What happened after the biblical story's last page?
This book can be considered a sequel to "Hadassah - One night with the King", also in our library.

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Her unlikely marriage to the King of Persia. The saving of her people. Queen Esther's life doesn't end right after the first Feast of Purim, and ongoing intrigues play into a critical political time, centuries later—when mortal danger again faces a prominent woman and her people in The Hadassah Covenant by authors Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen.

It's been over a decade since the first time I read this dual-timeline thriller, the sequel to Hadassah: One Night With the King. I'd forgotten most of the modern-day side of the plot in this second novel, so I had the chance to view it with fresh eyes.

The novel has its share of tragedy and violence, sometimes a cruel and bloody reflection of what twisted people inflict upon other human beings. The story further illustrates how what happened with Esther and Xerxes was no romantic fairy tale, and the queen's legendary, heroic acts didn't mean smooth sailing from then on.

Now, there are several places in the novel where the historical characters unnaturally narrate events in their pasts, making explanations to each other that are obviously just for the reader's benefit. Also, the novel is pretty slow-paced for a thriller. With such a density of pivotal turns, it seems so many of the moments must be extremes, with prolonged descriptions of their significance.

Yet, the density ultimately works in favor of the rich plot, along with the affecting imagery, the sharp sense of atmosphere, and the depth of emotion. The characters' collective journey makes a compelling case for purpose that outlives the limelight and premature conclusions.

After more than ten years, I found this story powerful all over again. ( )

I am not completely done reading this book, but it is based upon the Book of Esther from the Bible. It is written as a work of fiction as to what Esther's life really could have been like. I love these types of books because they bring the Bible stories to life in a way we can better understand them. This book holds your attention, right down to the details. This book explains a lot about how Esther was groomed to be Queen. When she becomes Queen, she realizes the power she has and how she can use it to save her people, the people no one knows she is of. The Jewish people. ( )

A very good read. Keeps you holding on to the edge of your seat. ( )