Jill Eileen Smith's Star of Persia is a fantastic retelling of Queen Esther's story from the Bible. From Mordechai's house near the Jewish section to Xerxes's palace in Susa, Star Of Persia follows Esther's life. Smith has done a wonderful job of describing Esther's humble beginnings to life in the opulent palace and the danger and intrigue that lurk in the harem. I love the theme of God's faithfulness that carries throughout the book.

I highly recommend The Star Of Persia. So grab a tray of Hamantaschen, a pot of tea and find a comfortable nook in which to curl up and savor this book.

I was given a copy of Star Of Persia with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

Esther is a Jewish woman who is comfortable with her simple life. However, her world is interrupted when she is selected to be a candidate for Queen of Babylon. Reluctantly, Esther enters the palace and is eventually chosen to become queen. Yet, she realizes that life in the palace is very dangerous. Esther is caught in the middle of politics. She learns that there is a conspiracy to annihilate her people. She uses her position as queen to save her people.

“The Book of Esther” is one of my favorite books in The Bible. I love her rags-to-riches story. Thus, everytime I read a retelling of “The Book of Esther'' from other biblical fiction authors, it never gets old because each of them portray Esther’s story in a different way. Thus, I was delighted to read Jill Eileen Smith’s Star of Persia, and I immediately devoured it. Jill Eileen Smith made Esther a strong heroine that readers will love!

Jill Eilleen Smith’s Esther is very relatable. She is a young woman that is very comfortable with her life. She loves her friends and her uncle. She yearns to marry the boy she has a crush on. Yet, when she is chosen to enter the palace, she comes to terms with her situation. She is ambitious and becomes queen. Esther takes her duties as queen very seriously. She is a devoted wife and step-mother. Thus, I found her to be a very good queen consort.

Overall, this novel is full of hope, faith, love, and courage. The message of this novel is that God uses ordinary people to change history. Esther was a simple Jewish orphan who became queen and thus saved many lives. I also liked how Mrs. Smith weaves historical figures and events into this Biblical tale. The relationship between Esther and Xerxes was very sweet! Thus, Star of Persia is a fascinating retelling of an extraordinary queen. I recommend this novel for fans of Angela Hunt, Mesu Andrews, and H.B. Moore!

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. [Let her have daughters or something! I don't know. I just hate it when people could give characters 5,001 kids, and they give them none. (hide spoiler)]

And that's about it. I'll post more of a review later, but 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*

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.

I have not read much by Smith but found her to be a very well researched writer. She used narrative and prose to draw the reader into a Biblical story about Queen Ester, which sent me back to the original scriptures. WIll seek out her other titles.

When it comes to biblical fiction Jill Eileen Smith is one of my favorite authors. Star of Persia is a perfect example as to why. The story of Esther comes alive like never before in this fast paced novel that will transport you to biblical times. The story stays fairly true to the biblical account, but gives added details that can bring you a deeper understanding of what life was like and the true risk that Esther braved for the people of God.

The first few chapters were from Vashti's point of view and I loved getting to see things from her perspective. The details of the courtyards and the palace make it so easy to imagine the beauty of it all.

I think it's important to remember while reading biblical fiction that it's just that....a fiction account of a biblical truth. God tells us the beautiful story of Esther in his word and I always like to go back and read the story from the Bible after reading the biblical fiction account. This book was so beautifully written, just remember it's for entertainment so to speak.

Jill Eileen Smith gave a great look inside of her research at the end of the book and I enjoyed reading this about as much as I enjoyed the book itself. I love to see how author's come about their stories and while reading Star of Persia it is evident that much research was put into this book.

One way I know I've found a good book is when I lose sleep over it. I stayed up all night to finish it. I could not put it down! I consider it a must read!

***Thanks to Revell Reads for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoy this authors biblical fiction and this book didn’t disappoint! She brings life to well known bible characters and makes them feel like real people with feelings and lives. The story read with such action and suspense it could easily be a movie! I highly recommend this book and all of her biblical fiction.

I love reading biblical fiction and I especially love this author’s books and writing style so I was very excited to read this!

I have read the story of Esther from other authors, but I love her story and knew Jill Eileen Smith would do an amazing job and I was right! Of course she included biblical facts that we know about Esther, but the extra fictitious liberties made the character and story so alive and wonderful to read.

I also enjoyed reading about Queen Vashti along with the other characters like Mordecai. Thrilling, dramatic and easy to read. Highly recommend! Absolutely loved it!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

Star of Persia
Esther's Story
by Jill Eileen Smith


Revell

Revell
Christian
Pub Date 03 Mar 2020



I am reviewing a copy of Star of Persia through Revell and Netgalley:







King Xeres called every governor, satrap, and official in his vast kingdom to his palace in Susa to strategize and feast, in an effort to finish the war his Father had planned to win. After they leaves he decides another week of partying, frivolity and drunk ness but this ends in the banishment of his favorite wife from the Kingdom, something he had never intended to happen. After he discovers Esther Xeres is sure he has another chance at happiness.







Esther could not have imagined being The Queen of Persia in her wildest dreams. But she knows better than to become complacent. Another one of King Xeres wives is determined to get her position, by any means possible. And Xeres closest advisor has it out for Mordecai Esther’s adoptive father. The grudge is a dangerous one so she must be careful. Soon Esther finds herself caught in an Impossible situation due to Palace Politics. She must choose to risk her own life or consign her people to slaughter.







In Star of Persia Jill Eileen Smith brings the beloved and suspenseful story of Esther Queen of Persia to life on the page.





I give Star of Persia five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

When I saw Jill Eileen Smith's new book I thought, "Another book about Esther?" There have been many books about Esther in recent years by many different authors. But I like Jill's books about Bible women, so I wanted to read it.

Star of Persia is a little different than other Esther stories I have read. She takes liberties with the story that the Bible doesn't mention, but could have happened. I liked her added characters and plot lines. For instance, Smith adds a nemesis to Vashti and later Esther which makes for a good novel.

Overall, Star of Persia is a light, easy read. Perfect for a rainy day.

Star of Persia is everything I would expect from Jill Eileen Smith. I loved this fabulous piece of Biblical fiction.
Five plus stars.

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.

First, I've been a fan of Jill Eileen Smith's work for several years. I like her writing style. This Bibilical fiction account of Haddassah/Esther's life was well researched and well told. I have read several fictional accounts of this story and this one is a great addition. The author brings her to live and makes the reader feel for her and her plight. There is a lot of backstory to lead up the events that Esther is known for. If you're looking for another take on Queen Esther, you won't go wrong reading this book.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book for my honest review and opinion.

An interesting retelling of the story of Esther. I did enjoy the additional historical details of the times that was happening around them, outside of just the Biblical account. It really added a depth that makes it much more interesting to read. There were a couple of minor things that bothered my, but that is more my pet peeves than the actual storytelling. Overall, this Biblical Fiction is well worth adding to your list.

A fresh, yet familiar, and immersive rendering of one of the greatest female heroes of the Bible.



Well researched, and beautifully told in a way that even though I knew what was coming I was still absorbed into the story, and at times surprised by the timing of certain events. The author uses the multiple third person narrative to her advantage, showing some aspects of the story from an unexpected viewpoint that really enhanced the story and made it less predictable which is challenging in such a well beloved tale.



There is a creative license as well as a respect for the recorded history that make the story more realistic. I liked how the book addressed the realities, of how less than ideal Esther's situation was, showing the sadness in the midst of the luxuries afforded her.



Overall, this was a rivetingly rendered telling of one of history's greatest queens. Excellent research and engaging storytelling. Highly recommend for fans of Biblical fiction.





I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The story of Esther in the Bible brought to life by Jill Eileen Smith. Ms Smith's story telling ability captures this beloved woman soul. I loved this rendition of Esther...and I am certain that you will too. Five stars.

Jill Eileen Smith is an amazing author that does great research into Biblical history and times. She can then turn that research into a heart-touching, inspirational novel. That’s exactly what she has done with this book. I think this is one of her best. This is a inspiring look at the story of Esther that will be a source of encouragement to all who are facing difficult times. It opened up the life and times of Esther for me in a new way, and helped me to grasp just how brave she was as she lived in uncertain times. This one is going on my “favorites” bookshelf.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

When the queen of Persia refuses an unreasonable demand of King Xerxes, she is banished. Jewish girl Esther, known as Hadassah for her first fifteen years, is one of many unmarried women who are brought to the palace to contend to be Xerxes's next wife. Made queen in place of Vashti, Esther and her adopted father Mordecai have to navigate palace politics and eventually, it's up to Esther to save all of her people from extermination.

Though the Biblical account of Esther is commonly known by most who would read this book, I liked the way the author brought it to life. The struggles that those would have faced due to the politics, culture, and religions of that day were not glossed over. It's common, and even somewhat necessary, for the author to take creative license in some areas, as not all details are ever known in a Biblical account, and while I didn't necessarily agree with everything the author chose to do, I don't think any of it detracted from the story.

I loved the way that Mordecai, who had chosen to stay in Susa when the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem, struggled with his decision to keep his heritage a secret. We all know that even the most prominent figures in the Bible (besides God himself) were flawed humans, some more than others, and that is clear with the two main Jews in this book as well. I also think that the way Xerxes was portrayed was realistic, considering that he does often consult others, even his servants, in the Biblical account, so his character in this book was fleshed out from that perspective, and I loved it.

As I mentioned above, I disagree with one main point the author decided on. It is not immediately evident who King Ahasuerus is in the Biblical account, due to language differences, I believe. He seems to be most commonly accepted to be Xerxes. However, Xerxes has only 1 verified wife--Amestris. I did not do nearly as much research as Smith must have for this book, but I see more evidence that Amestris is another name for Vashti, or even possibly for Esther herself. So having a rival wife that is actually directly or indirectly behind much of the shady things that happen in the account seemed unnecessary to me. However, it did provide more intrigue for the fictional version, and while I would have chosen a different route, I respect her decision and am not saying whatsoever that the book was any worse for it.

I would say the writing itself was what mainly detracted from the story for me. I personally think there was at least one POV too many. The story was told from the following perspectives: Esther, Mordecai, Xerxes, Vashti, Haman, and Amestris. If I'm missing one, I wouldn't be surprised. But I think we could have done without getting to know Vashti, considering what her parts set up aren't resolved. And she's just a shadow of the true heroine anyway. There are also a couple of things that happen with Haman that confused me, like him grumbling about his wife and her back-talk, when the entire rest of the book, she seemed nothing but supportive to me, giving him advice that he followed. He even called her wise at one point. Then suddenly, he's about ready to punish her if she opens her mouth again. I don't know what was going on there.

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot. I am one who tends to read romance (not just romance in the traditional sense) into certain accounts in the Bible as I'm reading, and it's nice to see it come alive in this way. I will likely re-read this someday, but first, I plan to check out Smith's take on Ruth, which is my favorite book in the Bible. As for Esther's story, though, I highly recommend it to fans of Biblical fiction.

I was raised reading and listening to Bible stories and have heard the story of Esther many times. Jill Eileen Smith has written a wonderful book that combines the story from the Bible with secular historical facts.

Xerxes is the King of Persia, but is not a very confident ruler. He is easily influenced by drunkeness and listening to advisors with their own agenda rather than making decisions that would benefit his people. His favorite wife, Vashti, is forced to either expose herself in front of Xerxes' men or be banished from the Kingdom, all because of Xerxes' other wife, Amestris, who is jealous of Vashti's status.

After Xerxes banishes Vashti, he is heartbroken and once again listens to an ill-advised plan, which is another attempt by Amestris to gain favor. He rules that the most beautiful virgins in the country will compete in a contest to become his next wife.

Hadassah (later called Esther) is a young Jewish girl living with her cousin, Mordecai, after the death of her parents. Mordecai works at the gate of the city and hides his religious beliefs from the King's men. After the King's edict to round up the virgins, he realizes that he has strayed from Adonai and should have found a husband for Hadassah. Instead, she is taken to the palace to vie for Xerxes affection.

Esther soon finds herself in the position of favorite wife, which the reader knows will bring about more tragedy because of Amestris' jealousy. Xerxes is again tricked into an edict that will have all Jews killed, which would include Esther and her family. As Mordecai says, "Who knows if you were made queen for just such a time as this?"

If Esther dares to come before the King without being summoned, she could be banished or killed. But, if she does not go to him to plead for her people, they could all be killed. Esther, along with her family, prays and fasts in order to seek God's divine intervention. "She belonged to her Creator. The plans He had for her were for good and not for evil. To give her and her people a future and a hope."

Even if the reader does not know Esther's story from the Bible, this is a wonderful book. Full of details of the times, the lavishness of the buildings and feasts, and the political intrigues that seem to plague all royalty, anyone who enjoys historical fiction should enjoy this book. And, for those who already know Esther's story, this is a wonderful retelling of her courageous life.

I was given the opportunity to read this book by the author/publisher and chose to review it.

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.