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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rating: ⭐️⭐️💫 (2.5)
Steam Level: 🔥🔥 (closed door)
Trigger Warning: rape (off page)
Quick Notes:
*Dark Fantasy
*Selecting a Queen
*Cruel King
*Discrimination
My Thoughts:
I think my main issue here is that I went in expecting a retelling of Esther and got something just loosely inspired by one of my favorite Bible stories. The first 30% and last 10% were about the only parts that really seemed a little genuine to the original. The rest of this was a major departure from the true story. I liked the fantasy setting, with faeries being the group that was discriminated against. I also thought the beginning, which showed how the women were selected and treated, was pretty accurate. I was really disappointed in the king and Roxana (this story's Esther), unfortunately. I realize Esther isn't a love story, but the king and Esther did at least respect each other or possibly have some sort of friendship over time. In this one, though, the king was just pure evil until the end when he suddenly had a bit of a conscience. It almost didn't even make sense for him to care about Roxana's people. I knew this wouldn't be sunshine and rainbows, but it was so much darker than I anticipated. Even the uncle was a villain (again, a departure from the Bible) and then suddenly changed his ways at the end. It honestly didn't seem believable.
Another thing that seemed odd was the storyline involving Roxana and Owen. There really wasn't much to their relationship, so I never felt connected or found their chemistry that believable. It didn't make sense to me, and it was just another element that allowed other characters to be manipulative and evil.
In the end, this was just too much gloom and doom with characters I wasn't really rooting for.
Steam Level: 🔥🔥 (closed door)
Trigger Warning: rape (off page)
Quick Notes:
*Dark Fantasy
*Selecting a Queen
*Cruel King
*Discrimination
My Thoughts:
I think my main issue here is that I went in expecting a retelling of Esther and got something just loosely inspired by one of my favorite Bible stories. The first 30% and last 10% were about the only parts that really seemed a little genuine to the original. The rest of this was a major departure from the true story. I liked the fantasy setting, with faeries being the group that was discriminated against. I also thought the beginning, which showed how the women were selected and treated, was pretty accurate. I was really disappointed in the king and Roxana (this story's Esther), unfortunately. I realize Esther isn't a love story, but the king and Esther did at least respect each other or possibly have some sort of friendship over time. In this one, though, the king was just pure evil until the end when he suddenly had a bit of a conscience. It almost didn't even make sense for him to care about Roxana's people. I knew this wouldn't be sunshine and rainbows, but it was so much darker than I anticipated. Even the uncle was a villain (again, a departure from the Bible) and then suddenly changed his ways at the end. It honestly didn't seem believable.
Another thing that seemed odd was the storyline involving Roxana and Owen. There really wasn't much to their relationship, so I never felt connected or found their chemistry that believable. It didn't make sense to me, and it was just another element that allowed other characters to be manipulative and evil.
In the end, this was just too much gloom and doom with characters I wasn't really rooting for.
This was a captivating book from start to finish! I couldn’t put it down! Even though I’ve read the book of Esther many times I still wasn’t sure how the story was going to turn out and there were plenty of plot twists to keep me on the edge of my seat.
I’m very happy to have this in my permanent book collection and I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next.
I’m very happy to have this in my permanent book collection and I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next.
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
This was a unique, dark retelling of the Bible story of Esther. Roxana is a likeable character who has her insecurities but learns to be brave and courageous even during the most dangerous of times. The story was so captivating with a wingless fairy who can see into the minds of others and learns the opportune moments to use her powers. Not only to save her King but her people as well. I was captivated with this story from the start and could not wait to see what would happen next.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the first book that I have ever read by Ms. Erin Phillips and may I just say that I am totally a new fan! This novel took me on an emotional roller coaster ride that I was nowhere near prepared for. The plot was so captivating that I devoured this entire book in only one day. Yes! I did lose sleep just to read this 468 page novel. It’s seriously just that good! I loved every character, including those on the side and the character development was excellent. The world building was phenomenal, so much so that I could easily imagine every detail in my mind. Although “A Crown Of Chains” devastated me emotionally, I will forever recommend it to everyone I know!