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Shadow Princess (2010)

by Indu Sundaresan(Favorite Author)

3.17 of 5 Votes: 6

ISBN

1416548793 (ISBN13: 9781416548799)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Atria Books

series

Taj Mahal Trilogy

review 1: I read about one-half of this book before I put it down, which is a shame, really, since I consider Sundaresan's other two feats (Feast of Roses and The Twentieth Wife) among two of my favorite historical novels. What happened? The backdrop for this novel is perfect, as the focus is on Mumtaz's daughters and the aftermath of her death and subsequent building of the Taj Mahal - a subject covered frequently, yes, but I trusted Sundaresan to breathe new life into the well-plowed field. However, what ultimately came about was more history than plot. Entire paragraphs read like history textbooks and succeeded in curing my insomnia instead of keeping me up into the hours of the early morning as I had hoped. In frustration, I slammed the book shut, disappointed I had paid fo... morer the hardcover instead of waiting to check it out from the library. If I were you, I would wait to check it out for the library if you are intent on reading this.
review 2: I agree with many of the reader out there. While Jahanara has a potentially fascinating story and role in history, The earlier two novels featuring Mehrunissa were more enjoyable reads. This book drags a little, mostly because Jahanara truly is a shadow princess - her role is more observer than participant. The earlier chapters are promising, Jahanara is there in her mothers last moments, she is the only one her grief-stricken and incapacitated father wants by his side, she sweeps aside her fathers other two wives and her younger sister to become the supreme force in the harem…one expects to see a great deal more of this decisive, practical woman. But then her role diminishes significantly and we see the machinations of her brothers take over, where we would rather have seen her own internal struggles as a powerful woman who is forbidden to marry. A woman who has to watch her back constantly, even fearing her own younger sister. The bloody path of Aurangzeb to the throne is already well-documented - I would have liked to see more of the powerful princess, who despite backing the wrong brother and choosing to become housebound with her dying, deposed father, returns as the head of the harem in Aurangzeb's court.Indu Sundaresan's writing and research are flawless, but the story lacks the heart and focus of the previous books in the trilogy. less

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