The Legend of Sheba

Rise of a Queen

By: Tosca Lee

Narrated by: Lisa Larsen

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Her name is legend. Her story, the epic of nations. The Queen of Sheba.

There is the story you know: A foreign queen, journeying north with a caravan of riches to pay tribute to a king favored by the One God. The tale of a queen conquered by a king and god both before returning to her own land laden with gifts. That is the tale you were meant to believe. Which means most of it is a lie.

In the 10th century BC, the new Queen of Sheba has inherited her father's throne and all its riches at great personal cost. Her realm stretches west across the Red Sea into land wealthy in gold, frankincense, and spices. But now, new alliances to the North threaten the trade routes that are the lifeblood of her nation. Solomon, the brash new king of Israel famous for his wealth and wisdom, will not be denied the tribute of the world - or of Sheba's queen. With tensions ready to erupt within her own borders and the future of her nation at stake, the one woman who can match wits with Solomon undertakes the journey of a lifetime in a daring bid to test and win the king. But neither ruler has anticipated the clash of agendas, gods, and passion that threatens to ignite - and ruin - them both. An explosive retelling of the legendary king and queen and the nations that shaped history.

©2014 Tosca Lee (P)2020 Tantor

Who is the woman behind the legend?

There are many legends about the Queen of Sheba. Some of the stories call her Makada, others Bilqis. She even shows up in modern-day stories as a goddess. This book is a retelling of the legend from her point of view. The legend traces her youth in Sheba, learning wisdom from scrolls available to her as a princess. She develops a love for wisdom and knowledge. Her mother, Ismeni, the queen, dies when she is young, leaving Bilqis to fend for herself against a new queen, who is selfish and ambitious. Bilqis is nearly destroyed but finds freedom when she is sent across the sea to live for a time. Her rise to power begins when her father king dies. Many of the tribes are not loyal to the stepmother queen and choose instead to support Bilqis’ blood claim to the throne. In the battle to secure the throne, her lover is killed leaving her bereft and lonely. She realizes that she will not be able to rule like a man, so she makes herself into a goddess-the moon's daughter. On the throne, she rules well until a young Israelite king, Solomon, threatens to destroy her kingdom’s wealth and economy by creating a fleet of trade ships. She travels to Israel to negotiate with the king taking a caravan of extravagant wealth. In Israel, she faces many challenges and threats but wins the king's heart. I know this legend from other points of view in different stories. The emotions and drama were not quite my style, but the logic, strategy, and nuances were fun. It’s easy to see how the story could evolve in so many ways, both flattering and not, through the course of history.

This is for strong women and those seeking wisdom in stories.

A Profound Story

I appreciate a good story and one that refreshes the soul, enlightens the mind, and gives strength to the resolution of the heart. This author has a gift of enlightenment and enduring precision of historical accuracy with relational possibilities. I heartily encourage a reader's choice of this book to enjoy. Thank you to the author very much for all your hard work, insight, and provision.

Amazing story!

Amazing story! I’m so sad it ended. I can’t wait to start another of Tosca’s books.

An enchanting Love Story l

A love story of 2 Nations. And it's descriptive narration kept me fully engrossed.

Soothing voice

Narrator has soothing voice. I can see and feel the main character. Good listen when your trying to wind down.

Good book but...

the story is good for a fiction book. but the Bible doesn't say anything like that.

A True Allegory Visually Expressed as a Fairytale

The true events written in the Bible came alive from the authors ability to show the more realistic colors and beauty of the people in Africa, and the cultures that can only be expressed through careful study of the historical times in the scriptures. Such detail went into the illustrations that it seemed as though one was reading a fairy- tale.

Excellent story

Tosca Lee has penned some of my favorite books and I’ll be adding Sheba to that list. She knows her characters well and presents them in believable setting while keeping true what is historical. Lisa Larson keeps a good pace and distinctive voice throughout the story. I enjoy her narration.

Epic through and through

An incredible historical fiction that leaves the reader/listener in awe from the beginning til the end.

Excellent

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thank you Rosca Lee for another good book. Narrator was also excellent!