Book Review: The Royal Artisan by Tessa Afshar

About the Book:

Sazana of Persia creates exquisite pottery that graces Susa's finest tables, but her master, Lord Haman, does not know her secret: Sazana is one of the Jews he has vowed to eradicate. When Haman discovers her true identity, he forces her into indentured servitude. But at Haman's sudden downfall, Queen Esther becomes the new master of the pottery workshop, restoring Sazana to her rightful place.

Yet her troubles are not over as Haman's sons are enraged by his death, and the queen assigns one of her men to root out any threats. Sazana is shocked to discover the identity of the queen's agent is none other than Jadon, the man who left her heart in ruins years ago. But despite his presence, danger still lurks, and when Sazana and Jadon become entangled in the hunt for an ancient artifact, so much more than their own hearts and lives depends on the success of their mission.

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My Thoughts:

The Royal Artisan by Tessa Afshar caught my attention at the beginning and held it throughout the length of the story. Sazana, a female potter with a talent for creating exceptionally beautiful pieces, was both admirable and relatable. For all her skill, Sazana carried the unhealed trauma of losing her parents at an early age. Her broken betrothal only compounded her tendency toward self-reliance and control. I relished her character development as it blossomed. The weaving of spiritual and life truths into Sazana’s journey felt fresh and I marked many quotes.

In The Royal Artisan, the second-chance romance between Sazana and Jadon commenced with the awkwardness and tension of an unexpected reunion. As the story progressed, Jadon and Sazana experienced the resurrection of past feelings and unexpected moments of attraction. I liked that these characters communicated like adults and felt like committed partners even before their relationship resumed a romantic nature. It was a unique romance that had just the right balance of longing and loyalty.

The Royal Artisan by Tessa Afshar is the second installment of the Queen Esther’s Court series. Adin and Esther reappeared from book one (The Queen’s Cook), but The Royal Artisan read as a true standalone. I loved that everything was wrapped up by the end, but I’m also eager for book three. Can’t wait to read more of Esther’s Secret Scrolls and Afshar’s next powerful story!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review: The Queen's Cook by Tessa Afshar

About the Book:

In the heart of ancient Persia, the empire's Jewish citizens face an ominous edict that threatens their very existence. Roxannah, the daughter of an impoverished Persian lord, is devastated by the news but feels helpless to come to the aid of her Jewish friends. Desperate to support her family, Roxannah approaches the royal physician, Adin--the man whose kind eyes haunt her--and seeks his help to find employment in Queen Esther's kitchens.

In the opulent palace of Susa, Roxannah tries to survive the spiteful ploys of the other cooks as she ascends through the ranks. Her loyalty earns her the trust and friendship of Queen Esther, who is navigating dangerous politics with wisdom and grace. When Roxannah and Adin uncover a sinister plot against Amestris, the king's most powerful wife and Esther's archenemy, they find themselves tasked with the impossible job of discovering the culprit. As secrets unravel and alliances are tested, the fate of Esther's reign hangs in the balance.

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My Thoughts:

The Queen’s Cook read like classic Tessa Afshar, which is to say… it was a thoroughly entertaining novel with romance, truth, and beautiful themes. From the start, Afshar’s prose flowed easily as it unpacked information. Her writing felt confident and was crafted so that the scenes always moved the story forward in some way. Like Roxannah creating her pistachio cake, Afshar deftly added the ingredients of historical details, longshot romance, delectable meals, palace intrigue, character growth, and spiritual truths to create a five-star reading experience.

To elaborate on the elements in The Queen’s Cook, I’ll start with the historical setting. Roxannah’s noble status and experiences in Esther’s royal kitchen richly depicted the Persian court under Xerxes, an environment where palace intrigue swirled amid every level of social status. As Roxannah and Adin were drawn into the mystery and danger, they faced underhanded workers in the kitchen, a cunning wife of Xerxes, and power dynamics among the royal court. Quite a perilous blend.

As expected, The Queen’s Cook included culinary delights. I found the exotic dishes interesting even for a non-foodie like me. Naturally, food played a part in establishing and perpetuating the romance between Adin and Roxannah. I enjoyed Adin’s kind and thoughtful treatment of Roxannah despite the hard issues between them. It was lovely to watch their romance unfold.  

Being raised in Persian nobility, Roxannah showed herself to be morally upright, loyal, and clever, but she did not devote herself to any deity. Even so, Afshar weaved in spiritual themes as Roxannah’s past trauma and current circumstances moved her toward knowing the Lord’s mercy and love. Roxannah’s faith journey felt genuine, and I loved that her faith served to make her stronger.

The Queen’s Cook by Tessa Afshar commenced her new series, Queen Esther’s Court. Though the novel felt complete and held a satisfying ending, Esther’s secret scrolls cleverly tie the series together. I am eager for the next novel. Five stars for The Queen’s Cook.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

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Preorder/Purchase Links:

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