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bibielle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
bethsandford's review against another edition
5.0
I do not know if I would have read this book had it not been for book club but it was an excellent read. I enjoyed the main character and the many moral choices the characters had to make to stay true to themselves. It was informative both on the different religions of hinduism and muslims and the history of the time. I found it interesting that for so long people have been fighting over religious beliefs without the ability to be tolerant or nonjudgemental. Great book.
amiespeak's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. It was a beautiful story. I can't wait to read more of John Shors
babsaway14's review against another edition
2.0
This is the story of the plot contrivances necessary to create a romance about the Taj Mahal. Okay, a bit harsh, I know, but the entire time I read this book I felt that the first line of each chapter, instead of giving a succinct synopsis of what was about to occur, should state: "Now the author has created the world's worst husband to marry unhappy narrator to, therefore leaving no moral ambiguity about her right to fall in love with the architect of the Taj Mahal, just in case reader is too blind to see that plot twist coming at her." I don't need my hand held this much, especially in historical fiction.
Which lead me to another issue with this novel - as a reader, I am supposed to accept the morality of the time period written about (elephants stamping on small children while the narrator and her fair ruling father watch?). I'm fine with that. Yet, at the same time I felt the author expected me, the reader, to continually shut off that same acceptance of past ethics/principles (father sending happy daughter off to tryst with lover for the the sake of love, a much more modern reading, I would say), and turn it back on again for the sake of the story (father marrying favorite daughter to previously mentioned worst husband ever for no particular gain, as far as I could see). It was disconcerting. I wanted some sort of consistency.
Not my favorite.
Which lead me to another issue with this novel - as a reader, I am supposed to accept the morality of the time period written about (elephants stamping on small children while the narrator and her fair ruling father watch?). I'm fine with that. Yet, at the same time I felt the author expected me, the reader, to continually shut off that same acceptance of past ethics/principles (father sending happy daughter off to tryst with lover for the the sake of love, a much more modern reading, I would say), and turn it back on again for the sake of the story (father marrying favorite daughter to previously mentioned worst husband ever for no particular gain, as far as I could see). It was disconcerting. I wanted some sort of consistency.
Not my favorite.
kim_j_dare's review against another edition
4.0
A beautifully written love story that really brings to life 17th-century India and the royal family responsible for the creation of the Taj Mahal. I probably would never have read it if it hadn't been my book club's pick for this month-- yet another reason I enjoy our monthly get-togethers (and the wine and snacks don't hurt either!)
kcoleman's review against another edition
5.0
What a fabulous novel!! Love, Loyalty, Treachery, Beauty...all the things that make for an engrossing read!
tara_pikachu's review against another edition
2.0
I was hoping for more facts but of course it was more fiction. *sigh*
nancy33's review against another edition
1.0
I was hoping for interesting information about how the Taj Mahal was built. Instead it was a Harlequin romance novel. Blah.