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The Moroccan Empire #2
None Such as She
In her time there was none such as she - none more beautiful or intelligent or witty ... she was married to Yusuf, who built Marrakech for her... (12th-century text Kitab al-Istibsar)
11th century, North Africa. Zaynab is the famous queen consort of Yusuf bin Tashfin, leader of the Moorish Almoravid army, which defeated El Cid, conquering all of North Africa and most of Spain. But her life is full of unanswered questions. She claimed she would marry the man who would rule all of North Africa, but it took four marriages before this prophecy came true. She was Yusuf’s right hand, an undisputed beauty and gave him many children, yet Yusuf chose as his heir the son of a Christian slave girl. Some said she spoke with djinns and spirits of the air. Having met her as a child in The Cup and as a formidable rival in A String of Silver Beads, in None Such as She Zaynab has her own story to tell.
11th century, North Africa. Zaynab is the famous queen consort of Yusuf bin Tashfin, leader of the Moorish Almoravid army, which defeated El Cid, conquering all of North Africa and most of Spain. But her life is full of unanswered questions. She claimed she would marry the man who would rule all of North Africa, but it took four marriages before this prophecy came true. She was Yusuf’s right hand, an undisputed beauty and gave him many children, yet Yusuf chose as his heir the son of a Christian slave girl. Some said she spoke with djinns and spirits of the air. Having met her as a child in The Cup and as a formidable rival in A String of Silver Beads, in None Such as She Zaynab has her own story to tell.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
219 pages, ebook
First published April 27, 2019
136 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Addey
25 books119 followersI mainly write historical fiction: my first novel, The Fragrant Concubine, was Editor’s Choice at the Historical Novel Society, my latest, The Cold Palace, won the 2019 Novel London award.
I was the Leverhulme Trust Writer in Residence at the British Library and now run regular workshops there. I have a PhD in Creative Writing and have self-published 13 books.
I live in London with my husband and two children.
If you’d like to try my writing, visit my website www.melissaaddey.com to pick up a free novella, The Cup.
I was the Leverhulme Trust Writer in Residence at the British Library and now run regular workshops there. I have a PhD in Creative Writing and have self-published 13 books.
I live in London with my husband and two children.
If you’d like to try my writing, visit my website www.melissaaddey.com to pick up a free novella, The Cup.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 3, 2019
In A String of Silver Beads, we met Zaynab as the dangerous and powerful rival of Kella, Yusuf bin Tashfin's first wife. In None Such As She, we see Zaynab from her own point of view, starting as a child, just ten years old, when her own father takes a second wife. Child Zaynab is easy to like. She loves her parents. She's a rebellious child, happy to run and play with the street children when she can. She's bright and lively. She's fond of her servant Miryam, and wary of her mother's servant, Hela, who is a mistress of herbal medicine, and seemingly a scholar as only a man should be.
When Zaynab grows to an age where she's eligible for marriage, she's not comfortable with the way she is frankly assessed for her assets as a potential wife and bearer of children, as well as her father's wealth and connections are a successful rug merchant. Yet there is not avoiding it. In time, one of the men who comes to her father's dinner table is Yusuf bin Ali, a lord but not an amir, who speaks to her, she says, like a person. It's the start of her career.
She's made a mistake. Not a terrible one; Yusuf bin Ali is a good man. It's just too bad that she doesn't find out till too late that he has a first wife, who has already given him five sons. He loves that first wife, and is merely fond of Zaynab.
Her worst mistake is something she does in an attempt to secure Yusuf's interest in her.
By the time she meets Yusuf bin Tashfin, she is married to her third husband,who also has a first wife whom he loves. And that mistake she made all those years ago, with her first husband, is continuing to bear fruit, both good and bad. She wants a husband who loves her. She has a brilliant strategic mind. Yet with all her marriages, she has never been first in her husband's eyes.
And she has a brilliant strategic mind, but a damaged, unhappy heart.
This is the story of a complicated woman, who has every reason to think herself not a villain, and every reason for Kella and others around her to think she is a villain. It's compelling and fascinating.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley from the author via Booksprout, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
When Zaynab grows to an age where she's eligible for marriage, she's not comfortable with the way she is frankly assessed for her assets as a potential wife and bearer of children, as well as her father's wealth and connections are a successful rug merchant. Yet there is not avoiding it. In time, one of the men who comes to her father's dinner table is Yusuf bin Ali, a lord but not an amir, who speaks to her, she says, like a person. It's the start of her career.
She's made a mistake. Not a terrible one; Yusuf bin Ali is a good man. It's just too bad that she doesn't find out till too late that he has a first wife, who has already given him five sons. He loves that first wife, and is merely fond of Zaynab.
Her worst mistake is something she does in an attempt to secure Yusuf's interest in her.
By the time she meets Yusuf bin Tashfin, she is married to her third husband,who also has a first wife whom he loves. And that mistake she made all those years ago, with her first husband, is continuing to bear fruit, both good and bad. She wants a husband who loves her. She has a brilliant strategic mind. Yet with all her marriages, she has never been first in her husband's eyes.
And she has a brilliant strategic mind, but a damaged, unhappy heart.
This is the story of a complicated woman, who has every reason to think herself not a villain, and every reason for Kella and others around her to think she is a villain. It's compelling and fascinating.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley from the author via Booksprout, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
May 29, 2019
None Such As She by Melissa Addey
This 5 Star historical novel is told by a young woman of status, and a beauty above all others. Many want her hand in marriage but she decides none will do but a man she has fallen in love with, and she relies on her love to be enough for both of them. It is anything but. She decides that she isn’t going to leave her life to fate so she makes public she has had a vision that her husband will rule the land, which creates a journey she could never have imagined! This story is so beautifully written that it takes you along a deeply emotional journey, packed with lies, deceit, ambition, adventure, cruelty, and angst. I cried...
This author is new to me and I can’t say enough about this touching and entertaining book other than, I highly recommend everyone read it!
This 5 Star historical novel is told by a young woman of status, and a beauty above all others. Many want her hand in marriage but she decides none will do but a man she has fallen in love with, and she relies on her love to be enough for both of them. It is anything but. She decides that she isn’t going to leave her life to fate so she makes public she has had a vision that her husband will rule the land, which creates a journey she could never have imagined! This story is so beautifully written that it takes you along a deeply emotional journey, packed with lies, deceit, ambition, adventure, cruelty, and angst. I cried...
This author is new to me and I can’t say enough about this touching and entertaining book other than, I highly recommend everyone read it!
July 26, 2019
None Such As She by Melissa Addey
This 5 Star historical novel is told by a young woman of status, and a beauty above all others. Many want her hand in marriage but she decides none will do but a man she has fallen in love with, and she relies on her love to be enough for both of them. It is anything but. She decides that she isn’t going to leave her life to fate so she makes public she has had a vision that her husband will rule the land, which creates a journey she could never have imagined! This story is so beautifully written that it takes you along a deeply emotional journey, packed with lies, deceit, ambition, adventure, cruelty, and angst. I cried...
This author is new to me and I can’t say enough about this touching and entertaining book other than, I highly recommend everyone read it!
This 5 Star historical novel is told by a young woman of status, and a beauty above all others. Many want her hand in marriage but she decides none will do but a man she has fallen in love with, and she relies on her love to be enough for both of them. It is anything but. She decides that she isn’t going to leave her life to fate so she makes public she has had a vision that her husband will rule the land, which creates a journey she could never have imagined! This story is so beautifully written that it takes you along a deeply emotional journey, packed with lies, deceit, ambition, adventure, cruelty, and angst. I cried...
This author is new to me and I can’t say enough about this touching and entertaining book other than, I highly recommend everyone read it!
July 1, 2019
Roll back the sands of time to the 11th century in Northern Africa... There is none such as she. She is Zaynab a young girl who is raised in a home where she lacks for nothing except a nurturing mother. Her mother has a handmaid, Hela who is both mysterious & scary... Her father wants her to marry for love if that will make her happy. She picks a husband who seems perfect but becomes the second wife in his household with his heart belonging to his first wife who seems depressed. Such heartbreak for a young woman on the brink of womanhood! A series of events occur that the reader will get caught up in as her story unfolds witnessing how her life takes many directions! Some parts were hard for me to read like when she really suffered with her second marriage. I admired her persistence, strength, intelligence & will to keep on going! Hela, her mother's handmaid becomes her handmaid helping her navigate the difficulties in her adult life. This story is well told & I believe very well researched by the author. This time period in Northern Africa in the 11th century comes alive with descriptions of clothing, people, homes, cities & other cultural context showing a way of life I feel the author does an excellent job of bringing to life for us, the readers!
I did receive a complimentary copy from the author & all opinions in this review are my own.
I did receive a complimentary copy from the author & all opinions in this review are my own.
June 28, 2019
I've read harem stories before, but they mostly were fantasy tales, or romances. This is a historical recreation of what might have been the life of a real figure. At the end, the author explains her reasoning behind the choices and twists of Zeynab's life.
We learn not only how different people made the most of their lives in the twelfth century Moorish Empire, but something of the founding of the city we now call Marrakesh, and the tribal alliances, rivalries and wars. We also see the huge gap between the rich and poor.
Zeynab starts off as a sympathetic figure but before too long she has lost my sympathy for one, as she is self-obsessed, plotting, harming others out of mad jealousy. The multiple wife lifestyle did that although we are not shown that more than a couple of wives were involved. Once I stopped liking the lady, I could still admire her actions which were unusual for a woman of the day, guiding war councils.
I downloaded an ARC from Booksprout. This is an unbiased review. I have read other historical novels by this author and enjoyed them all.
We learn not only how different people made the most of their lives in the twelfth century Moorish Empire, but something of the founding of the city we now call Marrakesh, and the tribal alliances, rivalries and wars. We also see the huge gap between the rich and poor.
Zeynab starts off as a sympathetic figure but before too long she has lost my sympathy for one, as she is self-obsessed, plotting, harming others out of mad jealousy. The multiple wife lifestyle did that although we are not shown that more than a couple of wives were involved. Once I stopped liking the lady, I could still admire her actions which were unusual for a woman of the day, guiding war councils.
I downloaded an ARC from Booksprout. This is an unbiased review. I have read other historical novels by this author and enjoyed them all.
May 1, 2022
The Moroccan Empire series continues to fascinate, by focusing on the inner life of each the main characters in the same tale, all women in a very patriarchal society in 11th century Morocco, who, through rare gifts, rise to positions of power in that society. In this third novel, the woman is Zaynab, who becomes the most powerful of all, equal in importance to her husband, instrumental in making him leader of the empire. She rises not only through her great beauty, but her wit in creating a myth of herself, and with the help of her maid, the healer who holds the seemingly magic cup, We have viewed her as the villain of the second novel, and here we find the reasons for her actions, which while they do not exonerate her, make her an understandable human being. Deprived of motherly love in childhood, she is driven to find it, but experiences no love in three marriages, is second in importance to other wives who come before her , or is viciously abused. When she finally does have the chance to love, she will stop at nothing to be the one and only, to eliminate her rival, and to become indispensable to her husband, in the process creating and empire, and her own legendary status as its Queen
January 15, 2020
This is Zaynab’s story. It is written of her that she was the most beautiful, intelligent and charming woman alive in the 11th century. She was queen consort to Yusuf who conquers North Africa and parts of Spain and built Marrakech for her. But although she gave him any children and was his right hand, he chose a slave girl’s child to be his heir. This is the third book in the Moorish series but can be read as a stand alone.
This a book chronicling the life of a remarkable woman and although fictional many aspects are based on historical facts. The narrative was great as it described in detail the environment in which the story takes, including the scenery, clothes, people and customs. It has amazing characters that draw you in. The story of a lifetime is hard to do but you really get a sense of what it would be like for an intelligent, beautiful and resourceful woman in history and the Muslim culture. I found myself transported to another time. I particularly found interesting the jealousy and the need for love that is no different for us today. The writing is very well done.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This a book chronicling the life of a remarkable woman and although fictional many aspects are based on historical facts. The narrative was great as it described in detail the environment in which the story takes, including the scenery, clothes, people and customs. It has amazing characters that draw you in. The story of a lifetime is hard to do but you really get a sense of what it would be like for an intelligent, beautiful and resourceful woman in history and the Muslim culture. I found myself transported to another time. I particularly found interesting the jealousy and the need for love that is no different for us today. The writing is very well done.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 8, 2021
Zaynab,the famous Queen ,men fall for her beauty but can she ever have the man she really loves? Follow her story,her life in Africa as she first leaves home at the age of 17 with the man she will always love but situations happen where she ends up marrying different men. Exciting story as you follow this historical fiction story of love,wars, betrayal and the emotional rollercoaster Zaynab faces as the years go by and what good is wisdom if you can't have what you really want.. Follow this series and there's not a book that Melissa has written that has not been exciting ..The characters ,they become so real,the places this story takes you,you feel like you are there yourself..I am not stopping reading this series..you will not be disappointed at all!!
March 25, 2020
More of The Epic Moorish Empire
This book is part of the Moroccan Empire series that looks at life in Northern Africa in the years 1000-1100 ce. This is fictionalized history that tells the story of 4 women who helped shape the rulers and evolving nation. The author paints a very good word picture of the desert, camels, bazaars, foods and so much more. This book is 3rd in the series and we learn all about a wicked queen who lets nothing stand in her way. I have now read the entire series. I know that I will read it again. I received this book for free from the author and voluntarily chose to post my honest review.
This book is part of the Moroccan Empire series that looks at life in Northern Africa in the years 1000-1100 ce. This is fictionalized history that tells the story of 4 women who helped shape the rulers and evolving nation. The author paints a very good word picture of the desert, camels, bazaars, foods and so much more. This book is 3rd in the series and we learn all about a wicked queen who lets nothing stand in her way. I have now read the entire series. I know that I will read it again. I received this book for free from the author and voluntarily chose to post my honest review.
January 19, 2020
A top-notch historical novel that takes the reader into the life of Zaynab, a woman of legend. In Ms. Addey's version, Zaynab began her life as a naive, much-loved daughter, but through her life became ambitious, powerful, and deadly. This retelling of her life laces the minimum facts with fiction to create a story that will leave the reader engrossed in a world full of intrigue. The author's attention to detail of 11th century North Africa and insight into what may have made this incomparable woman into a queen with a thirst for power. Well done.
February 27, 2021
Started 'The Cup' on a whim because a) it was free and b) it's historical fiction that is centered on subjects that haven't been covered to death by practically every historical fiction author, ever (here's looking at you, medieval England). While I wasn't as fond of the main character in The Cup, it was well written and drew me in enough that I started the second book in the series. At that point I was hooked. Finished this book of the series in less than a day and now I'm ready to dive into the final installment of the set.
July 3, 2023
I am reading this entire series. Please keep in mind that you are able to reach each of the four books within this series as stand alone books.
After reading the first two books within this series and knowing about Zaynab, I had a hard time feeling sorry for her. She is a character that I love to hate. There was nothing in her back story that I found redeeming for how she treats others. For this reason, I love the book. Melissa Addey created a character that I hate. I read an entire book hoping against a redemption arch, and was pleasantly surprised.
After reading the first two books within this series and knowing about Zaynab, I had a hard time feeling sorry for her. She is a character that I love to hate. There was nothing in her back story that I found redeeming for how she treats others. For this reason, I love the book. Melissa Addey created a character that I hate. I read an entire book hoping against a redemption arch, and was pleasantly surprised.
September 29, 2022
Great storytelling, poor grammar.
I really enjoyed the story in these 3 books. The characters are well drawn and plot etc very good. What a pity there is no proofreading or editing to correct grammatical errors such as sat for sitting and I when me should be used. This may seem like nit picking but such laxness reflects badly on the credibility of the author.
I really enjoyed the story in these 3 books. The characters are well drawn and plot etc very good. What a pity there is no proofreading or editing to correct grammatical errors such as sat for sitting and I when me should be used. This may seem like nit picking but such laxness reflects badly on the credibility of the author.
June 30, 2019
Melissa Addie gives us another point of view in her NC17 saga set in Northern Africa in the eleventh century, which takes about eleven hours to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 3, 2020
Based on a historical figure. A smart woman is looking for someone who will truly love and respect her but although she is very successful in life what she wants slips through her fingers each time. It is quite a sad story and shows how despair can bring a person to bad deeds.
May 5, 2019
This is the 3rd book in a four book series which takes us through the life of Zaynab, a young Tunisian girl from Kairouan, who is extremely beautiful and has many suitors vying for her hand, however she falls in love for a man from the far off lands of Morocco and she leaves her home and family behind to be with him, thinking that a love as great as hers was enough to see her through life. Little did she know how difficult life would become when she discovers that she is to be his 2nd wife and that he was still in love with his first wife. She fakes a vision and says that this vision showed her that her husband would become the greatest leader of the Maghreb, thinking that in doing so she would get the attention she so desperately needed, however this backfires. Instead she is given over to the Amir who was ambitious and extremely cruel, and wanted her for his wife. Zaynab’s life even though she is now Queen of Aghmat, goes from bad to worse but at least Hela, her mother’s handmaiden, returns into her life. With her she brings back the red wooden cup and things start to improve. However it takes four husbands before Zaynab’s lie becomes reality and still she is never number one in any of her husband’s lives. All she ever wanted was to be loved but no matter the roles she played, and the number of changes she made to herself to try to please she was never to be happy. The only person to know the real Zaynab was Hela who was like her shadow all the time. This is a very sad story of a woman who had great strength of character and beauty, but who grew more bitter and hard with every cruel thing that happened to her. She challenged the accepted roles for woman by insisting she sat on war councils and she became one of the best strategists of the time. There really where none such as she, but this did not bring her happiness anyway. The setting is the exotic ambience of the Maghreb, which is so enticing and which Melissa Addey once again brings to life with her beautiful renditions of Morocco. The building from scratch of Marrakesh is awesome to see in this very well researched historical novel. I am dying to read book 4 yet dreading the end of this series which is a series which has grown very dear to my heart.
June 7, 2019
Roll back the sands of time to the 11th century in Northern Africa... There is none such as she. She is Zaynab a young girl who is raised in a home where she lacks for nothing except a nurturing mother. Her mother has a handmaid, Hela who is both mysterious & scary... Her father wants her to marry for love if that will make her happy. She picks a husband who seems perfect but becomes the second wife in his household with his heart belonging to his first wife who seems depressed. Such heartbreak for a young woman on the brink of womanhood! A series of events occur that the reader will get caught up in as her story unfolds witnessing how her life takes many directions! Some parts were hard for me to read like when she really suffered with her second marriage. I admired her persistence, strength, intelligence & will to keep on going! Hela, her mother's handmaid becomes her handmaid helping her navigate the difficulties in her adult life. This story is well told & I believe very well researched by the author. This time period in Northern Africa in the 11th century comes alive with descriptions of clothing, people, homes, cities & other cultural context showing a way of life I feel the author does an excellent job of bringing to life for us, the readers!
July 1, 2019
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"As always, Ms Addey's writing is sublime. She can paint a scene with just a few chosen words."
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"As always, Ms Addey's writing is sublime. She can paint a scene with just a few chosen words."
July 14, 2019
A fascinating story that takes place in Africa a very long time ago. I was intrigued by the details and the characters.
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October 25, 2025Want to go behind the scenes of None Such as She? Check out this interview with Melissa Addey: https://historicalfictionreader.blogs...
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews