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.
Live, laugh, and love, girls!
~Libby