Esther: Royal Beauty

by Angela Hunt Narrated by Rachel Botchan, Kevin R. Free

Overview

Bestselling Author Angela Hunt Returns to Biblical Fiction An ambitious tyrant threatens genocide against the Jews in ancient Persia, so an inexperienced beautiful young queen must take a stand for her people. When Xerxes, king of Persia, issues a call for beautiful young women, Hadassah, a Jewish orphan living in Susa, is forcibly taken to the palace of the pagan ruler. After months of preparation, the girl known to the Persians as Esther wins the king's heart and a queen's crown. But because her situation is uncertain, she keeps her ethnic identity a secret until she learns that an evil and ambitious man has won the king's permission to exterminate all Jews-young and old, powerful and helpless. Purposely violating an ancient Persian law, she risks her life in order to save her people ... and bind her husband's heart. Esther marks bestselling author Angela Hunt's return to biblical fiction. In each novel she explores an example of a Hebrew Old Testament tob woman: a woman whose physical beauty influences those around her-and can change the course of history.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

11/10/2014
Biblical fiction seems to be on the rise and readers will find nothing better in the genre than bestselling Hunt’s interpretation of the biblical book of Esther. Hadassah is a teenager when she is captured by ruffians while on her way to Jerusalem with her betrothed, Binyamin. Instead of escaping the king’s call for young virgins, she is brought to the palace in a slave trader’s carriage. Harbonah, the king’s chamberlain and a eunuch, knows Hadassah’s cousin Mordecai and befriends the frightened girl, who takes the name Esther. Esther is chosen as the new queen, adjusts to life in the palace, matures into a thoughtful and brave woman, and does battle with the evil Haman to save the Jewish people. Hunt (Magdalene) handles the tale’s nuances with care and openness, presenting readers a beautiful, honest, captivating retelling of a familiar story. Agent: Danielle Egan-Miller, Browne & Miller Literary Associates. (Jan.)

Library Journal

11/15/2014
Hadassah, a Jewish orphan, is abducted and taken to the palace of Xerxes, king of Persia. Renamed Esther, the young woman wins the king's heart and becomes his queen. However, she hides a terrible secret about her heritage. When forced to reveal her Jewish identity to stop the mass execution of her people, Esther finds that instead of forsaking her, her husband honors her wishes. VERDICT New York Times best-selling author Hunt (Passing Strangers) returns to biblical fiction with a bang, refashioning the classic story of Esther into a moving tale of love and courage that endures, even under the shadow of death. Narrating from two very different perspectives (Esther's and that of Harbonah, the king's main male servant), Hunt gives a fully rounded portrait of the happenings in the palace of Xerxes. Fans who have read all of Brock and Brodie Thoene's biblical historicals will find this a great alternative.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171114169
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	02/06/2015
Series:	Dangerous Beauty , #1
Edition description:	Unabridged

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