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| Queen, Fantasy Inspired by Esther |
If it helps, Serena is actually based
on two women from the Scriptures. One is Esther, so both storylines are entwined
and not the second character-inspiration from Scripture is more overt until the
end. (I'm not mentioning the second O.T. woman's name due to spoilers.)
Queen’s parallels to Esther
actually begin in Exiles. Nik (Nikaros) is Serena's relative, who protects and
rescues the king while rising to power within the kingdom, and his kinship with
Serena strengthens his position, as well as brings him favor with the king.
Vashti's disgrace is reflected in Zaria's rebellion and scheming, and Dasarai
and Ebatenai are Serena’s final judges (within the harem). When Serena meets
Bel-Tygeon in his own kingdom, I've drawn some oblique comparisons in her
thoughts and resolutions as she prepares to meet the king. Also, Serena is
chosen throughout her journey over and over again based on her looks, and she
is chosen against her will, as Esther implied. I made a deliberate decision to
show the Infinite working quietly in the background, as the Lord did during the
story of Esther, to save His people (in this case, the Eosyths who love and
revere Him despite the threats from their enemies).
As for the king, I had such FUN
bringing Ty (Bel-Tygeon) into an ordinary family, and his longing to have a family and
children of his own really came to the surface here, when it was only hinted at
in Exiles. Which beloved names from the Scriptures are represented in Ty’s
character? There are several—one no one has guessed yet!
Blessings, and happy reading!
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