Esther: Courage to Stand

by Trudy J. Morgan-Cole

She was stolen from her home on the whim of a king, simply because she was beautiful. It didn't matter to the soldiers that she didn't want to go; no one questioned the kings orders. She was now the king's property, and she could never leave the palace. Even if the king didn't want her. But as it turned out, he did want her. So this once-carefree Jewish girl became the wife of a powerful pagan king. She was queen. There were plenty of other girls who had coveted the privilege, but Esther spent years wondering why God had allowed this to happen. What possible reason could there be for such a bizarre turn of events in her life? Then one day the answer lay before her, shining and dangerous as a sword. Mordecai had finally found the answer she had been searching for, and he placed it in her hands. This was her purpose. This is what she was here for. And somehow she had to find the courage to stand.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Biblical Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Christian Fiction, Religion

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[Laura Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It

I've always found the story of Esther in the Bible beautiful as she truly was courageous so of course I loved reading this book. My only regret is that it ended too quickly for me!

[Emma Gheen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book! I loved how the author depicted Esther’s character. The book felt a little drawn out towards the end, but was worth it!

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't bad. I thought the writing was really more of a children's book, it was a lot like the Leah-Hannah-Huldah-Zipporah line of books, which I really enjoyed as a child. The story didn't drag, the author kept the pages turning well enough, but I didn't care for the main plot twist. She set up a fictional account of friends of Esther's being put to death arbitrarily by King Xerxes to create friction between Esther and the King which supposedly would lead to her being nervous of going to see him later to ask for deliverance for the Jewish people. This was an important point in the book but I found myself not really liking this. Obviously its Biblical FICTION, so it isn't intended to follow the Bible exactly, but I suppose the drawback is that if you don't imagine the Bible book that way you look critically upon the fictional twists....this was like that. I've never worried too much about why Esther might have been scared to go in and see the King. The fact that it wasn't the protocol of the royal court at the time was reason enough for me. I didn't think there was any need to show Esther and the King not getting along. The author said in an afterward it was because she reads the Bible story as Esther and the King being close initially, so she presumes that they must not have been close later for Esther to be reluctant to go in and see him. Again, I don't see Esther being reluctant to flout royal conventions as proof that Esther and Xerxes were having marital squabbles. Esther's not mentioned in any historical accounts of Xerxes I's reign (or so Wikipedia tells me), so it's hard to really vouch for any real affection Xerxes might have had for her, because to me the Biblical account mainly says that he liked her a lot and made her queen. He had so many wives and concubines I am still not certain this proves some sort of Lucy-Desi lifelong love affair. But ANYWAYS I did like the book and would recommend it to Biblical Fiction fans.

[Evelynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

To tell the truth, when I started this book, I was expecting something special. I had previously started and not finished Morgan-Cole's other Esther book, Esther: A Story of Courage, which I did not enjoy it at all. When I picked up this one, I was expecting, perhaps, a new take on the story of Esther, with the well-developed flourishes in writing Morgan-Cole showed in her previous works (such as The Wise Men).

It was different from her first Esther book, but the writing style disappointed me. It was as if she was rushing through the story, not taking enough time to really allow the story to sink in. I think the characters were a bit weak, even Esther. I did not care for the way she portrayed Esther not truly having a strong relationship with God before she went to the palace and during her time in the women's quarters.

I strongly believe that if Morgan-Cole had taken the time to develop the characters, to fill in some time without skipping a year to get to the next part, then this could truly be the gem it was meant to be.

[Martha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't finish reading this one if that tells you anything. This book started out interesting, filling in a lot of gaps not mentioned in the Bible. However, it was starting to drag on, and Haman had not even been mentioned yet up to the wedding. He is the protagonist in the story and should have already been mentioned, being an advisor to the king. Very disappointing.

[Evelynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like how Morgan-Cole portrayed Esther. It was almost like Esther conformed to the Babylonian ways! Esther did not do that! She followed God, not man, even if it meant giving up the chance to become queen. (Of course, she did become queen, but you get my point.) She did not compromise!

[Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because it really brought the story of Esther to life for me. It made me realize how big of a descion Esther had to make. It showed me once again how powerful God is.

[Monica Korgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love biblical narratives and this is one if my favorites... Such a great read, I didn't want to put it down!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good, could have been better though.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a good book. I think it follows the Bible pretty well, and I liked that Esther stayed close to the Lord and sought Him through it all.

[Ike Standifird · Rating 4 out of 5]

The details of early Middle Eastern life were woven into a complete picture from a study of a very strong women at a time when women were not valued as even near equal much less as leaders.

[Karen Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

ESTHER: A STORY OF COURAGE, by Trudy Morgan-Cole - I absolutely love biblical fiction. This book did not disappoint me. It's a MUST READ.

[Amy Astorga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! The descriptive writing pleases all your senses and really draws you in. The ending was a bit long; more like a huge information dump. :( All in all though, this was a great read!