The story of Esther begins with a grand banquet at the palace of King Ahasuerus, also refered to as King Xerxes. The king had become drunk on wine and commanded that his wife, Queen Vashti come out before everyone to show how beautiful she was. Queen Vashti refused to be paraded before everyone. King Xerxes was so angry at her disrespect and disregard for his request that he divorced her. The king called for a nation-wide search to be held to find a new beautiful queen.

Hunt's story of Esther is told in alternating first person narrative of Esther and Harbenah, Xerxes' eunuch Chamberlain, and begins with 13yo being swept up in the King's search for a new Queen.

It is an easy to read novel and follows the traditional Biblical story. I have no hesitation in recommending this and look forward to reading more from this author.