I really hate giving this book only three stars but I just couldn't give it 4.

As always, the author has great skill at character development and creating sympathy for her characters despite some if their actions and choices.

Though dialogue is not her strength, it seemed to be a little more 'natural' this time. Though her dialogue is still more stiff than it needs to be. I understand her need to create a sense of formality, there must be able to create that and still hear the characters' voices speaking.

The criticism I had of her last book doesn't become an issue for mr this time. The tone submerges me in the historical world she endeavors to create & never departs from it. Stylistically I believe I am in 16th century Iran in the court of a great shah.

“People love to dwell on the pain of others; they love to stick their fingers in it and suck on it as if it were honey. But I won’t allow them to feed at my hive.”

7/10 - Court intrigue, backstabbing and pain follow the heartbreaking story of Pari, a princess in ancient Persia. A great telling of the challenges, strength and power of women in a court ruled by men.

I'm so excited to find there's a new book coming out by this author. I loved her first book - The Blood of Flowers is on my "keeper" list, even though I loaned out my copy and never got it back!
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Good, unusual, not as compelling (to me) as Amirrezvani's first book, but still glad I read it.

I LOVED this author's earlier book "The Blood of Flowers" and was eager to see what her second effort would be like. This is vivid historical fiction, set in a time and place I knew nothing about, 16th century Iran, and would seem to be based on solid research. It's told from the point of view of a eunuch who serves a princess in the restricted women's quarters of the palace of the Shah. It is full of the expected machiavellian politics of the time, of course, but I was moved by the main characters' powerful commitment to honor and duty, and their respect for poetry and the arts. I found it a good introduction to a middle eastern world view that was altogether new to me. It did NOT make me wish to have been a woman then, but I found it a rousing good story. I listened to an audio of this one, read by the wonderful Simon Vance.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I'm more disappointed with myself that it took me so long to read. There's a point about 1/3 of the way through that didn't make me want to read it because I was confused by the characters, but I'm glad I picked it back up.

There's so much about it that was a learning experience all the way around. Even though it's historical fiction, I still felt that I learned so much! My western education didn't exactly cover Middle Ages (1500's) Iranian history- beyond the Ottoman Empire. First of all, the narrator is a eunuch, which is so unusual. It gives the perspective of a man and woman, which is very interesting perspective. I love that the author went into detail about when he was cut. It was gruesome, but very interesting. This perspective allowed for the reader to appreciate the palace life. It is so rich! The details of food, clothing and daily life made the whole palace grounds seem like a paradise. I really enjoyed reading about it.

Additionally, the detail of the writing was superb. As the characters become less confusing, it's easier to understand the policies and procedures that make the palace run. There is so much formality. It is frustrating, but when the characters break the formality, it puts a smile on my face. There are quite a few times where the dialogue is whip smart and made me laugh out loud.

I really enjoyed hearing Princess Pari's story. The whole time I was reading, I kept thinking that this is very similar to [b:A Game of Thrones|13496|A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)|George R.R. Martin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1369520317s/13496.jpg|1466917], based on the turnover of Shah's and the characters who are featured. It's Game of Thrones "lite" since it's not a series. Overall, the life of Pari and Javaher the eunuch enchanted me and left me wanting more.

Historical fiction, blousy and full of “palace intrigue “ haha! Bordering on corny in places- but that’s to be expected.

I loved the eunuch as narrator, he was a cool cat to be sure, and tender hearted too. And weird. And I love weird.

Long-serving Safavid Shāh Tahmāsp has just died in 1576, leaving the throne empty for the squabble of his several sons and the predations of the Mughals and the Ottoman neighbors. His adviser and right hand, daughter Pari, cannot rule directly and manipulates things behind the scenes, first preventing the accession of Heydar and bringing beck brother Ismail II from 20 years exile and imprisonment. When it becomes apparent that he, too, is a miserably bad ruler, bent on revenge and petty abuse of authority, Pari intervenes again with disastrous consequences. This has all the tropes of grand historical fiction, but in a setting removed from the usual Plantagenet or Tudor court. 16th century Iran is interesting, and for anyone jonesing for Game of Thrones, has enough furtive eunuch politics to keep you happy.

I wanted to read this book because it was about an interesting woman in a time period and country I know little about (Iran around 1576). What I found was an emotional and strange story of political intrigue and the love that can develop between a eunuch and the princess he serves.

Javaher is a brave man who is willing to risk and sacrifice everything to achieve his goals. At the age of 17, he volunteers to become a eunuch so he can serve in the harem, which will allow him to investigate his father's murder and restore his family's honour. He comes into the employ of Pari Khan Khanoom Safavi, the favourite daughter of the shah. Together they ride the roller coaster of politics in the court and come to respect and care for each other as true companions.

The author's descriptive writing brings the characters and the palace to life in exquisite detail. I do wish she had skipped the detailed sex scenes and details about eunuch anatomy. Brace yourselves, men, the cutting ceremony leaves little to the imagination. Even so, I don't think I've ever read a book that starred a eunuch as the main character and it was a unique experience to live with Javaher as he wrestled to be content with his choice. There are times when what he is missing haunts him, but he is able to find happiness and even pride in his new gender and status.

This book, while I'm sure it's rife with inaccuracies, has opened me up to a new era in history and people to read and learn about. I'm excited to research the princess behind the story.