Esther: Royal Beauty

November 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.

November 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.

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2014
Christy Award winner Hunt kicks off her Dangerous Beauty series with a suspenseful retelling of the biblical story of Esther. Beautiful Esther was raised in a devout Jewish home, but when the pagan king of Persia chooses her as his new queen, she safely hides her heritage. When her impetuous husband befriends a vengeful counselor who convinces him to murder those of Jewish descent, Esther cannot ignore the danger to her people. She must find a way to save her people's lives, regardless of the consequence to her own. Thick with deceit, murder, and revenge, the story, set in Persia and surrounding regions, carries an exciting sense of foreboding that complements the heavier theological sections. Hunt tells this indelible story from two narrative perspectives, those of Esther and of Harbonah, a eunuch who serves as the king's chamberlain. Through their voices and with carefully researched, richly rendered historical details, Hunt breathes new life into the biblical blueprint. The result is a chilling tribute to Esther's bravery that is sure to grip and surprise readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)