Love's Sacred Song...Review

About the book:
Standing in the massive shadow of his famous father, young king Solomon wavers between fear and bravado, wisdom and folly. In the uncertain world of alliances and treachery, Solomon longs for peace and a love that is true and pure--a love that can be his cornerstone.

A shepherdess in the northern city of Shunem, Arielah remembers the first time she laid eyes on Solomon in Jerusalem when she was just seven years old. Since then she has known that it was her destiny to become his bride. When her father, a leader of their tribe, secures a promise from King Solomon to marry Arielah as a treaty bride to help unite the kingdom, it seems her dreams may come true.

But how can this simple shepherdess live as part of Solomon's harem? Can Solomon set aside his distractions to give himself completely to just one woman? Or will he let duty, deception, and the daily routine divide his heart?

Mesu Andrews expertly weaves the words of the Song of Solomon into this touching story of the power of love. Readers will be transported from the glowing fields of Shunem to the gleaming city of Jerusalem as they experience this rich and textured novel from a master storyteller.


Song of Solomon isn't a book of scripture that I have spent much time reading, and I'm not as familiar with the story of Solomon as I am with King David.  However, since I really enjoyed Mesu Andrews' first novel, Love Amid the Ashes, I looked forward to this one.  Don't you just love that cover?  It's gorgeous.  And just like Love Amid the Ashes, Mesu does a fantastic job of capturing biblical times.  Her characterizations are terrific and her descriptions sumptuous.

Unfortunately, this was a story that frustrated me more than enthralled me.  Arielah's story is inspiring, but tragic.  The Daughters of Jerusalem and the secrets, deceptions and intrigues in King Solomon's court were so negative and Solomon was clueless at how his new queen was treated.  Yet, as much as I despised certain characters, there were others I loved:  Jehosophat, Reu and Bathsheba, for starters.

Mesu does a fantastic job at weaving the songs and poetry from Song of Solomon into the story.  What could have been sappy was, instead, sentimental and romantic.

Not one of my favorites, but still an intriguing story.  Fans of biblical fiction will love it.

Available March 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Thanks to Donna Hausler of Baker Publishing for the opportunity to review this book.  You can learn more about Mesu Andrews here.  You can purchase your own copy here.

Read 3/12

* * *
3/5 Stars

Comments

  1. I think all of the bloggers who have reviewed this that I have seen have praised this novel to no end. =)

    I am not a big Biblical fiction fan but nonetheless, it is nice that this novel is getting some good reviews.

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  2. This sounds really interesting. I'll have to look it up.

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  3. Thanks for your review, Holly. I really appreciate hearing the opinions of someone who reads as extensively as you do. Thanks for your time, and blessings on your continued ministry!

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  4. Great review, Holly! I just loved this one -- can't wait for Mesu's next offering!

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