Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Prince Herod ben Herod - "Little Herod", as they called him - was very gay and a little bit naughty. He grew up to be the father of Salome, one of the world's most famous temptresses. His mother was the daughter of the High Priest and was described by historians as the most beautiful woman of her time. Well, he must have been good-looking. He certainly thought he was. His father, King Herod the Great, executed one wife and three of his own sons during his reign. This is the tale of how Little Herod navigated the intrigues of what had to have been a fraught and frightening Royal Court.

Book Review

Though historically footed, this biographical novel is presented as an intimate, gossipy family tale. It’s an easy read, but there may be some inescapable confusion due to a plethora of similar and duplicated names. It begins with a long, interesting letter to our narrator’s friend, written by Little Herod in his maturity, which well frames and adds to his perspicacity.

 

Reviewers commit efforts (and ultimately your reading time) toward worthwhile tomes, whether they be educational, captivating, or even occasionally masturbatory. Here we have a history well-laced with fantasy conversations and supposed motivations, all generated by an in-depth glimpse of ancient history, enlarged by literary license (otherwise known as gossip). As modern readers, this may be easy to digest, whether the treatment is actual research or merely fictive licence.

 

Little Herod, the youngest son of Herod the Great, is the narrator: “Mrs. Pontius was quite titillated to grasp that Herodias my niece, and Herodias my ex-wife and Herodias my sister-in-law are all the same busy woman.” Little Herod matures by the novel’s “good parts.” But don’t expect those erotic details with which current publishers increase sales. Yet, fear not, as the tone is pseudo-societal and easily familiar for readers of our daily rags. The author well captures the voice of this prepubescent narrator. As an example, Little Herod observes his brother’s privates: “I wondered if getting hard and swollen made it itch, because Archelous couldn’t seem to keep his hands off it.” Little Herod also notes that his own father is considerably older than that man’s father-in-law! And all this is sufficiently spiced with historical facts as to engage even serious readers. 

 

The narrator’s voice is kept suitable to his young age. Aside comments, such as noting the lack of attractiveness of his older half-brothers (likely due to the poor physicality of their mother!), seasons the text. Another example: he easily references “the masculine camaraderie of the urinal.”   

 

The main character is quite as gay as the proverbial maypole (though he eventually, for a time, manages a marriage!). His is the opportune voice of some modern, liberal, societal views, particularly his (or the author’s) thoughts on slavery and women’s status summary – while the names generate confusion, and the “facts” seem interspersed with fiction, this is a fun – even fascinating – read and I highly recommend it. As the text’s last line marks “The End of Volume One", those who enjoy the book have something good to anticipate. 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by the author for the purpose of a review.

 

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 326 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	10-June-2026
Price	$3.99 ebook, $23.00 paperback, $33.99 hardcover
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Judea-memoirs-favorite-forgotten-ebook/dp/B0H4DJQFVH