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rayarriz's review against another edition
I loved the premise and the idea of a historical figure. But I absolutely could not get into the book no matter how hard I tried. And I wanted to love it soooo bad. I read the first pages and I was waiting to get connected to the character and the storytelling but it just never happened. The writing is the main issue. It's tremendously laborious and I could hardly tell what the story was about. The writing was just so over the top and difficult. Ruined the story. Also there was nothing natural about the dialogue and nothing to distinguish the characters.
pamma's review against another edition
4.0
This was fantastic until about 2/3 in. The protagonist went from a kick-ass, powerful queen to a hopeless romantic in a sappy unrealistic way. It took a turn that didn’t fit.
I was disappointed at how she turned into one of the many in the end and wish the author had kept more of the independent, strong, fighter spirit during the romance part. The story turned too Harlequin.
I was disappointed at how she turned into one of the many in the end and wish the author had kept more of the independent, strong, fighter spirit during the romance part. The story turned too Harlequin.
winterreader40's review against another edition
4.0
This story follows Bilqis, though she has several names throughout the story from the age of 6, when her mother dies, to 12 when her stepmother has her betrothed to her brother and she's raped repeatedly, though not in detail, by said brother before marriage. Thankfully he dies and she is sent away for approx 6 years to Punt.
At 18 she's brought back to Saba because her father is dying and no one likes her stepmother and they want to place her on the throne as a figure head but she doesn't allow that. She remains unmarried and rules herself.
This was an interesting story about a woman I knew nothing about though I've heard the saying using the phrase "queen of Sheba" many times, I'm not sure I'd reread this as it's a bit sedate even in the telling of war and travel to other kingdoms but it was interesting enough to read once.
At 18 she's brought back to Saba because her father is dying and no one likes her stepmother and they want to place her on the throne as a figure head but she doesn't allow that. She remains unmarried and rules herself.
This was an interesting story about a woman I knew nothing about though I've heard the saying using the phrase "queen of Sheba" many times, I'm not sure I'd reread this as it's a bit sedate even in the telling of war and travel to other kingdoms but it was interesting enough to read once.
emilyusuallyreading's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars
What I Liked
Tosca Lee is one of my all-time favorite authors. She writes beautifully. After a few lines of reading, I am completely immersed in the worlds she creates and unable to break free until the last page.
I gained so much historical knowledge and context through Legend of Sheba. Lee also does an amazing job at making Biblical characters feel more real to me. Instead of having the feel of the flat figures on a felt-board, Bilqis and Solomon stand brightly off the page and I now have a glimpse of perhaps what these people were actually like so many years ago.
What I Didn't Like
This is controversial, but Tosca Lee seems to suggest that Song of Songs was written about the queen of Sheba, but some glaring contradictions bothered me. Song of Songs talks about a virgin, about that she grew up as a laborer, etc, etc.
What I Liked
Tosca Lee is one of my all-time favorite authors. She writes beautifully. After a few lines of reading, I am completely immersed in the worlds she creates and unable to break free until the last page.
I gained so much historical knowledge and context through Legend of Sheba. Lee also does an amazing job at making Biblical characters feel more real to me. Instead of having the feel of the flat figures on a felt-board, Bilqis and Solomon stand brightly off the page and I now have a glimpse of perhaps what these people were actually like so many years ago.
What I Didn't Like
This is controversial, but Tosca Lee seems to suggest that Song of Songs was written about the queen of Sheba, but some glaring contradictions bothered me. Song of Songs talks about a virgin, about that she grew up as a laborer, etc, etc.
Spoiler
The fact that Solomon and Bilqis never marry but spend their time as lovers makes me a little uncomfortable. I understand that this was Solomon's greatest weakness, but this sin was depicted a little too much as beautiful romance and not enough as something that was wrong. I found myself over and over again rooting for the two to finally be together, which meant that I was virtually rooting for Solomon to disobey God.starrise's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
leedigesu's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a fantastic story and journey.
It's a tale of passion, royalty, lust, determination, desperation, love and taking chances.
It transports us to an ancient world and shows us the life of a queen, a woman, a girl.
It was beautifully written and a joy to read.
My only complain would be it did go on a little too much over trivial details, but the amount of research that went into this book is admirable. Tosca Lee can take the liberties and I will accept them.
It's a tale of passion, royalty, lust, determination, desperation, love and taking chances.
It transports us to an ancient world and shows us the life of a queen, a woman, a girl.
It was beautifully written and a joy to read.
My only complain would be it did go on a little too much over trivial details, but the amount of research that went into this book is admirable. Tosca Lee can take the liberties and I will accept them.
shelfreflectionofficial's review against another edition
3.0
Good read, but I liked Havah or the trilogy with Ted Dekker better. Still love her writing, and I read this book pretty fast. It just wasn't as exciting or engaging as some of her other books. Looking forward to reading Progeny though.
shellyleblanc86's review against another edition
4.0
I won The Legend of Sheba: Rise of a Queen by Tosca Lee in a Goodreads giveaway.
I enjoyed the writing of Lee so much that I ordered another book by her.
The story of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba is only barely written in numerous religious books (Bible, Quran, etc.). The story is told from the prospective of the Queen.
I enjoyed reading all that Bilqis (Queen) went through to become a leader during a time women had no rights.
I definitely will suggest others to read this book especially if you enjoy historical fiction based in Biblical times.
I enjoyed the writing of Lee so much that I ordered another book by her.
The story of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba is only barely written in numerous religious books (Bible, Quran, etc.). The story is told from the prospective of the Queen.
I enjoyed reading all that Bilqis (Queen) went through to become a leader during a time women had no rights.
I definitely will suggest others to read this book especially if you enjoy historical fiction based in Biblical times.
marlo_c's review against another edition
4.0
While recognizing that this is a work of fiction, I always appreciate a book that can flesh out historical figures and make me ponder their lives, thoughts and feelings. The biblical account of the Queen of Sheba is quite short, but this imagined story was interesting and believable.
lili3232's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0