The Queen’s Cook by Tessa Afshar

💛The Queen’s Cook by Tessa Afshar💛

Book one in the Queen Esther’s Court series.

Blurb:

In the heart of ancient Persia, the empire’s Jewish citizens face an ominous edict that threatens their very existence. Roxannah, the daughter of a once-privileged but now impoverished Persian lord, is devastated by the news. Her father sees this edict as a stroke of good fortune, an opportunity to settle his mounting debts by killing the Jewish physician, Adin, and seizing his belongings, but instead he meets his own untimely end, leaving Roxannah destitute and adrift. Desperate and determined to support her mother while settling the debt, Roxannah approaches Adin–the man whose kind eyes still haunt her–to help her find employment in Queen Esther’s kitchens.

In the opulent palace of Susa, Roxannah strives to overcome prejudice and adversity as she ascends through the ranks in the royal kitchen. Her culinary talent earns her the trust and mentorship of Queen Esther herself, a woman of grace and wisdom, who is navigating treacherous palace politics and whispers of her inability to produce an heir after six years of marriage. Amid this unfolding connection, Roxannah and Adin uncover a sinister plot against Amestris, the king’s most powerful wife and Esther’s archenemy. As secrets unravel and alliances are tested, the fate of Amestris and Esther’s reign hang in the balance.

My thoughts: 

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

That was amazing. 

It did not take that much time for my interest to peek from 0 to 100. This book really took you into the culture and feel of Persia, and it made you feel connected to the characters. 

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Esther, for who she really was, until this book. It was so cool to be able to read her thoughts in the scrolls, and to also see her in Roxannah and Adin’s POV. And I have to say that all those meals and desserts were making my mouth water!😋 Adin and Roxannah’s relationship was so sweet , even when Adin still withheld himself from Roxannah because she had not believed in God yet; and it was really encouraging to see that! After she trusted in the Lord, it was so cute for them to finally find love in each other! 

I hearted the spiritual content so much! Adin was such a good teacher and steward to Roxannah. He really brought the scriptures to life, and he was a great example of a devoted Christian. Esther’s faith in God was also very admirable. 🙂 The moment where Roxannah realized God’s might and mercy of keeping and strengthening her was very well done by the author as well.

Thank you to the author for making yet another book, clean. It is much appreciated to be able to read clean books with such great stories in them as a teenager!☺️

I loved this book and would so recommend it to those who are looking for a great Biblical fiction with some romance! A great one to enjoy cuddled up in bed with a blanket! (And make sure to bring a snack while you’re reading! You’ll need one! 😉)

⚠️ Age recommendation: 15-16+, although a 14 year old could try to read it. ⚠️

My rating: 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sexual Content: 

A few kisses (ranging from lightly detailed to semi-detailed), holding hands, embraces, and Adin pulled Roxannah onto his lap once. Attraction, Warmth, Shivering, Blushing, and Noticing. A mention in Esther’s scrolls, of her menses (menstrual cycle) shaping her destiny, and her bleeding out later when she was closer to 17, saved the nation from the plot of Haman. A man flirts with Roxannah in a rude and disrespectful way and wants to step out with her. (He is known to flirt with most of the women there. [Semi-detailed].) Mentions of seeing Esther’s smudged eyes and bruised lips, and realizing that the woman was not alone through the night (Esther is married). A mention of Roxannah thinking that the king (Xerxes) is always thought to be a symbol and not a man of flesh and blood who would hold a beautiful woman through the night and leave behind the mark of his passionate kisses. Love, falling in love, and the emotions. 

Profanity: 

None

Violence: 

Some fighting scenes, blood, and death. Roxannah’s father is a drunk, and her and her mother were often abused verbally and physically. A mention of hearing someone plotting to kill the princess. A man was stabbed in the back. (Self-defense) A man fainted. Some pain and fear. 

POV’s: Switches between Roxannah, Adin, and Esther through her scrolls 

Pages : 400

This is an awesome book! I’m so excited for book 2 to come out. It’s going to be a looong wait for November! 😜