The Promise of an Afterward
Series: Queen Esther’s Court, Book 3
Written by Tessa Afshar
Publication Date: 11.17.26
Published by: Bethany House Publishers
Genre: Christian Fiction, Christian Ancient Fiction, Biblical Fiction, Christian Historical Fiction
5+ Stars!
The Promise of an Afterward
Oh, this book! At about sixty percent, I was already wishing I didn’t have other reading commitments because I wanted to read it again. Tessa Afshar’s writing is powerful, descriptive, emotional, wonderfully humorous, and full of wisdom. There is so much to take in, and I loved learning as I read.
The humor is hilarious! The affectionate teasing made these people feel so familiar to me. I could picture their expressions and hear those quick replies! That made the danger surrounding Esther feel personal. I cared about the people Danna and Allon were trying to protect. How do you know whom to trust when you cannot see what someone intends? Their need for God’s wisdom and protection meant so much in those moments. I know that need to ask the Lord for direction when I cannot see enough to know what to do.
I absolutely loved the faith in this story! Seeing the characters lean on God for answers touched my own heart. These words about clinging to Him through grief are so beautiful: “In clinging to him harder, I had taken in more of him.” We can hurt so deeply and still grow closer to the Lord through that hurt. We need His grace right there, while we are struggling and trying to understand.
I appreciated Afshar’s author’s note, too. She explains where she has imagined possibilities for Esther’s later life and acknowledges what Scripture and history do not tell us. I have already preordered the audiobook and hope to listen on release day. I want to hear these conversations and spend more time with the wisdom in these pages!
The thought of God preparing an “afterward” gives me so much to consider. We cannot always see what comes next. We still have questions, and sometimes our hearts are aching. But we can cling to Him through it all. I am so grateful for a story that encouraged me to do that.
I received a digital ARC via the author, publisher, and NetGalley. I purchased the audiobook. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on how true it is to Scripture, the writing style, the pacing, and the content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
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