International bestseller, pens an epic novel based on fact about princesses fighting for power and respect in India's 17th Century royal court.
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Jan 06, 2012
Shweta's Book Journal
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When it comes to Indian historical fiction there is one author who never fails to impress me. Indu Sunderesan. Her books bring to life a period in Indian history which was filled with grandeur and magnificence.Tales of romances of this period are immortal . The opulence of their society is unmatched by anything of present day. If you have read her book,The Twentieth Wife, you know what I am talking about .
Shadow Princess is the story of Jahanara ,the eldest daughter of Emperor Shah Ja More...
Shadow Princess is the story of Jahanara ,the eldest daughter of Emperor Shah Ja More...
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Oct 26, 2011
Melissa
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Without having read the first two books in this series, it's difficult for my review to be completely "fair and balanced." Having said that, I must not admit that I was not overly-impressed with this novel.
Shadow Princess focuses on the children of Shah Jahan, and begins as the Shah's beloved third wife is dying in childbirth. Her death leaves the Shah a bit at sea, and as his grip on his family and his reality briefly loosen, his children (already self-important and arrogant More...
Shadow Princess focuses on the children of Shah Jahan, and begins as the Shah's beloved third wife is dying in childbirth. Her death leaves the Shah a bit at sea, and as his grip on his family and his reality briefly loosen, his children (already self-important and arrogant More...
Aug 02, 2011
Mamta
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The last of Indu Sunderasan’s Agra trilogy places Jahanara as the central protagonist. It’s an interesting read, largely because the subject matter is so rich. The book benefits from the limited choice the reader has in the genre of Indian Historical fiction. While the book lingers, sometimes excessively, on the description of the Taj’s architecture and the rituals of the Mughal court, its treatment of the human beings that populate its pages is almost cursory. The author has fallen short in fle
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May 30, 2010
Beverly
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For lovers of historical fiction, nothing is better than a book that has you immersed in the storyline and engages all of your five senses, so that when you look up from reading it takes you a couple of seconds to re-orient to your current surroundings. Shadow Princess by Indu Sundaresan was just that book for me. When Shadow Princess opens we are transported to 17th century India as the Mumtaz Muhal, the much beloved wife of the Emperor, is about to give birth to her 14th child. Also, in the ro
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Apr 08, 2010
Eileen
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Ms. Sundaresan returns to seventeenth-century India and the women of the Mughal Empire in Shadow Princess. After the death of their mother, Empress Mumtaz Mahal, Princesses Jahanara and Roshanara compete for power and the affection of their father, Emperor Jahangir. Much of the responsibility for the empire falls on Jahanara, as her father is at first devastated by the death of his beloved wife, and then becomes obsessed with creating a Luminous Tomb to her memory - what will become known as
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Mar 28, 2010
xJane
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I just finished reading Shadow Princess, the third book in Sundaresan's series about the women of Mughal India. Unlike the Feast of Roses (which should be preceded in reading by the Twentieth Wife), this one stands on its own.
It begins with the death of Mumtaz Mahal, the woman for whom the Taj Mahal was built, and ends with her husband's death. In between, the life of their eldest daughter, Jahanara, is told with love and historical accuracy. Part history, part travelogue, and part f More...
It begins with the death of Mumtaz Mahal, the woman for whom the Taj Mahal was built, and ends with her husband's death. In between, the life of their eldest daughter, Jahanara, is told with love and historical accuracy. Part history, part travelogue, and part f More...
Mar 09, 2011
Elizabeth
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One of the best historical fiction writers about India, especially Mughel India, that I have ever read. Excellent balance of contexts of what cities, countryside, geography, flora and fauna, and the building of the Taj Mahal. (I will list this book as currently-reading for a few days so friends can read the review more readily, although I have finished it. I expect to reread it at some time.)
Josanara is the oldest daughter of the Emperor who, after her mother's unexpected death, hel More...
Josanara is the oldest daughter of the Emperor who, after her mother's unexpected death, hel More...
Sep 16, 2010
Janice
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This is the third book in the Taj trilogy. I was incorrect at book group when I said that I thought this was about a granddaughter of Khurram (Emporer Shah Jahan). The "Shadow Princess" is his daughter--and Arjumand's. The generation that is skipped is Arju's. She dies in childbirth giving birth to their 14th child, only 4 years into the reign of Shah Jahan. Jahanara is his oldest child, and he is so devastated at the death of his wife that he leans heavily on her--to the point whe
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Feb 03, 2010
Tara
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In all fairness, I think I would have enoyed this novel a lot more if I didn't already know the story. Having read "Beneath a Marble Sky," I already know the content, the brothers fighting each other, the elephant fight, the details of the Taj Mahal. Also, having read the previous two novels in this "series" by Indu Sundaresan, I already know the history leading up to this and grew bored with the "recaps."
However, I couldn't help but think of Marble More...
However, I couldn't help but think of Marble More...
Mar 09, 2011
Ana
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Shadow Princess / 978-1-4165-4879-9
My first introduction to the story of the intriguing and mysterious princess Jahanara, was with the engaging and interesting "Jahanara: Princess of Princesses", a fictional Royal Diary installation for young children. I was, in light of this introduction, greatly looking forward to reading "Shadow Princess", but rarely have I seen a novel more in need of an editor's firm hand!
With a meandering and confused narrative, "Shadow Princess" More...
My first introduction to the story of the intriguing and mysterious princess Jahanara, was with the engaging and interesting "Jahanara: Princess of Princesses", a fictional Royal Diary installation for young children. I was, in light of this introduction, greatly looking forward to reading "Shadow Princess", but rarely have I seen a novel more in need of an editor's firm hand!
With a meandering and confused narrative, "Shadow Princess" More...
Apr 17, 2010
Lauren
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Shadow Princess is set in the Mughal Empire, at the eve of Mumtaz Mahal's death. The novel quickly delves into Shah Jahan's despair, unusual in a society where a man has multiple wives, and his contemplation of abdicating the throne for which he had fought so hard. However, after a few days, Shah Jahan emerges from seclusion with the idea of building the Taj Mahal. During Shah Jahan's mourning for his wife, the power dynamics shifted. First, in the Mughal Empire, succession wass determined b
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Apr 08, 2010
Shannon
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I received this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway (yay!); I love historical fiction so was happy to receive it. When I read the inside flap, I realized I had already read the first book in the series (of three so far), The Twentieth Wife, a few years ago. I haven't read the second book (The Feast of Roses: A Novel) but Shadow Princess is enough of its own encapsulated story that it isn't necessary to read the others first.
The complicated familial alliances and tensions are the More...
The complicated familial alliances and tensions are the More...
Oct 22, 2010
Vaidehi
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This book followed the Feast of roses and The Twentieth Wife. Each of the first two book were about the fascinating historical romance during the Moghul Empire. However, this book took a little different turn. Still keeping up with the romance it now depicts the reign of a women in the shadows of men!
In this part it starts with the end of Mumtaz's death and the beginning of Shah Jahan's oldes's daughter Jahanara. Her boldness and power is portrayed through her influence over all the More...
In this part it starts with the end of Mumtaz's death and the beginning of Shah Jahan's oldes's daughter Jahanara. Her boldness and power is portrayed through her influence over all the More...
Aug 14, 2011
Virginia
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I LOVED The Twentieth Wife, and I thought The Feast of Roses was good, but Shadow Princess was just slow. It skips a generation and picks up when Empress Mumtaz Mahal dies in childbirth, her husband, Emperor Shah Jahan, decides to build the Taj Mahal for her, and their eldest daughter, Jahanara becomes Shah Jahan's trusted confidant, essentially filling her mother's role.
And then not a whole lot happens. There's not really much discussion of the building of the Taj Mahal, there's More...
And then not a whole lot happens. There's not really much discussion of the building of the Taj Mahal, there's More...
May 15, 2010
Carla
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Stick with this novel, you will find that it was worth it. When I first started reading, I was sure that the names of people and places were going to be impossible for me to keep up with. I stuck with it, and soon was able to figure out who was who, and what names were not as important to the story. The geography completely eluded me, but that wound up being okay as far as understanding the story.. The story was wonderful…as her mother was giving bitrth to a younger sister, Jahanara’s life was c
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Sep 28, 2011
Asma
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this was the third book i read for indu sundaesan. it was unique in some way. of course like her previous books i read, it took me to the 17th century india, but it also described the the building of the taj mahal and how shah jahan dedicated most of his time after his wife mumtaz mahal's death to build the tajmahal. in the mean time his aldest daughter jahanar took a leading role in leading the empire.
the book shows that in the time when there was no women rights some women used their int More...
the book shows that in the time when there was no women rights some women used their int More...
Mar 24, 2010
cheerleader4life
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Sep 15, 2011
Donna
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Though I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Sundaresan's previous three novels I have to admit Shadow Princess fell flat and disappointed me. I saw only flashes of the passion and brilliance I felt graced the pages of The Twentieth Wife, The Feast of Roses, and The Splendor of Silence. I found the rest dry and pedantic, the brief quotes from early historical texts at the beginning of each chapter neither tantalized nor illuminated, and I confess I ended up skimming the chapters detailing the minutiae of pla
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Sep 24, 2011
Puneri
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I enjoyed reading the third novel in the "Tajmahal Trilogy". However, the first two novels that are about Meherunnisa were more enjoyable than the third one. The Shadow Princess follows the life of Jahanara, daugther of Shahajahan and Mumtajmahal. Sundaresan has done a wonderful job of keeping the story and history mixed together in a way that keeps the reader going from page to page. But the story itself is less enchanting than Noorjahan's story. Jahanara seems less fierce and cunning
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Jan 05, 2012
Maggie
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The third in the Taj series, following The Twentieth Wife, and The Feast of Roses. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, especially having travelled through these regions, and visited the various cities, forts, palaces and of course the Taj Mahal. It is so easy to picture the events occuring in the places I have visited.
I found the third book enjoyable but it did involve recapping at times, necessary for those who read this book as a stand alone. Initially this was a little annoyin More...
I found the third book enjoyable but it did involve recapping at times, necessary for those who read this book as a stand alone. Initially this was a little annoyin More...
May 23, 2011
Tracie
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As much as I enjoyed "The Twentieth Wife" and "The Feast of Roses", this book has been my favorite by Ms. Sundaresan. She has an amazing ability to research and take that knowledge and turn it into a story that will leave an impression greater than any history book or college class. Although I often read for escape, it is inevitable that I come away learning more than I realize at the time. The author pulls you in with her vivid descriptions of color, heat, smell and beau
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Oct 16, 2010
Mona
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Sundaresan wrote two books that I love, the preeminent The Twentieth Wife and its sequel Feast of Roses, about the life of Mehrunissa, or Nur Jahan, the most powerful empress of the Mughal empire. What I love about those two books, especially the first, is the intricate detailing of Sundaresan's writing. The best historical fiction writers have the ability to transport readers to a particular place and time. Sundaresan makes readers feel as though they have never known any other life besides tha
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Jan 22, 2011
Misfit
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I am going to keep this review very short and sweet as other reviewers have summed it up quite nicely. Set in early 17C India this book covers the story of Shah Jahan, who at the loss of his favorite wife begins building a shrine to her memory - The Taj Mahal. His favorite daughter, Jahanara steps into her mother's footsteps controlling the zenana and advising her father. The rivalry between the sons continues unabated as they grow older and each wishes to rule in their father's place. There's a
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Mar 29, 2010
Jessica
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I won this on First Reads!
I love the way Sundaresan told the story in this book.She did it in such a way that I found my self transported back to the Century and the characters life. It made me what to keep reading.
Aurangzeb, the middle son of the family, soon became my favorite character.I like him because he is pretty much the outsider of the bunch. No one seems to like him all the much, and yet he still remained a strong. His love for his sister was great, but a lot of More...
I love the way Sundaresan told the story in this book.She did it in such a way that I found my self transported back to the Century and the characters life. It made me what to keep reading.
Aurangzeb, the middle son of the family, soon became my favorite character.I like him because he is pretty much the outsider of the bunch. No one seems to like him all the much, and yet he still remained a strong. His love for his sister was great, but a lot of More...
Jan 16, 2012
Kata
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Indu Sundaresan was one of the first Indian authors I read. Her writing caused me to fall in love with India but more specifically she taps into feminism during the 1500's. Impossible? Oh no, Nur Jahan a/k/a Mehrunnisa was essentially running the empire and had her name added to coins. Brains, beauty and she was cunning beyond her age. What more could a reader want? Sundaresan is precise in her narrative historically while spinning fabulous tales of the Muhgal Empire. This is her fifth book and
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Apr 09, 2011
Amanda
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This one was another example of this writer's ability to conjure characters out of accounts. Although, I must say, she sometimes fails at developing motives for some of the characters actions, or their entire personality is unbalanced. "Ambition" is usually faulted as the reason for this, and I just didn't feel as though it was reason enough for multiple plot points. One of the downsides to historical fiction.
On the upside, she is an easy read with a knack for stringing words t More...
On the upside, she is an easy read with a knack for stringing words t More...
May 02, 2010
Pam
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The lush lives of the royal family of the Mughal Empire make up the backdrop of this book, which drips with jewels and silks and the drama of elephant fights, sibling rivalries and unrequited passions.. Like Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth, Indu Sundaresan has woven a novel around the design and construction of a famous landmark. Jeweled inlays, painstaking calligraphy and laborious design went into the Taj Mahal, which was built to memorialize the mother of Princess Jahanara and her siblin
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Jul 29, 2011
I liked this book more and more as I read on--it started off very slow, and I almost gave up on it, but rread some reviews, and saw that people really liked it, so kept on, and I am glad I did. Great fictionalized telling of the story behind the family that built the Taj Mahal.
Aug 21, 2011
Zenia
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Another good book in the series but admittedly didn't capture me as much as the first two; think that may have something to do with just other things going on right now because the writing style is still great ... and I hope there will be more to come from this author.
Aug 10, 2011
Susan
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I enjoyed this book that tells the story of the daughter of Mumtaz Mahal -- the woman for whom the Taj Mahal was built. The period of the Mughal Empire in India is fascinating. However, of the four novels, I've read by Indu Sundaresan, this was my least favorite. Somehow the story was less intimate, told in a somewhat less compelling way, and it didn't suck me in the way the other have. It's still good and it's an interesting telling of the history though.
