What do you think?
Rate this book
Queen of Fire
117 pages, Paperback
Published April 12, 2021
2 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 23, 2021
Book Title: Queen of fire
Author: Devika Rangachari
Format: Kindle
My Thoughts:
The genre of historical fiction in children's literature includes stories written to portray a time period or convey information about a specific period or a historical event. This book specifically talks about the story of Jhansi's courageous woman, Rani Lakshmi Bai. In historical fiction, the setting is the most important literary element. Because the author is writing about a particular time in history, the information about the period must be accurate, authentic. This book, between all the existing stories on her, stands apart because of its great storytelling.
What to expect from the story?
Expect a sensible and inspiring dramatic re-telling of the story of our very own Jhansi Ki Rani - Lakshmi Bai!
Who can read?
This book is a must-read by any reader interested in the historical fiction genre. It can mostly be recommended to today's young and teenage children to understand how brave the yesteryear queens were.
How good is the narration?
This book by Author Devika Rangachari is an excellent attempt at re-telling the story of Rani Lakshmi Bai. This book tells the story of the brave queen and fearsome warrior who was one of the initial revolutionaries who revolted against the British during the 1857 revolt war.
The book focuses on a female warrior that reflects the power of a woman. Devika Rangachari illustrates a detailed portrait of how a young, newlywed and widowed Lakhsmi Bai took over the charge of the kingdom, fought against the British aristocrats that resulted in a great revolt against the then East India Company. Her brave step in leading revolutionaries is quite inspiring
How good are the language and grammar?
Simple and general English language is used in the book. However, the book makes use of rich and elegant language. Any reader would benefit not just from the story but also from the language used. Author Devika is known for such writing, and the same is observed in this book too!
How good is the author's writing style?
Author Devika Rangachari is a well-known writer in children literature. She is an award winner for her works. The young readers have consistently embraced her work in historical fiction. Her elegance in language and expressive storytelling is impeccable. She is one of those writers working hard to bring forward gender-sensitive historical fiction for children and young adults in India.
In this book, author Devika has taken every pain to showcase the queen of valour, Jhansi Rani, aka Rani Lakshmi Bai as a strong woman, wife, mother, patriot and warrior. No stones are left unturned in illustrating the feminist angle to today's youth, making them realise that women are no less powerful, mentally and physically!
How entertaining is the book?
India is a country with vibrant history dated back ages ago. Unlike now, where there are no women in the highest ranks or ruling the country, we had many famous queens back in the past right from the known periods. They all were the rulers! Rani Padmini, Rani Chennamma, Razia Sultana, Ahilyabai Holkar, Meera Bai and the very courageous Rani Lakshmi Bai were the most famous and known.
Rani Lakshmi Bai, or as she is famously known as Jhansi Rani, dates back to the early days of the Indian Freedom Fight. She is the epitome of courage and a fear-less attitude since her childhood. This is one of the most enchanting stories that every Indian or a reader of historical fiction has read. This book by Devika Rangachari, which re-tells Jhansi Rani's story, is an absolute treat.
Final Verdict
The story of the queen of Jhansi, re-told!
Rating:
3/5
Author: Devika Rangachari
Format: Kindle
My Thoughts:
The genre of historical fiction in children's literature includes stories written to portray a time period or convey information about a specific period or a historical event. This book specifically talks about the story of Jhansi's courageous woman, Rani Lakshmi Bai. In historical fiction, the setting is the most important literary element. Because the author is writing about a particular time in history, the information about the period must be accurate, authentic. This book, between all the existing stories on her, stands apart because of its great storytelling.
What to expect from the story?
Expect a sensible and inspiring dramatic re-telling of the story of our very own Jhansi Ki Rani - Lakshmi Bai!
Who can read?
This book is a must-read by any reader interested in the historical fiction genre. It can mostly be recommended to today's young and teenage children to understand how brave the yesteryear queens were.
How good is the narration?
This book by Author Devika Rangachari is an excellent attempt at re-telling the story of Rani Lakshmi Bai. This book tells the story of the brave queen and fearsome warrior who was one of the initial revolutionaries who revolted against the British during the 1857 revolt war.
The book focuses on a female warrior that reflects the power of a woman. Devika Rangachari illustrates a detailed portrait of how a young, newlywed and widowed Lakhsmi Bai took over the charge of the kingdom, fought against the British aristocrats that resulted in a great revolt against the then East India Company. Her brave step in leading revolutionaries is quite inspiring
How good are the language and grammar?
Simple and general English language is used in the book. However, the book makes use of rich and elegant language. Any reader would benefit not just from the story but also from the language used. Author Devika is known for such writing, and the same is observed in this book too!
How good is the author's writing style?
Author Devika Rangachari is a well-known writer in children literature. She is an award winner for her works. The young readers have consistently embraced her work in historical fiction. Her elegance in language and expressive storytelling is impeccable. She is one of those writers working hard to bring forward gender-sensitive historical fiction for children and young adults in India.
In this book, author Devika has taken every pain to showcase the queen of valour, Jhansi Rani, aka Rani Lakshmi Bai as a strong woman, wife, mother, patriot and warrior. No stones are left unturned in illustrating the feminist angle to today's youth, making them realise that women are no less powerful, mentally and physically!
How entertaining is the book?
India is a country with vibrant history dated back ages ago. Unlike now, where there are no women in the highest ranks or ruling the country, we had many famous queens back in the past right from the known periods. They all were the rulers! Rani Padmini, Rani Chennamma, Razia Sultana, Ahilyabai Holkar, Meera Bai and the very courageous Rani Lakshmi Bai were the most famous and known.
Rani Lakshmi Bai, or as she is famously known as Jhansi Rani, dates back to the early days of the Indian Freedom Fight. She is the epitome of courage and a fear-less attitude since her childhood. This is one of the most enchanting stories that every Indian or a reader of historical fiction has read. This book by Devika Rangachari, which re-tells Jhansi Rani's story, is an absolute treat.
Final Verdict
The story of the queen of Jhansi, re-told!
Rating:
3/5
March 10, 2025
Queen of Fire by Devika Rangachari tells us about the valorous tale of the Queen of Jhansi, Rani Lakshmibai. Born as Manikarnika, aka Manu, in Kashi near the Ganga to Moropant Tambe. The young Manu was not only well versed in horse riding and sword fighting but also in Mallakhamba (the Indian-style gymnastics performed on a vertical pole). At the age of 14, Manu got married to the king of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao Newalkar. Her name had been Manikarnika, but after her wedding to King Gangadhar Rao, she was renamed Lakshmibai. In 1851, Lakshmibai gave birth to a son. But, unfortunately, the child died when he was only four months old. And later on, Gangadhar Rao and Lakshmibai adopted the child of a distant relative by the name of Anand. And his name was changed to Damodar Rao. However, in 1853, Gangadhar Rao died, and then Governor-General of India, Lord Dalhousie, refused to accept Damodar Rao as the rightful heir to the throne of Jhansi. Queen Lakshmibai tried to present her case several times in front of the British but to no avail. It was a precarious time in Hindustan because the revolt of 1857 had already started, and the embers of the revolt also reached Jhansi, where the Indian rebels attacked the British. To save her kingdom and the rights of her son, Damodar Rao, Rani Lakshmibai also decided to fight with the British. But, on 18 June 1858, while fighting the British forces, Jhansi ki Rani, Rani Lakshmibai, died on the battlefield at Gwalior and became immortal in the annals of Indian history.
May 31, 2021
Queen of Fire is a book dedicated to Rani Lakshmibai. We have read stories about her valor during our school days. She was the epitome of bravery in ancient India, who fought the odds to save her home - Jhansi. This book is quite different from what you might have seen or read. It is a quaint depiction of her character, her kingdom, and her love to gain Jhansi back from the shackles of British rule in India. The book has been narrated in simple language, avoiding storyboarding acting as a plus point while writing historical events. The story breaks a lot of stereotypes dating back then. If she lived in today's world, she would be called a feminist. She wasn't afraid of picking up weapons or training her army for war preparedness. English women judged Rani Lakshmibai for dressing like men. What was the harm in wearing pants and riding on a horse with armor in hand? Her sword spoke for her, as the soldiers in the British army were frightened by war skills. The story describes her adopted son, Prince Damodar, who was nourished and loved by everyone. The chemistry between Rani Lakshmibai and her adopted son describes motherhood. Prince Damodar was adopted to be the next heir of Jhansi, however, the British government played their evil cards. Prince Damodar lived at the mercy of pity pension. As every mother would do to protect their child's future, Rani of Jhansi did the same till her last breath. It is one of the most inspiring stories written about Rani Lakshmibai.
January 24, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were parts in between that dragged on a bit, where I almost abandoned the book. However, towards the end you can’t put it down. I felt very connected to Rani Jhansi via Devika’s writing, and you can almost feel every emotion she went through while fighting for her kingdom. I found myself tearing up towards the end, which is a sign of a good book if it elicits a strong emotions from you.
July 10, 2021
This is the 3rd book in women rulers by the author. This book deals with the life of Rani of Jhansi, Lakshmibai of 19th century, how he fought the British.
February 6, 2025
The tale is not unknown but the valour of this queen is such that we stop and praise her valour at every turn. Long live Rani Lakshmibai...
September 25, 2022
3.75 ⭐
As someone who doesn't like stories set during the Independence struggle of India, I have to say, I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would have. I was not expecting to be brought to tears at the struggle of the magnificent queen that Rani Lakshmibai is.
As someone who doesn't like stories set during the Independence struggle of India, I have to say, I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would have. I was not expecting to be brought to tears at the struggle of the magnificent queen that Rani Lakshmibai is.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews