L. Leighton

5.0 out of 5 starsThe Story Stays With You - in a Good Way!

June 9, 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I have read the other reviews out of interest in what others took away from the book. I am not sure I can add anything particularly more insightful than has already been said except to say that I have not been a fan of period fiction prior; however, after reading To Hold The Throne, I am now. I will anxiously await the next book by this author – she is one to follow. She writes beautifully with a balance between “nice to know” and “need to know”. She does not clutter the story up with too many piddling details but finds just the right balance to tell the tale and keep our interest. This book stayed with me after I had finished it. I found myself reflecting back on the story – not for just the rich information about the period, but also because it moved me. I definitely recommend this book, as well as grabbing up any new installments released by this author!

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Joy RS

5.0 out of 5 starsA woman who should be remembered

June 9, 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is a very well-written story that’s easy to read and very compelling. It caught me up and I wanted to read the next chapter and the next, and the next… This is a period of history about which, having read the Bible, I thought I knew as much as I needed to. And yes, this is a novel, but it turns out I had a lot to learn. So not only was the book a pleasure to read, but I walked away afterwards feeling somehow much improved.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Alice R. Friedman

5.0 out of 5 starsPassionate history

July 11, 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

It’s 41 BCE and the Judean Princess Miramne is about to learn the identity of her future husband. Not the expected Judean princes, the winner is Herod a Roman general King of the Jews so named by the Roman Senate.
Thus begins a rich tale of love, war, intrigue and politics in a little known period of history.
To Hold the Throne is written in two voices, Miramne and Herod, and plunges into their growing love which is tarnished by his ambition and decline into narissitic paranoia.
The well-researched story is rich in the details of daily life of the time and burdensome political intrigue with familiar historic figures such as Antony and Cleopatra.
Full of love, war, power and tragedy, this is a must read—at least once.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

arthur crandon

5.0 out of 5 starsHistorical fiction at it's best.

June 7, 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Joni brings to life an exciting time in world development. She mixes fiction with well-known historical figures and events, and supports it well with a map and a genealogy. Her writing style enables the reader to really immerse themselves in the story. I hope many more books will follow. An enjoyable and recommended read.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Sutter Creek

5.0 out of 5 starsHistorical fiction at its best!

June 4, 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Kudos to Okun for rescuing the Maccabeean princess Mariamne from the shadows of history and sharing her untold story at last. If you liked THE RED TENT, you’ll love this exhaustively researched novel by an obviously gifted author.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

okiealan

5.0 out of 5 starsA great read from beginning to end.

July 9, 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Joni Okun’s first novel is a great historical depiction of the world of the Maccabees previously unknown to me. The story line keeps you turning pages and the character development is exceptionally strong. You feel like you really know the characters well throughout the book. You feel King Herod’s frustration with his wife, the Queen, and you feel her hatred for him until the very end. This book is recommended for everyone. Enjoy!

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Andy Beran

5.0 out of 5 starsSolid history and a page turner

June 25, 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

The author clearly knows her stuff. The book is well researched and well written. You will learn about the period and gain insights into the dynamics playing out between historical characters. It is a great read and one that you will enjoy.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

M. Reneaut

5.0 out of 5 starsGreat writing

June 16, 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Love this book! Highly recommend.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Randa Marder

5.0 out of 5 starsEngaging and Educational

July 2, 2019

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Intricate descriptions as well as great overview of the time of Herod. Joni writes in beautiful prose as she merges creative fiction with history. I was engaged from beginning to the end and look forward to her next book.

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Kimberly Schell

5.0 out of 5 starsHeld my attention

July 13, 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This book held my attention throughout. It really brought historical characters to life . Can't wait to see what's next for this author.

Belltower

5.0 out of 5 starsDon't miss this book!

June 4, 2019

Format: Kindle Edition

Joni Okun's novel, To Hold the Throne, is a wonderful work of historical fiction which transports the reader to an exciting and turbulent period in the life of ancient Judea. The Maccabean (Hasmonean) dynasty has been torn apart, both from an internal struggle for power and from the foreign influence of Rome. A new king has been crowned, Herod the Idumean, counsellor to former King Hyrcanus and married to the old ruler's granddaughter, Mariamne, the last Maccabee princess. The novel focuses on Mariamne and Herod, their complicated relationship, and their inner thoughts and fears. The supporting cast includes great men and women of the era, among them Marc Antony, Augustus Caesar, and Cleopatra.
There is something for everyone in this tale, which incorporates elements of suspense, intrigue, romance, treachery, murder and warfare. I can't help thinking that it would make a phenomenal television mini-series. The settings are lush and meticulously detailed, and the characters are well developed and engage the reader. These are people one comes to care about, even as one questions their motives and their stability. While this is a work of fiction, it is clear that a lot of research went into bringing this ancient world to life. Those who are familiar with Herod as a master builder and as the architect of the Slaughter of the Innocents may be unaware of the events which unfolded decades before, when his scheming first brought him to power. And Mariamne, the tortured link between the Maccabee and Herodian dynasties, is a worthy foil to her ambitious husband. While some of the characters may be familiar to the reader, this novel is certain to cast them in a new light as complex and flawed human beings.
I am always delighted to discover a new author whose work has me turning pages and feeling sad when I reach the end. It is hard to believe that this is a debut novel. I am already looking forward to seeing where Joni Okun takes me next. If you enjoy historical fiction, or actually any form of fiction, you really should not miss this novel.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

nancy

5.0 out of 5 starsA Remarkable Read!

June 6, 2019

Format: Kindle Edition

In To Hold The Throne, the author brings the era of King Herod The Great to life (41 BCE- 29 BCE). The reader is introduced to the intricacies of palace life and the relationships Herod forged among his family and foes. Alternating chapters are written in first person as Mariamne, the wife of King Herod and third person as King Herod. Each shares their innermost thoughts about their marriage, their family and their secret ambitions
The author is a talented historical novelist whose exquisite use of language is especially powerful in her thorough depiction of the daily lives of the members of the royal family. Okun’s extensive knowledge and fascination with the Maccabee (Hasmonian) clan and their progeny is evident throughout the story. The amount of research she ensued in order to tell this incredible story of battles and betrayals is beyond belief. Her passion for history comes alive on every page.
The author has the ability to tell a powerful, historical story in a manner that it will become part of the reader’s permanent knowledge base. Her vivid depictions throughout the novel bring history to life in a most remarkable way.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

ICB

5.0 out of 5 starsA stunning must-read debut novel.

June 4, 2019

Format: Kindle Edition

To Hold the Throne is the story of the last Maccabee princess, Miriamne, forced to wed Herod, the increasingly paranoid and megalomaniac schemer Rome has appointed the Judean King. Through a fast-paced plot of alternating viewpoints, we breathlessly follow the consequences of Herod’s failure to achieve acceptance by his Queen, or the Jewish population. We become acquainted with Miriamne, the proud Maccabee, and feel her pain and fear as Herod descends into madness driven by unrequited desires for personal and regicidal adoration.

I do not wish to belabor the many likely comparisons and contrasts with Anita Diamant’s The Red Tent. So, I will be succinct. To Hold the Throne by debut author Joan Okun is better. She has achieved a rarity in historical fiction; despite her extensive research, there is no hint of pontification. Instead we see, hear, and feel the Judean and Roman empires during the reign of Herod. Like spices in a well-baked pie, we find the historic context for Masada, Cleopatra, Anthony, and The Temple in Jerusalem sprinkled among the plot, flavoring and enhancing the whole. The main characters are well-developed. One feels sympathy for their situation, and admiration for their strengths, even while revulsed by their flaws.

For most of us ancient history is so many disjointed loose threads in our cultural gestalt. Ms. Okun, through her delightful storytelling, has taken up these threads and woven us a fine robe of a story. No doubt this will be a popular book club selection. I’m proud to say, I discovered it early, and I am eager to recommend this gem of a find.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Amber Leigh

4.0 out of 5 starsA great read, overall.

June 5, 2019

Format: Paperback

What I liked best about "To Hold the Throne" was how the story moved along steadily without too many historical details overwhelming the narrative. The descriptions that establish the time, place, and context were just enough. Yes, history is fascinating, but the most important thing in any novel, whether historical or not, are the characters and plot and how one influences the other. "To Hold the Throne" does this quite masterfully, in my opinion.

And as far as the descriptions go, the language is nothing especially lofty, but it is rich and colorful and beautifully evocative. In particular, it well describes the sparkle and luxury of the royal lifestyle against the stark backdrop of Roman-occupied Judea in the first century B.C.

In terms of character development, Herod's arc is the most interesting by far. Before reading this book, I didn't know much about him beyond the fact that he degenerated into a hyper-paranoid tyrant by the end of his life, ready to eliminate even the remotest hint of a threat, and this book shows how it might have happened. We get a look inside Herod's head and see the slow, subtle burgeoning of a true Machiavellian psychopath...how he has an excuse for everything he does, how he justifies all his actions to himself and to others, no matter how heinous they are. In this book, his obsession with making Mariamne love him is a major motivating force for that.

There is also the fact that the narration changes periodically...first-person POV from Mariamne, and third-person from Herod's. I can see how this is a good way to do it, artistically speaking, because it builds sympathy with Mariamne, the protagonist, while distancing the reader from the increasingly-depraved Herod. But I think the story would have "flowed" better if ALL of it was told from the third-person POV.

That aside, I do recommend this novel for anyone who loves suspense or historical fiction, especially stories taking place in the ancient world. It presents an illuminating glimpse into a time of the Holy Land's history which few people know much about, because it gets overshadowed by what else happened at the same time (Antony and Cleopatra) and what happened just afterwards (the life of Jesus Christ). To know more about the Maccabean-Herodian dynastic change gives one a better understanding, overall, of these other events.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Wilhelm K.

5.0 out of 5 starsHistory, her story, and more

June 5, 2019

Format: Paperback

To Hold the Throne holds your attention page after page, weaving together a compelling story line, fascinating historical detail and surprising character development. As I read and watched King Herod slowly go mad, I was fearful for the life of his Queen, Miriamne, the book's protagonist. At the same time, I saw Miriamne grow and mature under pressure.

You'll learn a lot of history from reading this book, too. That's just an extra bonus on top of the entertaining read.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Elisa Maria

4.0 out of 5 starsFiction and history beautifully married

June 7, 2019

Format: Kindle Edition

Okun has done a wonderful job of rich story telling with well researched history and three dimensional characters. I read the book for entertainment but learned in the process. I recommend this book if you appreciate history, are interested in Biblical times, or simply enjoy a story that will transport you.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Maxine Tabas

5.0 out of 5 starsOne of the best historical novels I have read

June 7, 2019

Format: Paperback

A historical novel meticulously written that not only brings to the forefront the little known figure of Herod’s wife, Marianne but paints a vivid picture of the life, and the complexity and machinations of the time. The author brilliantly humanizes the historical figures so that we see them in the context of their time and experience the fears and uncertainties with them. Ms Okun has combined extensive research with a tremendous insight into human nature to produce a novel that one will reread and treasure.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Kindle Customer

5.0 out of 5 starsBrilliant!!!

July 3, 2019

Format: Kindle Edition

My goodness, this book was sooooo interesting!!! I appreciate the meticulous research, which provided historical clarity. The culture and circumstances surrounding war and royalty were outlined in great detail, but in a compelling way readers can enjoy. Herod's heightening madness is especially fascinating to observe, offering a glimpse into how paranoia develops and inevitably fouls the human mind. It was fun learning, to say the least, with tension building and holding to the end!! I can't wait for the next book in the series!!!

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Gloria Newberger

5.0 out of 5 starsLoved This Book

June 5, 2019

Format: Kindle Edition

I loved "To Hold The Throne", I started reading it one morning, carried the book with me all day and finally finished it that evening.Once embarking on this fascinating story, I had to contiue to the conclusion.

Mrs. Okun is a beautiful writer. Obviously, she immersed herself in the history of this period in time. Her descriptions of life in Herod's day are marvelous. I learned so much about the architecture, the food, the clothes and the everyday life of the people. Her characters are many faceted. She explores their strengths and weaknesses. They come to life as real people adapting to the difficulties they encounter.

I plan to buy many copies of this book and send them to my friends who love historical fiction and a good read.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Comment Report abuse

Jeffrey M. Cohen

5.0 out of 5 starsGreat historical fiction.

June 9, 2019

Format: Kindle Edition

This novel paints a wonderfully complete picture of life in the Holy Land during the Roman Empire. The patterns of scheming and intrigue within the royal family are reminiscent of books we've all read about the British monarchy. The author has plainly done a large amount of research into sweeping historical events. However, maintaining the individual female perspective brings the stories down to the personal level. Even people not too interested in history will enjoy this book.

In a work of historical fiction set in the first century B.C.E., Mariamne of Maccabee struggles to juggle her marriage to power-hungry Herod the Great with her loyalty to the Judea he wishes to conquer. Mariamne waits excitedly to hear her grandfather—Hyrcanus, the governor and high priest of Judea—announce to whom she will be wed. Given the parlous political times, she assumes it will be to another Maccabee to preserve the purity of the dynastic royal line from which she descends. Her world suddenly tilts when Hyrcanus announces that he’s chosen Herod, the governor of Galilee, an old man already married and largely considered a puppet of Rome and, most importantly, not a Maccabee. She protests the planned union, but her grandfather has already made up his mind, thinking the arrangement is the most effective way to secure the eventual ascension of her brother, Aris, now only a boy, to the Judean kingship. Herod unabashedly reveals his intentions to become the king, an admission that not only disgusts Mariamne, but floods her with ambition, not only for Aris, but for herself, an internal conflict sensitively portrayed by debut author Okun: “Queen Mariamne? I rather liked the sound of it. I could be the mother of kings. I could produce the man who wore the crown of Judea.” The author dramatically chronicles her precarious position, which only grows more dangerous as Herod perceives her disdain for him and begins to question her loyalties. Okun’s research is marvelously meticulous. She deftly unravels the complex political entanglements of the time. Moreover, she brings them to vivid life, detailing the frustration of Judeans with the arrogantly dismissive Roman rule. The heart of the tale, however, is Mariamne’s psychological depth. The author resists a hagiographic urge to transform her into a simplistic hero, a decision that ultimately makes her plight all the more deserving of empathy. Okun’s first novel is a rare combination of historical scrupulousness and fictional artistry. .