Skip to main content

Review: The Royal Artisan - Queen Esther's Court #2

The Royal Artisan book cover on blue background

Even though I've been reading Christian fiction since my youth, I have to admit that I have not read a lot of biblical fiction over the course of my life. Thankfully, Tessa Afshar has now made me a fan of this genre, especially with The Queen Esther's Court series.

The Royal Artisan is the second book in this series and it's just as brilliant as The Queen's Cook. If you're just as new to this genre as I am, you will be utterly captivated by these stories.

Many thanks to the author and Bethany House Publishers for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

In ancient Persia, Sazana creates exquisite pottery as Queen Esther's artisan but keeps her Jewish identity hidden from her tyrannical master, Haman, and his ten vengeful sons. When tragedy strikes, Sazana must join forces with Jadon, the man who broke her heart, to locate an ancient artifact and thwart the impending threat to their people.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

What a beautiful book about God's sovereignty and how He can thwart the wicked schemes of men! The second book in the Queen Esther's Court series, it is a sheer delight to get to meet Sazana, a famed and skilled potter following in her family's footsteps as an artisan, and Jadon, a man who serves Queen Esther and the sovereign's best interests. I absolutely love how well Tessa Afshar writes characters from another place and era in such a way that I want to befriend them today. In this case, Sazana and Jadon are both likeable, responsible adults who care for those under their protection, making it easy to root for them as they grow in their reliance on God.

I've become such a fan of this author's biblical fiction due to how immersive the stories are, drawing me into a foreign culture with different words, foods, and customs. In inhabiting the worlds of those serving Queen Esther at court, it makes the book of Esther in the Bible even more stunning when considering all that was involved in ensuring the survival of God's people during such a perilous time. Laced with many threads of annihilation, this book marvelously weaves everything together to depict how God can turn evil into good. Readers looking for a book that demonstrates how God is the potter and we are the clay will find much to love in The Royal Artisan as it points to the master artist Himself.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📱
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Christian Book Review Programs

Over time, I've been on the hunt for Christian book review programs that readers can join. As a result, I've been able to compile the following list which may be of interest if you are seeking review copies of Christian books. This list mostly applies to print and ebooks, although some publishers offer audiobooks as well. If further information is available for any of the publishers below (or any missing publishers), please let me know as I am happy to update this list—thank you! Please note that you can also search for these publishers on NetGalley and other review sites in case there are no review programs available or you don't qualify for one 😊 Christian Publishers B&H Publishing Group Previously offered the B&H/Lifeway Blogger program which has since closed Availability: Professors and instructors Link:  B&H Academic Book Requests Baker Publishing Group Availability: U.S. and Canadian residents Genre: Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction Imprints: Bet...

Review: Shadow Light - Light Rising #1

This is the book that I was eager to reread as soon as I received the ARC. Shadow Light by Ivy Emerson is worth dropping everything for in order to meet Declan Cole and Tessa Lockwood in London, England.  Honestly, this is Christian fiction that you'll want to have waiting for you as I cannot say enough good things about it (I mean, look at that cover!). Make sure you catch it as it releases on February 1, 2026! Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis I only ever wanted to stay in control. Run my security firm. Find the truth about the past I can’t forget. I told myself feelings don’t belong in this job— until she hired me. I only ever wanted to help people. Start over. Prove I could stand on my own again. I was in my brave-face, teach-myself-to-knit, can-do-anything season— until he walked back into my life. The shadows are closing in, dragging the past with them. But the truth we u...

Review: The Biblio Diet

Over the years, I've had the joy of reading many books on health and nutrition, partly a product of some studies I've done on it and also due to personal interest. As a result, I'm always intrigued when there is a Christian perspective on this subject. I'm grateful that I learnt about The Biblio Diet by Jordan Rubin and Dr. Josh Axe after having previously read Eat Dirt by Dr. Josh Axe. Many thanks to Worthy Books for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis In this breakthrough book, New York Times bestselling authors and nutrition experts Jordan Rubin and Dr. Josh Axe offer a simple and holistic plan for building strength, health, and longevity. Based on the ancient wisdom of the Bible and confirmed by modern science, The Biblio Diet’s intuitive and easy-to-follow plan invites you to experience a breakthrough in the health of your entire family by learning to eat and live God’s way. In this book, y...