"Recall yourself, Abigail," the king said. "And be thankful you're a woman and do not suffer the consequences a man would, for speaking as you just have."
"I've never been less thankful to be a woman!"
Abigail flings these words at her brilliant but remote father King Solomon. He's just casually informed her she's to marry the sinister Prophet Nathan, a lizard-eyed palace schemer four times her age. Determined to prevent this by any means, Abigail proposes a wager. If she meets a challenge of Solomon's choosing, he'll make her a judge in his own court. If she fails, she must marry Nathan.
To Abigail's dismay, Solomon charges her with investigating Amisi, one of his wives he suspects of betrayal. If Abigail fails to prove her innocence, Amisi will be put to death.
Abigail relies on the help of her best friend Moth, but to confuse matters, she's developing more-than-friendly feelings for him. In a world where women are legion yet powerless, Abigail embarks on a mission to save Amisi, revealing truths that grow stranger—and more dangerous—as they unravel.
"In this illuminating novel, the protagonists from the Biblical period think and act according to the social norms of their day, [but] their personas are filled with universal human qualities. Polished prose and a balanced narrative to dialogue ratio also lend this unconventional novel a standout allure. Aimed at young adults, this thought-provoking book enlightens as well as educates, shining a spotlight on women's issues in a society far removed from the present." -- The BookLife Prize.
