Oh, do I love this book. I read it in one sitting, which hasn’t happened with many books as of late. BUT, this one has it all–great characters, plot, and stakes. The heroine is a strong young girl who is up against the odds when she’s chosen to be a queen and then, upon finding out about a horrific plot, must figure out how to save her people while staying alive herself. I just love a strong female protagonist and the author does such an amazing job bringing Esther to life. I have three young nieces who are getting gifted this book when they are old enough to appreciate it.

Moreover, there just such strong story-telling here. The mix of exposition and dialogue is on point, and the worldbuilding is amazing. I was never lost; I was only ever terribly concerned that Esther won’t succeed…because the drama is high throughout Acts 1 and 2, leading right into the climax. And obviously, I won’t give away the ending, but I was very satisfied all the way around. I actually experienced a lot of emotions when reading this book.

If you like a strong character-driven story with equally awesome plot-driven points,
then look no further than ESTHER. You will be quite the opposite of disappointed. Dare I say I would use the word EPIC when discussing this read. Because I would. It’s epic.
And timeless.