Title: Court Intrigue: The Man Who Refused to Kneel
Author: Ilan Sendowski
Publisher: Ewings Publishing LLC
ISBN: 979-8894194776
Pages: 274
Genre: Religious Fiction/ Historical Fiction
Reviewed by: Lily Amanda
Hollywood Book Reviews
Author Ilan Sendowski’s Biblical fiction work Court Intrigue: The Man Who Refused to Kneel, tells the story of a Jewish girl who is forced by circumstances to breach the law by marrying a non-Jewish man to prevent the extermination of her people.
Mordecai, a young man whose family is the direct successor of King Saul, is heartbroken by the death of his grandfather and instructor, Shimei. As he envisions the role Shimei has long trained him for, that of caring for the Israelite slaves still in Babylon, he understands the chance to help construct a new kingdom for his people and teach its new leaders a civilized way of life is drawing near.
He takes in a young girl called Haddasah after her parents are brutally murdered as part of his dedication to helping the Jews. She is from a royal family, and as his adopted daughter, she quickly becomes the center of his world, and the two grow inseparable. These events take place during King Cyrus’ conquest of Babylon, during which he takes many of its inhabitants’ prisoners. He is inherited by his son, King Ahasuerus, who, after some rebellion, organizes a Royal World Fair, which provides a great opportunity for other leaders to win his favor by showcasing their wealth, influence, and expertise as well as by offering him lavish gifts.
Surprisingly, his wife declines his request to show off her beauty to his guests on the night of the event while wearing the newly made Unity Crown. She is subsequently demoted and arrested in a humiliating manner. When King Ahasuerus begins exhibiting signs of agitation and irritation, Mordecai sees an opportunity to further his plan for protecting the Jews whose existence is in grave danger. However, his approach would need complete secrecy as well as a level of knowledge, insight, and inventiveness never previously demonstrated.
This high-stakes drama tells a well-structured biblical account in an inventive and illustrative manner. The plot is constantly changing, with several unexpected events which alter the reader’s perception of the classic Esther tale. The heroine, whose brilliance, beauty, and attractiveness place a great deal of responsibility on her, captures the reader’s interest with her curiosity, her inquisitiveness, and her loyalty toward her stepfather. Her persistent trust in God urges readers to have faith in the face of modern-day challenges.
Deeply nuanced, Court Intrigue: The Man Who Refused to Kneel by Ilan Sendowski will pique the interest of readers of all walks of faith. It is structured with upscale drama and spy elements, as well as frigid events and thrills that surface throughout the chapters while revealing and connecting the rich ancient history of the Jews, Persians, and Egyptians to the present.