Sangeeta Bhargava

Reads like a young adult novel.

Our book group was a bit disappointed with this book, considering the excellent ratings it has received on Amazon.co.uk. It read rather like a young adult book, lacking depth in both characters and events. Covering an interesting period in the history of India, it failed to provide enough details of the history of the uprising and was heavily anti British. Even members of our group who were not British felt that the author had a bit of a chip on her shoulder.

Salim is a prince of Advah, a member of the ruling family in Lucknow; it is 1855 and Queen Victoria is on the throne in England. Salim and his close friend, Ahmed, live a life of luxury and splendour. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah is the king of this area, but he is suspicious of the motives of the British, particularly the East India Trading Company.
Salim crosses paths with Rachael in the local market. He is captivated by her white hands. When he later hears her play piano through the window of her colonial home, he is smitten by her music.
These two are from widely differing backgrounds but are irrevocably drawn to one another. However, the frictions between the native Indians and their ruling invaders are rising and when these build to a head, a union between a British girl and an Indian Prince becomes ever more problematic.

The book was not particularly well written and there were certain phrases that were repeated so many times that they became irritating - Salim exclaimed 'Ya Ali' with every other sentance and Rachael begins all her questions with 'Pray, tell me'. Other than this there was very little attempt made to speak appropriate to the times.
The tiger hunting scene was particulary clunky in its presentation.

This should have been the perfect combination for me - Historical fiction set in an exotic location, but unfortunatley it failed to deliver and never raised itself beyong mediocre.
Disappointing.… (meer)