Editorial Content for Rebel Queen
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Reviewer (text)
Most female-focused historical fiction concentrates on Caucasian heroines in Western countries. That’s one reason why REBEL QUEEN, the latest from Michelle Moran --- best known for her stunning novels about powerful women, like Nefertiti and the real-life Madame Tussaud --- is so refreshing.
The titular ruler is Rani (Queen) Lakshmi of Jhansi, a small but prosperous state in northern India. When the British begin making inroads into her realm, the Rani is faced with an unthinkable decision: surrender to the enemy, or risk all that she holds dear. Moran spins a lively tale of court intrigue, female empowerment and tragedy set against a fascinating backdrop, but her mostly one-dimensional characters drag down an otherwise solid narrative.
"With the current call for more diversity in all genres, REBEL QUEEN is a good start in that direction. Although flat characters detract from excellent descriptions and an engaging setting, this book is ultimately a worthwhile read."
REBEL QUEEN introduces us to Sita, a young girl in the small village of Barwa Sagar. Her father, a former soldier for the British, has taught her to read and write, but the custom of purdah, or female seclusion, still prevails, much to her frustration. When her mother dies and her cruel grandmother threatens to make Sita and her younger sister temple prostitutes, the girls’ father is determined to provide a future for them. Step one: Sita will become a Durgavasi, one of the Rani’s elite, all-female guards, in order to provide for her family.
Despite the overwhelming odds against her --- and hundreds of other candidates she’ll have to outperform --- Sita manages to master every military skill with scarcely a hiccup. She proudly becomes a member of the Durga Dal. In fact, she’s absolutely perfect for the job, except when she makes the wrong friends at court and speaks out of turn. But Sita eventually figures it out and becomes the Rani’s BFF.
Then the British begin to threaten Jhansi. It’s only at that point that the Durga Dal become truly interesting, as their lives --- and that of their liege lady --- are in danger. As the Western tide crashes on Indian shores, it’ll be up to the Rani and her soldiers to save their kingdom --- and the lives of everyone they love. Moran paints such vivid pictures of village and court life in Jhansi that the reader is easily transported into the book’s pages.
These descriptions can drag on when paired with the novel’s poorly developed villains. Dadi-ji, Sita’s grandmother, and a cruel Durgavasi, Kahini, are the two chief antagonists. Unfortunately, their motivations and story arcs are flatter than a carpet in the Rani’s palace. Kahini reads like a Mean Girls character transplanted into 19th-century India, while Sita’s grandmother acts like a puppy-free Cruella de Vil. Meanwhile, Sita is a bit too much of a goody two-shoes for Moran, who is capable of creating better characters but doesn’t deliver here.
With the current call for more diversity in all genres, REBEL QUEEN is a good start in that direction. Although flat characters detract from excellent descriptions and an engaging setting, this book is ultimately a worthwhile read.
Teaser
When the British Empire sets its sights on India in the mid-19th century, it expects a quick and easy conquest. India is fractured and divided into kingdoms, each independent and wary of one another, seemingly no match for the might of the English. 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 and rides into battle, determined to protect her country and her people.
Promo
When the British Empire sets its sights on India in the mid-19th century, it expects a quick and easy conquest. India is fractured and divided into kingdoms, each independent and wary of one another, seemingly no match for the might of the English. 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 and rides into battle, determined to protect her country and her people.
About the Book
From the internationally bestselling author of NEFERTITI and CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER comes the breathtaking story of Queen Lakshmi --- India’s Joan of Arc --- who against all odds defied the mighty British invasion to defend her beloved kingdom.
When the British Empire sets its sights on India in the mid-19th century, it expects a quick and easy conquest. India is fractured and divided into kingdoms, each independent and wary of one another, seemingly no match for the might of the English. 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.
Told from the unexpected perspective of Sita --- Queen Lakshmi’s most favored companion and most trusted soldier in the all-female army --- REBEL QUEEN shines a light on a time and place rarely explored in historical fiction. In the tradition of her bestselling novel, NEFERTITI, and through her strong, independent heroines fighting to make their way in a male dominated world, Michelle Moran brings 19th-century India to rich, vibrant life.
