novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
3 STARS
"Journey to dazzling seventeenth-century Hindustan, where the reigning emperor, consumed with grief over the tragic death of his beloved wife, commissioned the building of a grand mausoleum as a testament to the marvel of their love. This monument would soon become known as the Taj Mahal—a sight famous around the world for its beauty and the emotions it symbolizes.
Princess Jahanara, the courageous daughter of the emperor and his wife, recounts their mesmerizing tale, while sharing her own parallel story of forbidden love with the celebrated architect of the Taj Mahal. Set during a time of unimaginable wealth and power, murderous sibling rivalries, and cruel despotism, this impressive novel sweeps you away to a historical Hindustan brimming with action and intrigue in an era when, alongside the brutalities of war and oppression, architecture and the art of love and passion reached a pinnacle of perfection." (From Amazon)
I quite liked it and thought the author did a wonderful job in creating Jahanara and her world.
"Journey to dazzling seventeenth-century Hindustan, where the reigning emperor, consumed with grief over the tragic death of his beloved wife, commissioned the building of a grand mausoleum as a testament to the marvel of their love. This monument would soon become known as the Taj Mahal—a sight famous around the world for its beauty and the emotions it symbolizes.
Princess Jahanara, the courageous daughter of the emperor and his wife, recounts their mesmerizing tale, while sharing her own parallel story of forbidden love with the celebrated architect of the Taj Mahal. Set during a time of unimaginable wealth and power, murderous sibling rivalries, and cruel despotism, this impressive novel sweeps you away to a historical Hindustan brimming with action and intrigue in an era when, alongside the brutalities of war and oppression, architecture and the art of love and passion reached a pinnacle of perfection." (From Amazon)
I quite liked it and thought the author did a wonderful job in creating Jahanara and her world.
hiltzmoore's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't too pleased with the ending, and felt that there were more opportunities to explore with Jahanara's posse of spies - the predictability killed it for me. But that being said, this was a gripping story and was a period and region of history I've never read anything about, so the book was overall, quite successful for me.
lindasdarby's review against another edition
3.0
This book is really interesting and I enjoyed it but I kept waiting for whatever she kept hinting was going to happen to happen and it sort of ruined the story for me. I did like it though and would recommend it.
emiann2023's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful story in itself, though not entirely historically accurate, definitely a worthwhile read.
jjgrl55's review against another edition
4.0
Beneath a Marble Sky was an easily enjoyable novel. Though the book is a bit simple in its design (characters are either perfectly good or horribly evil, etc) you can't help but be sucked in by the lush imagery of the novel. I do suspect that Shors probably embellished history quite a bit to deliver this tale, but personally I can excuse such embellishment if the story peaks my interest and encourages me to study the actual history further, and this book definitely has made me want to discover more about the real people behind the Taj Mahal. For those who fear this novel is all about the building of the Taj Mahal, the book is much bigger than that, with political intrigue, love stories and battle scenes. I was a bit frustrated at times with the main character's choices , but the tale kept me interested and entertained. If you are looking for an engaging story, and can forgive a bit of historical inaccuracy, certainly give this book a shot.
Spoiler
(why oh why didn't she kill her brother when she had the chance!)upgirlcd's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful love story that takes the reader on a journey through the eyes of the Emperor's daughter. Generations of Muslims and Hindus, their faith, their fighting, their rich and their poor...Sometimes the writing got too detailed; sometimes predictable. I was drawn in by the story of Jahanara and her family. I cried with her losses; I raged with her at her betrayers. She was a passionate narrator, who endured much throughout her years. Very touching.
spahade's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a great read, especially if you have read Twentieth Wife and Feast of the Roses by Indu Sundaresan, this book feels like the third installment of the series.
sarahunsaker's review against another edition
5.0
Love, love, love this book!! It has all the betrayals, secrets, romance of an old English novel, yet it is about a royal family in India, and the building if the Taj Mahal. Great characters and storyline, will definitely be reading more by the author.
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
3.0
Recommended by Ellen J. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sbeneath%20a%20marble%20sky__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold