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A review by myndalyn
A Crown of Chains by Erin Phillips
5.0
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.