September 15, 2018
Hunt continues the Silent Years series (Judah's Wife?, 2018) with the story of Salome Alexandra, here called Shelamzion, who rose through a time of political and religious fracture to become queen of Jerusalem. After a family tragedy, Shelamzion finds herself in the good graces of the high priest and befriends her handmaid, Kissa. When her womanhood and status become bargaining chips amidst family betrayal and warring pagan nations, Shelamzion questions HaShem's plan for her. With faith to fortify her convictions and friendship to bolster her courage, she realizes she is perhaps the one person who can save Judea from its corrupt lineage of rulers. Narrated by Shelamzion and Kissa, Hunt's compelling chronicle dramatizes the repression of women during this historic time and spotlights the role faith played in female empowerment. Hunts places Shelamzion's story within the growing religious dissonance and speculation about the long-awaited Messiah. Readers who admire the biblical Esther will enjoy this tale of another brave woman playing a pivotal role in the survival of her people.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)