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Lost Loves of the Bible #1
Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther
Wrenched from a simple life for her beauty, Esther finds herself at the mercy of King Xerxes. Leaving behind her only relative, her cousin Mordecai, and her first true love, Cyrus, she is thrown headlong into the unrestrained extravagance of palace living. Quick of mind and strong in spirit, she refuses to suffer the fate of her harem sisters and boldly challenges Xerxes to give of his heart before taking his pleasure, thus sealing her place beside him as queen. While conspiracy spins its diabolical web, Esther's mind and spirit waver, and she is forced to confront the past in order to save her future—and that of an entire nation.
298 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2005
87 people are currently reading
2425 people want to read
About the author
Ginger Garrett
37 books187 followersGinger Garrett is the author of the middle grade titles Name Tags and Other Sixth Grade Disasters (Carolrhoda Press) and The Last Monster (Delacorte Press/Random House) as well as other titles for women.
A frequent media guest and television host, Ginger has been interviewed by Fox News, 104.7 The Fish Atlanta, and many other outlets. Ginger resides in Georgia with her husband, three children and her 27th rescue dog, Watson.
A frequent media guest and television host, Ginger has been interviewed by Fox News, 104.7 The Fish Atlanta, and many other outlets. Ginger resides in Georgia with her husband, three children and her 27th rescue dog, Watson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
May 26, 2018
I bought this back in 2011. Y'all. Why do I do this?? Actually, I bought this and another Ginger Garrett novel, which I read first. I didn't love it, so I was then reluctant to pick this one up. But it sounded like something I'd love, so I kept it. This is just another great example about how you shouldn't always give up on an author after trying only one of their books. There is a lot to love about Chosen. The first-person narration feels very real and is emotionally engaging. The plot, while not a surprise to those that are familiar with Esther's story in scripture, still has a fresh feeling to it, and the historical details make this story shine. Esther's preparation for her meeting with the king, her companions (a handful of trusted eunuchs and one female assistant), as well as the rivalries of the harem are brought to life in this story, replete with descriptions of the opulence within the palace. My only complaint is that there were times that I felt like things were glossed over, but it also felt authentic to the idea that this was Esther's diary and parts of it may have been destroyed or lost over time.
The frame of the story is narrative of the discovery of artifacts that originated in ancient-Iran. Interspersed throughout the diary are news articles, as well as commentaries on the diary and Esther herself from contemporary scholars. It's a really neat way to tell the story, as well as look at it's implications for the modern day. Many of the things that Esther and her contemporaries had to deal with are not that different from today. Girls and women in many parts of the world are still marginalized and treated as property. Human trafficking still exists. And while Esther could not do everything for all people, she did what she could, where she was, and whether you believe in the literal application of the scriptural story or not, that is still a valuable thing to cling to now.
I think the only reason this didn't elicit five stars from me is that I knew this story, so there was a certain lack of urgency on my part that has nothing to do with how well the story is crafted and everything to do with my prior experience as a reader. There is an unexpected twist toward the end, but the build-up wasn't really there for me, so it didn't have a big emotional impact on me. What struck me the most was how hard it must have been for Esther to 1) be torn away from the only family she had, Mordecai, never to see him again, and 2) to constantly hide her faith for fear of death. I knew that about her story, but this book really brought those things into sharp relief. The story isn't cutesy or sweet, but about a real woman in an impossible situation, in a place filled with deceit and hatred because of what she achieves. Her heartache over the loss of her former life, and her attempts to constantly seek God despite her circumstances were the most winning aspects of the story for me.
I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.
The frame of the story is narrative of the discovery of artifacts that originated in ancient-Iran. Interspersed throughout the diary are news articles, as well as commentaries on the diary and Esther herself from contemporary scholars. It's a really neat way to tell the story, as well as look at it's implications for the modern day. Many of the things that Esther and her contemporaries had to deal with are not that different from today. Girls and women in many parts of the world are still marginalized and treated as property. Human trafficking still exists. And while Esther could not do everything for all people, she did what she could, where she was, and whether you believe in the literal application of the scriptural story or not, that is still a valuable thing to cling to now.
I think the only reason this didn't elicit five stars from me is that I knew this story, so there was a certain lack of urgency on my part that has nothing to do with how well the story is crafted and everything to do with my prior experience as a reader. There is an unexpected twist toward the end, but the build-up wasn't really there for me, so it didn't have a big emotional impact on me. What struck me the most was how hard it must have been for Esther to 1) be torn away from the only family she had, Mordecai, never to see him again, and 2) to constantly hide her faith for fear of death. I knew that about her story, but this book really brought those things into sharp relief. The story isn't cutesy or sweet, but about a real woman in an impossible situation, in a place filled with deceit and hatred because of what she achieves. Her heartache over the loss of her former life, and her attempts to constantly seek God despite her circumstances were the most winning aspects of the story for me.
I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.
March 9, 2010
A fictionalized account of the story of Queen Esther, presented from the premise that her lost "diaries" have been recovered, sold to a museum and translated for the world to read. News reports and commentaries are included to solidify this premise.
Writing about a historical figure when little is actually known about her is always risky. But, overall, I found the story engaging. My knowledge of this time period is scant at best and I enjoyed the descriptions about palace life, the harems and the cultural details of the time period. The experiences Esther had during her year of preparation were curious, yet I could picture it all.
So much of Esther's story is speculation and imagination. The biblical account leads you to believe that Esther and the King had a great love for each other. Here, Esther is unwillingly taken away from her home and the young man she wishes to marry. For most of her year in the harem, she pines for Cyrus and, even after her marriage to the king, thinks about him. I realize that adding Cyrus to the mix makes for a more dramatic story, but I wish he'd been left out.
Esther has always been a wonderful example of a strong woman of faith, one I enjoyed reading about and someone to admire. And while she was faithful to her God and did what she was asked, even at the risk of death, I felt that, at times, her faith was secondary to the rest of the story.
Overall, an enthralling story and one I can easily recommend. After I finished it, I found myself picking up my Bible and rereading Esther's account there.
Writing about a historical figure when little is actually known about her is always risky. But, overall, I found the story engaging. My knowledge of this time period is scant at best and I enjoyed the descriptions about palace life, the harems and the cultural details of the time period. The experiences Esther had during her year of preparation were curious, yet I could picture it all.
So much of Esther's story is speculation and imagination. The biblical account leads you to believe that Esther and the King had a great love for each other. Here, Esther is unwillingly taken away from her home and the young man she wishes to marry. For most of her year in the harem, she pines for Cyrus and, even after her marriage to the king, thinks about him. I realize that adding Cyrus to the mix makes for a more dramatic story, but I wish he'd been left out.
Esther has always been a wonderful example of a strong woman of faith, one I enjoyed reading about and someone to admire. And while she was faithful to her God and did what she was asked, even at the risk of death, I felt that, at times, her faith was secondary to the rest of the story.
Overall, an enthralling story and one I can easily recommend. After I finished it, I found myself picking up my Bible and rereading Esther's account there.
May 21, 2010
I asked to review Chosen by Ginger Garrett in order to compare it to Hadassah, One Night With The King by Tommy Tenney.
I found Ginger’s novel of exquisite taste. I thoroughly enjoyed the diary format. It gave me the feel of peeking into Esther’s long-lost diary. Ginger gave intimate details that would be sensitive to a woman’s perspective. The intense communications between all the characters are so believable and dramatic. The addition of information at the back of book was of great interest as well.
Tommy Tenney’s book was equally satisfying, and had great characterization and drama.
Both books have their place, and in reading both, you get a richer, fuller appreciation of Esther’s circumstances. You are privy to their dependence of praying and listening to God’s direction in each situation. I’d highly recommend both books. To accompany these two fine books, I would also recommend Finding Favor With The King by Tommy Tenney.
Both novels deal with the travesty of young girls’ abductions, but we are not to forget the young men who also were taken into captivity as well. Much like the human trafficking we see in today’s society.
I definitely look forward to reading Ginger’s next books on Jezebel and Delilah, which are part of the Lost Loves of the Bible series. Be prepared for great reading!
This book is based on the book of Esther in the Old Testament of the Bible.
This book was provided by Audra at The B & B Media Group, Inc., for my honest review, and in this case to compare to another author. My thanks to Audra and B & B for the opportunity to bring your attention to another great novel
I found Ginger’s novel of exquisite taste. I thoroughly enjoyed the diary format. It gave me the feel of peeking into Esther’s long-lost diary. Ginger gave intimate details that would be sensitive to a woman’s perspective. The intense communications between all the characters are so believable and dramatic. The addition of information at the back of book was of great interest as well.
Tommy Tenney’s book was equally satisfying, and had great characterization and drama.
Both books have their place, and in reading both, you get a richer, fuller appreciation of Esther’s circumstances. You are privy to their dependence of praying and listening to God’s direction in each situation. I’d highly recommend both books. To accompany these two fine books, I would also recommend Finding Favor With The King by Tommy Tenney.
Both novels deal with the travesty of young girls’ abductions, but we are not to forget the young men who also were taken into captivity as well. Much like the human trafficking we see in today’s society.
I definitely look forward to reading Ginger’s next books on Jezebel and Delilah, which are part of the Lost Loves of the Bible series. Be prepared for great reading!
This book is based on the book of Esther in the Old Testament of the Bible.
This book was provided by Audra at The B & B Media Group, Inc., for my honest review, and in this case to compare to another author. My thanks to Audra and B & B for the opportunity to bring your attention to another great novel
August 12, 2019
The framework for the story here is the idea that Esther kept a journal, which has been recovered. It's a little confusing, it doesn't work well for me, it's not necessary, and I can't quite tell if the author is acknowledging it as a literary device or somehow trying to convince the reader it really happened. The good news, though, is it gets better from there.
If you're familiar with the Bible, you'll know the story of Esther, so the mystery here is to understand in greater detail how it all goes down, and to appreciate the author's interpretation of the story and grasp of the setting. Both things drew me in, and I learned a bit more about ancient Persian culture.
If I were expanding the Esther story, I would have done a few things different. I would have brought Mordecai deeper into the palace in order to introduce him as more of a comptetitor to Haman and allow for more dialogue between Esther and someone she knows. I wouldn't have cut Haman's wife Zeresh out of the story; she plays a very critical part. And I would have kept the uncertainty over whether Ahasuerus would listen or address her without introducing a made-up complication in their relationship. But Garrett walks the fine line between what the reader would do and what she does very well, providing her ideas in a well written form and I can appreciate her interpretation.
Esther, if I remember correctly, is one of two books in the Bible that never mentions God, so I was a little surprised to find God so prominently and repeatedly mentioned in this version of the Esther story. In any case, the story is a fresh take on Esther that I'd recommend to anyone interested in such a story.
If you're familiar with the Bible, you'll know the story of Esther, so the mystery here is to understand in greater detail how it all goes down, and to appreciate the author's interpretation of the story and grasp of the setting. Both things drew me in, and I learned a bit more about ancient Persian culture.
If I were expanding the Esther story, I would have done a few things different. I would have brought Mordecai deeper into the palace in order to introduce him as more of a comptetitor to Haman and allow for more dialogue between Esther and someone she knows. I wouldn't have cut Haman's wife Zeresh out of the story; she plays a very critical part. And I would have kept the uncertainty over whether Ahasuerus would listen or address her without introducing a made-up complication in their relationship. But Garrett walks the fine line between what the reader would do and what she does very well, providing her ideas in a well written form and I can appreciate her interpretation.
Esther, if I remember correctly, is one of two books in the Bible that never mentions God, so I was a little surprised to find God so prominently and repeatedly mentioned in this version of the Esther story. In any case, the story is a fresh take on Esther that I'd recommend to anyone interested in such a story.
January 17, 2019
Erg. I'm waffling between 3.5 and 4 stars for this book. On the one hand, this book was incredibly fascinating and really brought the story of Esther to life. I loved all the historical details and I really learnt a lot. But on the other hand... ug, something just didn't sit right. It almost felt rushed - like there was too much trying to be fit into one book. Idk what exactly it was, but I felt like there wasn't enough time to get to know the characters before the plot moved on... It's obvious this was an incredibly well researched book, and I appreciate it for that. I just wish the author would've... slowed down a bit or something. Anyways, despite my quibbles with it I think that if you want to learn more about Esther, this would be a great book to do read!
May 16, 2010
She was born Hadassah but she would be known as Esther. Her family was killed, during the exile. Her cousin, Mordecai rescued her and raised her himself. They lived under the King’s nose. Mordecai was a sheep herder. Though, he was educated and taught Esther how to read and write. Esther had scrolls that she would use to keep track of her most in\important thoughts.
King Xerxes is in the market for a new wife. The search begins. All the young ladies hope of becoming the next Queen…everyone but Esther. She already has found her soul mate. His name is Cyrus. Esther is chosen to become the King’s wife. Will she open her heart and find a place in it for the King?
Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther can only be brought to life in this spectacular way by author, Ginger Garrett. This is the second book I have read by Mrs. Garrett. She brings depth and a well versed knowledge of the topic she is writing about. What I enjoyed the most about this book is that Mrs. Garrett tried to keep it as authentic as possible. I am not that familiar with Esther from the Bible but after reading this book, I plan to read up on the story of Esther. She was a very powerful and strong woman. Esther was not taken by the King’s charm. If you are looking for a book for your next book club or Bible study, then you need to make the right choice and choose Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther.
King Xerxes is in the market for a new wife. The search begins. All the young ladies hope of becoming the next Queen…everyone but Esther. She already has found her soul mate. His name is Cyrus. Esther is chosen to become the King’s wife. Will she open her heart and find a place in it for the King?
Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther can only be brought to life in this spectacular way by author, Ginger Garrett. This is the second book I have read by Mrs. Garrett. She brings depth and a well versed knowledge of the topic she is writing about. What I enjoyed the most about this book is that Mrs. Garrett tried to keep it as authentic as possible. I am not that familiar with Esther from the Bible but after reading this book, I plan to read up on the story of Esther. She was a very powerful and strong woman. Esther was not taken by the King’s charm. If you are looking for a book for your next book club or Bible study, then you need to make the right choice and choose Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther.
July 15, 2022
Beautiful story but a but confusing. This book is written as if Esther's diary was found and translated and this is it. Complete with comments about missing pages and news articles about the found papers. From what I cab find this is a completely fictional retelling of the book of Esther from the bible. It's is amazingly done and a true story of finding love through God's plan. I greatly enjoyed it and will read future books by this author.
September 10, 2010
CHOSEN has an original premise. Basically archeologists have found Queen Esther's (yes, the Queen Esther from the bible) diaries hidden away in a tomb. Her diaries were translated and published. CHOSEN reads like we're looking at the actual published diaries instead of a work of fiction. Although I was bored with all the faux newspaper articles about the find that lead up to the story (I wanted to get to the meat), I appreciated them and their originality.
FAIR WARINGING: THE REST OF THIS REVIEW IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT HOW COOL SOME OF THE AUTHOR'S IDEAS WERE.
I've read the Book of Esther but I really appreciated getting this author's take on Esther's day to day life. I had several duh moments. I never really thought about what her life was like and that yeah, she was really living in a harem and what a great risk she was taking by going to the King to try and save her cousin and her people. (No spoilers there right. I'm assuming everyone is somewhat familiar with the famous story.) At least for me, the author did an awesome job fleshing that out. She made Esther into a real, relatable, human being.
I also never thought about what Esther might have been giving up by being forced to go into the King's harem. In this fictionalized version she was in love with a boy named Cyrus, who she had hoped to marry but was separated from. Even knowing the end of the story and knowing that it wasn't going to work out for them (umm, no spoiler there right. Everyone knows she marries the King of Persia right – LOL), Cyrus added an excellent dimension to her life and it was great to see how their lives took an unexpected turn.
What I never connected to before is that the Persian King Esther was married to was actually the Persian King from the Sparta 300 fame. I was like, cool, I never knew that. Then one of my twitter friends totally destroyed my buzz and asked me was I sure. So I looked it up online and there is a debate that Esther was married to either him or another guy so it's still plausible that it was actually him she was married to.
The premise was compelling and the writing and the fictionalized events in Esther's day-to-day life pulled me in from the beginning. Even knowing the biblical version of the story, I found myself reading through the pages eager to discover what was happening next. There is a lot of intrigue in CHOSEN that I enjoyed. I did have a WTF moment at the end of the novel. The end and the villain seemed to come out of no where, but not in a good way. I was disappointed with the lack of build up to that one moment but other than that, I thought this was a piece of intriguing historical fiction that had great tension, intrigue and suspense.
FAIR WARINGING: THE REST OF THIS REVIEW IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT HOW COOL SOME OF THE AUTHOR'S IDEAS WERE.
I've read the Book of Esther but I really appreciated getting this author's take on Esther's day to day life. I had several duh moments. I never really thought about what her life was like and that yeah, she was really living in a harem and what a great risk she was taking by going to the King to try and save her cousin and her people. (No spoilers there right. I'm assuming everyone is somewhat familiar with the famous story.) At least for me, the author did an awesome job fleshing that out. She made Esther into a real, relatable, human being.
I also never thought about what Esther might have been giving up by being forced to go into the King's harem. In this fictionalized version she was in love with a boy named Cyrus, who she had hoped to marry but was separated from. Even knowing the end of the story and knowing that it wasn't going to work out for them (umm, no spoiler there right. Everyone knows she marries the King of Persia right – LOL), Cyrus added an excellent dimension to her life and it was great to see how their lives took an unexpected turn.
What I never connected to before is that the Persian King Esther was married to was actually the Persian King from the Sparta 300 fame. I was like, cool, I never knew that. Then one of my twitter friends totally destroyed my buzz and asked me was I sure. So I looked it up online and there is a debate that Esther was married to either him or another guy so it's still plausible that it was actually him she was married to.
The premise was compelling and the writing and the fictionalized events in Esther's day-to-day life pulled me in from the beginning. Even knowing the biblical version of the story, I found myself reading through the pages eager to discover what was happening next. There is a lot of intrigue in CHOSEN that I enjoyed. I did have a WTF moment at the end of the novel. The end and the villain seemed to come out of no where, but not in a good way. I was disappointed with the lack of build up to that one moment but other than that, I thought this was a piece of intriguing historical fiction that had great tension, intrigue and suspense.
July 1, 2013
About the Book:
The story of a girl unsparingly plunged into heartache and chaos, who would save a nation … of Esther, who would be queen.
Wrenched from a simple life for her beauty, Esther finds herself at the mercy of King Xerxes. Leaving behind her only relative, her cousin Mordecai, and her first true love, Cyrus, she is thrown headlong into the unrestrained extravagance of palace living. Quick of mind and strong in spirit, she refuses to suffer the fate of her harem sisters and boldly challenges Xerxes to give of his heart before taking his pleasure, thus sealing her place beside him a queen. While conspiracy spins its diabolical web, Esther’s mind and spirit waver, and she is forced to confront the past in order to save her future—and that of an entire nation.
About the Author:
Ginger Garrett is the author of the Chronicles of the Scribes series (In the Shadow of Lions, In the Arms of Immortals, In the Eyes of Eternity), Wolves Among Us, Chosen, Desired, Dark Hour, and Beauty Secrets of the Bible. Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther was recognized as one of the top five novels of 2006 by the ECPA.
Focusing on ancient women's history, Ginger creates novels and nonfiction resources that explore the lives of historical women. A frequent media guest and television host, Ginger has been interviewed by Fox News, Billy Graham's The Hour of Decision, The Harvest Show, 104.7 The Fish Atlanta, and many other outlets.
A graduate of Southern Methodist University with a degree in Theater, she is passionate about creating art from history. Ginger resides in Georgia with her husband and three children.
My Review:
Ginger Garrett's book Chosen the lost diaries of Queen Esther is a magnificent book. Like the author's other books in the series Lost Loves of the Bible she goes on to tell us about Esther and her life before she was made Queen. Esther falls pretty early on in the story for Cyrus. And because Cyrus' father was not too impressed with Esther's lack of a dowry he took it upon himself to tell the authorities that Mordecai, Esther's guardian and cousin actually did have a female living in his residence. This was a big deal because he was trying to hide her, so that there was no chance of her being chosen by the king as a potential bride. But she was found out and that changed everything.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher.
The story of a girl unsparingly plunged into heartache and chaos, who would save a nation … of Esther, who would be queen.
Wrenched from a simple life for her beauty, Esther finds herself at the mercy of King Xerxes. Leaving behind her only relative, her cousin Mordecai, and her first true love, Cyrus, she is thrown headlong into the unrestrained extravagance of palace living. Quick of mind and strong in spirit, she refuses to suffer the fate of her harem sisters and boldly challenges Xerxes to give of his heart before taking his pleasure, thus sealing her place beside him a queen. While conspiracy spins its diabolical web, Esther’s mind and spirit waver, and she is forced to confront the past in order to save her future—and that of an entire nation.
About the Author:
Ginger Garrett is the author of the Chronicles of the Scribes series (In the Shadow of Lions, In the Arms of Immortals, In the Eyes of Eternity), Wolves Among Us, Chosen, Desired, Dark Hour, and Beauty Secrets of the Bible. Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther was recognized as one of the top five novels of 2006 by the ECPA.
Focusing on ancient women's history, Ginger creates novels and nonfiction resources that explore the lives of historical women. A frequent media guest and television host, Ginger has been interviewed by Fox News, Billy Graham's The Hour of Decision, The Harvest Show, 104.7 The Fish Atlanta, and many other outlets.
A graduate of Southern Methodist University with a degree in Theater, she is passionate about creating art from history. Ginger resides in Georgia with her husband and three children.
My Review:
Ginger Garrett's book Chosen the lost diaries of Queen Esther is a magnificent book. Like the author's other books in the series Lost Loves of the Bible she goes on to tell us about Esther and her life before she was made Queen. Esther falls pretty early on in the story for Cyrus. And because Cyrus' father was not too impressed with Esther's lack of a dowry he took it upon himself to tell the authorities that Mordecai, Esther's guardian and cousin actually did have a female living in his residence. This was a big deal because he was trying to hide her, so that there was no chance of her being chosen by the king as a potential bride. But she was found out and that changed everything.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher.
May 18, 2010
Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther by Ginger Garrett
You know I read a lot. A lot, a lot. This book intrigued me from the get-go, and it was worth all the anticipation. I loved it. It's one of those books that, as I finished, I started thinking of all the people I wanted to pass it along to, so we could talk about it.
Esther is a beautiful, orphan girl, in love for the first time. She spends her days selling lamb meat that she can't afford to taste.
She has her trials, but she is happy, until she is wrenched away from everything she knows and cares about.
King Xerxes desires a new Queen, nevermind that he already has a whole harem of women already at his disposal.
Esther is chosen as one of many girls to go the palace and be prepared for one night with the King. As a Jew, she believes that sex should be between one woman and one man who have a life-long commitment to each other. Despite this, she feels that God is directing events.
I wouldn't give anything away, except you know this story, don't you? If not, stop reading.
Esther is chosen to be Queen, and she and the King share a love for one another. However, when a decree goes out that all Jews are to be executed, Esther must risk her life, revealing the she is a Jew, to save her people.
This book gave me a lot of food for thought.
In terms of cleanliness, there is talk of preparing for sex. Esther is given sensuality lessons and rubbed with oil daily to prepare for the King's touch. However, the sexuality does not go any farther than that. I consider this a clean read, although I'd only recommend it to adults because of subject matter.
You know I read a lot. A lot, a lot. This book intrigued me from the get-go, and it was worth all the anticipation. I loved it. It's one of those books that, as I finished, I started thinking of all the people I wanted to pass it along to, so we could talk about it.
Esther is a beautiful, orphan girl, in love for the first time. She spends her days selling lamb meat that she can't afford to taste.
She has her trials, but she is happy, until she is wrenched away from everything she knows and cares about.
King Xerxes desires a new Queen, nevermind that he already has a whole harem of women already at his disposal.
Esther is chosen as one of many girls to go the palace and be prepared for one night with the King. As a Jew, she believes that sex should be between one woman and one man who have a life-long commitment to each other. Despite this, she feels that God is directing events.
I wouldn't give anything away, except you know this story, don't you? If not, stop reading.
Esther is chosen to be Queen, and she and the King share a love for one another. However, when a decree goes out that all Jews are to be executed, Esther must risk her life, revealing the she is a Jew, to save her people.
This book gave me a lot of food for thought.
In terms of cleanliness, there is talk of preparing for sex. Esther is given sensuality lessons and rubbed with oil daily to prepare for the King's touch. However, the sexuality does not go any farther than that. I consider this a clean read, although I'd only recommend it to adults because of subject matter.
March 4, 2010
Chosen, Ginger Garrett
This is a captivating retelling of the life of Queen Esther in the form of diary entries. Ginger Garrett does an excellent job of bringing to life a heroine of the bible and by further showing that true beauty is held within ones self, that God shining through someone makes them shine with an inner beauty that does not fade. The strength and wisdom as well as grace and poise of Queen Esther is enough to inspire all young women to strive for excellence in our devotion and obedience to God and those God places in our lives as authority. This book further displays that God’s hand is at work in ways that we do not always understand even when we are placed in situations that we do not like if we are obedient and trust.
I do not agree with all things brought to light – especially that Queen Esther continues to long after another man after she is married to the King. Reading the account in the bible I have always pictured that Esther’s heart was turned toward the king during her preparation time and that she began to truly love him because of God’s love in her. So this “looking outside of her marriage” was a disappointment for me, and I believe that had this been the true case that Esther would not have been as effective in the saving of her people as she truly was.
I do believe that Ginger Garrett is an excellent writer. I admire her style.
Thank you B&B Media Group for providing this copy for review.
This is a captivating retelling of the life of Queen Esther in the form of diary entries. Ginger Garrett does an excellent job of bringing to life a heroine of the bible and by further showing that true beauty is held within ones self, that God shining through someone makes them shine with an inner beauty that does not fade. The strength and wisdom as well as grace and poise of Queen Esther is enough to inspire all young women to strive for excellence in our devotion and obedience to God and those God places in our lives as authority. This book further displays that God’s hand is at work in ways that we do not always understand even when we are placed in situations that we do not like if we are obedient and trust.
I do not agree with all things brought to light – especially that Queen Esther continues to long after another man after she is married to the King. Reading the account in the bible I have always pictured that Esther’s heart was turned toward the king during her preparation time and that she began to truly love him because of God’s love in her. So this “looking outside of her marriage” was a disappointment for me, and I believe that had this been the true case that Esther would not have been as effective in the saving of her people as she truly was.
I do believe that Ginger Garrett is an excellent writer. I admire her style.
Thank you B&B Media Group for providing this copy for review.
September 15, 2013
This is a very interesting perspective on Queen Esther’s story from her point of view. I quite enjoyed it, and am really glad I had the chance to read it. It was a good book – not perfect accuracy to the Bible, but passable and close enough that I didn’t hate it. It ended up being a fairly quick though enjoyable read for me, and I’ll read it again.
**Thanks to David C. Cook for sending me this book. I wasn’t required (or even requested) to read or review it in any manner. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.**
**Thanks to David C. Cook for sending me this book. I wasn’t required (or even requested) to read or review it in any manner. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.**
August 22, 2020
The story of Esther of the Bible is well known, but Garrett presents it in a very unique and interesting way. Rather than just telling the story and embellishing it with detail, Garrett uses a supposed diary to allow Esther to tell the story from her own perspective. Also Garrett's endnotes give additional information that fleshes out the story even more. I found this a thoroughly enjoyable retelling of this wonderful Biblical story.
January 3, 2010
This book is AWSOME!!! but it also confused me. At the first time I read those book, I was tottaly believe that it's a true lost diary of queen ester. But I was shocked when I read the last page because it was told that not all of written in this book was a fact but I really enjoy to read this book. Two thumbs up ! ! !
December 5, 2013
This author takes incredible license with this historical account. Her fictional representation is so entirely FICTION that she ought to have chosen entirely different characters and set it during that time period. I found it to be so far off from the original account in the Bible that I couldn't even finish it. Horrible!
June 4, 2016
This was a re-read for me. The first time I read it I rated it 5 stars that was when I was a young teenager. After this re-read while I still liked the book it did not touch me in the same way as when I was younger and a less experienced reader. I think I don't care for the diary format as well. Esther is an amazing story and the recipes in the back were an added bonus.
February 9, 2021
The writing is jumpy and simple. There are far too many misogynistic undertones in this book making it almost unreadable for me. I think the story of Esther could have been told in a more dynamic and empowering way.
I would not recommend this book for any young girls.
I would not recommend this book for any young girls.
June 15, 2011
I have always loved Queen Ester, so I was excited to read it. It stayed right to the Bible account with very interesting extra details. I recommend it.
July 1, 2019
"We are all destroyed, everyone, in our lifetime, but few will rebuild. You must redeem your suffering, Esther."
Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther by author Ginger Garrett is the fourth novel I've read based on the biblical book of Esther. After reading the story however many times in the Bible, enjoying three other novels, and watching four different film adaptations, yes, I'm still intrigued.
Even so, with a story that's been retold so many times, in order for me to really get into a new-to-me retelling, it has to give me something the previous retellings haven't given me already.
On that score, this novel delivered for me.
No, it's not a romance novel, with King Xerxes painted as a shining romantic hero. And no, this book isn't a rags-to-riches fairytale full of prettiness that ties everything up with a Happily Ever After bow at the end.
Nah.
This novel's strength is in the way it tackles difficult, sacred tension. How it paints a bold but deft picture of schemes, depression, injustice, murder, and suicide in a realm of royalty and excess. How it addresses so many ironies, not the least of which is the pairing of power and imprisonment.
How it depicts the conflicting emotions of a young Jewish woman stolen from the life she loved. Stolen by a king.
Granted, I wasn't too impressed with Esther's voice in the first few chapters. (Perhaps it's a reflection of her initial immaturity.) And given that she tells her story in diary entries, the plot development is choppy at times, and Esther's limited vantage point hampers the development of some other characters. (For instance, seeing Haman from an additional perspective might have made his personality and villainy more convincing.)
Nevertheless, this substantive account of a woman in an impossible situation, using what resources she can to save her people, and even to empower women...
It's beautiful. Inspiring. Timely, timeless—for such a time...
The king has asked for a whore; I will show him a queen.
Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther by author Ginger Garrett is the fourth novel I've read based on the biblical book of Esther. After reading the story however many times in the Bible, enjoying three other novels, and watching four different film adaptations, yes, I'm still intrigued.
Even so, with a story that's been retold so many times, in order for me to really get into a new-to-me retelling, it has to give me something the previous retellings haven't given me already.
On that score, this novel delivered for me.
No, it's not a romance novel, with King Xerxes painted as a shining romantic hero. And no, this book isn't a rags-to-riches fairytale full of prettiness that ties everything up with a Happily Ever After bow at the end.
Nah.
This novel's strength is in the way it tackles difficult, sacred tension. How it paints a bold but deft picture of schemes, depression, injustice, murder, and suicide in a realm of royalty and excess. How it addresses so many ironies, not the least of which is the pairing of power and imprisonment.
How it depicts the conflicting emotions of a young Jewish woman stolen from the life she loved. Stolen by a king.
Granted, I wasn't too impressed with Esther's voice in the first few chapters. (Perhaps it's a reflection of her initial immaturity.) And given that she tells her story in diary entries, the plot development is choppy at times, and Esther's limited vantage point hampers the development of some other characters. (For instance, seeing Haman from an additional perspective might have made his personality and villainy more convincing.)
Nevertheless, this substantive account of a woman in an impossible situation, using what resources she can to save her people, and even to empower women...
It's beautiful. Inspiring. Timely, timeless—for such a time...
The king has asked for a whore; I will show him a queen.
May 12, 2010
Esther is a poor young woman of limited means living with her cousin Mordechai after being orphaned many years ago. Living quietly as a Jew in Susa during King Xerxes reign, Esther's existence is a simple one, brightened only by the fact that she is in love with a local merchant's son named Cyrus. Though Cyrus and Esther have little hope of being married, both are committed to each other and long for the day that they will be able to break away and begin their lives together. This dream is unexpectedly crushed when Xerxes decides to banish his queen, Vashti, after a humiliating encounter in front of his subjects, and take a new queen. Xerxes' men are sent into the city to gather up all the available virgins, and against her cousin's protest, Esther is taken to the palace to undergo a year of beauty treatments so that she will be pristine and groomed for her night with the king. Upon entering the palace, Esther catches the eye of Hagai, the chief eunuch, and is quickly whisked away to a life of lavishness and privilege. Hagai harbors hope that Esther will capture the heart of the king and become the new queen to rule by his side. But as Esther and Hagai's dreams come true, Esther becomes embroiled in a plight that will take all her wits and fortitude to escape. And the danger she is facing will not only affect her but all the Jews of Susa under the reign of the king. Rich yet amazingly subtle, Chosen tells the biblical story of Esther, the mighty and courageous woman whose hand alone changed the future of the Jews.
I think I am becoming a connoisseur of literature about Queen Esther. I took a twelve week Bible study class that deconstructed this short yet powerful book of the Bible, and shortly after I read and reviewed The Gilded Chamber by Rebecca Kohn. When the opportunity came to review yet another book about Esther, I jumped at the chance to read a third version of the story. While I did definitely enjoy this book more than The Gilded Chamber, there were some spots that left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.
First off, I really liked this version of Esther. She was vulnerable and soft, yet when the situation demanded, she became very resourceful and cunning in the extreme. I thought this Esther was very motivated by her circumstances and I could clearly see how she grew into the queen who changed a nation. During the early sections of the book, Esther begins to ask questions about her life that I feel many young women have asked themselves. Mainly she wonders if her dreams and desires are less important because she is a woman in a society dominated by men. She wonders if her life would be different if she had had the ability to make her decisions as she saw fit instead of being forced into uncomfortable roles by the people that claimed to have her best interest at heart. Esther was searching for herself in a world that was not of her making, and despite the lavish attentions and riches surrounding her, she found that she could never be satisfied with the material things that cluttered her life while the deepest desires of her heart were being ignored and swept under the rug. Eventually Esther is forced to do what many women are forced to do: be satisfied with what she has and learn to stop lamenting the things that she cannot change. She must sweep her dreams away and exist as others around her have shaped her to be and find her destiny in other directions.
One of the things that I wish had gotten a little more attention was the life Esther led in the harem of the king. There were little to no interactions between her and the other women and the only characters aside from the major players who got any page time were Hagai and the various servants that attended Esther. I would have liked to have seen more of the other girls in the harem and gotten a little more back story about them. Several times the story alluded to the fact that there were vicious rivalries and jealousies in the harem but they were never really elaborated on. It was too much of a case of telling not showing and I was a bit disappointed by that. It would have been nice to see these things get more page time and see the way that Esther dealt with her changed circumstances among the women who surrounded her.
While I did like the subplot involving Esther and Cyrus, I felt that there was an awful lot of time given over to the lamenting of their lost love. As it became clear very early in the book that these two lovers would not get the chance to be together, I felt that it might have been better to leave these sections alone. I would have rather seen more focus on Esther in her new surroundings, rather than having her constantly pine for something she could never have. I do have to conclude that these sections were more realistic though, as I can truly believe that dreams do not abandon the dreamer if left unfulfilled. I guess my main problem with these sections was that they seemed very unproductive, and the fact that Esther had such a journey to accomplish but had been lost in her dreams for so long niggled at me a little bit. Towards the end of the book, the subplot involving Cyrus became more pleasing and began to fit the story a bit better, which leavened my discontent a bit.
The sections of the book that were based on the plight of the Jews were very well done. These were the sections that were most biblically accurate, and I felt that the author did a wonderful job of melding the fictional elements of her story to fit the biblical sections. Here Esther does the unthinkable for her people, and here her courage takes center stage. She uses the only things she has available to her, namely her wits and her beauty, to ensnare the king's attentions and bend him to her will. Much of the danger in what she was doing was clearly reiterated for the reader, and as this contest of wills came into the full spotlight, it was evident that Esther was working in conjunction with the hand of God to save her people, to remarkable effect. Clearly she was no ordinary woman, a fact that the author both spotlights and downplays to wonderful effect. In this, the last section of the book, it becomes clear how much she has grown and matured and just how strong her faith has become.
If you have to pick only one book to read about the life of Esther, I would definitely say that this is the one to go with. Though there were some small points that I didn't care for, this version of the story was by far the most involving and thought provoking. Garrett's Esther was so remarkably human as to seem very familiar and endearing at once, and from the standpoint of biblical correctness, this book was most closely on the mark. For those that are curious about Esther, I would definitely encourage you to give this book a try, and also think this book would be a great read for lovers of biblical fiction. A really interesting read.
I think I am becoming a connoisseur of literature about Queen Esther. I took a twelve week Bible study class that deconstructed this short yet powerful book of the Bible, and shortly after I read and reviewed The Gilded Chamber by Rebecca Kohn. When the opportunity came to review yet another book about Esther, I jumped at the chance to read a third version of the story. While I did definitely enjoy this book more than The Gilded Chamber, there were some spots that left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.
First off, I really liked this version of Esther. She was vulnerable and soft, yet when the situation demanded, she became very resourceful and cunning in the extreme. I thought this Esther was very motivated by her circumstances and I could clearly see how she grew into the queen who changed a nation. During the early sections of the book, Esther begins to ask questions about her life that I feel many young women have asked themselves. Mainly she wonders if her dreams and desires are less important because she is a woman in a society dominated by men. She wonders if her life would be different if she had had the ability to make her decisions as she saw fit instead of being forced into uncomfortable roles by the people that claimed to have her best interest at heart. Esther was searching for herself in a world that was not of her making, and despite the lavish attentions and riches surrounding her, she found that she could never be satisfied with the material things that cluttered her life while the deepest desires of her heart were being ignored and swept under the rug. Eventually Esther is forced to do what many women are forced to do: be satisfied with what she has and learn to stop lamenting the things that she cannot change. She must sweep her dreams away and exist as others around her have shaped her to be and find her destiny in other directions.
One of the things that I wish had gotten a little more attention was the life Esther led in the harem of the king. There were little to no interactions between her and the other women and the only characters aside from the major players who got any page time were Hagai and the various servants that attended Esther. I would have liked to have seen more of the other girls in the harem and gotten a little more back story about them. Several times the story alluded to the fact that there were vicious rivalries and jealousies in the harem but they were never really elaborated on. It was too much of a case of telling not showing and I was a bit disappointed by that. It would have been nice to see these things get more page time and see the way that Esther dealt with her changed circumstances among the women who surrounded her.
While I did like the subplot involving Esther and Cyrus, I felt that there was an awful lot of time given over to the lamenting of their lost love. As it became clear very early in the book that these two lovers would not get the chance to be together, I felt that it might have been better to leave these sections alone. I would have rather seen more focus on Esther in her new surroundings, rather than having her constantly pine for something she could never have. I do have to conclude that these sections were more realistic though, as I can truly believe that dreams do not abandon the dreamer if left unfulfilled. I guess my main problem with these sections was that they seemed very unproductive, and the fact that Esther had such a journey to accomplish but had been lost in her dreams for so long niggled at me a little bit. Towards the end of the book, the subplot involving Cyrus became more pleasing and began to fit the story a bit better, which leavened my discontent a bit.
The sections of the book that were based on the plight of the Jews were very well done. These were the sections that were most biblically accurate, and I felt that the author did a wonderful job of melding the fictional elements of her story to fit the biblical sections. Here Esther does the unthinkable for her people, and here her courage takes center stage. She uses the only things she has available to her, namely her wits and her beauty, to ensnare the king's attentions and bend him to her will. Much of the danger in what she was doing was clearly reiterated for the reader, and as this contest of wills came into the full spotlight, it was evident that Esther was working in conjunction with the hand of God to save her people, to remarkable effect. Clearly she was no ordinary woman, a fact that the author both spotlights and downplays to wonderful effect. In this, the last section of the book, it becomes clear how much she has grown and matured and just how strong her faith has become.
If you have to pick only one book to read about the life of Esther, I would definitely say that this is the one to go with. Though there were some small points that I didn't care for, this version of the story was by far the most involving and thought provoking. Garrett's Esther was so remarkably human as to seem very familiar and endearing at once, and from the standpoint of biblical correctness, this book was most closely on the mark. For those that are curious about Esther, I would definitely encourage you to give this book a try, and also think this book would be a great read for lovers of biblical fiction. A really interesting read.
March 24, 2025
I went into this book excited to read about Esther, a strong woman of faith, but it didn’t quite turn out as I had hoped. While I understand that much of Esther’s story requires some level of speculation and imagination, I wasn’t a fan of the creative liberties taken—particularly the addition of Cyrus, a love interest from her past. The biblical account suggests a connection between Esther and the King Xerxes, but in this version, she spends much of her time pining for Cyrus, even after her marriage. While this certainly adds drama, I personally wish the focus had remained on her faith and courage instead.
Additionally, the cultural details of the time period, including harems and palace life, weren’t particularly interesting to me, and at times, Esther’s faith felt secondary to the rest of the story. The writing itself was a bit simplistic and jumpy, and I felt that Esther’s story could have been told in a more dynamic and empowering way.
Rated: 2.5/5.0—While this book may appeal to those who enjoy historical fiction with a heavy dose of romance and drama, it wasn’t quite the version of Esther’s journey that I was hoping for.
Additionally, the cultural details of the time period, including harems and palace life, weren’t particularly interesting to me, and at times, Esther’s faith felt secondary to the rest of the story. The writing itself was a bit simplistic and jumpy, and I felt that Esther’s story could have been told in a more dynamic and empowering way.
Rated: 2.5/5.0—While this book may appeal to those who enjoy historical fiction with a heavy dose of romance and drama, it wasn’t quite the version of Esther’s journey that I was hoping for.
April 28, 2022
Jolabokaflod 2021! Chosen is written as the lost diaries of Queen Esther of the Bible. So it's all in her voice. Plus there's endnotes. Every so often in the book you had a note that directed you to read a supporting document at the back of the book. These elements made it so you really questioned whether it was fiction or nonfiction! (Or maybe I'm gullible?) But that was really neat and unique. The only thing that got me was that it was framed as a diary and there were quite a few passages where it wasn't likely that Esther would have had that much insight into others' emotions or actions. Or the passages were written more like a book than as a diary entry. But it didn't happen too often and didn't distract from the plot. Chosen probably won't win a Carnegie Medal, but overall, the book hooked me and made me want to read even more about Esther. I give two thumbs up.
May 6, 2019
Fascinating look at what Esther might have gone through in her journey from village girl to queen, and savior of a nation. Much of it is speculation (we have no idea whether she was betrothed, suffered a miscarriage, or even how she died), but it reflects a typical life of a Jewish girl, and later a queen, in Persia during that time. A lot of research went into this book, and it was written skillfully with plenty of detail and true-to-life emotion. It's the kind of story that keeps your mind working even after you've finished the book. Highly recommend if you want a better understanding of the story of Esther and a closer glimpse at God's providence throughout her life!
June 26, 2021
I give this 5 stars for the story itself. I love reading historical fiction with what a view could have been from a hero (or otherwise) of history. I was so well entertained I read this book in just over 24 hours... and that does NOT happen for me.
I didn’t really enjoy the random interjections of comments in the appendix. Some made good points, but some felt rather “preachy” and not in the style of the writing of the book. I suppose it would be similar to the interjections of someone telling a story when they feel a point should be made... but if I go through this book again I’ll probably simply read through the story of it all.
I didn’t really enjoy the random interjections of comments in the appendix. Some made good points, but some felt rather “preachy” and not in the style of the writing of the book. I suppose it would be similar to the interjections of someone telling a story when they feel a point should be made... but if I go through this book again I’ll probably simply read through the story of it all.
July 27, 2022
The story of Esther has always been one of my favorites. In this version it is shared as her personal diary. She writes about the love she had for another man before she is forced to join the harem of King Xerxes. Once she there, she decides accept the situation she is in to the best of her ability. Even when she is brought to the king she is determined to follow God even though she has to hide her identity as a Jew. Esther is given the crown and at first doesn't know why God led her to the palace. Eventually the well-known events in the Bible unfold and today Esther is famous for her beauty and courage.
November 21, 2025
Next up was one I wasn't sure I would like or not. I'm not particularly a fan of historical fiction from Bible Times, because sometimes the author's poetic justice makes me nervous. But this one is pretty good, in general. I know this author has other books in this series, but I doubt I will read them. I'd probably recommend this if you like this genre.
Two quotes I loved from this book:
"My hands were outstretched as if I could catch any drop of mercy from heaven ... " p.218
"It is one thing to believe a scripture is true, it is another thing entirely to trust in it and act." p.223
Two quotes I loved from this book:
"My hands were outstretched as if I could catch any drop of mercy from heaven ... " p.218
"It is one thing to believe a scripture is true, it is another thing entirely to trust in it and act." p.223
January 3, 2025
"Chosen" presents a compelling fictionalized account of the biblical story of Esther. Through the lens of Esther's imagined diaries, the novel offers a unique and intimate perspective on her life and experiences. Garrett masterfully weaves together historical details with fictional elements, creating a rich and engaging narrative.
The story moves at a brisk pace, keeping the reader captivated from beginning to end. I found myself completely immersed in Esther's world, drawn in by her hopes, fears, and unwavering courage.
Overall: A recommended read for anyone interested in exploring the biblical story of Esther through a FICTIONAL and imaginative lens with a twist as it does not stay true to the biblical version.
The story moves at a brisk pace, keeping the reader captivated from beginning to end. I found myself completely immersed in Esther's world, drawn in by her hopes, fears, and unwavering courage.
Overall: A recommended read for anyone interested in exploring the biblical story of Esther through a FICTIONAL and imaginative lens with a twist as it does not stay true to the biblical version.
dnf
April 14, 2023I want to start off by saying that I don't know if it is the mood I am in or if I really cannot connect to this character. But I simply cannot force myself to read this book to completion. I'm sorry to the author who spent much time researching and trying to do justice for this beloved historical figure.
I did not care once for Esther. I love several of the quotes from this book but I couldn't push through. The more I tried, the more I ended up disliking it. It's just not for me.
I did not care once for Esther. I love several of the quotes from this book but I couldn't push through. The more I tried, the more I ended up disliking it. It's just not for me.
May 15, 2017
Chosen by the bookgroup. The most fascinating thing about this read, was thinking about the fact that this is one bookgroup member's FAVORITE BOOK and that she reads it every year. Incredible! OT stories are things I try to avoid. My beefy imagination is still too limited to picture/understand what life was like back then. I am ok with that-and with leaving the OT well alone.
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