard.  I felt sorry for Jehosheba as she felt torn between years of worshiping Baal and learning more of Yahweh, but also not wanting to anger her adoptive mother, the daughter of Jezebel, because of who she would hurt.  I liked that we see Jehosheba grow as she learns to trust and love, not only her husband and Yahweh, but also two women she befriends.  I really liked that each chapter had a Bible verse about what was going on in the story, so you could compare the true story with the fictionalized account.  It was fascinating to see the role she played in Israel's history.  I did find the story stressful because of the court politics and Jehosheba's wildly varying emotions, but it was interesting to learn more about this time period.  I have read two other of Mesu's books and I didn't like this one quite as well as those, but she is a talented writer.  If you like historical, especially Biblical fiction, you should check her out.

I received this book free from Revell in exchange for an honest review.

Mesu Andrews is the award-winning author of Love Amid the Ashes, Love's Sacred Song, and Love in a Broken Vessel. Winner of the 2012 ECPA Christian Book Award for New Author, she has devoted herself to passionate and intense study of Scripture, bringing the biblical world vividly alive for her readers. She lives in Washington. Learn more at www.mesuandrews.com.

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