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jlynnelseauthor's review against another edition
3.0
I love these types of books because they bring the Bible stories to life in a way that the modern reader can connect with the characters and find new ways to connect with God (though loosely based on scripture and more historical additions). Sometimes it is easy to believe that God only works in big ways using big events like Ester becoming Queen and saving her people. For the rest of us, His hand is not always so readily seen, but He has a purpose for every single person.
In times past an Exilarch represented the Jewish people in exile to their foreign lords. A modern-day Exilarch might hold the key to ending the violence and restoring peace and safety to the Middle East. But such a person would have to be descended of both the Davidic bloodline and of Mordecaiís line. I am not well acquainted with Middle East politics, and I feel even more confused after reading this book. To be honest, how would establishing an Exilarch help to solve the violence in the Middle East? Wouldn't it just create a more prominent target for terrorists? It seemed a little simple a solution to a long, dark history of terror.
The authors do a great job of imagining what might have happened in the lives of Esther and Mordecai and placing that possibility as a backdrop for present-day tensions in the Middle East. Brilliant idea not fully executed.
I loved the first book, but this sequel does not hold a very bright candle against the original. The cuts between modern and ancient times is confusing and scattered. I never really connected with any characters because there is not much I can relate to in either lives. Then there were the news stories put in front of chapters, which really helped to confuse me more about the multiple different stories revolving in the book. The plot felt disjointed, the modern characters not fully developed, and the ending simplistic.
In times past an Exilarch represented the Jewish people in exile to their foreign lords. A modern-day Exilarch might hold the key to ending the violence and restoring peace and safety to the Middle East. But such a person would have to be descended of both the Davidic bloodline and of Mordecaiís line. I am not well acquainted with Middle East politics, and I feel even more confused after reading this book. To be honest, how would establishing an Exilarch help to solve the violence in the Middle East? Wouldn't it just create a more prominent target for terrorists? It seemed a little simple a solution to a long, dark history of terror.
The authors do a great job of imagining what might have happened in the lives of Esther and Mordecai and placing that possibility as a backdrop for present-day tensions in the Middle East. Brilliant idea not fully executed.
I loved the first book, but this sequel does not hold a very bright candle against the original. The cuts between modern and ancient times is confusing and scattered. I never really connected with any characters because there is not much I can relate to in either lives. Then there were the news stories put in front of chapters, which really helped to confuse me more about the multiple different stories revolving in the book. The plot felt disjointed, the modern characters not fully developed, and the ending simplistic.
geekgenesis's review against another edition
3.0
I really loved the book before this one. This one was good and the love stories twined into it were sweet, but it wasn't my favorite and there were a few things where I just couldn't suspend my disbelief to accept them. I did enjoy it though.
jlynnelseauthor's review
3.0
I love these types of books because they bring the Bible stories to life in a way that the modern reader can connect with the characters and find new ways to connect with God (though loosely based on scripture and more historical additions). Sometimes it is easy to believe that God only works in big ways using big events like Ester becoming Queen and saving her people. For the rest of us, His hand is not always so readily seen, but He has a purpose for every single person.
In times past an Exilarch represented the Jewish people in exile to their foreign lords. A modern-day Exilarch might hold the key to ending the violence and restoring peace and safety to the Middle East. But such a person would have to be descended of both the Davidic bloodline and of Mordecaiís line. I am not well acquainted with Middle East politics, and I feel even more confused after reading this book. To be honest, how would establishing an Exilarch help to solve the violence in the Middle East? Wouldn't it just create a more prominent target for terrorists? It seemed a little simple a solution to a long, dark history of terror.
The authors do a great job of imagining what might have happened in the lives of Esther and Mordecai and placing that possibility as a backdrop for present-day tensions in the Middle East. Brilliant idea not fully executed.
I loved the first book, but this sequel does not hold a very bright candle against the original. The cuts between modern and ancient times is confusing and scattered. I never really connected with any characters because there is not much I can relate to in either lives. Then there were the news stories put in front of chapters, which really helped to confuse me more about the multiple different stories revolving in the book. The plot felt disjointed, the modern characters not fully developed, and the ending simplistic.
In times past an Exilarch represented the Jewish people in exile to their foreign lords. A modern-day Exilarch might hold the key to ending the violence and restoring peace and safety to the Middle East. But such a person would have to be descended of both the Davidic bloodline and of Mordecaiís line. I am not well acquainted with Middle East politics, and I feel even more confused after reading this book. To be honest, how would establishing an Exilarch help to solve the violence in the Middle East? Wouldn't it just create a more prominent target for terrorists? It seemed a little simple a solution to a long, dark history of terror.
The authors do a great job of imagining what might have happened in the lives of Esther and Mordecai and placing that possibility as a backdrop for present-day tensions in the Middle East. Brilliant idea not fully executed.
I loved the first book, but this sequel does not hold a very bright candle against the original. The cuts between modern and ancient times is confusing and scattered. I never really connected with any characters because there is not much I can relate to in either lives. Then there were the news stories put in front of chapters, which really helped to confuse me more about the multiple different stories revolving in the book. The plot felt disjointed, the modern characters not fully developed, and the ending simplistic.
kristinrob's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting continuation of the Queen Esther story, focusing on the relationship between Mordecai and Leah.
bookworm_mommy's review against another edition
Hmmmm...I'm not sure the plot synopsis is valid. Antaxerxes didn't find a Star of David medallion on Leah or was outraged as a result of her being a Jew. He had fallen in love with her but b/c of politics couldn't take a jew as Queen.\nThis is more the story of how the ancient story of Leah and Mordeccai affects the present day Jewish state with Iraq.\nIt was well written...although slow in a lot of parts. Interesting concept.
naturallybookish's review against another edition
I could not finish this book. I really tried, but if reading a book feels more like a chore than a pleasure (life is too short to continue the punishment)forget it. In my opinion the story was drawn out by too many details (it seemed to tell me, more than show me) and little to no action. This book is a slow read for a patient reader.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Hate crime, Infertility, and Antisemitism
Minor: Death
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