Esther Bat Hanan is finally a woman; now she is privy to the harsh reality of what it means to be female and Jewish in Roman-ruled Judea during the first century C.E. Based on a real gravestone found in Italy that bears a plea for protection from a man who loved her, Esther's story takes place during the destruction of Jerusalem and the second Jewish temple in 66 C.E. Esther, at the age of 14, is torn between being a dutiful daughter and following her own dreams. Out of obligation, Esther always chooses her family, ultimately braving abuse, famine, war, and slavery to protect those whom she loves. While Esther's fictionalized journey from privileged child to hardened survivor is unusual and captivating, the disjointed and dispassionate third-person narrative makes this novel a somewhat clunky and slow read. The often barbaric society of the ancient Roman Empire, where rape, murder, and ritual animal sacrifice are commonplace, makes for a harsh setting that may be difficult for sensitive readers to get through. Esther's remarkable, mysterious, and meticulously researched story is one that demands to be told and imagined fully; unfortunately it is let down by an unnecessarily lengthy plot. Despite its interesting basis, this is a lackluster glimpse into a shrouded mystery. (author's note, historical note) (Historical fiction. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 8 Up--This complex novel set in the first century CE tells the story of one Jewish girl's experiences in Jerusalem under Roman rule and during the destruction of the second temple. Esther is the well-educated, well-off daughter of a Jewish priest. She hopes to marry for love. However, the Jews rebel, the Romans are ousted, a civil war takes place, and the Romans return to burn the temple, kill or enslave most Jews, and start the Jewish diaspora. With this history as backdrop, Esther marries a man she does not love. She loses two brothers and her husband to the fighting, her parents to age, and her best friend to the fire. She and her younger brother are enslaved and brought to Rome, where a Roman ex-slave, Tiberius, rescues them. Kaufman crams in a lot of history and politics. Esther's character growth proceeds slowly, although ultimately she protects her family at all costs. The writing is clear, smooth, and accessible, with short, fast-moving chapters. Esther's first marriage is abrupt, with little emotional impact. One brother is an unsympathetic screw-up, and Esther's love for him is largely told not shown, making her grief lack credulity. Her relationship with Tiberius develops believably, but the marriage happens quickly with little chance to savor it. VERDICT An engaging story for historical fiction fans, however, romance readers may feel unsatisfied. Buy where historical and Jewish fiction are in demand.--Amy Lilien-Harper, Wilton Lib., CT