Rebel Daughter

by Lori Banov Kaufmann

[Quirky Cat]

I received a copy of Rebel Daughter in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Lori Banov Kaufmann's debut novel, Rebel Daughter, is a delightful and powerful read – one that blends Jewish literature with historical fiction, and so much more.

Esther is a woman torn. She wants to make her family proud, to do the right thing. However, she also has her own wants and desires – both of which take her away from the path that her family would have her follow.

Her internal conflict is mirrored by her city. Jerusalem has become a battleground, in nearly every sense of the word. What happens here will threaten to tear the city and her family apart, and Esther must face it all.

“She missed his small, dark study, its shelves stacked with rolled parchment scrolls, its smell of the wax tablets.”

Rebel Daughter is a wonderful yet intense read. One that isn't afraid to pull in historical and human elements in order to tell the tale of one determined woman. Esther's story is a powerful one, the story of story that really does stick with you.

It's amazing how complex the story became, before it all wrapped up. The fact that it includes real characters, and made heavy use of research probably didn't hurt that any, but it is still an incredibly impressive feat, one that I want to acknowledge.

If you're looking for a novel that's capable of carving a path to your heart, pick up Rebel Daughter. If you're looking for a novel that's steeped in history, and that did its research, pick up Rebel Daughter. If you're looking for a novel revolving around a strong female lead, pick up Rebel Daughter.

The point I'm trying to get at here, in case it wasn't obvious, is that you should go and read Rebel Daughter. It's worth it.

Check out more reviewers over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks