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Customer Reviews for Thomas Nelson A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Thomas Nelson A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
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.
Average Customer Rating:
(42 Reviews) 42
Rating Snapshot (42 reviews)
5 stars
23
4 stars
8
3 stars
4
2 stars
4
1 star
3
34 out of 4281%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Review 1 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
Date:April 26, 2013
Daisy
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Very good reading. Hard to put down. Nice to read a book about a Biblical character.
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Review 2 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
Date:December 7, 2012
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Esther is a simple girl; an orphan alone in the world with her uncle Mordecai as guardian, and raised in Jewish faith and traditions. One day, Mordecai has a dream that will change Esther's life forever - he dreams of the complete annihilation of the Jewish people. A solution to the problem comes in the form of the current king of Persia; King Ahasuerus.
When King Ahasuerus puts away Queen Vashti for refusing to appear at a feast, he is on the hunt for a new wife. Woman after woman is paraded in front of him, but no Persian woman catches his eye. Esther enters as a candidate soon after her uncle's dream, hoping the king won't even give her a second glance. She was wrong. Shortly after making her his queen, she is faced with an impossible choice that will forever change history. Save her people, or preserve the love that has blossomed between Ahasuerus and herself. Will telling him she is a Jew forever destroy any love the king has for her? Or will she be executed along with the rest of her people?
As usual, it's the little things that distract me from the bigger picture. The book was very good. I can't deny I laughed a couple times. But Mordecai calling his niece "chicken" was an abrupt and rude awakening to the Biblical time setting and brought the flow of the story to a halt. While the nickname is cute, it just doesn't fit with the time period. It somewhat disruptive to the story as a whole, though thankfully, there is a nice chunk of time where they don't see each other and it is absent from the text. As a whole, the story was entertaining and the love story between Esther and the king was a very satisfying read.
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Review 3 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
I thorughly enjoyed this book !
Date:November 17, 2012
Maria Seay
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This was a very eye opening book. It brought the story of Esther to light and made it come alive.
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Review 4 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
Date:November 9, 2012
screener
Location:hayward...wisc
Age:55-65
Gender:male
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
it follow the bible quite well...adding a human effect to the story
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Review 5 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
A wonderful love story.
Date:November 9, 2012
TinaK
Location:New London, WI
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This story weaves together a young girl's fears and dreams and a wise man's hopes and plans, with the results that only God can produce. A great Bible story that shows how we think small while God thinks big and that with Him, nothing is impossible. Lovely.
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Review 6 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
Enjoyable reading
Date:September 18, 2012
light
Location:Live Oak, FL
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
This would have a 5 star except that it did use alot of interesting imagination. I enjoyed thinking about Esther and her life in those days. It was a different way of seeing the picture. Thanks for a good book.
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Review 7 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
Captivating read
Date:September 13, 2012
edenkl
Location:Sk. Canada
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I have always loved the story of Esther. Joan Wolf did a fabulous job of making the story new without taking away from the biblical truths.
Thank you
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Review 8 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
Awesome Read
Date:August 22, 2012
Paula Jean
Location:Franklinville, NJ
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I couldn't put this book down. It was simply awesome to read and since I knew the story from the Bible, it was even better!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Review 9 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
Disappointing
Date:August 5, 2012
Karen Benscoter
Location:KC area
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality:
1
out of
5
Value:
2
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
I found the author to be able to spin a good tale. I had a check in my spirit about several things as I read, but when I read her note at the end, I understood. The author obviously doesn't believe in the authenticity of the biblical account.
Accordingly, she left out several important themes that destroyed the romance that she so wanted to emphasize.
Haman was a sympathetic character and there was no "If I perish, I perish". The biblical account cannot be improved on and as such, I disapprove this novel.
Accordingly, she left out several important themes that destroyed the romance that she so wanted to emphasize.
Haman was a sympathetic character and there was no "If I perish, I perish". The biblical account cannot be improved on and as such, I disapprove this novel.
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Review 10 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
Definitely worth a read!
Date:August 3, 2012
jellojoy
Location:Upstate NY
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I really enjoyed this book! Many biblical historical novels are not very well written, but this one was! From the first chapter, I was captivated by the story. Even though I have read the scriptural account of Esther numerous times (one of my favorites), the author managed to write an account that was full of surprises and unexpected twists and turns.
Her character development was awesome! I LIVED in Persia, in my mind, and when the book was over it was difficult to come home!
While she did deviate from scripture on a few story details (and stated as much in her introduction), she stayed primarily true to the basic facts, while weaving an enchanting tale in a graceful dance around and between them. Very well done!
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Review 11 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
Date:June 28, 2012
heidi
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Very involved in the book. Couldn't put it down. Enyjoyable read
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Review 12 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
Date:June 28, 2012
Quality:
2
out of
5
Value:
3
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
2
out of
5
I thoought this product was not true to the biblical version and tok great liberty to add parts that were never even suggested in the original story in the Bible.
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+1point
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Review 13 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
Biblical Story
Date:June 27, 2012
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
3
out of
5
I always enjoy Biblical stories with "the rest of the story". This was well written, but could not compare with Tommy Tenney's "One Night With the Queen".
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0points
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Review 14 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
So-So
Date:May 21, 2012
Quality:
2
out of
5
Value:
2
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
I was disappointed when I read this book! I didn't feel that it quite lined up with the Bible in some ways and that it was a little outstretched! However I will say that it did help me to have a more realistic view of Esther's life and how her love bloomed for the King!
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Review 15 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
very close to the Bible story
Date:May 3, 2012
Bea Nyce
Location:Souderton, Pa.
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Wonderful story very intriging and suspenseful . A great love story It makes the Bible really come to life and a way of understanding the Bible better.
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Review 16 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
It is an interesting read
Date:August 15, 2011
Kylie Cheng
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Being familiar with the book of Esther in the bible, I must say that this historical fiction is some what different from the biblical account. As the author puts it, it is "the love story of Esther".
The story was set in the city of Susa, where Mordecai worked in the King's treasury. Esther was his orphaned niece. After Queen Vashti was deposed, beautiful virgins were taken into the palace to be prepared as candidates to take her place. Out of many formidable rivals, Esther was chosen as the new Queen. Meanwhile, Haman (the Jews' enemy) was plotting to annihilate the Jews. Esther courageously went before the King to plead for her people. The Jews were saved and Haman was executed.
This book provided a glimpse into the daily life in the palace that one cannot get from reading the scripture. I find it entirely believable that Esther did fall in love with her royal husband. And it is certain that she won the favour of her husband. I know it was probably naive to believe that a great King can be satisfied with bedding one woman exclusively. But it is wonderful to believe love does conquer all in some cases.
I like the chapters devoted to the less formal life the royal family spent in the summer hill resort. In that setting, I see the warring and conquering abilities of the victorious race. Without the horses, they would not be controlling such a great empire stretching from India to Ethiopia.
After conquering many nations and taking captives, the city of Susa must have been a most cosmopolitan place. Seeing that Mordecai was placed in a literate position in the treasury, this government obviously utilized the many talents of their captives.
Another interesting fact is that the conquering race counted the blood line from the father side. But the Jews counted it from the mother side. If Esther's mother did not marry her husband who was not a Jew, there would be no Queen Esther. (And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.) It is obvious that Esther is the one called to save her race.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Review 17 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
Bible characters come vivdly alive
Date:July 20, 2011
Angie
Age:18-24
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
The word that kept ringing in my mind as I read A Reluctant Queen was "accessible." Joan Wolf has done a marvelous job of taking the biblical story of Esther and making the key historical figures accessible. They are not just words on a page anymore - they seem to be living, breathing people who are following the course that has been set out for them.
The story centers around Esther. In this fictionalized take on the historical Esther, Esther is portrayed as confident but shy, and fairly unassuming. Her uncle, Mordecai, enlists her to enter the king's beauty competition to find a new wife, so that she can be a secret representative of the Jewish people. As most readers already know, the king picks Esther over hundreds of other girls, and Esther unexpectedly becomes queen.
The meat of this book is undoubtedly the growing relationship between the king (Ahasuerus) and Esther. As was customary in that time and region, they barely knew each other when they married. However, Esther finds herself appreciating him more and more, and they begin to form a tentative relationship. I loved the dialogue between these two - alternately formal and informal. It was great to see the relationship take root and finally blossom, and I found myself smiling on more than one occasion.
The only downfall to the book, in my estimation, is how much political talk there is. I recognize that it is historical, and quite central to the story, but I found it to be detracting from the love story. That being said, Wolf does a great job of portraying Haman as an incredibly jealous man, and by the end (*SPOILER*), when he is hanged, the reader is glad to see him go.
I enjoyed this quick read, if for no other reason than to have these characters come alive so vividly. I highly recommend this book!
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Review 18 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
The Reluctant Queen
Date:July 8, 2011
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
A Reluctant Queen is loosely based on the Biblical story of Queen Esther, although in this story she is married to Ahasuerus, and Xerxes (the Great King and her husband in the Bible story) is his brother. I don't know much about the Persian Empire, so I really enjoyed being immersed in the time period and Esther's royal life. I didn't realize that the Jews living in Persia lived counter to the prevailing Persian culture. I was drawn in and felt like I was in Susa right along with Esther and those surrounding her.
You can buy A Reluctant Queen from Amazon or Christianbook.
With thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for my review copy.
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Review 19 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
Worth Your Time and Money- An Excellent Re-telling
Date:July 8, 2011
Michell
Location:Metro Manila, Philippines
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Political intrigue, mystery, suspense and romance make up the plot for A Reluctant Queen – The Story of Esther by Joan Wolf. In this book, Ms. Wolf takes the story of Esther, the Queen of Persia, who risks her life to save the Jews from annihilation, and turns it into a fictional love story between Esther and Ahasuerus.
Esther, a young Jewish girl, who was brought up by her uncle Mordecai, is convinced by her uncle to join the King’s search for a new queen. Believing that this is God’s direction in order for her to save her people, the Jews, she obeys her uncle. Her hope is that the King will not find her suitable to be his queen. After months of preparation, Esther is finally presented to the KIng. King Ahasuerus was so taken by Esther’s beauty, honesty and intelligence that he immediately declares his search for the queen finally over.
Now Esther must prepare her heart and mind to become not just the Queen, but the wife of a man she hardly knows. Will she be able to love him truly? As the Bible story goes, Haman, the King’s trusted friend and 2nd-in-command plots to kill Mordecai and destroy all Jews. Now Esther must act to save her people from sure death. The big problem she faces is that the King has no idea that she, too, is a Jew. How can she face him now and tell him that all he knew about her is a Lie? Will the King divorce her as he had done with his previous wife, Vashti? Will she be able to save her uncle Mordecai from the hands of the treacherous Haman? Will she be able to save the Jews from annihilation?
MY THOUGHTS
Joan Wolf is a great storyteller! I have always believed that Esther’s story was so amazing. As presented in A Reluctant Queen, Joan Wolf made Esther’s love story even more beautiful and real. For two nights in a row, I have been living in the King’s Palace in Susa. I witnessed Esther’s growth from a terrified young girl, to a beautiful, self-assured Queen. The story is so powerful and moving. If it wasn’t close to morning last night, I would have read it straight through. I loved how the love story of Esther and Ahasuerus was told, interspersed with many different supporting characters and sub-plots. Despite all the characters involved, the story flowed smoothly and beautifully. And behind it all, we witness how God’s hand is at work in the life of Esther and that God’s plans will be followed. I cannot say anything more except that, out of all the fiction I have read, this is by far, the best!
Disclosure: I received a free Digital Galley of this book from Net Galley. However, I will receive a copy of this book for free from Litfuse Publicity. Both are given to me in exchange for this review.
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Review 20 for A Reluctant Queen, Love Story Series #2
Overall Rating:
Well written, beautiful and gripping retelling.
Date:June 30, 2011
TiaB
Location:UK
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Having read the Book of Esther and wondered why this was included in the Bible, I was interested to see how Esther's story could be re-told and brought to life. Just how did a Jewish girl end up in a harem auditioning for the role of Queen, and what did the King see in her? How did Esther come to save the Jewish nation, and what did she feel about it all?
Joan Wolf brings the Persian Court vividly to life, and uses it as a backdrop to tell the compelling story of one girl's obedience to God and to her elders. A love story, and a lesson in trusting God no matter where He leads.
I'll admit, when this book arrived, I put it aside for a while. It didn't feel like the light reading I thought I needed at the time. But, I ran out of other reading matter and I opened it up. And I fell into a world painted so beautifully that two weeks later, I am still at home in the Palace and in the market place, with the young Esther giggling with her friends, and with Queen Esther, taking her life in her hands to plead for her uncle and her nation. I'm pleased I had respite that day, because Esther's world was far more gripping than my own, even though I already knew how the story would play out.
Joan Wolf has written a compelling book, and I can't wait to see whose story she chooses to tell next.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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