Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther by Ginger Garrett is based on the Biblical story of Esther. The idea is that these diaries have been found and translated, so we get to hear Esther’s story in her own words - which, of course, is a fictional retelling, but still interesting. Interspersed with the story from the diaries are commentaries about what has been found and what has been lost to time - missing entries - that kind of thing. There are elements in this story that are not present in the Biblical account, but nothing that I can recall that undermines the story of Esther’s strong faith in God and God’s deliverance of His people (it has been a while since I read this one). As always, with Biblical fiction, I highly recommend going to the source: the Book of Esther in the Old Testament! ( )

Chosen, Ginger Garrett
This is a captivating retelling of the life of Queen Esther in the form of diary entries. Ginger Garrett does an excellent job of bringing to life a heroine of the bible and by further showing that true beauty is held within ones self, that God shining through someone makes them shine with an inner beauty that does not fade. The strength and wisdom as well as grace and poise of Queen Esther is enough to inspire all young women to strive for excellence in our devotion and obedience to God and those God places in our lives as authority. This book further displays that God’s hand is at work in ways that we do not always understand even when we are placed in situations that we do not like if we are obedient and trust.
I do not agree with all things brought to light – especially that Queen Esther continues to long after another man after she is married to the King. Reading the account in the bible I have always pictured that Esther’s heart was turned toward the king during her preparation time and that she began to truly love him because of God’s love in her. So this “looking outside of her marriage” was a disappointment for me, and I believe that had this been the true case that Esther would not have been as effective in the saving of her people as she truly was.
I do believe that Ginger Garrett is an excellent writer. I admire her style.
Thank you B&B Media Group for providing this copy for review.
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"We are all destroyed, everyone, in our lifetime, but few will rebuild. You must redeem your suffering, Esther."

Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther by author Ginger Garrett is the fourth novel I've read based on the biblical book of Esther. After reading the story however many times in the Bible, enjoying three other novels, and watching four different film adaptations, yes, I'm still intrigued.

Even so, with a story that's been retold so many times, in order for me to really get into a new-to-me retelling, it has to give me something the previous retellings haven't given me already.

On that score, this novel delivered for me.

No, it's not a romance novel, with King Xerxes painted as a shining romantic hero. And no, this book isn't a rags-to-riches fairytale full of prettiness that ties everything up with a Happily Ever After bow at the end.

Nah.

This novel's strength is in the way it tackles difficult, sacred tension. How it paints a bold but deft picture of schemes, depression, injustice, murder, and suicide in a realm of royalty and excess. How it addresses so many ironies, not the least of which is the pairing of power and imprisonment.

How it depicts the conflicting emotions of a young Jewish woman stolen from the life she loved. Stolen by a king.

Granted, I wasn't too impressed with Esther's voice in the first few chapters. (Perhaps it's a reflection of her initial immaturity.) And given that she tells her story in diary entries, the plot development is choppy at times, and Esther's limited vantage point hampers the development of some other characters. (For instance, seeing Haman from an additional perspective might have made his personality and villainy more convincing.)

Nevertheless, this substantive account of a woman in an impossible situation, using what resources she can to save her people, and even to empower women...

It's beautiful. Inspiring. Timely, timeless—for such a time...

The king has asked for a whore; I will show him a queen. ( )

The author, Ginger Garrett, writes this book as a Christian Romance which in turn breathed some new life into the familiar story. I really enjoyed the main character, Esther. The author did a great job of really allowing the reader to connect to her. It was so fun to watch Esther fall in love with the king even though she didn't think she would.

This book had a little bit of everything, politics, war, betrayal, faith and love. This story was beautiful, through this retelling you get to see Esther as a human woman not just a Queen. I literally couldn't put this book down!! It is so beautifully written, so detailed. Incredible is the only word for it. ( )

Title: Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther
Author: Ginger Garrett
Pages: 304
Year: 2010
Publisher: David C. Cook
Years ago I taught from the book of Esther in the Old Testament, learning that hope shines brightest against the blackest backdrop. All of us can relate to the various experiences that life brings through our journey this side of heaven. Where do you go or to Whom do you go when you need hope, encouragement, maybe even words to do what is right when inside of you there is overwhelming fear?
Esther was born over five centuries before Christ Jesus was born in the manager in Bethlehem. At a time when women weren’t cherished or loved, they were to do as they were told. Esther lost her parents and would have been lost herself if it were not for her cousin Mordecai who adopted her, raising her in the knowledge of God. Xerxes was king of an empire that was vast, cruel and dominated all nations, except for Greece. Once Vashti was in exile, Xerxes needed a new queen to be beside him. All virgins were to be rounded up in his kingdom for one night with the king in the hopes that one would be chosen as queen, taking Vashti’s place. If not, they were relegated to the harem to live out the rest of their lives never to return home or have a normal life. How could God use a pagan king and an orphaned Jewish girl to bring about the saving of His chosen people, the Jews?
When you read the book of Esther, you will see the plans laid by one man to eradicate the Jews. Read it and you will see a Jewish man who was faithful to God and saved the life of a king when he uncovers a plot to harm the king. In a twist of irony, the one who longs for the throne actually has to elevate the very man he despises. To learn the names of who these men were, read the Bible and find out, plus learn how Purim became a celebration that is still a feast today!
Read Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther and find a jewel of a heart that learns to shine from within the halls of the palace. Told in first person point of view, we get a unique perspective as to how Esther felt living in a time that few would want to or with a man who knew no boundaries and took what he wanted. See how God works in Esther and the tale Ginger Garrett weaves of those who desire to murder the king in order to take over the kingdom. Ginger writes with the unique knowledge of history, women and kings. It will not only captivate you, but propel you to read the Bible. Esther is a reflection of one who submitted to God and trusted Him to work all things together for good; it is an inspiring story. I know you will not only enjoy the tale you will learn about the times, events and how God worked through a woman who trusted in Him with all her heart.
My rating is 5+ stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book from www.bookfun.org
The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )