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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Reminiscent of "The Red Tent." This novel tells the story of the first kings of Israel - Saul, David and Solomon - told through the eyes of Queen Michael, daughter of Saul, first wife of David, and loving friend to David's mistress Bathsheba (who is the mother of Solomon). The story is one of intrigue, lust, war, hate, passion, treachery, and love. It's a fascinating look at this well-known biblical tale.
bookishblond's review against another edition
3.0
All works of Biblical fiction, both good and bad, seem to get compared to The Red Tent. Queenmaker is no exception. However, rather than focusing on the lives of the little-mentioned women of the Bible, Queenmaker focuses on King David.
gaderianne's review against another edition
3.0
The story of King David told from the perspective of his first wife, Michal. Narrated in first person Michal narrates the entire story of their relationship from when she volunteered to be David's consolation wife (when her father Saul refused to allow a marriage between David and his elder daughter), to when David fled leaving her behind, their subsequent marriages to other people, David's demand that she return to him, her hatred and resentment towards him, and ultimately her plotting to ensure her foster son Solomon was placed on the throne.
This is the story of a woman scorned, of a bitter, angry and resentful woman (who wouldn't be in her shoes?) and how she ultimately finds peace with her life in the freedom of David's death. As she says reflectively in the end about all of David's wives - "But women's hearts are not trivial playthings, and it is never wise to throw love away - if only because its warmth may be needed in the cold future." (365)
This certainly was an intriguing spin on King David's story - I certainly hated him all the way through this book. I was curious enough after finishing the book to open up a Bible and read what was written about David and Michal. Edghill weaved a fascinating story by interpreting between the lines. She created a Biblical world that reminded me more of the maneuvering of Queen Elizabeth's court than how I always imagined God's chosen king's court. But - it was believable to me.
The concept was good. The story was interesting. I just wish that the book itself was better written and more captivating. It didn't pull me in right away and it took me a couple of starts to actually finish it. If I wasn't personally intrigued by the tie in with King David I probably wouldn't have finished it. (This book doesn't even compare to the Red Tent.)
This is the story of a woman scorned, of a bitter, angry and resentful woman (who wouldn't be in her shoes?) and how she ultimately finds peace with her life in the freedom of David's death. As she says reflectively in the end about all of David's wives - "But women's hearts are not trivial playthings, and it is never wise to throw love away - if only because its warmth may be needed in the cold future." (365)
This certainly was an intriguing spin on King David's story - I certainly hated him all the way through this book. I was curious enough after finishing the book to open up a Bible and read what was written about David and Michal. Edghill weaved a fascinating story by interpreting between the lines. She created a Biblical world that reminded me more of the maneuvering of Queen Elizabeth's court than how I always imagined God's chosen king's court. But - it was believable to me.
The concept was good. The story was interesting. I just wish that the book itself was better written and more captivating. It didn't pull me in right away and it took me a couple of starts to actually finish it. If I wasn't personally intrigued by the tie in with King David I probably wouldn't have finished it. (This book doesn't even compare to the Red Tent.)
amyma's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book on King David and Queen Michal. It was interesting and now I'm looking forward to reading [b:Wisdom's Daughter: A Novel of Solomon and Sheba|114469|Wisdom's Daughter A Novel of Solomon and Sheba|India Edghill|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171688610s/114469.jpg|110227].
mokey81's review against another edition
5.0
This is a wonderful book. I really enjoyed the story the author created around some very famous biblical characters.
I don't really know what to say other than that. Great story, great characters, satisfying ending. If you enjoy historical fiction, particularly set in biblical times, this book is right up there with The Red Tent and The Dovekeepers.
I don't really know what to say other than that. Great story, great characters, satisfying ending. If you enjoy historical fiction, particularly set in biblical times, this book is right up there with The Red Tent and The Dovekeepers.
mj44223's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it! Loved the way David was portrayed as this manipulative, selfish bastard. Loved the way she used bible verses to begin the chapters. It felt like she was reading between the lines.
appletonkelli's review against another edition
2.0
It was only okay. The writing was okay. The character development was slightly better than okay. The storyline if taken as a novel was okay. The fact that it swerved away from the historical account in the Bible was not okay. I expect a novelist to take some liberties with character and plot line when the historical record is not stated. But changing the historical record? Not cool.
letitiaharmon's review against another edition
4.0
Initially I did not think I was going to enjoy this overly much, due to the stilted dialogue and distant writing style. But I actually did, although more credit has to go to the Biblical story, which is one of the more jaw-dropping epics in the canon. Seriously, this family makes Game of Thrones seem like a mild soap opera.
For whatever reason I have always been fascinated by the character of Michal, David's first wife. This novel imagines her story as her father's sanity collapses and her husband's honor is eclipsed by ego. She, the first queen of Israel, is mentioned only a few times in scripture but it's always eye-catching, and I love that the author clearly agreed with me that she needed a lot more pages.
I will not deny this could have been more, and could have been done better, but overall I found myself eagerly returning to it to see this well-known story through different eyes. Should be a very enjoyable read for those who love historical fiction about royals, or retelling of tales from other perspectives.
For whatever reason I have always been fascinated by the character of Michal, David's first wife. This novel imagines her story as her father's sanity collapses and her husband's honor is eclipsed by ego. She, the first queen of Israel, is mentioned only a few times in scripture but it's always eye-catching, and I love that the author clearly agreed with me that she needed a lot more pages.
I will not deny this could have been more, and could have been done better, but overall I found myself eagerly returning to it to see this well-known story through different eyes. Should be a very enjoyable read for those who love historical fiction about royals, or retelling of tales from other perspectives.