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Sultana #1
Sultana
Book #1 of the Sultana series In thirteenth-century Moorish Spain, the realm of Granada is in crisis. The union of Fatima, granddaughter of the Sultan of Granada, with the Sultan’s nephew Faraj has fractured the nation. A bitter civil war escalates and endangers both Fatima and Faraj’s lives. All her life, Fatima has sheltered in lavish palaces where danger has never intruded, until now. A precocious child and the unwitting pawn of her family, she learns how her marriage may determine her future and the fate of Granada. Her husband Faraj has his own qualms about their union. At a young age, he witnessed the deaths of his parents, and discovered how affluence and power gives little protection against indomitable enemies. Throughout the rugged frontiers of southern Spain, the burgeoning Christian kingdoms in the north and the desert states of North Africa, Fatima and Faraj survive ruthless murderers and intrigues. They unite against common enemies bent on destroying the last Moorish dynasty. Aisha smiled again, but it seemed sad. “Hush now, child, listen well. Understanding shall come. Even when you must do what others command, never forget the power of your own reasoning. One day, your husband may rule your body, he may even come to rule your heart, but your mind is and always must be your own, where none but you may rule. Promise me that you shall never forget these words.” Fatima swayed slightly. Her throat hurt, but she whispered, “I promise.” She returned Aisha’s intent stare, for the first time, unafraid. Aisha’s eyes glistened like gems in the lamplight. “This is the only measure of advice I can give you, Fatima. You must learn the ways of men, as I have. Do not trust in men alone. Love, be dutiful and respectful, but trust yourself and your instincts first. They shall always guide you rightly.”
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2011
73 people are currently reading
767 people want to read
About the author
Lisa J. Yarde
21 books65 followersLisa J. Yarde writes fiction inspired by the Middle Ages in Europe. She is the author of a six-part series set in Moorish Spain, Sultana, Sultana’s Legacy, Sultana: Two Sisters, Sultana: The Bride Price, Sultana: The Pomegranate Tree, and Sultana: The White Mountains, where rivalries and ambitions threaten the fragile bonds between members of the last Muslim dynasty to rule in Europe. The first title in the series is available in multiple languages. She has also written The Order of the Dragon – Book One, and The Order of the Dragon - Book Two, novels in a series of stories about the family of the real Dracula.
Lisa has also published two historical novels set in medieval England and Normandy, On Falcon’s Wings, featuring a star-crossed romance between Norman and Saxon lovers before the Battle of Hastings in 1066, and The Burning Candle, based on the life of the first Countess of Leicester and Surrey, Isabel de Vermandois, progenitor of modern royal and non-noble families. Lisa’s short stories include The Legend Rises, in the HerStory anthology, which chronicles the Welsh princess Gwenllian of Gwynedd’s fight against twelfth-century English invaders, and The Heretic, in the anthology We All Fall Down, wherein the Hispano-Muslim doctor Ibn al-Khatib struggles to survive the Black Death.
Born in Barbados, Lisa lived abroad for 33 years until a recent permanent return to her island home. For more than a decade, she has been affiliated with the Historical Novel Society, presented at its 2015 Denver conference, and served as the co-chair of the Historical Novel Society – New York City chapter (2015-2017), social media manager (2017-2022), and program chair (2023-2025). An avid techie, she has presented to varied audiences on the topics of historical fiction, self-publishing, and website and social media management. She has moderated and contributed to Unusual Historicals, Great Historicals, and History & Women, and previously reviewed historical fiction for the History & Women blog, Washington Independent Review of Books, and through NetGalley. Her personal blog is The Bajan Scribbler.
Learn more about Lisa and her writing at the website www.lisajyarde.com.
Lisa has also published two historical novels set in medieval England and Normandy, On Falcon’s Wings, featuring a star-crossed romance between Norman and Saxon lovers before the Battle of Hastings in 1066, and The Burning Candle, based on the life of the first Countess of Leicester and Surrey, Isabel de Vermandois, progenitor of modern royal and non-noble families. Lisa’s short stories include The Legend Rises, in the HerStory anthology, which chronicles the Welsh princess Gwenllian of Gwynedd’s fight against twelfth-century English invaders, and The Heretic, in the anthology We All Fall Down, wherein the Hispano-Muslim doctor Ibn al-Khatib struggles to survive the Black Death.
Born in Barbados, Lisa lived abroad for 33 years until a recent permanent return to her island home. For more than a decade, she has been affiliated with the Historical Novel Society, presented at its 2015 Denver conference, and served as the co-chair of the Historical Novel Society – New York City chapter (2015-2017), social media manager (2017-2022), and program chair (2023-2025). An avid techie, she has presented to varied audiences on the topics of historical fiction, self-publishing, and website and social media management. She has moderated and contributed to Unusual Historicals, Great Historicals, and History & Women, and previously reviewed historical fiction for the History & Women blog, Washington Independent Review of Books, and through NetGalley. Her personal blog is The Bajan Scribbler.
Learn more about Lisa and her writing at the website www.lisajyarde.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 26, 2017
Well researched, but the characters are not developed and do not really move beyond Hollywood movie types.
I would read a history that Yarde writes, however.
I would read a history that Yarde writes, however.
February 17, 2012
For most of us over a certain age, many of our memories of medieval Iberia are seen through the eyes of Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren in the 1961 epic film, El Cid. A little more than 100 years later, the events of Sultana unfold, this time from the perspective of Moors fighting to maintain their last foothold on the peninsula, Gharnatah.
A sprawling work of historical fiction, Sultana opens an ornate, lattice-worked window on 13th century Moorish Spain. While the palace intrigues are almost as many as the cast of characters, Ms. Yarde sorts it all out for us so that we can concentrate on the anything-but-boring lives of her main characters. Fatima, the female protagonist is married to Prince Faraj at the age of eight, and Yarde wastes no time letting the sparks fly between them. Their mistrust and disdain for each other grows long before that heat smolders into something else entirely, creating great dramatic and romantic tension, stretched to a quivering tautness throughout most of the novel.
Yarde interweaves the culture and habits of the time seamlessly into her plot and character development. There is no anachronistic display of professed impropriety. For example, no Sultana ever complains that her husband keeps a harem. It is abundantly clear that Yarde has done her homework: customs, clothes, food and weapons are all beautifully and intricately detailed. This book is as vivid and well-crafted as a glittering, bejeweled khanjar dagger.
I bought the ebook edition from Amazon’s Kindle Books.
A sprawling work of historical fiction, Sultana opens an ornate, lattice-worked window on 13th century Moorish Spain. While the palace intrigues are almost as many as the cast of characters, Ms. Yarde sorts it all out for us so that we can concentrate on the anything-but-boring lives of her main characters. Fatima, the female protagonist is married to Prince Faraj at the age of eight, and Yarde wastes no time letting the sparks fly between them. Their mistrust and disdain for each other grows long before that heat smolders into something else entirely, creating great dramatic and romantic tension, stretched to a quivering tautness throughout most of the novel.
Yarde interweaves the culture and habits of the time seamlessly into her plot and character development. There is no anachronistic display of professed impropriety. For example, no Sultana ever complains that her husband keeps a harem. It is abundantly clear that Yarde has done her homework: customs, clothes, food and weapons are all beautifully and intricately detailed. This book is as vivid and well-crafted as a glittering, bejeweled khanjar dagger.
I bought the ebook edition from Amazon’s Kindle Books.
August 31, 2016
~~From Red Adept Reviews~~
I downloaded Sultana: A Novel of Moorish Spain, by Lisa J. Yarde, from Amazon.com as a free ebook.
Overall: 3 3/4 Stars
Plot/Storyline: 4 Stars
Sultana took me to thirteenth-century Andalusia, in the south of Spain, to its last remaining Islamic sultanate. Delectable plot-related complications stemming from the very first scene--the old Sultan really was an excellent schemer--carried the first act of the novel. Tension is never extreme, but it ebbs and flows at an organic pace.
The novel's many plot points were generally tight and excellent, but the timing of their reveals were not always, er, timely. At one point, a character rushes to warn another of an impending assassination attack, but once he reaches the intended victim, he basically says he'll tell him tomorrow why he's come. The assassin kindly waits until after that later meeting before attacking.
A mild gift of foresight in a handful of characters, which could have been handled brilliantly within the context of historical fiction, ended up being virtually unused and was forgotten for the last half of the book.
All chapters began with a date stamp, but during one early chapter, the time references made were noticeably off, with Fatima and Faraj being listed as two years younger than the date stamp indicated they were. The issue was corrected the next time it was mentioned.
I only stumbled over one anachronism: when a character at a feast muses about his refraining from eating certain feast foods, twice using the phrase "for religious reasons", the words sound stilted and modern, not blending well with the eloquent phrasing in the rest of the novel.
For a novel titled Sultana, I didn't expect so much of it to focus on Faraj. His storyline took up at least as much of the plot as Fatima's, and while her plot line dwindled into neglect, abandoning without conclusion such fun things as poison and attempted fratricide, his wrapped up nicely and even ended the book. That ending felt more like a lull than a denouement, though; I was expecting a final section on Fatima's situation, but I was disappointed. There is a sequel available, though, so I presume her story continues there.
Character Development: 4 3/4 Stars
Fatima was a wonderful character. Strong-willed but not rebellious, clever but not Sherlock Holmes. My favorite flaw was her obsessive devotion to her deceased mother and how it colored her behavior. She knew the rules of her culture, and the consequences for breaking them. Her fear of overstepping her bounds made those rules real to me, but her desire to protect those she loved was timeless, and I identified with her willingness to risk punishment in order to do it.
Faraj was also well-rounded; his insistence on a woman knowing her place, and how Fatima should act as a wife and princess, was both disheartening and amusing, and showed that even though he grew to love her deeply, his patriarchal culture very much dictated who he was and how he treated her. His childhood issues came across as less-developed than Fatima's, though; they were related in a pair of dialogue sessions and not so much through his actions.
Baraka the concubine, though a minor character, had a vital role to play during the novel's climax. I had pegged her as a narcissist early on, but she surprised me. The spendthrift Sultana Maryam was another minor character who dramatically affected the plot, to my great delight. When her character blossomed in one pivotal scene with Fatima, I literally said, "Wow."
The numerous other minor characters really fleshed out the atmosphere in the Alhambra palace: the old Sultan, the new Sultan, Crown Prince Muhammad, Faraj's jawari women, Sultana Maryam, the delectable Nur, the eunuch Niranjan, blond Marzuq, and the fabulous Sitt al-Tujjar. They blended seamlessly with their world; I never once lost my sense of being in the 13th century with them.
Writing Style: 3 1/2 Stars
The book's very first scene was probably the worst one in the book. In what is supposed to be a fast-paced kidnapping scene, Fatima's inner thoughts bogged down the tension, a loud bird is only revealed to be in the room halfway through the scene, and its banging and squawking wakes none of the other sleepers, nor does it draw guards. Worse, a vital detail about Fatima is left out completely--she was married earlier in the day. By the time the book tells me this, I've already formed opinions on her kidnappers, the social environment, and the sultanate's politics, and now I have to throw them all out and start over. It wasn't a promising start, but the rest of the book read much better.
Description was excellent. Use of the five senses made the settings come alive with smells, flavors and textures. Sometimes the richness of description outdid itself, repeating that it was raining or that a character wore a tunic as if stating so for the first time, but for the most part, the world carried me away in time and place. "Silken" was a favorite word, but it was very apt.
Awkward phrasing and timing kept catching my eye: a sentence with a phrase at the wrong end, a misjudged antecedent, impossible adjectives. Never the same problem twice, but I ended up with a constant sense of unsettledness with the language.
Editing: 2 1/2 Stars
The first page of the story had a missing space, jamming two words together. The second page had another. The third page had three. Though I gave up counting them at the 50% mark, there's about one of these for every Kindle page in the book. Usually I read story files submitted by the author to Red Adept Reviews, and often I convert them myself from other formats--which leaves errors like this sometimes--other times, updated and corrected versions are available to the public. But I downloaded this one fresh off Amazon four days before writing this review. I nearly quit reading on page three.
Incorrectly used commas appear like weeds, popping up between random--and I do mean random--pairs of words and covering vast swaths of the story with their presence. Other minor grammatical and punctuation errors were sprinkled throughout. One word misuse left Faraj crying outside during battle instead of merely crying out.
I downloaded Sultana: A Novel of Moorish Spain, by Lisa J. Yarde, from Amazon.com as a free ebook.
Overall: 3 3/4 Stars
Plot/Storyline: 4 Stars
Sultana took me to thirteenth-century Andalusia, in the south of Spain, to its last remaining Islamic sultanate. Delectable plot-related complications stemming from the very first scene--the old Sultan really was an excellent schemer--carried the first act of the novel. Tension is never extreme, but it ebbs and flows at an organic pace.
The novel's many plot points were generally tight and excellent, but the timing of their reveals were not always, er, timely. At one point, a character rushes to warn another of an impending assassination attack, but once he reaches the intended victim, he basically says he'll tell him tomorrow why he's come. The assassin kindly waits until after that later meeting before attacking.
A mild gift of foresight in a handful of characters, which could have been handled brilliantly within the context of historical fiction, ended up being virtually unused and was forgotten for the last half of the book.
All chapters began with a date stamp, but during one early chapter, the time references made were noticeably off, with Fatima and Faraj being listed as two years younger than the date stamp indicated they were. The issue was corrected the next time it was mentioned.
I only stumbled over one anachronism: when a character at a feast muses about his refraining from eating certain feast foods, twice using the phrase "for religious reasons", the words sound stilted and modern, not blending well with the eloquent phrasing in the rest of the novel.
For a novel titled Sultana, I didn't expect so much of it to focus on Faraj. His storyline took up at least as much of the plot as Fatima's, and while her plot line dwindled into neglect, abandoning without conclusion such fun things as poison and attempted fratricide, his wrapped up nicely and even ended the book. That ending felt more like a lull than a denouement, though; I was expecting a final section on Fatima's situation, but I was disappointed. There is a sequel available, though, so I presume her story continues there.
Character Development: 4 3/4 Stars
Fatima was a wonderful character. Strong-willed but not rebellious, clever but not Sherlock Holmes. My favorite flaw was her obsessive devotion to her deceased mother and how it colored her behavior. She knew the rules of her culture, and the consequences for breaking them. Her fear of overstepping her bounds made those rules real to me, but her desire to protect those she loved was timeless, and I identified with her willingness to risk punishment in order to do it.
Faraj was also well-rounded; his insistence on a woman knowing her place, and how Fatima should act as a wife and princess, was both disheartening and amusing, and showed that even though he grew to love her deeply, his patriarchal culture very much dictated who he was and how he treated her. His childhood issues came across as less-developed than Fatima's, though; they were related in a pair of dialogue sessions and not so much through his actions.
Baraka the concubine, though a minor character, had a vital role to play during the novel's climax. I had pegged her as a narcissist early on, but she surprised me. The spendthrift Sultana Maryam was another minor character who dramatically affected the plot, to my great delight. When her character blossomed in one pivotal scene with Fatima, I literally said, "Wow."
The numerous other minor characters really fleshed out the atmosphere in the Alhambra palace: the old Sultan, the new Sultan, Crown Prince Muhammad, Faraj's jawari women, Sultana Maryam, the delectable Nur, the eunuch Niranjan, blond Marzuq, and the fabulous Sitt al-Tujjar. They blended seamlessly with their world; I never once lost my sense of being in the 13th century with them.
Writing Style: 3 1/2 Stars
The book's very first scene was probably the worst one in the book. In what is supposed to be a fast-paced kidnapping scene, Fatima's inner thoughts bogged down the tension, a loud bird is only revealed to be in the room halfway through the scene, and its banging and squawking wakes none of the other sleepers, nor does it draw guards. Worse, a vital detail about Fatima is left out completely--she was married earlier in the day. By the time the book tells me this, I've already formed opinions on her kidnappers, the social environment, and the sultanate's politics, and now I have to throw them all out and start over. It wasn't a promising start, but the rest of the book read much better.
Description was excellent. Use of the five senses made the settings come alive with smells, flavors and textures. Sometimes the richness of description outdid itself, repeating that it was raining or that a character wore a tunic as if stating so for the first time, but for the most part, the world carried me away in time and place. "Silken" was a favorite word, but it was very apt.
Awkward phrasing and timing kept catching my eye: a sentence with a phrase at the wrong end, a misjudged antecedent, impossible adjectives. Never the same problem twice, but I ended up with a constant sense of unsettledness with the language.
Editing: 2 1/2 Stars
The first page of the story had a missing space, jamming two words together. The second page had another. The third page had three. Though I gave up counting them at the 50% mark, there's about one of these for every Kindle page in the book. Usually I read story files submitted by the author to Red Adept Reviews, and often I convert them myself from other formats--which leaves errors like this sometimes--other times, updated and corrected versions are available to the public. But I downloaded this one fresh off Amazon four days before writing this review. I nearly quit reading on page three.
Incorrectly used commas appear like weeds, popping up between random--and I do mean random--pairs of words and covering vast swaths of the story with their presence. Other minor grammatical and punctuation errors were sprinkled throughout. One word misuse left Faraj crying outside during battle instead of merely crying out.
May 31, 2013
I had an ARC of Sultana by Lisa J. Yarde sitting so long my shelf that I felt guilty about not reading it.
There were some positive things about this book, it was very well researched. Now I have some knowledge about 13th Century Moorish Spain, the clothes, customs and the royal families. I have to thank the author for that. In the back of the bock are some helpful charts like the one that gives the modern day name for the place identified in the book. Also, there is a great glossary and list of the characters in the front with concise descriptions.
At the beginning of the book, the child Fatima was only eight years old when she was kidnapped. Fatima been married Farij earlier on the same day. She seemed intelligent and loyal to the family that she missed.
But I had a load of trouble with the writing. There were awkwardly worded sentences that made me stop and think about they could be worded better. I found this annoying and often lost the flow of the story. Also the descriptions of the food were great and made me hungry. But I thought that the emotions of Fatima and Fariq were put down in a superficial manner.
I love historical fiction but not so much romance. I think the roots of romance are there but again not very developed. I thought that the feelings could have been expressed in such a way that I could connect with the main characters but I was not able to connect even to Fatima.
The author’s passion for history of this area and time period comes out in this book. However, I think it could have benefits from more re-writing. I think that she could do it but gave up too soon on editing.
I cannot recommend this book. I am hoping that the writing has been improved in her next book.
.
There were some positive things about this book, it was very well researched. Now I have some knowledge about 13th Century Moorish Spain, the clothes, customs and the royal families. I have to thank the author for that. In the back of the bock are some helpful charts like the one that gives the modern day name for the place identified in the book. Also, there is a great glossary and list of the characters in the front with concise descriptions.
At the beginning of the book, the child Fatima was only eight years old when she was kidnapped. Fatima been married Farij earlier on the same day. She seemed intelligent and loyal to the family that she missed.
But I had a load of trouble with the writing. There were awkwardly worded sentences that made me stop and think about they could be worded better. I found this annoying and often lost the flow of the story. Also the descriptions of the food were great and made me hungry. But I thought that the emotions of Fatima and Fariq were put down in a superficial manner.
I love historical fiction but not so much romance. I think the roots of romance are there but again not very developed. I thought that the feelings could have been expressed in such a way that I could connect with the main characters but I was not able to connect even to Fatima.
The author’s passion for history of this area and time period comes out in this book. However, I think it could have benefits from more re-writing. I think that she could do it but gave up too soon on editing.
I cannot recommend this book. I am hoping that the writing has been improved in her next book.
.
March 19, 2012
Having just returned from a 'once-in-a-lifetime' trip to Europe (including Scotland, France and Spain) with my daughter (for her 29th birthday), I was experiencing severed withdrawal pangs, particularly, from unforgettable Andalusia. And so it was I went in search of a work of historical fiction which, I hoped, would transport me back to the Alhambra and its enchanting environs. "Sultana" did not disappoint. Yarde's lyrical prose brought both setting and characters to life - with descriptions that rival Al-Andalus in richness and complexity. Weaving a compelling tale of political intrigue, family rivalries, wrenching loss and indefatigable love around a strong, dynamic and passionate heroine, Fatima, Yarde effectively brings fact and fiction together in a brilliant tapestry of action and pathos that is at once enthralling and edifying. Highly recommended.
November 18, 2011
I'm very impressed with this novel. It's about a Sultan's granddaughter (and Sultan's daughter.. depends on who sits on the throne) who is married at the tender age of eight amidst much war between clans, tribes, and kingdoms.
The Sultana is Fatima. When she is married off to Faraj, a war breaks out because she was supposed to be married to a member of the Ashqilula tribe, as tradition dictates. Her mother kidnaps her in order to save her, but instead Fatima ends up witnessing her murder. What follows throughout the novel is war..
To read full review, please click the link: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2011/...
The Sultana is Fatima. When she is married off to Faraj, a war breaks out because she was supposed to be married to a member of the Ashqilula tribe, as tradition dictates. Her mother kidnaps her in order to save her, but instead Fatima ends up witnessing her murder. What follows throughout the novel is war..
To read full review, please click the link: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2011/...
May 23, 2013
This book is very well researched. The author tells the reader about the lifestyles, food, fashion, social structures, palaces, and military of 14th century Moorish culture in Granada, Spain. Yay for the good!
The book was written from two point of views but instead of feeling like I was living this story with the characters, I felt like I was constantly being told the story. Dictated to almost. I had a lot of trouble connecting with the characters. I found their actions irritating, their feelings annoying, and their situations too convenient. I only give it two stars because I didn't hate it, but I would never read this book again.
The book was written from two point of views but instead of feeling like I was living this story with the characters, I felt like I was constantly being told the story. Dictated to almost. I had a lot of trouble connecting with the characters. I found their actions irritating, their feelings annoying, and their situations too convenient. I only give it two stars because I didn't hate it, but I would never read this book again.
June 27, 2012
I could not get into this for some reason. I didn't think it was particularly badly written, nothing jumped out at me as poor quality. Maybe it's just because I know nothing of this history but even so, I feel a good book should be able to draw you in regardless of your pre-existing knowledge or lack there of. So sadly, I gave up on it about half way through.
October 27, 2012
I couldn't get into this one. A quarter of the way in and I'm not interested in going further. So far it's mostly political maneuvering, which would have been okay except the author doesn't explain it well. I feel lost and confused for the most part, and so many of the characters have similar names that I can't keep anyone straight.
February 20, 2012
I would give it a 3.5.
January 18, 2018
This was not necessarily a bad book but, it did take a lot of dedication to get through. While the story itself was interesting, there was almost too much going on. The constant back and forth between viewpoints made the novel very difficult to follow. What I liked about the book was what drove me to read it in the first place, the time period and subject matter. It was very evident the author spent a considerable amount of time dedicated to research. Worth the time commitment to read a novel about a little known topic.
July 1, 2019
Spanish Histoty
After a recent trip of 5 weeks to Spain, I wanted to learn more! I wish I had read this first. I visited Granada and Seville and stayed near Malaga. We loved Spain and now I want to go back and revisit after learning more of the history. I look forward to reading the whole series. This brings the places back to life!
After a recent trip of 5 weeks to Spain, I wanted to learn more! I wish I had read this first. I visited Granada and Seville and stayed near Malaga. We loved Spain and now I want to go back and revisit after learning more of the history. I look forward to reading the whole series. This brings the places back to life!
July 5, 2021
History
It was an interesting to read about the events of Fatima's early life. While this read as more history than a novel it was still a great read with a lot of useful information.
It was an interesting to read about the events of Fatima's early life. While this read as more history than a novel it was still a great read with a lot of useful information.
February 9, 2011
Sultana
by
Lisa Yarde
A review by Judith Arnopp
Fatima is the granddaughter of the Sultan of Granada and as such has lived a life of luxury, safe from dangers, her future secure. But there are underlying political currents and intrigues that she knows nothing about.
When she is married off to the Sultan’s nephew, Faraj, a man governed by resentment and insecurity, neither party is pleased at the match. His determination to seek vengeance for the murder of his family and his struggle to regain his rightful inheritance results in bitter civil war. The marriage between Fatima and Faraj, two strong willed characters, could go either way and the novel tracks the progress of both their personal relationship and the war.
***
Thirteenth century Moorish Spain is a new world to me. At first I found the place and character names confusing but a short while into the story it all became clear.
Sultana is superbly written. Lisa Yarde lifts the reader from the ennui of the twenty-first century and thrusts them into the turmoil of medieval Spain. Each page is eagerly turned as she deftly details every aspect of Granadian life, the clothes, the food and the riches. Lisa penetrates the mind of Fatima to illustrate the unfolding war through her eyes and allow the reader to experience both her insecurity and her pain. The story moves through war, treason, murder and despair but, despite that, it remains a romance, a heavenly blend of sorrow and joy, just like life.
This book was a whole new experience for me. I know next to nothing about the days of the last Moorish dynasty but Lisa writes with the confidence that only thorough research can provide. Sultana is a worthy addition to any book shelf, this is one to keep.
by
Lisa Yarde
A review by Judith Arnopp
Fatima is the granddaughter of the Sultan of Granada and as such has lived a life of luxury, safe from dangers, her future secure. But there are underlying political currents and intrigues that she knows nothing about.
When she is married off to the Sultan’s nephew, Faraj, a man governed by resentment and insecurity, neither party is pleased at the match. His determination to seek vengeance for the murder of his family and his struggle to regain his rightful inheritance results in bitter civil war. The marriage between Fatima and Faraj, two strong willed characters, could go either way and the novel tracks the progress of both their personal relationship and the war.
***
Thirteenth century Moorish Spain is a new world to me. At first I found the place and character names confusing but a short while into the story it all became clear.
Sultana is superbly written. Lisa Yarde lifts the reader from the ennui of the twenty-first century and thrusts them into the turmoil of medieval Spain. Each page is eagerly turned as she deftly details every aspect of Granadian life, the clothes, the food and the riches. Lisa penetrates the mind of Fatima to illustrate the unfolding war through her eyes and allow the reader to experience both her insecurity and her pain. The story moves through war, treason, murder and despair but, despite that, it remains a romance, a heavenly blend of sorrow and joy, just like life.
This book was a whole new experience for me. I know next to nothing about the days of the last Moorish dynasty but Lisa writes with the confidence that only thorough research can provide. Sultana is a worthy addition to any book shelf, this is one to keep.
April 1, 2012
Fatima is the sultan's granddaughter and thus is born into a world of privilege. Even so, the sultan has powerful enemies who think nothing of taking the lives of his family members. And Fatima is a girl raised in a culture in which all girls submit to the authority of men no matter what their status.
At the heart of this story is a tender romance between Fatima, married when she was just nine years old, and Faraj, the husband who is ten years her senior. Fatima grows up as Faraj's wife and learns to love her sometimes hotheaded, but always loving, husband. Theirs was a marriage arranged for political gain, but becomes a love match when Fatima is old enough to be a true wife to Faraj.
Yarde has clearly done her homework with this novel. The history is complex, yet Yarde does not shy away from it. She captures the intrigue of the sultan's court, the political machinations of thirteenth-century Spain, as well as the rituals daily life for both the royal family and their servants.
One aspect of the novel I thought was particularly well done was the relationship between the masters and the slaves. Yarde explored how female slaves in particular lived either as victims of brutal masters or as beloved mistresses.
I also liked the character of Faraj, a young man trying to live a life of honor while surrounded by companions and enemies who do not share his ideas about integrity and compassion.
My only difficulty with the novel was perhaps more mine than the author's. I have little knowledge of the setting and so the myriad of foreign names and political events often left me confused. Perhaps a family tree, a map, and a timeline of the major events might have helped.
At the heart of this story is a tender romance between Fatima, married when she was just nine years old, and Faraj, the husband who is ten years her senior. Fatima grows up as Faraj's wife and learns to love her sometimes hotheaded, but always loving, husband. Theirs was a marriage arranged for political gain, but becomes a love match when Fatima is old enough to be a true wife to Faraj.
Yarde has clearly done her homework with this novel. The history is complex, yet Yarde does not shy away from it. She captures the intrigue of the sultan's court, the political machinations of thirteenth-century Spain, as well as the rituals daily life for both the royal family and their servants.
One aspect of the novel I thought was particularly well done was the relationship between the masters and the slaves. Yarde explored how female slaves in particular lived either as victims of brutal masters or as beloved mistresses.
I also liked the character of Faraj, a young man trying to live a life of honor while surrounded by companions and enemies who do not share his ideas about integrity and compassion.
My only difficulty with the novel was perhaps more mine than the author's. I have little knowledge of the setting and so the myriad of foreign names and political events often left me confused. Perhaps a family tree, a map, and a timeline of the major events might have helped.
April 18, 2013
I don't really know what I want to rate this book, maybe a 3.4 or 3.5. It takes awhile to get interesting and well I had a hard time letting it keep my attention. Can I say maybe it was because I knew nothing about the history of Moorish Spain.
I do now, I had to read some facts about this time, like what the heck are Moors doing in Spain...
Fatima the main character was just a child when she was married to her cousin Faraj. He was older then her by 8 to 10 years. Fatima was a spoiled child, her father let her have every little whim, her mother though tried to make her see that her father wasn't the great man that Fatima saw him as.
Faraj wasn't easy to like either, but he got there before Fatima.
When the time came to actually get to their relationship, they both had matured in many ways, even though Fatima still acted childish sometimes. Maybe because they grew into their love, it made it seem more real, the last 3/4 of the book was really good...I think I was about 36% into the book.
I am hesitant to pick up the second one, but I am sort of hoping the story would be getting from the point where the author stopped.
I do now, I had to read some facts about this time, like what the heck are Moors doing in Spain...
Fatima the main character was just a child when she was married to her cousin Faraj. He was older then her by 8 to 10 years. Fatima was a spoiled child, her father let her have every little whim, her mother though tried to make her see that her father wasn't the great man that Fatima saw him as.
Faraj wasn't easy to like either, but he got there before Fatima.
When the time came to actually get to their relationship, they both had matured in many ways, even though Fatima still acted childish sometimes. Maybe because they grew into their love, it made it seem more real, the last 3/4 of the book was really good...I think I was about 36% into the book.
I am hesitant to pick up the second one, but I am sort of hoping the story would be getting from the point where the author stopped.
September 26, 2013
Closer to 3.5. I'm not at all familiar with Spanish history let alone Moorish Spain so it took me a while to get into the book. The author covers a large span of history within the 2 main characters lives: Fatima and Faraj. The book starts with the murder of Fatima's mother when she is a young child and shortly after her arranged marriage with a teenage Faraj. They are married for a long time before eventually falling in love. It was an enjoyable book and the characters were well-developed even if the ending is a bit of a fairy tale. It's nice reading main characters with a happy, stable relationship. They are not perfect but accept each other's flaws. They have a strong marriage and you do root for them to have a happy life.
I am interested in reading the sequel to see where the story continues. The author has done a lot of research and I appreciate her bringing to life a part of history I'm not familiar with.
I am interested in reading the sequel to see where the story continues. The author has done a lot of research and I appreciate her bringing to life a part of history I'm not familiar with.
July 2, 2011
Lisa J. Yarde is an amazing author. Her ability to combine a myriad of historical events with lively characters and plainly wonderful writing skills makes for tasty reading. Sultana is a hefty book, but not the kind you might dread. She manages to keep it a page turner throughout, with a Sultan's daughter in peril and all the strings attached to her, even a marriage forced on her at a very young age that burgeons into something beautiful with time. Sultana has its fair share of outer conflict as well, in the shape of wars and rumors of wars. You'll come away understanding another time and place like you never thought you would.
Highly recommended and based on true events!
Highly recommended and based on true events!
abandoned
June 24, 2014Great subject matter but it just fizzled out for me about 1/3 the way through. Between the characters being named similarly, the jumping ahead years in the time frame, the various locations, the story being told in third person, the characters being hard to get to know, I felt there were too many obstacles to continue. I procrastinated picking it up again and when I did, I would get through a few pages before discarding it again. A month after starting it, I am stuck and can't seem to get anywhere so it's time to move on. I think I will try to find a different story about the Moors of 13th century Spain, though, because, as I said, the subject matter is intriguing.
March 15, 2013
`Sultana' is the story of Moorish Spain, more particularly the story of Fatima and Faraj. Through this fascinating historical novel we see Fatima grow up into the compelling woman of the title and watch as Faraj comes to love her, and in doing so embrace his destiny. This is an exciting story, very elegantly told and rich in historical detail. There are plots, assassinations, intrigues, deadly family disputes and more. Lisa Yarde shows both the civilization of the age and the savagery. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and I'm looking forward to `Sultana's Legacy' appearing soon.
March 21, 2013
I have read a number of books in the past 6 months that are set in the middle ages, around the time of the crusades. This is the first book I've read that comes from an Islamic, Moorish point of view. I enjoyed reading about the culture of the Moors during this time period. Fatima is a moorish princess who becomes a Sultana. She is married at a young age to man her father chooses. She is a strong heroine for whom I felt great empathy. This is a well researched book. Although the pace slowed sometimes, I was engaged until the end. This is part of my Kindle subscription.
March 25, 2013
This story takes place during the 13th century in Moorish Spain. It was great to read a HF novel of that unique setting. Granada is the home of the Sultana. She is married off at the age of 9 to the nephew of her grandfather by tradition, but against her will. It is an interesting and fast paced novel with treason and murder and constantly changing alliances during this time of civil war. I was pleased to find a fair amount of background information about the time period, the wars and the people in an appendix. I will definitely read the sequel, Sultana's Legacy.
May 6, 2014
I loved this book. Sultana is a beautifully written, magic-carpet ride through thirteenth century Gharnatah (Granada), then Moorish Spain. The suspenseful plot moves the reader along among love, lust and wars. The characters are real and engaging, Yarde’s writing is lush, yet pleasant to read, and perfect for the topic she is writing about. Thoroughly researched, Ms. Yarde places the reader in the time and place and opened my eyes into the world of Islamic Spain. This is what a good historical novel should do.
I can’t wait to read the sequel!
I can’t wait to read the sequel!
April 15, 2011
What a pleasure to read about a time and a place that 1) I knew very little about and 2) is under-represented in historical fiction. Sultana is a page-turner, the tale of the Moorish Nasrid sultans (and sultanas) and their fight to maintain power among shifting alliances in late 13th-century Gharnatah (Granada). In addition to the entertaining story, Yarde also provides fascinating historical notes, a handy glossary, and translations of place-names.
February 25, 2012
(4.5) A pleasure to read. Lisa J Yarde weaves storytelling with well researched history in a convincing and always entertaining manner. Crafting an intricate plot set in Moorish Spain represents exceptional research and inter-cultural effort, in light of the dominating Euro-centric literature within the historical fiction genre. Beyond this, Sultana is a moving and sensual read; a must for time travellers longing for the real Andalusian Spain.
April 5, 2013
It was a good story of love and devotion but not as in depth as I would have liked. I was anticipating a more in depth view of harem life and the luxury afforded to a princess, and it was so briefly described that it left me disappointed. Even the political intrigue was not described well. The secondary characters could have played a much bigger role in the book and would have added so much more.
April 29, 2013
I found it hard to get into this book at first...probably because the names were so unfamiliar. But about a third of the way into it, I suddenly couldn't put it down. I read the last two thirds almost straight through (just a little Sunday afternoon nap split it up). The scenery and clothing descriptions were beautiful and made me want to go back and visit again. I just wish there was a second volume to follow this one.
June 5, 2013
In many ways, this is a three star book but I think it deserves another star for being about a time and a point of view that is rarely written about - medieval Moorish Spain.
I read it on my Kindle. A paper bound copy would have been much better as I couldn't easily flip to the much needed glossary. I've studied Spanish, been to Andulucia but still had trouble with Moorish variations on the Spanish names and places.
I read it on my Kindle. A paper bound copy would have been much better as I couldn't easily flip to the much needed glossary. I've studied Spanish, been to Andulucia but still had trouble with Moorish variations on the Spanish names and places.
September 7, 2013
It was interesting to read a book about 13th century Moorish Spain. I've only been familiar with the Moors in Spain beginning with the expulsion of them by Ferdinand later on. I enjoyed the history, but it was too much of a romance for me to enjoy it at a 4 star level -- just my personal taste. There are 2 sequels -- if they ever show up as Kindle freebies I may read them, but won't go out of my way to purchase them.
February 9, 2012
Sultana is a truly well written and enjoyable book, with quite a bit of historical background set in 13th century Moorish Spain. It does give the reader a lot to think about. The characters and scenery are wonderfully described and brought me back in time and this is something that too few books seem to accomplish these days. I found it hard to put down.
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