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 ...
I'm so excited to announce that I have the privilege of hosting an amazing giveaway courtesy of one of my most favourite authors, Michelle Moran.
About the Book:
From the internationally bestselling author of Nefertiti and Cleopatra’s Daughter comes the breathtaking story of Queen Lakshmi—India’s Joan of Arc—who against all odds defied the mighty British invasion to defend her beloved kingdom.
When the British Empire sets its sights on India in the mid-nineteenth century, it expects a quick and easy conquest. India is fractured and divided into kingdoms, each independent and wary of one another, seemingly no match for the might of the English. But when they arrive in the Kingdom of Jhansi, the British army is met with a surprising challenge.
Instead of surrendering, Queen Lakshmi raises two armies—one male and one female—and rides into battle, determined to protect her country and her people. Although her soldiers may not appear at first to be formidable against superior British weaponry and training, Lakshmi refuses to back down from the empire determined to take away the land she loves.
Told from the unexpected perspective of Sita—Queen Lakshmi’s most favored companion and most trusted soldier in the all-female army—Rebel Queen shines a light on a time and place rarely explored in historical fiction. In the tradition of her bestselling novel, Nefertiti, and through her strong, independent heroines fighting to make their way in a male dominated world, Michelle Moran brings nineteenth-century India to rich, vibrant life.
Why I Love Michelle Moran and her Books ie. Michelle is the Queen:
For those of you who have followed me for a while, you'll know I'm crazy about Michelle's work. The first work I read was "The Heretic Queen" and I freaked out because it was such a good book. I remember closing the hardcover library-copy in stunned silence when I finished thinking "What heavenly ambrosia have I just consumed?" I then read "Nefertiti" and it immediately became another favourite. Enamoured, I contacted Michelle for an interview or a guest post. I didn't expect a response, but when I got one, it was more than I bargained for. She was so gracious and kind, and not only offered a guest post but also a giveaway of her book, "Cleopatra's Daughter". She is the nicest author I've ever spoken to and basically the amazingness of her books matches the amazingness of her character. Michelle Moran is my #1. So, out of the blue, I get an e-mail about her latest work, "The Rebel Queen" and several things happened. First, I screamed. Then, I thought "Ohmygod Michelle Moran sent me an e-mail. Michelle Moran. Sent me. An e-mail." I've been a little too distant from the book world so I had no idea Michelle had already written another book. I gasped. It's about India, my birthplace. My favourite historical author writing about the country of my birth. It was too good to be true. I sent a really embarrassing fangirl response and she said "Kirthi, your email made me laugh out loud. You are so fantastic" and I cried. Tears of joy, of course.
The point of that entire sloppy paragraph is that I can vouch for the quality of "The Rebel Queen", although I haven't had the pleasure of reading it yet. You'll love it. Like, it's one thing to read a great book, but it's something entirely different when the author is just the kindest human being ever. Ya feel?
Two lucky winners will win a SIGNED COPY of "The Rebel Queen" and a super gorgeous bracelet from India. It won't look EXACTLY like the one in the picture because each bracelet Michelle bought was different, but equally beautiful. I actually have a few that look like these and they go well with so many outfits. You'll love it. If you're a man, you can totally rock it (unless you have big wrists, in which case it'd still be cool to have).
To enter, you gotta be a follower of Pages (I love my readers so special-treatment is inevitable) and just comment with a reason you'd want to read this book or a cool fact pertaining to the time period or setting in the The Rebel Queen. Don't forget to comment with your e-mail, or if you don't want to put it out there, e-mail ME your e-mail and name at raokiki6(at)gmail(dot)com. The contest will end February 25th at midnight!
About the Book:
From the internationally bestselling author of Nefertiti and Cleopatra’s Daughter comes the breathtaking story of Queen Lakshmi—India’s Joan of Arc—who against all odds defied the mighty British invasion to defend her beloved kingdom.
When the British Empire sets its sights on India in the mid-nineteenth century, it expects a quick and easy conquest. India is fractured and divided into kingdoms, each independent and wary of one another, seemingly no match for the might of the English. But when they arrive in the Kingdom of Jhansi, the British army is met with a surprising challenge.
Instead of surrendering, Queen Lakshmi raises two armies—one male and one female—and rides into battle, determined to protect her country and her people. Although her soldiers may not appear at first to be formidable against superior British weaponry and training, Lakshmi refuses to back down from the empire determined to take away the land she loves.
Told from the unexpected perspective of Sita—Queen Lakshmi’s most favored companion and most trusted soldier in the all-female army—Rebel Queen shines a light on a time and place rarely explored in historical fiction. In the tradition of her bestselling novel, Nefertiti, and through her strong, independent heroines fighting to make their way in a male dominated world, Michelle Moran brings nineteenth-century India to rich, vibrant life.
Why I Love Michelle Moran and her Books ie. Michelle is the Queen:
For those of you who have followed me for a while, you'll know I'm crazy about Michelle's work. The first work I read was "The Heretic Queen" and I freaked out because it was such a good book. I remember closing the hardcover library-copy in stunned silence when I finished thinking "What heavenly ambrosia have I just consumed?" I then read "Nefertiti" and it immediately became another favourite. Enamoured, I contacted Michelle for an interview or a guest post. I didn't expect a response, but when I got one, it was more than I bargained for. She was so gracious and kind, and not only offered a guest post but also a giveaway of her book, "Cleopatra's Daughter". She is the nicest author I've ever spoken to and basically the amazingness of her books matches the amazingness of her character. Michelle Moran is my #1. So, out of the blue, I get an e-mail about her latest work, "The Rebel Queen" and several things happened. First, I screamed. Then, I thought "Ohmygod Michelle Moran sent me an e-mail. Michelle Moran. Sent me. An e-mail." I've been a little too distant from the book world so I had no idea Michelle had already written another book. I gasped. It's about India, my birthplace. My favourite historical author writing about the country of my birth. It was too good to be true. I sent a really embarrassing fangirl response and she said "Kirthi, your email made me laugh out loud. You are so fantastic" and I cried. Tears of joy, of course.
The point of that entire sloppy paragraph is that I can vouch for the quality of "The Rebel Queen", although I haven't had the pleasure of reading it yet. You'll love it. Like, it's one thing to read a great book, but it's something entirely different when the author is just the kindest human being ever. Ya feel?
The Giveaway:
Two lucky winners will win a SIGNED COPY of "The Rebel Queen" and a super gorgeous bracelet from India. It won't look EXACTLY like the one in the picture because each bracelet Michelle bought was different, but equally beautiful. I actually have a few that look like these and they go well with so many outfits. You'll love it. If you're a man, you can totally rock it (unless you have big wrists, in which case it'd still be cool to have).
To enter, you gotta be a follower of Pages (I love my readers so special-treatment is inevitable) and just comment with a reason you'd want to read this book or a cool fact pertaining to the time period or setting in the The Rebel Queen. Don't forget to comment with your e-mail, or if you don't want to put it out there, e-mail ME your e-mail and name at raokiki6(at)gmail(dot)com. The contest will end February 25th at midnight!
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