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Star of Persia:
In an effort to complete a war his father had planned to win, King Xerxes calls every governor, satrap, and official in his vast kingdom to his palace in Susa to strategize and feast. When they finally leave, he decides on one more week of frivolity, which ends in the banishment of his favorite wife, something he never intended to do. But when he discovers Esther, Xerxes is sure he has a second chance at happiness.
In her wildest dreams, Esther could never have imagined that she would end up as queen of Persia. Yet she knows better than to become complacent. Another of Xerxes's wives is vying for position, and his closest advisor has a deep and dangerous grudge against Esther's adoptive father. Caught in the middle of palace politics, Esther will find herself in an impossible position: risk her life or consign her people to annihilation.
With her impeccable research and her imaginative flair, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the romantic, suspenseful, and beloved story of Esther, queen of Persia.
In her wildest dreams, Esther could never have imagined that she would end up as queen of Persia. Yet she knows better than to become complacent. Another of Xerxes's wives is vying for position, and his closest advisor has a deep and dangerous grudge against Esther's adoptive father. Caught in the middle of palace politics, Esther will find herself in an impossible position: risk her life or consign her people to annihilation.
With her impeccable research and her imaginative flair, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the romantic, suspenseful, and beloved story of Esther, queen of Persia.
368 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2020
About the author
Jill Eileen Smith
25 books1,281 followersJill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs, Daughters of the Promised Land, Heart of a King, Star of Persia, Miriam's Song, The Prince and the Prodigal, Daughter of Eden, and The Ark and the Dove. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Bible times.
When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable cats Kody and Kaelee. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
Contact Jill through email (jill@jilleileensmith.com), her website (http://www.jilleileensmith.com), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jilleileensmith), or Twitter (https://twitter.com/JillEileenSmith).
When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable cats Kody and Kaelee. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
Contact Jill through email (jill@jilleileensmith.com), her website (http://www.jilleileensmith.com), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jilleileensmith), or Twitter (https://twitter.com/JillEileenSmith).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
January 13, 2020
Delightful fast-moving version of the Biblical story of Esther. I liked the way the author mixed in historical characters who lived at the same time and were part of the royal family, with the Old Testament narrative. She set the story after the Persian defeat by the Greeks and equated the name Ahasuerus [in the Bible] with that of Xerxes. She did change the ending of the original story, but with no detriment to it. I also appreciated her giving logical motivations to the characters' actions. She kept stressing how God can use a person in His own time, and in His own way, for His purposes, which they may not understand. In spite of her resistance, Esther kept asking herself why was she chosen?
Recommended. I thank LibraryThing for an ARC.
Recommended. I thank LibraryThing for an ARC.
May 30, 2020
Real people with real flaws and palpable emotions play your heartstrings in this unforgettable telling of the Bible’s greatest Jewish heroine. Jill Eileen Smith’s conversations style makes Esther’s story relatable, its complex history understandable, and its details fascinating. A must-read for every biblical fiction fan.
May 9, 2020
Engaging retelling of parts of the book of Esther. I liked how the author started sections of the book with the verse(s) about to be brought to life in the pages that followed. I feel like I've visited Susa and learned new things about Esther and other key figures during this time.
This is my first Jill Eileen Smith novel, but will not be my last.
This is my first Jill Eileen Smith novel, but will not be my last.
August 17, 2022
4.5 stars & 5/10 hearts. I honestly didn’t expect to like this book, and I really didn’t intend to read it, but a friend lent it and I was pretty sure I would be asked what I thought of it, so I decided I’ve better be able to give an educated reply. The very first page blew me away. Wow! I did not expect to be so hooked! Of course, I know the story of Esther very well, but I couldn’t put the book down.
Also, the cover. OH MY HEART THE COVER IS GORGEOUSNESS. I love it so much.
But back to the story. I haven’t really read any Biblical Fiction before, so I can’t compare this to anything else. But I have never read anything set in Persia and that exotic setting really intrigued me. I found that the writing was remarkably well done. There were one or two places that felt a little more modern, but other than that, I was never jarred away from the 470s/460s B.C.
The characters were really what got me. Xerxes was such a fascinating character. I shook my head at him, yet somehow I couldn’t despise him. I almost long to offer him advice and help sometimes. He seemed so lost, so afraid, so confused. He wasn’t at all what I pictured Ahasuerus to be, but he made a really interesting character for the story. Amestris was terrible, but a real cool villain and great addition, as was Atossa, even if she barely showed up. I hated Haman, of course, but I think the author did a good job with his portrayal. All the side characters were interesting and different (I especially like the eunuch). Vashti was a fascinating personage. I loved her, felt so for her, and wished she could have met Esther!
Ah yes, Esther. I’m coming to her. But first, Mordecai. WOW. There isn’t much of Mordecai in the Bible, and the way he was presented here was very striking. I’ll touch more on that later, but he was extremely well done as a character. And Esther. She was just so sweet and genuine and I loved her so much and really admired her.
Now, the plot of this book was the other thing that really got me. Obviously, I know all this is speculation. The Bible only says so much, and Biblical Fiction is purely “what if…” scenarios. But I really enjoyed the different angles this story showed. I never considered, for example, why Vashti didn’t obey—I’d always seen her as a bad woman. I never thought of how Mordecai felt about Esther being taken. I’d barely considered how Esther herself felt. I knew nothing of the court and circumstances of it all, and I feel like this book really deepened the story and showed me there was more to it than just the bare bones I’d always skimmed over so casually. While NOT the story of Esther, it’s a great “fanfic” or “retelling,” if you will, and gave me a lot to think about.
From a writing point of view, the storyline was very well done—definitely gripping, and even if I knew the story, left me pretty much on the edge of my seat! The thread of suspense added by Amestris’ plotting was excellent. And I was particularly impressed by how clean everything was. Obviously, given the context, there was a lot of mention of spending a night with the King, being a virgin, sharing love in a bed—but that was basically it. Not more detailed than a passing mention. I wouldn’t hand this to someone over 18, and removed half a star, but I really appreciated how well everything was handled.
But the message—oh my, the message! It basically breaks down into three parts. 1, even when God is silent or you think He isn’t there or isn’t listening to you, He is there, He answers, and He will be found if you seek Him—even if you’ve messed up. 2, fear, indecision, and procrastination costs too much. And 3, it doesn’t depend on you—it depends on God. You need to do the right thing, and He’ll take care of the rest. These themes were woven through the story with so much richness. They were definitely things I needed to hear and so well done.
Overall, I was very well impressed by this story, will definitely be trying out this author (and genre) again, and enjoyed this book greatly!
Content: besides content mentioned above: one mention of gruesome execution, lots of mentions of harems, concubines, secondary wives, calling women to your bed, etc. A few scenes between Vashti & Xerxes or Esther & Xerxes are romantic (kissing, touching, leading her to his bed, telling her to take off her cloak so he can see through her transparent gown) but undetailed.
Also, the cover. OH MY HEART THE COVER IS GORGEOUSNESS. I love it so much.
But back to the story. I haven’t really read any Biblical Fiction before, so I can’t compare this to anything else. But I have never read anything set in Persia and that exotic setting really intrigued me. I found that the writing was remarkably well done. There were one or two places that felt a little more modern, but other than that, I was never jarred away from the 470s/460s B.C.
The characters were really what got me. Xerxes was such a fascinating character. I shook my head at him, yet somehow I couldn’t despise him. I almost long to offer him advice and help sometimes. He seemed so lost, so afraid, so confused. He wasn’t at all what I pictured Ahasuerus to be, but he made a really interesting character for the story. Amestris was terrible, but a real cool villain and great addition, as was Atossa, even if she barely showed up. I hated Haman, of course, but I think the author did a good job with his portrayal. All the side characters were interesting and different (I especially like the eunuch). Vashti was a fascinating personage. I loved her, felt so for her, and wished she could have met Esther!
Ah yes, Esther. I’m coming to her. But first, Mordecai. WOW. There isn’t much of Mordecai in the Bible, and the way he was presented here was very striking. I’ll touch more on that later, but he was extremely well done as a character. And Esther. She was just so sweet and genuine and I loved her so much and really admired her.
Now, the plot of this book was the other thing that really got me. Obviously, I know all this is speculation. The Bible only says so much, and Biblical Fiction is purely “what if…” scenarios. But I really enjoyed the different angles this story showed. I never considered, for example, why Vashti didn’t obey—I’d always seen her as a bad woman. I never thought of how Mordecai felt about Esther being taken. I’d barely considered how Esther herself felt. I knew nothing of the court and circumstances of it all, and I feel like this book really deepened the story and showed me there was more to it than just the bare bones I’d always skimmed over so casually. While NOT the story of Esther, it’s a great “fanfic” or “retelling,” if you will, and gave me a lot to think about.
From a writing point of view, the storyline was very well done—definitely gripping, and even if I knew the story, left me pretty much on the edge of my seat! The thread of suspense added by Amestris’ plotting was excellent. And I was particularly impressed by how clean everything was. Obviously, given the context, there was a lot of mention of spending a night with the King, being a virgin, sharing love in a bed—but that was basically it. Not more detailed than a passing mention. I wouldn’t hand this to someone over 18, and removed half a star, but I really appreciated how well everything was handled.
But the message—oh my, the message! It basically breaks down into three parts. 1, even when God is silent or you think He isn’t there or isn’t listening to you, He is there, He answers, and He will be found if you seek Him—even if you’ve messed up. 2, fear, indecision, and procrastination costs too much. And 3, it doesn’t depend on you—it depends on God. You need to do the right thing, and He’ll take care of the rest. These themes were woven through the story with so much richness. They were definitely things I needed to hear and so well done.
Overall, I was very well impressed by this story, will definitely be trying out this author (and genre) again, and enjoyed this book greatly!
Content: besides content mentioned above: one mention of gruesome execution, lots of mentions of harems, concubines, secondary wives, calling women to your bed, etc. A few scenes between Vashti & Xerxes or Esther & Xerxes are romantic (kissing, touching, leading her to his bed, telling her to take off her cloak so he can see through her transparent gown) but undetailed.
February 28, 2020
The story of Esther has always been one of my favorite Bible stories, so I jumped at the chance to preview this new historical novel by Jill Eileen Smith. It was a beautiful and intriguing read. The decision to include the POV of additional characters like Vashti and Xerxes added enlightening insights into the narrative. I was disappointed that the two days of fighting were glossed over, but including them would have made the book much longer -- perhaps too long. I definitely recommend it and appreciate the message of God's providence throughout.
Thank you to Revell and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Revell and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2020
Originally posted on Inkwell Inspirations
“Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
Award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith’s latest biblical fiction novel, Star of Persia: Esther’s Story, is a fascinating look into the life of the beautiful Queen Esther, whose favor with King Xerxes is put to the ultimate test as she risks her life to save her people from death. Jill Eileen Smith is a master at bringing Scripture to life and authentically filling in the details, which encourages her readers to dig deeper into the Bible and discover more about the word of God.
The story of Esther has been retold many times in biblical fiction, but Jill Eileen Smith’s account is by far my favorite. She used Scripture along with details from secular history in writing Star of Persia, as several of the individuals from the Book of Esther in the Old Testament are also historical figures.
Jill Eileen Smith is my go-to-author for biblical fiction, and she consistently shares the incredible stories of women from the Old Testament in such a powerful way that has me pulling out my Bible and wanting to read more of the Scripture. In Star of Persia, Jill Eileen Smith also shares the message that even in his silence, God is always watching and willing to guide us. Star of Persia is highly recommended for readers of biblical fiction and historical fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book by Revell and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
“Take good care of her. She is one who could come to great favor or great harm for her beauty.”
“Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
Award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith’s latest biblical fiction novel, Star of Persia: Esther’s Story, is a fascinating look into the life of the beautiful Queen Esther, whose favor with King Xerxes is put to the ultimate test as she risks her life to save her people from death. Jill Eileen Smith is a master at bringing Scripture to life and authentically filling in the details, which encourages her readers to dig deeper into the Bible and discover more about the word of God.
The story of Esther has been retold many times in biblical fiction, but Jill Eileen Smith’s account is by far my favorite. She used Scripture along with details from secular history in writing Star of Persia, as several of the individuals from the Book of Esther in the Old Testament are also historical figures.
Jill Eileen Smith is my go-to-author for biblical fiction, and she consistently shares the incredible stories of women from the Old Testament in such a powerful way that has me pulling out my Bible and wanting to read more of the Scripture. In Star of Persia, Jill Eileen Smith also shares the message that even in his silence, God is always watching and willing to guide us. Star of Persia is highly recommended for readers of biblical fiction and historical fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book by Revell and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
“Take good care of her. She is one who could come to great favor or great harm for her beauty.”
November 9, 2022
I read this book while listening to Persian Instrumental Music and it feels like I just lived Esther's life. Her story is already so fascinating and this book only enriches it more.
This book also made me love Esther and King Xerxes relationship more ♡‿♡ I never thought of them as a loving husband & wife although the Bible makes it clear that Xerxes loved her more than any of his other wives but I absolutely loved reading about them in this book.
This book also made me love Esther and King Xerxes relationship more ♡‿♡ I never thought of them as a loving husband & wife although the Bible makes it clear that Xerxes loved her more than any of his other wives but I absolutely loved reading about them in this book.
January 6, 2022
I don't normally read biblical fiction, but this story kept my attention. What I liked most was the obvious research the author has done--she knows the time period and weaves a believable interpretation of the tale, reconciling secular sources with the narrative in Scripture. Her characters are good and realistic. And she managed to keep this "clean" even though the story of necessity touches on the "bedroom." Her prose is unimaginative but clean, without typos.
Good story!
Good story!
September 14, 2020
I have read several accounts of the story of Esther from the Old Testament. It is an account of God faithfulness to his people. Esther's one night with the King saved her people. Several things I liked about this account was the historical account to the biblical account. Esther had replaced Queen Vashti when Vashti refused to be paraded by her King at a banquet. This account addressed why she did not. To protect herself and her husband. Once the King had set Vashti's fate in motion, he could not go back. The drama continues for the power hungry in King Xerxes reign.
Another account that was fascinating was how a good Jewish girl ended up in a King's Haram. She would know that once the King had her, her life would be at the Haram of the king. Another words, no life at all. How did she find favor with King's trusted advisors and how was she able to approach the King without being killed. All this is accounted for in a cultural context that is true to biblical and historical accounts.
Esther's fears and faith is put on display and I truly enjoyed it!
A special thank you to Revell and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
April 28, 2020
The fact a book is a Biblical fiction would normally stop me from reading a book, but I had to read this one. You see of all of the stories in the Bible Esther is my second favorite old testament book, it's just so beautiful, Joseph is my favorite, Ruth is my third favorite.
Now if you've followed me long you may have noticed I rarely read Biblical fiction, because I want to make sure I know the true account of the story. Makes sense, right? But I have one weakness in Biblical fiction and that is Esther … I know the story well enough to keep facts straight from fiction, I read Esther several times a year.
Now, the second reason I had to read this book is the cover … It has purple, my favorite color. Just so pretty, and I love it.
For the "story" I was happy to find a story that was accurate, showed a side of Xerxes that made me see him as more of a human? I've enjoyed reading Esther and Xerxes' romance but at times it is hard to realize that Xerxes was only a man, a human like anyone else.
What I was not expecting was to read from Vashti's point of view, which was really interesting, and different and intriguing.
As far as Biblical fiction goes I must say this is a one of a kind, lovely, and informative, yet interesting story.
There is violence mentioned, backstabbing, and killing as well.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Now if you've followed me long you may have noticed I rarely read Biblical fiction, because I want to make sure I know the true account of the story. Makes sense, right? But I have one weakness in Biblical fiction and that is Esther … I know the story well enough to keep facts straight from fiction, I read Esther several times a year.
Now, the second reason I had to read this book is the cover … It has purple, my favorite color. Just so pretty, and I love it.
For the "story" I was happy to find a story that was accurate, showed a side of Xerxes that made me see him as more of a human? I've enjoyed reading Esther and Xerxes' romance but at times it is hard to realize that Xerxes was only a man, a human like anyone else.
What I was not expecting was to read from Vashti's point of view, which was really interesting, and different and intriguing.
As far as Biblical fiction goes I must say this is a one of a kind, lovely, and informative, yet interesting story.
There is violence mentioned, backstabbing, and killing as well.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
March 23, 2020
Biblical Fiction is such a wonderful medium to better understand the pains, heartaches, betrayals, and struggles of our heroes of faith! Star of Persia: Esther's Story by Jill Eileen Smith is another unique look at what Esther's life and struggles may have looked like -- and it's definitely worth reading!
I was truly impressed with the way the author was able to breath life into this account that's been read and told many times. While the author gives readers hope for Esther's happiness, the unsavory and heartbreaking realities of Esther's life are not idealized as a fairytale. The addition of certain historical details gives fresh insight into the Biblical account, adding unique significance to some of the key moments and choices of Esther's life. At it's core, Esther's stand and testimony -- the story we know by heart -- remains unchanged, but there are still fresh lessons to be learned, revelations to be hand, and stands of faith to be made!
Ultimately, the character development -- especially for the people who weren't Esther -- is what impressed me the most in Star of Persia! The addition of Amestris (one of Xerxes' wives) added a powerful thread to the palace politics that could have been (and history shows they often were) at play. Mordecai was humanized, becoming a man who made fearful mistakes and also had to take a stand of faith. Xerxes was developed past his womanizing ways and intense rages, showing readers a broken man who you desperately hoped would do the right thing. And the best part is that this complex cast of characters shows just how much God's hand was at work!
Four Stars ~ Star of Persia: Esther's Story by Jill Eileen Smith blends fact and fiction with a call for action, faith, and courage. Star of Persia is a standalone, but the author has many other wonderful titles in her backlist for readers to enjoy!
Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 15, 2020
Jill Eileen Smith is one of my favorite biblical fiction authors and I have loved every one of her books that I have read so far. Star of Persia is no exception. Rich in details of the time period, infused with historical accounts of Xerxes and his reign, supported by Biblical accounts from the book of Esther, and beautifully layered with fictional events, Star of Persia offers a unique look at what may have occurred behind the scenes as Esther gathered her courage to help her people.
The story is told in several third-person points of view, mostly from Hadassah/Esther, Mordecai, Xerxes, and Haman. Surprisingly, Vashti has a voice at the beginning of the story and Amestris, Xerxes' other wife who is the mother of Darius and Artaxerxes, also has a voice. I've read other biblical fiction where Vashti is the mother of Xerxes' heirs but, apparently, historical accounts conflict on this matter. Xerxes' thoughts throughout the book made him more personal and down-to-earth, someone whom Esther probably knew and loved well. Portraying the biblical events through the eyes of multiple people helped the plot to bloom in full color.
If you enjoy biblical fiction, you will absolutely love this book. Jill Eileen Smith has a gift for bringing the Bible to life.
I received a copy of the book from Revell/Baker Publishing Group via Interviews & Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
The story is told in several third-person points of view, mostly from Hadassah/Esther, Mordecai, Xerxes, and Haman. Surprisingly, Vashti has a voice at the beginning of the story and Amestris, Xerxes' other wife who is the mother of Darius and Artaxerxes, also has a voice. I've read other biblical fiction where Vashti is the mother of Xerxes' heirs but, apparently, historical accounts conflict on this matter. Xerxes' thoughts throughout the book made him more personal and down-to-earth, someone whom Esther probably knew and loved well. Portraying the biblical events through the eyes of multiple people helped the plot to bloom in full color.
If you enjoy biblical fiction, you will absolutely love this book. Jill Eileen Smith has a gift for bringing the Bible to life.
I received a copy of the book from Revell/Baker Publishing Group via Interviews & Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
March 16, 2020
To be honest, I am not that familiar with Esther's story or have that much knowledge about King Xerxes. Yet, I am familiar with Mrs. Smith's books. Mrs. Smith really does her research and is a great storyteller. She brings to live all the women of the Bible.
I have been looking forward to reading this book ever since I first heard about it. Well I can tell you that it did not disappoint. It was great to get to know Esther. She may have started out innocent but by the end of the story; she had grown into a very wise woman. Her faith in God is strong and refreshing. Amen.
Do not be fooled by the portrayal of King Xerxes in the movie, The 300. He is not like that. He did care for his wife even Vashti. Although, she may have shamed the King. She was not in just in her reason or action. Star of Persia is not to be missed! Mrs. Smith shares the beautiful story of Esther.
I have been looking forward to reading this book ever since I first heard about it. Well I can tell you that it did not disappoint. It was great to get to know Esther. She may have started out innocent but by the end of the story; she had grown into a very wise woman. Her faith in God is strong and refreshing. Amen.
Do not be fooled by the portrayal of King Xerxes in the movie, The 300. He is not like that. He did care for his wife even Vashti. Although, she may have shamed the King. She was not in just in her reason or action. Star of Persia is not to be missed! Mrs. Smith shares the beautiful story of Esther.
March 14, 2020
Jill Eileen Smith is one of my favorite Biblical Fiction authors. In her newest release she brings the well known story of Hadassah known as Queen Esther to life. With a strong Biblical foundation and excellent historical detail of the life and times in Persia during King Xerxes reign, this is a beautiful read that's hard to put down. It definitely expresses the theme that if God wants us to do something He will see us through it.
Recommend for those who love Biblical fiction and authors Lynn Austin, Mesu Andrews and Tessa Afshar.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
Recommend for those who love Biblical fiction and authors Lynn Austin, Mesu Andrews and Tessa Afshar.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
December 10, 2020
Basically, it was an okay story-of-Esther book, and it followed the same pattern of most of Jill Eileen Smith's books. I honestly don't know that I would've had Vashti and the queen whose name I can't spell be different, but then I still think of Vashti as a little spoiled when in reality she was like, "Can we not break cherished customs just because you and your buddies had a couple beers?"
But anyways. I also wished Smith had chosen a different story for Esther since there didn't seem to be one in existence.
And that's about it. It was okay, just not splendiferous. I kept imagining the stories I grew up on as a kid (I forget their names, but the ones with Derek, Margo, and Moki) so I was confused when it didn't line up with that. xD Funny how I remember the Esther and David stories better than most ... *shrugs*
But anyways. I also wished Smith had chosen a different story for Esther since there didn't seem to be one in existence.
And that's about it. It was okay, just not splendiferous. I kept imagining the stories I grew up on as a kid (I forget their names, but the ones with Derek, Margo, and Moki) so I was confused when it didn't line up with that. xD Funny how I remember the Esther and David stories better than most ... *shrugs*
February 8, 2022
4.5 stars, rounded up. This is such a great retelling of Esther. I will definitely read more by this author.
February 12, 2020
Once again Smith has done a fabulous job with the story of Esther.
She has a way of making the characters come to life and enables us to imagine living during the time of Esther.
Her research into Biblical history is well done.
I love detailed descriptions and all the wonderful characters that came with it.
I consider Esther an amazing woman of her time and it's because of her courage and love for the Lord that she's one of my favorite people. A perfect example for us women today.
I believe that the Lord puts us in a certain place at a certain time. For reasons unknown to Esther that's exactly what God did with her. I believe He done it to bend the king's ear so to speak.
This was a good story. One that I was really looking forward and it didn't disappoint. This book y'all!
It will take you back in time and you won't want to come back to the present time. You'll want to be a part of Esther's family and King Xerxes court.
Smith can make you sit on the edge of your seat, hold your breath waiting to see what happens in the next scene.
She can also make you want to read Esther's story in the Bible because you'll want to know how and where Smith got her idea to write this book came from.
God's love ya'll is bigger than we can imagine and this story in my opinion will help you come to understand how God uses and chooses people. Some can be people that we could never imagine or why He chose to use that person. Esther's perfect example.
It's not just men that God uses. It can be anyone.
The only thing that I didn't like was jealousy that went on in the court.. It's also here in today's world too. Not a good thing to have and to that I say welcome to the world of politics. Such a nasty business.
It can lead to dangerous situations that can be averted but you know how people are .They only want those things for themselves and that's Satan at his best.
The cover of this book! Just amazing how it already pulls you into the story even before you open the book.
Too bad there is only 5 stars. I'd love to give this book more. More because Biblical fiction is becoming a true favorite genre.
I highly recommend! There's nothing like a Biblical fiction book that I truly love. This story is proof of fact and fiction woven together perfectly.
I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell through Netgalley.
.
She has a way of making the characters come to life and enables us to imagine living during the time of Esther.
Her research into Biblical history is well done.
I love detailed descriptions and all the wonderful characters that came with it.
I consider Esther an amazing woman of her time and it's because of her courage and love for the Lord that she's one of my favorite people. A perfect example for us women today.
I believe that the Lord puts us in a certain place at a certain time. For reasons unknown to Esther that's exactly what God did with her. I believe He done it to bend the king's ear so to speak.
This was a good story. One that I was really looking forward and it didn't disappoint. This book y'all!
It will take you back in time and you won't want to come back to the present time. You'll want to be a part of Esther's family and King Xerxes court.
Smith can make you sit on the edge of your seat, hold your breath waiting to see what happens in the next scene.
She can also make you want to read Esther's story in the Bible because you'll want to know how and where Smith got her idea to write this book came from.
God's love ya'll is bigger than we can imagine and this story in my opinion will help you come to understand how God uses and chooses people. Some can be people that we could never imagine or why He chose to use that person. Esther's perfect example.
It's not just men that God uses. It can be anyone.
The only thing that I didn't like was jealousy that went on in the court.. It's also here in today's world too. Not a good thing to have and to that I say welcome to the world of politics. Such a nasty business.
It can lead to dangerous situations that can be averted but you know how people are .They only want those things for themselves and that's Satan at his best.
The cover of this book! Just amazing how it already pulls you into the story even before you open the book.
Too bad there is only 5 stars. I'd love to give this book more. More because Biblical fiction is becoming a true favorite genre.
I highly recommend! There's nothing like a Biblical fiction book that I truly love. This story is proof of fact and fiction woven together perfectly.
I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell through Netgalley.
.
April 5, 2020
The story of Esther has always been one of my favorites from the Bible. Not just because of Esther's courage in the face of possible death, but also for the way it shows God at work in all details—big and small—of our lives. It's such a good reminder of the love and care He has for His people.
Jill Eileen Smith has brought Esther to life in a way that readers will really enjoy. This book moves quickly and touches on all parts of the familiar story. There were some historical facts woven throughout which were new to me, and I appreciated those. Learning new things is my favorite part of reading historical fiction.
One thing that was different about this book was it focused on palace intrigue with regards to King Xerxes' other wives and the maneuvering that some women of the harem might have been doing to jockey for position, whether for themselves or their children. From the author's note at the end, I understand this was based from real history. While we know King Xerxes had a harem and obviously we think of the other girls brought to the palace with Esther, I'd never really thought about what the other wives might have thought as Xerxes searched for a new queen.
Although there's no explicit content, I would not recommend this for readers under age 16 just because of the nature of the story. But if you've ever wanted to check out a fictionalized retelling of this brave woman's call to save her people under the most unlikely circumstances, I did enjoy this one and feel like you would, too.
I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.
This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.dreamwidth.org
Jill Eileen Smith has brought Esther to life in a way that readers will really enjoy. This book moves quickly and touches on all parts of the familiar story. There were some historical facts woven throughout which were new to me, and I appreciated those. Learning new things is my favorite part of reading historical fiction.
One thing that was different about this book was it focused on palace intrigue with regards to King Xerxes' other wives and the maneuvering that some women of the harem might have been doing to jockey for position, whether for themselves or their children. From the author's note at the end, I understand this was based from real history. While we know King Xerxes had a harem and obviously we think of the other girls brought to the palace with Esther, I'd never really thought about what the other wives might have thought as Xerxes searched for a new queen.
Although there's no explicit content, I would not recommend this for readers under age 16 just because of the nature of the story. But if you've ever wanted to check out a fictionalized retelling of this brave woman's call to save her people under the most unlikely circumstances, I did enjoy this one and feel like you would, too.
I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.
This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.dreamwidth.org
April 4, 2020
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a review.
Star of Persia
By: Jill Eileen Smith
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
I don't know much about the biblical history behind Star of Persia. Nevertheless, Jill Eileen Smith has crafted a compelling insightful story that even I understand. I especially enjoy the well written intermingling of fact and fiction to create a seamless tale. Esther is a beautiful woman who will be queen. Beauty is a blessing and a curse, bringing favor but inviting harm as well. Esther wonders why she was chosen for the life she is living. The story reminds us that only God has these answers, but we can trust he is using all things for good. Regardless of past deeds, anyone at any time may prove useful. Esther's life was purposefully chosen to carry out God's plan for her. Esther is a thought provoking character, and this story has stayed with me. I enjoyed reading Star of Persia, biblical aspects aside, simply as an excellent story. If this suits your tastes, then I do hope you pick up a copy because you will not be disappointed.
Star of Persia
By: Jill Eileen Smith
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
I don't know much about the biblical history behind Star of Persia. Nevertheless, Jill Eileen Smith has crafted a compelling insightful story that even I understand. I especially enjoy the well written intermingling of fact and fiction to create a seamless tale. Esther is a beautiful woman who will be queen. Beauty is a blessing and a curse, bringing favor but inviting harm as well. Esther wonders why she was chosen for the life she is living. The story reminds us that only God has these answers, but we can trust he is using all things for good. Regardless of past deeds, anyone at any time may prove useful. Esther's life was purposefully chosen to carry out God's plan for her. Esther is a thought provoking character, and this story has stayed with me. I enjoyed reading Star of Persia, biblical aspects aside, simply as an excellent story. If this suits your tastes, then I do hope you pick up a copy because you will not be disappointed.
February 26, 2020
Star of Persia is the newest novel by Jill Eileen Smith, and it’s about Esther. We all know the story of how a Jewish girl became queen in the Persian’s king court and saved her people from the evil Haman who would see all the Jews annihilated. I love Esther’s story, it is one of my favorites, and I actually know it quite well, so I was curious to see what this story would bring.
This was a very fast read for me, I just flew through the pages. Jill paints a very vivid picture of the court, and also the position and daily life of the Jewish community. I love her interpretation of Mordecai, how he first is very secretive with his heritage, but finds the courage to speak out. The story of Esther was very moving, too, and I really enjoyed it.
For me, there were a few minor flaws though. The first chapters are from Vasthi’s view point, which I really liked, and I thought we might get a side story featuring her, but she then disappears from the page. I also would have liked to see more interaction with the other women, this story focusses heavily on the romance, but I would have liked to see more about her daily life and harem intricacies.
But all in all, I really liked this story, it was very entertaining and a good mix of the Biblical story and history, with interesting characters.
i received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was a very fast read for me, I just flew through the pages. Jill paints a very vivid picture of the court, and also the position and daily life of the Jewish community. I love her interpretation of Mordecai, how he first is very secretive with his heritage, but finds the courage to speak out. The story of Esther was very moving, too, and I really enjoyed it.
For me, there were a few minor flaws though. The first chapters are from Vasthi’s view point, which I really liked, and I thought we might get a side story featuring her, but she then disappears from the page. I also would have liked to see more interaction with the other women, this story focusses heavily on the romance, but I would have liked to see more about her daily life and harem intricacies.
But all in all, I really liked this story, it was very entertaining and a good mix of the Biblical story and history, with interesting characters.
i received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 10, 2020
I really enjoyed this version of Esther's story. There were a lot of details about the real-life king Xerxes (whom scholars believe was the 'Ahasuerus' mentioned in the Biblical account), including about his mother Atossa, and his wife Amestris. I hadn't known about these women previously, and to see them fictionalised was quite interesting.
I also think the reasoning that Mordecai had for hiding his (and Hadassah/Esther's) heritage was an intriguing one. I think that at times, we're tempted to hide our own identity as Christians, for fear of what reprisals may occur. (Of course, we need to remember that we must trust in God's authority alone, and not in the arm of flesh!)
I really enjoy well-written Biblical fiction, and Jill Eileen Smith certainly fits the bill!
I also think the reasoning that Mordecai had for hiding his (and Hadassah/Esther's) heritage was an intriguing one. I think that at times, we're tempted to hide our own identity as Christians, for fear of what reprisals may occur. (Of course, we need to remember that we must trust in God's authority alone, and not in the arm of flesh!)
I really enjoy well-written Biblical fiction, and Jill Eileen Smith certainly fits the bill!
March 7, 2020
Such a delightful read! Jill did a wonderful job of adding depth to the supporting characters by using secular history for insight. I loved the little hints of palace intrigue that helped pull the story along. God gave us everything we needed for His purposes in the biblical account, but Jill has done a fantastic job (as she always does) at using a biblical character as inspiration for a novel meant for enjoyment and entertainment. You won't be disappointed reading this book - whether you are familiar with the story of Esther or not.
March 10, 2020
I've been a huge fan of Jill Eileen Smith's biblical fiction ever since I read The Heart of a King - and Esther is one of my favorite books of the Bible. So when I found out that Smith had written a novel based on the life of Esther, it instantly went on my 'to read' list. And you know what? It didn't fail my expectations!
WHAT I LIKED:
-Esther was relatable. Maybe a liiiiittle perfect, but she still felt like a real character. As did Vashti, Xerxes, Mordecai, etc.
-The plot was super interesting, though it did feel at times as though Smith was simply checking off a list of scenes from Esther instead of bringing her own take on things. That may just be me though. Anyway, I read this book so quickly - it was intriguing and the writing was very easy to engage with.
-Esther and Xerxes' relationship was handled well. Not insta-love, not too sappy, just two people trying to understand the really strange situations they've found themselves in.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
-I didn't connect the characters as much as I'd have liked. There seemed to be a lot of telling of Esther's feelings instead of showing them and really getting inside her head. However, that's pretty much my only quibble. The book was really good, overall.
If you're a fan of biblical fiction, you definitely need to read Star of Persia (and all of Smith's other books). You're in for a treat. :)
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Baker Publishing/Revell, through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion.
WHAT I LIKED:
-Esther was relatable. Maybe a liiiiittle perfect, but she still felt like a real character. As did Vashti, Xerxes, Mordecai, etc.
-The plot was super interesting, though it did feel at times as though Smith was simply checking off a list of scenes from Esther instead of bringing her own take on things. That may just be me though. Anyway, I read this book so quickly - it was intriguing and the writing was very easy to engage with.
-Esther and Xerxes' relationship was handled well. Not insta-love, not too sappy, just two people trying to understand the really strange situations they've found themselves in.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
-I didn't connect the characters as much as I'd have liked. There seemed to be a lot of telling of Esther's feelings instead of showing them and really getting inside her head. However, that's pretty much my only quibble. The book was really good, overall.
If you're a fan of biblical fiction, you definitely need to read Star of Persia (and all of Smith's other books). You're in for a treat. :)
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Baker Publishing/Revell, through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion.
March 17, 2020
Ok time to make some sense with my review.
I didn't love this one. It's really hard for me to get into biblical retellings, and this was not one of the better ones I've read.
For one, I hated the way Esther's relationship with Nebechenezar was all sensual. A retelling didn't need that. We didn't need the sexualization of Esther and her husband. We didn't need the details of their encounter and their kisses and the fact that he owned her already. Why? Why did we need this in the story of Esther? The Bible does not tell these things in the book, and I believe that there was a reason for it.
The character "Hadassah" Esther herself, was a good character. I appreciated her personality, and she came alive to me, which is the main reason the book came to three stars for me rather than two. Her virtue and her ability to think for herself were admirable, and I appreciated the way that God's will and guidance were included in the story, despite the situation that she was in. I looked forward to seeing the way that the author would include the other incidents in the book of Esther, and she did a good job ingraining them into her main plotline.
I personally didn't love the book so I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, but especially not for girls under 16.
Thank you Revell for a copy of this book in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required, an all opinions were my own.
I didn't love this one. It's really hard for me to get into biblical retellings, and this was not one of the better ones I've read.
For one, I hated the way Esther's relationship with Nebechenezar was all sensual. A retelling didn't need that. We didn't need the sexualization of Esther and her husband. We didn't need the details of their encounter and their kisses and the fact that he owned her already. Why? Why did we need this in the story of Esther? The Bible does not tell these things in the book, and I believe that there was a reason for it.
The character "Hadassah" Esther herself, was a good character. I appreciated her personality, and she came alive to me, which is the main reason the book came to three stars for me rather than two. Her virtue and her ability to think for herself were admirable, and I appreciated the way that God's will and guidance were included in the story, despite the situation that she was in. I looked forward to seeing the way that the author would include the other incidents in the book of Esther, and she did a good job ingraining them into her main plotline.
I personally didn't love the book so I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, but especially not for girls under 16.
Thank you Revell for a copy of this book in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required, an all opinions were my own.
March 31, 2020
first reviewed here: https://belovedgraceful-carissasbooks...
Title: Star of Persia: Esther's story
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Chapters: 42 plus prologue and epilogue
Pages:368
Genre: Christian fiction, Biblical fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Publisher: Revell
One of my favorite books of the Bible is the book of Esther, so when I saw that Jill Eileen Smith had written a Biblical fiction book on Esther called the Star of Persia: Ester's Story I knew that I had to read it. Jill Eileen Smith is one of only two authors I go to for, for Biblical fiction.
Star of Persia: Esther's Story is different than Jill's previous books but is just as good as the other books of hers that I've read. In this one, she balanced the Biblical account of the book of Esther with that of the historical account of Xerxes rein. Both the Biblical and historical accounts were woven together to bring this awesome book to live.
Star of Persia brings the story of Esther to life an after reading this book I went back and read the book of Esther from my Bible.
This book is perfect for fans of Biblical fiction and Tessa Afhsar.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Title: Star of Persia: Esther's story
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Chapters: 42 plus prologue and epilogue
Pages:368
Genre: Christian fiction, Biblical fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Publisher: Revell
One of my favorite books of the Bible is the book of Esther, so when I saw that Jill Eileen Smith had written a Biblical fiction book on Esther called the Star of Persia: Ester's Story I knew that I had to read it. Jill Eileen Smith is one of only two authors I go to for, for Biblical fiction.
Star of Persia: Esther's Story is different than Jill's previous books but is just as good as the other books of hers that I've read. In this one, she balanced the Biblical account of the book of Esther with that of the historical account of Xerxes rein. Both the Biblical and historical accounts were woven together to bring this awesome book to live.
Star of Persia brings the story of Esther to life an after reading this book I went back and read the book of Esther from my Bible.
This book is perfect for fans of Biblical fiction and Tessa Afhsar.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
March 19, 2020
I've been wanting to read a book about Esther, but the ones I have tried to read just haven't really drawn me in. I decided to try out The Star Of Persia. From page one I was drawn into Esther's world. I really loved the author's writing style and the way she told this story. She did a fantastic job! I really felt like Esther's story came to life for me. I definitely want to read more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts expressed are my own
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts expressed are my own
March 7, 2020
I really liked this version of Esther’s story. I’m not typically a biblical fiction fan, but I did enjoy this book. It made me want to open my Bible and reread the book of Esther. I liked how the story was broken into parts. I also enjoyed the way we got so many different character perspectives. To me that made the story better. I would have liked to see more about Vashti after she was sent away.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
March 10, 2020
Received an eARC and finished copy from the publisher for review.
Wow! Where do I even begin with this glorious story. This is by far my favorite Esther story I've read. A solid 5 star rating for this! Jill has such a way with words. The way she wove the entire book of Esther into a fictional novel was outstanding. Her character development and attention to details were both phenomenal! She created a beautiful love story while maintaining the integrity of scripture. She blended fiction with truth seamlessly.
Hadassah better known as Esther was such a strong character! She was kind, she was beautiful inside her heart and she worked hard. I loved seeing her age over the course of the novel. In face of danger and drama she never batted an eye or backed down. She stood like a queen with grace. The purity of her heart amazed in the face of betrayal and heartbreak. She had her moments when she whined and complained, but she never let things keep her down. As queen, she didn't abuse her power. She relied on the Lord and kept strong to her faith. I loved her!
King Xerxes was incredible man at heart, but he allowed fear to hold him back. I didn't like how he relied to heavily on the opinion of men. The men on his council never ceased to lead him astray. I feel like he should have been more involved in his rulings and decisions, but seeing him make mistakes, realize them and work on changing was crucial as well. He may have been king, but his weakness stemmed from his fear of failing. I though she wrote him well especially since most stories portray him as an egotistical man. I enjoyed the vulnerable and sweet side of him.
The romance was so cute! I never expected Jill to write such a beautiful romance between Esther and Xerxes, but she did and I swooned over it. The way they talked to one another. They way they loved each other beyond the surface level was everything. I thought that they were cutest thing ever! Considering the times during the book of Esther I loved their romance.
Mordecai will always be an amazing man to me, but in this book he seemed a bit whiny. I still enjoyed his words of wisdom, his strength and his resolve. Seeing it all play out in fiction made me love him even more.
Vashti was amazing! In the Bible we really don't get know much about her, so I was excited that Jill created a beautiful personality for Vashti. I loved her approach at crafting the queen and especially how she wrote her in the prologue! Perfection.
Haman will forever be an evil person to bot in scripture and in fiction. He's egotistical, full of pride, a glutton for power. He was a smart villain who pissed me off until the very end. He got his perfect ending. Memucan was an idiot. He was like a puppy that did whatever he was told in order to gain power. He was honestly useless to the story, lol.
Amestris was a perfectly written antagonist. She was prideful and gluttonous for power. She annoyed me from start to finish. I wish she had repercussions for her actions, but overall she played her role in the story very well.
Atossa, the mother of Xerxes, was an interesting old woman. She wasn't mean, but she also wasn't nice. She kind of played favorites and let things go as they were even when she knew things shouldn't have. I liked that she didn't use her power as Queen Mother, but I do wish that she was more active in the story.
Overall, this was a phenomenal read and my new favorite for a novel on Esther! Highly recommend it.
Wow! Where do I even begin with this glorious story. This is by far my favorite Esther story I've read. A solid 5 star rating for this! Jill has such a way with words. The way she wove the entire book of Esther into a fictional novel was outstanding. Her character development and attention to details were both phenomenal! She created a beautiful love story while maintaining the integrity of scripture. She blended fiction with truth seamlessly.
Hadassah better known as Esther was such a strong character! She was kind, she was beautiful inside her heart and she worked hard. I loved seeing her age over the course of the novel. In face of danger and drama she never batted an eye or backed down. She stood like a queen with grace. The purity of her heart amazed in the face of betrayal and heartbreak. She had her moments when she whined and complained, but she never let things keep her down. As queen, she didn't abuse her power. She relied on the Lord and kept strong to her faith. I loved her!
King Xerxes was incredible man at heart, but he allowed fear to hold him back. I didn't like how he relied to heavily on the opinion of men. The men on his council never ceased to lead him astray. I feel like he should have been more involved in his rulings and decisions, but seeing him make mistakes, realize them and work on changing was crucial as well. He may have been king, but his weakness stemmed from his fear of failing. I though she wrote him well especially since most stories portray him as an egotistical man. I enjoyed the vulnerable and sweet side of him.
The romance was so cute! I never expected Jill to write such a beautiful romance between Esther and Xerxes, but she did and I swooned over it. The way they talked to one another. They way they loved each other beyond the surface level was everything. I thought that they were cutest thing ever! Considering the times during the book of Esther I loved their romance.
Mordecai will always be an amazing man to me, but in this book he seemed a bit whiny. I still enjoyed his words of wisdom, his strength and his resolve. Seeing it all play out in fiction made me love him even more.
Vashti was amazing! In the Bible we really don't get know much about her, so I was excited that Jill created a beautiful personality for Vashti. I loved her approach at crafting the queen and especially how she wrote her in the prologue! Perfection.
Haman will forever be an evil person to bot in scripture and in fiction. He's egotistical, full of pride, a glutton for power. He was a smart villain who pissed me off until the very end. He got his perfect ending. Memucan was an idiot. He was like a puppy that did whatever he was told in order to gain power. He was honestly useless to the story, lol.
Amestris was a perfectly written antagonist. She was prideful and gluttonous for power. She annoyed me from start to finish. I wish she had repercussions for her actions, but overall she played her role in the story very well.
Atossa, the mother of Xerxes, was an interesting old woman. She wasn't mean, but she also wasn't nice. She kind of played favorites and let things go as they were even when she knew things shouldn't have. I liked that she didn't use her power as Queen Mother, but I do wish that she was more active in the story.
Overall, this was a phenomenal read and my new favorite for a novel on Esther! Highly recommend it.
March 10, 2020
Received an eARC and finished copy from the publisher for review.
Wow! Where do I even begin with this glorious story. This is by far my favorite Esther story I've read. A solid 5 star rating for this! Jill has such a way with words. The way she wove the entire book of Esther into a fictional novel was outstanding. Her character development and attention to details were both phenomenal! She created a beautiful love story while maintaining the integrity of scripture. She blended fiction with truth seamlessly.
Hadassah better known as Esther was such a strong character! She was kind, she was beautiful inside her heart and she worked hard. I loved seeing her age over the course of the novel. In face of danger and drama she never batted an eye or backed down. She stood like a queen with grace. The purity of her heart amazed in the face of betrayal and heartbreak. She had her moments when she whined and complained, but she never let things keep her down. As queen, she didn't abuse her power. She relied on the Lord and kept strong to her faith. I loved her!
King Xerxes was incredible man at heart, but he allowed fear to hold him back. I didn't like how he relied to heavily on the opinion of men. The men on his council never ceased to lead him astray. I feel like he should have been more involved in his rulings and decisions, but seeing him make mistakes, realize them and work on changing was crucial as well. He may have been king, but his weakness stemmed from his fear of failing. I though she wrote him well especially since most stories portray him as an egotistical man. I enjoyed the vulnerable and sweet side of him.
The romance was so cute! I never expected Jill to write such a beautiful romance between Esther and Xerxes, but she did and I swooned over it. The way they talked to one another. They way they loved each other beyond the surface level was everything. I thought that they were cutest thing ever! Considering the times during the book of Esther I loved their romance.
Mordecai will always be an amazing man to me, but in this book he seemed a bit whiny. I still enjoyed his words of wisdom, his strength and his resolve. Seeing it all play out in fiction made me love him even more.
Vashti was amazing! In the Bible we really don't get know much about her, so I was excited that Jill created a beautiful personality for Vashti. I loved her approach at crafting the queen and especially how she wrote her in the prologue! Perfection.
Haman will forever be an evil person to bot in scripture and in fiction. He's egotistical, full of pride, a glutton for power. He was a smart villain who pissed me off until the very end. He got his perfect ending. Memucan was an idiot. He was like a puppy that did whatever he was told in order to gain power. He was honestly useless to the story, lol.
Amestris was a perfectly written antagonist. She was prideful and gluttonous for power. She annoyed me from start to finish. I wish she had repercussions for her actions, but overall she played her role in the story very well.
Atossa, the mother of Xerxes, was an interesting old woman. She wasn't mean, but she also wasn't nice. She kind of played favorites and let things go as they were even when she knew things shouldn't have. I liked that she didn't use her power as Queen Mother, but I do wish that she was more active in the story.
Overall, this was a phenomenal read and my new favorite for a novel on Esther! Highly recommend it.
Wow! Where do I even begin with this glorious story. This is by far my favorite Esther story I've read. A solid 5 star rating for this! Jill has such a way with words. The way she wove the entire book of Esther into a fictional novel was outstanding. Her character development and attention to details were both phenomenal! She created a beautiful love story while maintaining the integrity of scripture. She blended fiction with truth seamlessly.
Hadassah better known as Esther was such a strong character! She was kind, she was beautiful inside her heart and she worked hard. I loved seeing her age over the course of the novel. In face of danger and drama she never batted an eye or backed down. She stood like a queen with grace. The purity of her heart amazed in the face of betrayal and heartbreak. She had her moments when she whined and complained, but she never let things keep her down. As queen, she didn't abuse her power. She relied on the Lord and kept strong to her faith. I loved her!
King Xerxes was incredible man at heart, but he allowed fear to hold him back. I didn't like how he relied to heavily on the opinion of men. The men on his council never ceased to lead him astray. I feel like he should have been more involved in his rulings and decisions, but seeing him make mistakes, realize them and work on changing was crucial as well. He may have been king, but his weakness stemmed from his fear of failing. I though she wrote him well especially since most stories portray him as an egotistical man. I enjoyed the vulnerable and sweet side of him.
The romance was so cute! I never expected Jill to write such a beautiful romance between Esther and Xerxes, but she did and I swooned over it. The way they talked to one another. They way they loved each other beyond the surface level was everything. I thought that they were cutest thing ever! Considering the times during the book of Esther I loved their romance.
Mordecai will always be an amazing man to me, but in this book he seemed a bit whiny. I still enjoyed his words of wisdom, his strength and his resolve. Seeing it all play out in fiction made me love him even more.
Vashti was amazing! In the Bible we really don't get know much about her, so I was excited that Jill created a beautiful personality for Vashti. I loved her approach at crafting the queen and especially how she wrote her in the prologue! Perfection.
Haman will forever be an evil person to bot in scripture and in fiction. He's egotistical, full of pride, a glutton for power. He was a smart villain who pissed me off until the very end. He got his perfect ending. Memucan was an idiot. He was like a puppy that did whatever he was told in order to gain power. He was honestly useless to the story, lol.
Amestris was a perfectly written antagonist. She was prideful and gluttonous for power. She annoyed me from start to finish. I wish she had repercussions for her actions, but overall she played her role in the story very well.
Atossa, the mother of Xerxes, was an interesting old woman. She wasn't mean, but she also wasn't nice. She kind of played favorites and let things go as they were even when she knew things shouldn't have. I liked that she didn't use her power as Queen Mother, but I do wish that she was more active in the story.
Overall, this was a phenomenal read and my new favorite for a novel on Esther! Highly recommend it.
March 8, 2020
This has been a month of Esther for me between Devotionals, Awana lessons and now this novel. Jill Eileen Smith has written a book that stays true to Scripture yet weaves a truly beautiful tale.
Esther, a Jew, becomes queen after being chosen by King Xerxes to replace Queen Vashti when Vashti dared to refuse his request to attend a party. Esther has been being raised by her Mordecai and his wife following the death of her parents. In the palace she encounters plots to kill the king, plots to slaughter the Jewish people and even more subterfuge. The author has written what I consider to be her best novel yet. The plot and characters are extremely well defined. This book moves at a rapid pace and is hard to put down.
As this is based upon The Book of Esther in The Bible, Jill Eileen Smith adds an Author's Note at the conclusion of the book that gives further information about the novel. It will be beneficial reading after you've finished reading the book.
Any review of Smith's book wouldn't be complete without mentioning the cover. This author has consistently had some of the most stunning covers to grace literature. Bravo! Overall, I highly recommend this book.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own. @Revell @bakerpublishinggroup @jilleileensmith #bookstagram #StarOfPersia #RevellReads
Esther, a Jew, becomes queen after being chosen by King Xerxes to replace Queen Vashti when Vashti dared to refuse his request to attend a party. Esther has been being raised by her Mordecai and his wife following the death of her parents. In the palace she encounters plots to kill the king, plots to slaughter the Jewish people and even more subterfuge. The author has written what I consider to be her best novel yet. The plot and characters are extremely well defined. This book moves at a rapid pace and is hard to put down.
As this is based upon The Book of Esther in The Bible, Jill Eileen Smith adds an Author's Note at the conclusion of the book that gives further information about the novel. It will be beneficial reading after you've finished reading the book.
Any review of Smith's book wouldn't be complete without mentioning the cover. This author has consistently had some of the most stunning covers to grace literature. Bravo! Overall, I highly recommend this book.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own. @Revell @bakerpublishinggroup @jilleileensmith #bookstagram #StarOfPersia #RevellReads
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