Beneath a Marble Sky
by John Shors
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis: Journey to dazzling seventeenth-century Hindustan, where the reigning emperor, consumed with grief over the tragic death of his beloved wife, commissioned the building of a grand mausoleum as a testament to the marvel of their love. This monument would soon become known as the Taj Mahal-a sight famous around the world for its beauty and the emotions it symbolizes.
Princess Jahanara, the courageous daughter of the emperor and his wife, tells their mesmerizing tale, while sharing her own parallel story of forbidden love with the celebrated architect of the Taj Mahal. Set during a time of unimaginable wealth and power, murderous sibling rivalries, and cruel despotism, this impressive novel sweeps you away to a historical Hindustan brimming with action and intrigue in an era when, alongside the brutalities of war and oppression, architecture and the art of love and passion reached a pinnacle of perfection.
from the back of the book
from the back of the book
Review: The author is clearly skilled in describing settings so that the readers can picture their surroundings as they read. I but those descriptions slowed down the plot at first. It dragged the story down and made me not want to keep reading. I learned to just skim over the descriptions so that I could get on with the story and it was worth it. I got swept away in the life of the princess. This story is a heartbreaking one of love that rises above all the horrors and cruelties. I found myself wondering how much of this story was based on fact but the author didn't include that information in any sort of afterward which was a little disappointing.
Rating: 4 stars
I have had this book on my to-read list for a while, I guess I'll keep it there based on your review, but I'll try to remember to skip some of the descriptions as well.
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