I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Solomon's Bride by Rebecca Hazell
Published by CreateSpace
Publication Date April 7, 2014
Source: Author
Genres: Historical Fiction
Goodreads
Solomon's Bride is the dramatic sequel to The Grip of God. Sofia, the heroine, a former princess from Kievan Rus' was enslaved by a Mongol nobleman and then taken as a concubine by the leader of the Mongol invasions, Batu Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan. Now, having fled the Mongols with a price on her head, Sofia escapes into Persia and what she believes will be safety, only to fall into the clutches of the Assassins, who seek to disrupt the Mongol empire. In a world at war, both outer and inner, the second phase of her adventures unfolds. Can she ever find safe haven, much less the lost love and family that was almost destroyed by the Mongols?
“Thinking I was free from the Mongols forever, I felt such joy that I almost cried my thanks aloud.”
Our heroine Sofia exclaims at the beginning of Solomon’s Bride, I so wished this was true, and routed for her at the end of The Grip of God, but knew this would not be the case. Like the summary describes, just as she is freed from the Mongols she is befallen by the Assassins, thus starting full circle. By the sounds of it, it could feel repetitive, okay she’s kidnapped again, but she is a strong character who adapts (as best she can) to her surroundings and always looks over her shoulder, therefore she must escape, plus there is a third book so she can’t die right. Right?
I’ll cut my little brother slack as he was only ten, but my long-winded point was that he got so caught up in Rose’s story that he worried for her safety becoming enamored, and not just by Kate Winslet’s boobs. This is how I felt about Sofia, I grew a relationship for the character making expressions while reading that had other’s asking “are you okay?” and “what are you reading?” In other words, it didn’t matter that I had assumptions on the ending, it was the how I cared about, how could Sofia survive another tragedy?As for the Assassins and Mongols who have undoubtedly changed Sofia’s life, they can only be compared to this year’s American Idol finalists, which one is worse? Like my feelings towards Caleb and Jena I am noncommittal to both. Not to be mean, but neither are very good, and are just plain irksome.
Although like American Idol, of which I watch religiously each week, I enjoy following their journey to the Kodak Theater. That is how I felt in The Grip of God and Solomon’s Bride, it is the journey and transformation that has held me captive for so long.
Once again, Rebecca Hazell has managed to enliven the page with Technicolor images which makes Solomon’s Bride a very easy story to visualize and a pleasure to read.
About the author
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Terrific review, Whitney! I love your references to modern cultural entertainment. Most excellent! Above all, I am absolutely thrilled that you loved the book. Book three will be here before we know it!
Thanks Michelle, I'm glad you liked it! I always have fun adding pop culture references for my reviews, it stops me from starting sentences with "I liked…"
I'm looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy — thanks for hosting!