book info: on sale: now copy from: public library pages: 348 review written: 21.12.17 originally published: 2009 edition read: Penguin NAL 2009 title: Rooftops of Tehran author: Mahbod Seraji In a middle-class neighborhood of Iran's sprawling capital city, 17-year-old Pasha Shahed spends the summer of 1973 on his rooftop with his best friend Ahmed, joking around one minute and asking burning questions about life the next. He also hides a secret love for his beautiful neighbor Zari, who has been betrothed since birth to another man. But the bliss of Pasha and Zari's stolen time together is shattered when Pasha unwittingly acts as a beacon for the Shah's secret police. The violent consequences awaken him to the reality of living under a powerful despot, and lead Zari to make a shocking choice... my thoughts: This book was first published in 2009 and I remember adding it to my list around that time but never actually reading it since I preferred checking out library books to ...
information
book info:ages: 16 and up
grades: 10 and up
on sale: now
copy from: local library
pages: 473
title: The Lady Elizabeth
author: Alison Weir
stars: 4.5
Even at age two, Elizabeth is keenly aware that people in the court of her father, King Henry VIII, have stopped referring to her as “Lady Princess” and now call her “the Lady Elizabeth.” Before she is three, she learns of the tragic fate that has befallen her mother, the enigmatic and seductive Anne Boleyn, and that she herself has been declared illegitimate, an injustice that will haunt her. (I will not include the rest of the summary as it contains spoilers)
my thoughts:
I will start by saying that this is assigned summer reading for AP European History. I've always been deeply fascinated with court life in England, and the Tudors as well. I've heard loads about the television drama, but have deemed it too inappropriate to my young eyes. I'll watch it when I can, haha.
Now I started this book and got bored about fifteen pages in. However, I kept reading (I didn't have an option) and did not regret it. This being my first Alison Weir novel, I was astounded by how rich and thrilling it was, and how brilliant the characters shone. It's something that YA literature can't achieve, that subtle characterisation, and that smooth change from the ages of Elizabeth's life into the flawless weaving together of fact and fiction.
I felt as if I were beside Elizabeth herself, and her and I both being Virgos, I felt a strong connection towards her as portrayed in this book. I believe that getting reads to connect with the character is the most important aspect for a writer to achieve, and Ms. Weir has done it. It's a classic historical fiction piece and I cannot wait to read more from this splendid author.
This is a book I'd definitely recommend to all mature readers!
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