"Proclaimer" by Megan Schaulis

"The only way to save us is to betray the king I vowed to protect."

In a story that picks up immediately where Protector leaves off, this dystopian retelling of the book of Esther continues the tale of Novalise, or Astra, the bodyguard of the king and secret follower of Alpha. Is there any way she can convince the king that the followers of Alpha are not a danger to the kingdom? Can she save her people?

Be immersed in palace intrigue as Astra seeks to gain the king's favor for her people while also balancing the romance that has been building between them. King Zadien isn't evil but he has not always listened to the best advisors. How will he react when he finds out she's an Alphanite?

From the action-packed beginning to he explosive end, Proclaimer will have you racing through the pages with unexpected twists and turns to find out how the author wraps up this unique take on a much-loved true story.

Esther was my favorite book of the Bible when I was a little girl, and it was interesting to see it brought to life in a dystopian world. I struggled a bit with the attitude of some of the characters, but  each of them undergo a transformation through the course of the story. I do think readers who enjoy dystopian young adult fiction will appreciate this one, and of course I loved tracking all the notable Esther moments as they played out in a totally new way.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

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About the Author

After a year of traveling the country in a 100-square-foot camper with her husband, daughter, and dog, Megan Schaulis was bursting with wonder and inspiration—and she poured it all into her writing.

Megan has a B.A. in Journalism from Arizona State University and is a member of the ACFW. As a special education teacher, she helped young people fall in love with reading and writing. Today, when she’s not spinning stories, Megan uses words in playful and creative ways at her branding agency. Her debut series, The Susa Chronicles, a YA dystopian reimagining of Esther, released with WhiteCrown Publishing in 2024.

Megan lives in Abilene, Texas, where you’ll find her staying up way too late reading or hiking with her family.

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