Rebel Queen

by Moran, Michelle

"When the British Empire sets its sights on India in the mid-nineteenth century, it expects a quick and easy conquest ... 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"--

• ISBN10: 1476716358
• ISBN13: 9781476716350
• Publish Date: 3 March 2015
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Imprint: Atria Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 368
• Language: English

Reviews

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

I'm not quite sure how I stumbled upon Michelle Moran so many years ago. I do know that I devoured Nefertiti and The Heretic Queen. Cleopatra's Daughter nearly made me miss my flight to Philadelphia from Detroit I was so wrapped up in reading the ending. When Touchstone approved my NetGalley request (I don't make many), I had to hold back my shouts and squeals of joy. I couldn't believe my luck.

After only a few pages, I knew that I was in for wild, rich ride through Indian history. It didn't take long for me fall in love with Sita. She's my new book bff. Intelligent, beautiful, literate, strong, a fighter—she's everything I want in a heroine. And for once, men don't muddy the plot. The story is about Sita's fight for her independence as well as India's. It was refreshing to spend 300 pages with a group of women so devoted to their cause (the protection of the rani) and not have them tripping over each other trying to please the men. They did what they needed to do to guarantee their job was done and that India was defended.

Moran does an excellent job of painting Sita's India. The sights, the sounds, the smells came alive. I felt the disgust of the Indians as the British encroached on their lands and their traditions. It was sad when I realized there was only one way for the story to end. I had grown so fond of the rani and her Durga Dal that I did not want the finish the book.

True to form, Moran does an excellent job of melding fact and fiction, creating characters that come alive and sit beside you and tell you their story. You see the world through their eyes, feel what they feel and see what they see. It's a magical time and one that I often find myself wishing didn't end so quickly.

I received this book for free in exchange for a honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews.

[inlibrisveritas]

4.5 Stars

When I saw Michelle Moran’s upcoming novel as a ‘read now’ on Netgalley I pretty much threw my “I’m not requesting review books for a few months” out the window. I’ve read two of Moran’s previous novels both of which were set in Egypt during the reign of pharaohs, both of which I adored and I’ve been longing to get back into reading historical fiction like I did before I started blogging in earnest. And after two days of doing nothing but reading, eating and sleeping I finished the book and can say, she’s still the amazing writer I remember.

I’m not overly familiar with Indian history thanks to a very brief lecture on it, which namely revolved around Ghandi, and I only know a bit of Indian culture so much of this was new to me. However, from my previous experiences with her work I know that Moran has a very keen eye for details and puts a lot of research into her novels. I also know her husband is Indian and much of his family helped her along the way, so I feel comfortable saying that the story of Rani Lakshmi and Sita were handle with care and brought to life in an incredibly vibrant way. Her writing brings life to a story that I’ve only heard in passing during one of those sterile school lectures that basically coats everything interesting in dust. The words were so vivid that at times I felt I could see the beauty of the Indian temples and cities without really trying. There are a few moments where the information is giving to you by the paragraph, but only because most people reading this book need the explanations for liked like purda or why certain things are deemed offensive and others are not. However I don’t think it really took a toll on the quality of the narrative, and I was quite thankful for those paragraphs while reading. I will say I felt it was a bit short especially with the last portion of the book where I would have liked more info, but Sita (our narrator) explains why the detail is missing and I felt that was well done.

I’m in love with the story of Rani Lakshmi and her Durga Dal, the group of women sworn to protect her. This was one fierce group of women. They could use knives, bows, pistols, and several means of combat to protect their queen…who was a fierce woman in her own right. She held an unheard of amount of power in Jhansi, but she held it with grace and always tried to do what would be best for her people. We follow the story of Sita, a girl from a small village outside of the city of Jhansi, who becomes one of the Rani’s (the queen) Durga Dal. Sita is an incredibly likable and relatable character. She’s soft-spoken, intelligent, humble, and works hard for the betterment of others.

Since finishing the book I’ve been scouring the internet for more information about Lakshmi and the battles they were forced to fight against the British because I’m not ready for the book to be over. Michelle Moran has produced another amazing story from the pages of our history, and reminded me why I always list her as a favorite author of mine.

[cherryblossommj]

Review below. Image links to guest post.



I believe when I originally added this book to my to-reads shelf it was called "The Last Queen of India." I do believe that title captures the story better for me, yet I see in the events where "Rebel Queen" was chosen. It's a bit difficult to try not to give anything away, but what I can tell you is that this book brought me back. I found myself reading well into the night and wanting to go on for more.

Michelle Moran is a great author. (Read here guest post on CreativeMadnessMama.com from a few weeks ago in February http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2015/02/24/janam-kundlis-rebel-queen/). She brings history alive and off the page. Easily she is, for me, a put in on the shelf for keeps even before I've read the story. Each novel of Michelle's has given me and my imagination a side glance vivid view to a historical heroine that leaves me thirsting for history books and research.

This story is of an average girl in a rough time that trains and hones herself to extraordinary. Rebel Queen is viewed from a Durga Dal (an elite group of female guards trained to protect the rain aka Queen to the Raja) lens. Like Nefertiti, like The Heretic Queen, and like Cleopatra's Daughter as a female in historic times it is difficult to understand the culture one is born into, yet even like Madame Tussaud it is also difficult to comprehend a new culture thrust upon your own. Getting a glimpse of the annex-attempt upon portions of India is eye-opening and tragic.

While this story has action, it also has personality and plenty of introduction and spark for dialogue. It is great for just good reading, but it is even better for education discussion. I'm glad the story ended. However I'm sad the book ended. I hope there will be many historic heroines to spark the imagination of Michelle to 'what it would be like to have been there' in the future for the page and our reading pleasure.

I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.


posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2015/03/02/rebel-queen-last-queen-india-michelle-moran/

[Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews]

Fond Of

Previously I had only read Michelle Moran's novels that were set in Egypt. Asps, Pharaohs and Pyramids has always been an era that interests me, and I suppose it is comfortable to stick with what you know. Nevertheless, I enjoy Moran's writing style and become lost in her stories therefore, when I saw Rebel Queen become available I thought I'd break out of my shell and give it a try.

I have always liked novels that are told in first person as I feel it gives a more intimate account and Sita was no exception. It was wonderful to learn how her person was shaped from childhood, with prejudice of being a girl and thus unworthy with her ambition to prove herself mingled with the love and devotion to her sister. As an adult, these attributes were only intensified with a touch of Katy Perry's "Roar" added to the mix. It was excellently presented.

Her sister, Anu was a key participant in Sita's actions and felt very reminiscent to Katniss Everdeen and her sister Prim. Everything Sita did she did for her. Like Katniss it bit her in the butt, but it lead to a heart-pounding climax. I will say that foreshadowing led me to some suspicions but was enthralled just the same.

Not just in Sita was the character development stellar but also in Queen Lakshmi, the other members of the Queen's all female army and Sita's love interest, Arjun came alive and felt real to the touch


Not Fond Of

While the majority was fast-paced, must read one more chapter, the middle did drag a little for me, it just felt repetitive with the "he loves me, he loves me not". I'm a little anti-romance when it comes to reading though so this could be just my preference.

A second small semi-critique is the gaggle of girls in the army. While both the comradely and rivalry was well done it did feel a little clique, sorority but left an "Oh no she didn't" atmosphere which was I felt added a high school element to the novel.

Final Thoughts

Rebel Queen reminded me of what an excellent writer Michelle Moran is and masters the art of a good story. So much so, that Rebel Queen has influenced me to break-out of my Egyption comfort zone. Simplely wonderful.