I really enjoyed this work of historical and Biblical fiction. It was entertaining with strong characters, but I also learned a lot I didn't know about history during the intertestamental period. Having just celebrated Hanukkah, I found it very interesting to learn about the descendents of the Maccabees among others. I thought the author did an amazing job weaving stories of Daniel, Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Herod, and the wise men into one story, and I feel I understand the world Jesus was born into much better as a result of reading this book. I also really loved the characters in this book and thought the author did an especially good job with the secondary characters, giving them nuance and depth that authors often don't take the time to give them.

Thank you for the opportunity to read The Queen's Handmaid. Unfortunately, I did not complete my reading of the book before it was archived in September 2014. I do not plan to finish the book.

I really enjoy Tracy Higley's novels. I have read a number of them and have a couple more in my to read pile. I love reading historical fiction set in Biblical times. I find these books extremely interesting.

In The Queen's Handmaid, Lydia, an orphan, is a handmaiden for Cleopatra. When secrets arise, her mentor, Daniel, gives her an important mission and she must leave the only home she has ever known to now serve King Herod's wife, Queen Mariamme. In the midst of all the transitions in her life, she must deliver the secret scrolls before time runs out.

Like Higley's other novels, the history and setting is well-researched and vividly-detailed. It is educational and entertaining. The pacing of the story is a little up and down, and I wanted a little more from Lydia. Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and if you haven't read Higley's works, I would recommend you try one!

Sorry, never got around to reading. Will try again at a later date.