Joan Wolf's A Reluctant Queen ~ Reviewed

A Reluctant Queen

By: Joan Wolf

Format: Paperback

Number of Pages: 400

Vendor: Thomas Nelson

ISBN: 1595548769

Description:

An inspiring re-imagining of the tale of Esther, a young Jewish woman thrust from a life of obscurity into a life of power, wealth, intrigue . . . and tender love.

View the story of Esther in an entirely new way-with all the political intrigue and tension you remember, but told as a passionate and tender love story between a young man and woman. Misunderstood by many, King Xerxes was a powerful but lonely man. Esther's beauty caught the eye of the young king, but it was her spirit that captured his heart.

Review:

A Reluctant Queen is a novel based on the story of Queen Esther in the Bible. It begins with her simple life with Uncle Mordecai, followed by her agreement to become a candidate for Queen, and then continues with her journey as Queen. Throughout the story, she’s reconciling herself to her position as Queen, yet still remaining the same Esther she was raised to be. She struggles with hiding her true identity as a Jew from her husband whom she’s fallen in love with, against her better judgment. And while, for many years, she didn’t understand her Uncle’s insistence that she become Queen, towards the end of the story, she realizes that God’s hand has been guiding her all along.

I really enjoyed this book. Even though I believe the author took liberties with the story in the Bible, it was still enjoyable and brought the story to life. I enjoyed how Esther found the balance between being Queen and having authority, and still being the humble Jewish girl, willing to do what she could to help people. The aspect I loved about her is how well she treated her servants. They were her friends, and she treated them as such.

It’s a great book!

Reviewed by: Sarah Porter