• Winner, 2021 National Jewish Book Award

  • Finalist, 2021

    The Christy

  • Gold Selection, Junior Library Guild

A young woman survives the unthinkable in this stunning and emotionally satisfying tale of family, love, and resilience, set against the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE.

Penguin Random House

BUY

About the book….

Rebel Daughter transports the reader to one of the most dramatic and momentous events in human history – the destruction of Jerusalem in the 1st century. This stunning tale of family, love and resilience was inspired by a major archaeological discovery in southern Italy: the 2,000 year-old gravestone of Claudia Aster (Esther). The few Latin words chiseled into the ancient stone, proof of a very unlikely romance, shocked and intrigued scholars around the world.

Rebel Daughter is Esther’s story. An aristocratic young woman who comes of age during the Jewish revolt against Rome. Esther dreams of so much more than the marriage her parents have arranged to a prosperous silversmith. Yet she is torn between her family duties and her own desires.

Meanwhile, the growing turmoil in Jerusalem threatens to tear apart not only her beloved city, but also her own family. As the alleyways turn into a bloody battleground between rebels and Romans, Esther's journey becomes one of survival. She remains fiercely devoted to her family, and braves famine, siege, and slavery to protect those she loves.

This thrilling and impassioned saga, based on real characters and meticulous research, seamlessly blends the fascinating story of the Jewish people with a timeless protagonist determined to take charge of her own life against all odds.

What people are saying.

“Highly readable and compelling . . . will hold your interest from the first page to the last.”

Blu Greenberg, author, and founder of the Orthodox Jewish Feminist Alliance

“This book follows in the tradition of The Dovekeepers and The Red Tent in rendering ancient Jewish history from the perspective of a young woman.

Association of Jewish Libraries

"Esther's remarkable, mysterious, and meticulously researched story is one that demands to be told.”

 Kirkus Reviews

"A very good read indeed."

 The Jerusalem Post

"Brings ancient Jerusalem to life."

The Times of Israel

"Riveting."

Allegra Goodman, author of Kaaterskill Falls, National Book Award Finalist

"Compelling tale of family, love and resilience."

Jewish Women's Archive

 

"A first-century history lesson, the struggle of a young woman and all the makings of an action movie.”  

All Israel News

Speaker, Jewish Book Council Network