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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay, before I summarize my own thoughts, I feel the need to address some of the other negative reviews. This is RETELLING of the story of ESTHER. Yes, it's dark and gritty. If you didn't think that was part of the story of Esther you weren't paying attention. Yes, there are a lot of liberties taken. That does happen in retellings.
Overall, I thought the author did a good job portraying how icky the situations were while still veiling all the details, and I really appreciate the combination.
Some of the changes in how she presented the story did affect how much I liked the main character, which also affected my enjoyment of the story. I was hoping for an Esther type character I could root for, and instead I had to watch the character make a lot of mistakes along the way and deal with the fallout.
Overall, I thought the author did a good job portraying how icky the situations were while still veiling all the details, and I really appreciate the combination.
Some of the changes in how she presented the story did affect how much I liked the main character, which also affected my enjoyment of the story. I was hoping for an Esther type character I could root for, and instead I had to watch the character make a lot of mistakes along the way and deal with the fallout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Grief
Moderate: Death, Sexual violence, Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Blood, War
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
Three words. Esther Fantasy Retelling.
The story of Esther, re-told through a lens of fairies, satyrs, humans, gnomes, witches, and mermaids! Biblical retellings are NEVER crossed with fantasy.
If that doesn't have you curious, I don't know what will.
I found author Erin Phillips on Instagram, and immediately I was intrigued. This could go very badly, or be my new favorite read. I am so glad for the latter!
The story of Esther is my favorite Bible story, following a young, Jewish girl forced to marry the king. Her family is being persecuted, and Esther is put in a position to have the ear of the King. While never using God's name in the book, His presence is apparent throughout, and I thought that Phillips wrote in a similar mindset.
You do not need to know the story of Esther to enjoy this book. It reads like any other YA fantasy. I think A Crown of Chains is on par with Adrienne Young's books, set in a fantasy world without the complexities of world-building, with more attention spent on character development and relationships.
If you do know the story of Esther, I think this book is all the more special. The solid bones of the original book are still there; the selection process, the parties, her uncle, the conflict. Where Phillips takes the most creative liberties is leading up to Esthers request to the king, finding her faith, and her relationships with the others in the palace.
I rated this book FIVE STARS because not only did I love the story, I will remember this story. It is something set apart from both fantasy and christian fiction, in a little genre all its own.
I hope you love it too <3
PS: For my no-spice friends/parents of young adults, I'd consider this a "closed door" romance. While this is a biblical retelling, and therefore "Christian fiction" (AKA zero spice), Phillips does not shy away from the matter of SEX; our heroine is sent to live in a harem after all. So if you are considering reading this with a younger adult, please be prepared to discuss matters of sex, abuse, consent, marriage, etc.
The story of Esther, re-told through a lens of fairies, satyrs, humans, gnomes, witches, and mermaids! Biblical retellings are NEVER crossed with fantasy.
If that doesn't have you curious, I don't know what will.
I found author Erin Phillips on Instagram, and immediately I was intrigued. This could go very badly, or be my new favorite read. I am so glad for the latter!
The story of Esther is my favorite Bible story, following a young, Jewish girl forced to marry the king. Her family is being persecuted, and Esther is put in a position to have the ear of the King. While never using God's name in the book, His presence is apparent throughout, and I thought that Phillips wrote in a similar mindset.
You do not need to know the story of Esther to enjoy this book. It reads like any other YA fantasy. I think A Crown of Chains is on par with Adrienne Young's books, set in a fantasy world without the complexities of world-building, with more attention spent on character development and relationships.
If you do know the story of Esther, I think this book is all the more special. The solid bones of the original book are still there; the selection process, the parties, her uncle, the conflict. Where Phillips takes the most creative liberties is leading up to Esthers request to the king, finding her faith, and her relationships with the others in the palace.
I rated this book FIVE STARS because not only did I love the story, I will remember this story. It is something set apart from both fantasy and christian fiction, in a little genre all its own.
I hope you love it too <3
PS: For my no-spice friends/parents of young adults, I'd consider this a "closed door" romance. While this is a biblical retelling, and therefore "Christian fiction" (AKA zero spice), Phillips does not shy away from the matter of SEX; our heroine is sent to live in a harem after all. So if you are considering reading this with a younger adult, please be prepared to discuss matters of sex, abuse, consent, marriage, etc.
I know how the story of Esther goes.
But it made me mad. The ending was torture. It’s basically my version of Heartless by Marissa Meyer.
But it made me mad. The ending was torture. It’s basically my version of Heartless by Marissa Meyer.
Reasons to Love
-Esther retelling
-Phenomenal worldbuilding
-Not your typical HEA
-Raw characters
-Fairies and other mythological/fairytale creatures
Themes: hope, regret, identity, love, morality
Content notes: Although it isn’t shown on the page or discussed in detail, there are mentions of sexual assault; racism between fantasy races is a prominent theme; and the book also contains some descriptive and bloody fight scenes.
Format: Paperback
Genre: Christian YA Fantasy, Biblical Fiction
Favorite quote: “Hope can be just as painful as it is precious.”
Review:
A Crown of Chains is not your typical, happily-ever-after fairytale—even though fairies, kings and queens, and other mythical races are part of the story. While it is fantasy, this retelling of Esther is anything but fantastical. Erin Phillips’ writing digs in, asks hard questions, and helps us see ourselves (and our darkness) in each of the characters in different moments.
Phillips’ prose is clear and compelling; her characters are raw and believable, and her story provided a semi-answer to a question I asked recently as I was reading through the book of Esther: Did Esther and the king ever truly love each other?
While the point of Phillips’ book wasn’t really to answer that, through Roxana's eyes, Phillips helped me look at Esther in a new way. What if her happily ever was just surviving? What if her happily ever after was in a deeper trust of the God she’d only known in Scripture before? What all did she give up when she became queen, and did she want to be queen—even a little? What was it like for the other girls?
In this story of bravery, brilliance, brutality, and grace, Phillips gave me something much deeper than a happily-ever-after. Despite bringing a huge dose of reality to Roxana’s world through issues like racism and sexual assault, Phillips brought levity and light through the enticing world of fairies, giants, satyrs, humans, and unlikely friendships and allies. And, of course, the presence of Ehyen.
Her words wove tightly around my heart and made me ache for those who experience these kinds of hurts; made me consider the state of our world and my role in it; and encouraged me to look at my heart and see what darkness might lie there too.
Somewhere along the way, we’ve all walked through a season that showed us, just like Roxana, that “in darkness we gain a deeper understanding of light’s brilliance.” We learn where to turn to find the light, and that we can return again and again—no matter how long it’s been, what we’ve done, or what has happened to us. And after a very dark year, this story helped me see the light’s brilliance again.
Thank you, Erin, for another delightful and thought-provoking read. I’ll never look at Esther’s story the same way, and that’s a beautiful thing.
-Esther retelling
-Phenomenal worldbuilding
-Not your typical HEA
-Raw characters
-Fairies and other mythological/fairytale creatures
Themes: hope, regret, identity, love, morality
Content notes: Although it isn’t shown on the page or discussed in detail, there are mentions of sexual assault; racism between fantasy races is a prominent theme; and the book also contains some descriptive and bloody fight scenes.
Format: Paperback
Genre: Christian YA Fantasy, Biblical Fiction
Favorite quote: “Hope can be just as painful as it is precious.”
Review:
A Crown of Chains is not your typical, happily-ever-after fairytale—even though fairies, kings and queens, and other mythical races are part of the story. While it is fantasy, this retelling of Esther is anything but fantastical. Erin Phillips’ writing digs in, asks hard questions, and helps us see ourselves (and our darkness) in each of the characters in different moments.
Phillips’ prose is clear and compelling; her characters are raw and believable, and her story provided a semi-answer to a question I asked recently as I was reading through the book of Esther: Did Esther and the king ever truly love each other?
While the point of Phillips’ book wasn’t really to answer that, through Roxana's eyes, Phillips helped me look at Esther in a new way. What if her happily ever was just surviving? What if her happily ever after was in a deeper trust of the God she’d only known in Scripture before? What all did she give up when she became queen, and did she want to be queen—even a little? What was it like for the other girls?
In this story of bravery, brilliance, brutality, and grace, Phillips gave me something much deeper than a happily-ever-after. Despite bringing a huge dose of reality to Roxana’s world through issues like racism and sexual assault, Phillips brought levity and light through the enticing world of fairies, giants, satyrs, humans, and unlikely friendships and allies. And, of course, the presence of Ehyen.
Her words wove tightly around my heart and made me ache for those who experience these kinds of hurts; made me consider the state of our world and my role in it; and encouraged me to look at my heart and see what darkness might lie there too.
Somewhere along the way, we’ve all walked through a season that showed us, just like Roxana, that “in darkness we gain a deeper understanding of light’s brilliance.” We learn where to turn to find the light, and that we can return again and again—no matter how long it’s been, what we’ve done, or what has happened to us. And after a very dark year, this story helped me see the light’s brilliance again.
Thank you, Erin, for another delightful and thought-provoking read. I’ll never look at Esther’s story the same way, and that’s a beautiful thing.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really try hard not to give books a negative review, especially if it's written by a less prominent author. This book definitely had it's difficulties and I have chosen to leave the stars blank because of my mixed feelings.
I was very excited to read Crown of Chains knowing it was a fantasy retelling of Esther, one of my favorite Bible stories. However, I think the author took too much influence from the movie One Night With The King and too little from the original story for me personally to find this enjoyable. There is a noticeable lack of character growth and drama that pushes well past believable. If you like enemies to lovers where they never really progress you MIGHT like this book, but it wasn't for me.
SPOILERS BELOW
.
.
.
.
.
My biggest grievance was the inclusion of a love triangle. Not only is it completely unbelievable that the queen would have the freedom and stupidity to have an affair, it cheapens the whole story and the morals I expected to find.
My second biggest complaint was the writing of the king. I absolutely could accept that he was selfish, shortsighted, and even spitefully mean, but throughout the entire story he is downright abusive. And he never ever gets better.
The third issue for me was that Roxana never even tries to make it work. She can hate him all she wants, but her constant baiting of the king and tempertantrums were not only unbelievable, they made the story feel like two children seeing who could make the other a bigger villain.
And finally the ending felt like a rushed cop out. The last 25 pages are exactly the Esther story, or more accurately, One Night With the King, right on down to the advisor attacking the Queen while the king secretly spies on them and steps in at the last moment.
I believe the author intended to highlight how hard life was for Esther and the insecurity of her situation. In that she succeeded. I wish she had left us a loveable character to root for.
I was very excited to read Crown of Chains knowing it was a fantasy retelling of Esther, one of my favorite Bible stories. However, I think the author took too much influence from the movie One Night With The King and too little from the original story for me personally to find this enjoyable. There is a noticeable lack of character growth and drama that pushes well past believable. If you like enemies to lovers where they never really progress you MIGHT like this book, but it wasn't for me.
SPOILERS BELOW
.
.
.
.
.
My biggest grievance was the inclusion of a love triangle. Not only is it completely unbelievable that the queen would have the freedom and stupidity to have an affair, it cheapens the whole story and the morals I expected to find.
My second biggest complaint was the writing of the king. I absolutely could accept that he was selfish, shortsighted, and even spitefully mean, but throughout the entire story he is downright abusive. And he never ever gets better.
The third issue for me was that Roxana never even tries to make it work. She can hate him all she wants, but her constant baiting of the king and tempertantrums were not only unbelievable, they made the story feel like two children seeing who could make the other a bigger villain.
And finally the ending felt like a rushed cop out. The last 25 pages are exactly the Esther story, or more accurately, One Night With the King, right on down to the advisor attacking the Queen while the king secretly spies on them and steps in at the last moment.
I believe the author intended to highlight how hard life was for Esther and the insecurity of her situation. In that she succeeded. I wish she had left us a loveable character to root for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Kidnapping, War
Minor: Genocide, Grief, Gaslighting
This book was good for what it was. The author took quite a few liberties with the story of Ester, so it read more of its own fantasy book than a retelling… inspired by instead of ‘retelling’.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes