Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar

[NadineTimes10]

It's almost unfair when a protagonist's journey resonates so clearly with my own experience, as I suspect it moves me even further away from objectivity in what is already a subjective exercise: writing book reviews. Still, I'm pretty certain Harvest of Rubies is, hands-down, an amazing novel.

Sarah is an intriguing, witty, and compassionate heroine, a scribe in the Persian court, brilliant at her culturally masculine job, a girly-girl by no means, living her life in fear, struggling with her self-image, and having little along the lines of self-acceptance. Author Tessa Afshar mixes Sarah's moving inward journey with palace intrigues, humiliating fiascos, touches of comedy, heartwarming friends (even Caspian the dog, dear boy), and Sarah's arranged marriage to the wealthy aristocrat Darius, a trying and poignant situation.

One of the most affecting aspects of Sarah's journey is her lifting the question of questioning God, of what it means to ask Him, "Why?" We hear about judging fellow human beings even when our understanding is lacking, but how might God feel when we, not knowing His entire story, judge Him?

Harvest of Rubies here is being added to my list of all-time Favorite Reads.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody Publishers for an honest review.

[bookowlie]

I enjoyed reading your review. I am adding this to my long reading list. You mentioned that the main character's journey resonates with your own experiences. My question.....if you are married to an aristocrat and live in a palace, when are I being invited over for tea? Ha ha ha - just kidding.

[NadineTimes10]

I enjoyed reading your review. I am adding this to my long reading list. You mentioned that the main character's journey resonates with your own experiences. My question.....if you are married to an aristocrat and live in a palace, when are I being invited over for tea? Ha ha ha - just kidding.

Hahaha-HA there, Owlie! I wish those were parts I'd experienced! Tea and crumpets for everyone. Thanks for reading.

[bookowlie]

Tea and crumpets, you say? Well, even if you don't live with an aristocrat in a palace, I would still come for tea and crumpets. By the way, I love the cover art.

[NadineTimes10]

I would still come for tea and crumpets. By the way, I love the cover art.

Admission: I've never actually had a crumpet.

And I like the cover art, too! So many historical fiction books these days go for an ultra-airbrushed-modern-super-model-looking person and just stick her in a period (or period-ish) dress, in an obviously dramatic pose like she's there just for the camera, but there's nothing historical or ancient looking about a photo like that. I like this cover because the heroine isn't a girly-girl or fashion goddess, and they didn't try to make her look like one. Her expression fits her character--add the grapes, and it's perfect.

[bookowlie]

Well, if you have a Trader Joe's near you, they sell crumpets in the bakery section. They are like English Muffins, only British. I bought them once about two years ago and wasn't overly impressed. You know, the British can make anything seem fancy, like those sandwiches that are divided into small pieces and the crusts are cut off.

[NadineTimes10]

You know, the British can make anything seem fancy, like those sandwiches that are divided into small pieces and the crusts are cut off.

Hold your pinky finger in the air while you pick 'em up and eat 'em, and you're set! The height of fanciness.