lindacbugg's review against another edition
5.0
A sweeping epic story using the backdrop of the rebellion of the Sepoys (or Indian soldiers) in India against the rule of the East India Company.
I spent more time with this book than any other so far this year. It was a big ol' thing that required it's own bag to transport it to and fro from work so I could read it on the bus and at lunch. Good thing it was so engrossing or it would have been easy to hate this book. I really can't improve on what people have already said so if you enjoy historical fiction and don't mind spending a few (more or less, your results may vary) days longer than usual on a book I can guarantee a rip snorting time.
I spent many a day at my bus stop fuming aloud about some injustice (and there was always some injustice) happening to my favorite character of the moment, forgetting that the whole world could hear me.
Do Alex and Winter get their happy ever after?? Read and find out.
I spent more time with this book than any other so far this year. It was a big ol' thing that required it's own bag to transport it to and fro from work so I could read it on the bus and at lunch. Good thing it was so engrossing or it would have been easy to hate this book. I really can't improve on what people have already said so if you enjoy historical fiction and don't mind spending a few (more or less, your results may vary) days longer than usual on a book I can guarantee a rip snorting time.
I spent many a day at my bus stop fuming aloud about some injustice (and there was always some injustice) happening to my favorite character of the moment, forgetting that the whole world could hear me.
Do Alex and Winter get their happy ever after?? Read and find out.
alice2000's review against another edition
5.0
A group of older friends I had when I was 16 introduced me to M.M. Kaye. The first book of hers I read was Shadow of the Moon. Due to school commitments I think it took me almost a week and I hated every moment I wasn't with this book.
From the very beginning this book enchanted me. It is filled with the very essence of India and its people. For years Alex was the epitome of everything that was perfect in a man- in some ways he still is. He does, at any rate, remain one of my all time favorites heroes.
Winter is such a strong character, but so human. What could've been a one dimensional character evolved into, to me, an icon. No matter how many times I read this story I can not help but feel everything she does. I know what is going to happen and yet am still on the edge of my seat.
This book is out of print, but you can find copies of it on amazon and ebay. If you enjoy epic romances this is so the book for you! Action, romance, exotic locales, murder and tears...it has it all. I also recommend Far Pavilions as a good follow up.
From the very beginning this book enchanted me. It is filled with the very essence of India and its people. For years Alex was the epitome of everything that was perfect in a man- in some ways he still is. He does, at any rate, remain one of my all time favorites heroes.
Winter is such a strong character, but so human. What could've been a one dimensional character evolved into, to me, an icon. No matter how many times I read this story I can not help but feel everything she does. I know what is going to happen and yet am still on the edge of my seat.
This book is out of print, but you can find copies of it on amazon and ebay. If you enjoy epic romances this is so the book for you! Action, romance, exotic locales, murder and tears...it has it all. I also recommend Far Pavilions as a good follow up.
lottie_c's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
taisie22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I love historical fiction, especially when there's a bit of romance. Shadow of the Moon may just be my very favorite book in this genre, one I've read and reread many times. It's a book that has earned a place atop a list that includes Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, Susan Howatch's great retellings of English and Roman history, Sharon Kay Penman's English and Welsh series, as well as M.M. Kaye's more famous work, The Far Pavilions.
Historical fiction doesn't venture far east often, but Shadow of the Moon is set in India during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. Winter de Ballesteros is the daughter of privilege though she never realized it growing up. Born in India, which she idealized, she was sent to England to be raised and only wants to return to the land of her dreams. Her ticket is marriage to Conway Barton, a betrothal arranged when she was very young. Alex Randall, Conway's attache, is sent to retrieve her since the ensuing years have not been kind to Conway, who is only interested in Winter's fortune.
Ms. Kaye is British but was born in India and heard stories of the rebellion from her family's servants. She, in my opinion, treats the subject with care and is fairly even-handed with the causes though atrocities were on both sides. The various religions and sects in India were hard for anyone to deal with, but the British too often viewed them through Western eyes and imposed restrictions without understanding the implications for the people they ruled.
Her writing is lyrical with the descriptions of India, the scents and colors of flora and fauna. The romance is not typical; both Winter and Alex struggle against it before finding love. Many historical figures are referenced: Sir Henry Lawrence, his brother John, General John Nicholson, William Hodson, and others of the East India company and army, as well as Bahadur Shah and Nana Sahib.
It's a wonderful story, full of action and drama, sadness and joy, and one to be read again and again.
Historical fiction doesn't venture far east often, but Shadow of the Moon is set in India during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. Winter de Ballesteros is the daughter of privilege though she never realized it growing up. Born in India, which she idealized, she was sent to England to be raised and only wants to return to the land of her dreams. Her ticket is marriage to Conway Barton, a betrothal arranged when she was very young. Alex Randall, Conway's attache, is sent to retrieve her since the ensuing years have not been kind to Conway, who is only interested in Winter's fortune.
Ms. Kaye is British but was born in India and heard stories of the rebellion from her family's servants. She, in my opinion, treats the subject with care and is fairly even-handed with the causes though atrocities were on both sides. The various religions and sects in India were hard for anyone to deal with, but the British too often viewed them through Western eyes and imposed restrictions without understanding the implications for the people they ruled.
Her writing is lyrical with the descriptions of India, the scents and colors of flora and fauna. The romance is not typical; both Winter and Alex struggle against it before finding love. Many historical figures are referenced: Sir Henry Lawrence, his brother John, General John Nicholson, William Hodson, and others of the East India company and army, as well as Bahadur Shah and Nana Sahib.
It's a wonderful story, full of action and drama, sadness and joy, and one to be read again and again.
alenaski's review against another edition
4.0
This book is undoubtably an epic and very well written and researched. It follows the story of Winter and Alex, particularly focusing on the lead up to and during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. I don’t have anything to say that hasn’t been said in the other reviews, but I wanted to emphasize the content warnings because they are very present: rape, extreme and graphic violence, death, racial slurs, racist ideas and descriptions consistent with British views at the time, sexism etc.
bowienerd_82's review against another edition
4.0
Absorbing and rich in detail, this one definitely kept me glued to it at all times, especially as it often did not go in the direction I expected. It was an interesting novel that's rather hard to categorize. I'm not even sure how much I even liked most of the characters, but Kaye's writing kept me passionately involved and infinitely curious about what might happen next.
fant_ine's review
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lnatal's review against another edition
5.0
My book just arrived from UK, after a long trip of 3 months.
Page 109:
Winter de Ballesteros starts her trip back to India in order to marry Conway.
Page 295:
Winter marries Conway, unfortunately. But she saved Alex's life for an ambush.
WHAT A BOOK!! As my friend Misfit said: in the last 200 pages, just try to keep your breath. This is the third book by MM Kaye I read and I always regret when one of her book ends.
Page 109:
Winter de Ballesteros starts her trip back to India in order to marry Conway.
Page 295:
Winter marries Conway, unfortunately. But she saved Alex's life for an ambush.
WHAT A BOOK!! As my friend Misfit said: in the last 200 pages, just try to keep your breath. This is the third book by MM Kaye I read and I always regret when one of her book ends.
More...