Star of Persia: (An Inspirational Retelling about Queen Esther)

Good ❤️

I don't really read much Biblical fiction but I couldn't pass this one up. Esther's story is one of my favorites from the Bible and this novel was a stellar retelling of it. It really expanded the story and got me to see things in a new light. It really came to life for me.I enjoyed the fact that we not only got Esther's perspective but many of the other prominent characters as well. It really added a whole new and interesting dimension to the story.This was my first time reading anything by Jill Eileen Smith and I'm definitely interested in checking out more from her.

I truly didn't know the story of Esther and I liked your version of it, but I will be reading it in my Bible for comparison. Sometimes I'm not sure which version I should read first for a better understanding of the history lesson. I look forward to reading more of your books about the women in the Biblical times, I wish there were more.

I have a confession. I almost didn't read Star of Persia. Esther's story is everywhere and has been retold across mediums, from books to films to plays to Veggie Tales cartoons. Plus, some of my other favorite Biblical fiction authors, like Angela Hunt, have already tackled it. Why did I need another one?Well, I'll admit, at first I read Star of Persia because Jill Eileen Smith wrote it, and she is also a favorite author of mine. But there's a lot to like here besides the author. Specifically, Jill's approach to Esther is just different enough to keep the pages turning and the mind working. She stays true to Scripture as always, but adds the depth and flavor of character and setting I have come to expect from and look forward to from her.Cliche though this may sound, Esther is the true "star" of Star of Persia. Her beauty got her into the palace, but her heart sparkles on every page of this book. She encapsulates everything I want to be--compassionate, intelligent, curious, self-sacrificing, and clever without being ruthless or overly ambitious about it. Her love for her family, especially Mordecai, is an inspiration, too. Many times during Star of Persia, I put down my Kindle to pray that God would give me an "Esther heart."Compared to Esther, it would be easy to say everyone else pales. They sort of do, but in a good way, and the secondary characters remain three-dimensional and relatable. I especially enjoyed Jill's portrayal of Xerxes. As Vashti notes early on, people could call him weak, and they would be justified. He is a people-pleaser, self-indulgent, at times volatile, and in general, tough to live with. But Jill showed that even a king can be a broken man for whom the natural stressors of royal life don't do any favors. The same is true for Vashti. In most retellings, she is a "throwaway" character, the "old queen" shunted aside to make room for heroine Esther. But in Star of Persia, she is well-developed, devoted but often powerless, adored yet aching for stability and real love. Bravo to Jill for showing all sides of as many characters as she could, and keeping those portraits consistent.Once again, the setting of Biblical Persia comes to life under Jill's hand, from the halls of the palace to the Jewish minority villages. The fact that the Jews are a minority in this setting also gives Star of Persia a special spiritual trajectory. I enjoyed seeing Mordecai and Esther wrestle with what it means to be faithful to Adonai in their situation, and how much of their Jewish identity they should embrace on a daily basis. Mordecai's decision to no longer hide any of his Jewish heritage came a little abruptly for my taste, but works well within the framework of the story. It's one of his best scenes, showcasing courage in an understated way. In fact, "understated" is a great word for the spiritual thread in general, and it works as beautifully as in the Book of Esther.I hate to criticize this book at all. If I had one criticism though, it would be that the book seems to go too fast. I realize this is because the real Book of Esther is only ten chapters long, but sometimes I wished Jill had lingered more over some events or characters, to probe their motivations. This is particularly true of Haman and the other antagonists, though I do applaud her for taking time to explore Haman's Agagite ancestry and how that influenced his attitude toward Jews. Other than that, though, Jill Eileen Smith has crafted another "star" of a book I encourage everyone to read.

I enjoy books by this author. Jill makes the plot move along and the characters are developed well. I think that she does much research to keep within the time of the story. It gives me a new understanding of shat the story of Esther was all about.

This story was beautifully written, it is rich in history and very relatable. I especially liked how Vashti was portrayed; usually she is given a bad rap. She was placed in an impossible situation and she was most likely a victim.I highly recommend this book.

I have always loved the story of Esther and have always been on the look out for different versions and stories...this one surely did not disappoint. The story again is just a beautiful reminder of how our lives are truly a reflection of preparation for “significant moments” God opens up in our lives for us to step into and to not fear because He is with us...and of course our life is a an ultimate preparation of truly coming face to face with our King of King’s <3

After reading (and rereading) the biblical account of the Book of Esther. I was pleased to see that the dramatized version and the biblical version were close in both content and structure. Star of Persia added lots of believable (but fantasy musings) of the biblical account.

The book of Esther and life in Persia came alive reading this book. This book is a historical time capsule.

Easy to read and a page turner until you reach the end.A familiar story bought alive. Opened up the culture of the time and made the story intriguing.

Written so well that I could not put it down. I would love another book that followed through what actually happened to Xerxis and Esther.Thank you Jill Eileen Smith for another captivating book.

This book was great! The characters are well fleshed out and the narration was wonderful. I didn't want to stop listening to it.

I did enjoy this book because it is a history that I grow up with.I remember my mother reading to myself and my sister.