The Princess Trilogy: Boxed Set

The Princess #1-3

by Jean Sasson

The Princess Trilogy consists of Princess, A True Story; Princess Sultana's Daugthers; and Princess Sultana's Circle. Sultana is a Saudi Arabian princess, born to uncountable wealth. She has four mansions on three continents, her own private jet, glittering jewels, designer dresses galore. But she has no freedom, no control over her own life, no value but as a bearer of sons. Sultana is a member of the Saudi royal family, closely related to the king. For the sake of her daughters, she has decided to take the risk of speaking out about the life of women in her country, regardless of their rank. She must hide her identity for fear that the religious leaders in her country would call for her death to punish her honesty. Only a woman in her position could possibly hope to escape from being revealed and punished. Although Sultana lives with constant fear of retribution, her passion to provide her daughters a better life transcends her fear and fuels her desire for change.

Genres: Biography, Middle East, Nonfiction, Memoir, History, Biography Memoir, Islam

247 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Jean Sasson was born in a small town in Alabama. An avid reader from an early age, she had read all the books in her school library by the time she was 15 years old. She also began her book collection at age 15. When given the chance to travel, Sasson accepted a position at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, and lived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 12 years. She traveled extensively, visiting 66 countries over the course of 30 years.

Jean started her writing career in 1991 when she wrote the book, THE RAPE OF KUWAIT. The book was an instant best-seller, reaching #2 on the New York Times bestseller list. When the Kuwaiti Embassy in Washington heard that soldiers sent to free Kuwait did not know why they were there, the Embassy sent 200,000 copies to the region. Later Sasson wrote PRINCESS: A TRUE STORY OF LIFE BEHIND THE VEIL IN SAUDI ARABIA, which is the story of a princess in the royal house of al-Sa'ud. The book was an international bestseller published in 68 different editions (also staying on the NYTIMES bestseller list for 13 weeks). Later Sasson wrote two sequels (DAUGHTERS AND CIRCLE). Please visit this link to read an interview with the author about her book "Princess": http://reith-jerevinan.blogspot.com/2....

Other groundbreaking books followed: MAYADA, DAUGHTER OF IRAQ; ESTER'S CHILD; LOVE IN A TORN LAND; GROWING UP BIN LADEN (please visit this page to read an in-depth interview with Jean Sasson about "Growing Up bin Laden" http://www.thedailybeast.com/contribu... and FOR THE LOVE OF A SON.

In March 2012, an e-book short was released: AMERICAN CHICK IN SAUDI ARABIA, which consists of the first three chapters of Sasson's autobiography. On the second day of release, the book reached #1 on Barnes & Noble biography bestseller list. Jean's latest release is YASMEENA'S CHOICE, a heartbreaker of a story about two women (one Kuwaiti and the other Lebanese) kidnapped to be raped & tortured by the Iraqi special forces in occupied Kuwait. (Please visit this link to see an itnerview with Jean Sasson about her newest book "Yasmeena's Choice: http://gulfnews.com/arts-entertainmen...).

Jean's 12th book, PRINCESS, MORE TEARS to CRY has just been released and is available in the English language in most countries. Foreign editions will be available throughout the next year. Jean Sasson's official website is: www.jeansasson.com.

Reviews

[Ambersanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the first book and i am now starting the second and i think its amazing for a nonfiction book. To hear about what women go through in that country and how they are treated was so sad. I despised her horrible brother and negletive father. Though certin things were uncalled for i still think of her as my roll model!

[Laurie Stoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

This trilogy is one of my all time favorite books! Jean P. Sasson is an amazing writer. Also, the "real" princess that allowed her story to be told is an incredible woman! I would love to meet her! I can't help but admire and respect her for allowing this story to be told.

[Kanwarpal Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess

Princess Sultana Al Sa'ud and the other women from this story offered us a poignant look at what life is like for women in Saudi Arabia and the wealthiest and most "privileged" women are not spared the cruelty of the misogynistic and oppressive culture. Women are treated as property to be "owned" and managed by men.

Princess Sultana's accounts highlight that from birth, girls are treated as disappointment to their family and inferior to all males heirs as they would become the next kin to whatever title their father holds in the Saudi Arabia , which make growing up with a spoiled and sadistic younger brother Ali . No matter what he did, she would always be wrong. Sexual abuse is also rampant in the world that Princess Sultana described. Young girls are forced to marry much older men, while older wives are forced to take a backseat while their husbands forsake them for their younger brides.

While the girls "virtue" is fiercely guarded -- their body sacred until such time as their father or other male guardian decides to gift it to another -- the boys and men engage in a variety of depraved sexual acts. One especially disturbing scene tells the story of a trip to Egypt where Sultana's brother and other men commit acts of extreme sexual violence. It was absolutely heartbreaking and terrifying.

This book was pretty depressing. It will anger and sadden you. However, turning a blind eye to atrocities like the ones that play out on the pages of this book does not make the reality go away. Raising awareness is important in order to facilitate change . It's a reminder ,how blessed women feel after reading this that life outside this part of the world is better place for them.



Princess sultana daughter

A member of the royal family of Saudi Arabia, Sultana now is married to a progressive prince, but this privileged status does not protect her or her two daughters from the country's repressive laws against women. I did like the descriptions of the practice of Islam by this Saudi family and their friends. They weren't terribly strict in its practice and when one had stepped outside the fold to the point of endangering their lives, the family did rally round and help them.

Princess Sultana lost a bit of my sympathy towards her in this second book of hers. It's hard to feel for her when you read her bragging of her expensive, vault-protected jewels, her extravagant homes all over the world, her spoilt daughter feeding luxury foods to cats and dogs, her laughing about laughing when two men died at Hajj, and her macing of her own cousin to name but a few.

While the behavior of both of Sultana's daughters is shocking,Sultana's younger daughter becomes extremist and starts a group of like-minded young women determined to overthrow the monarchy and restore strict religious rule. Despite Sultana's dislike of this behavior in her youngest daughter, the group continues to meet at her house over and over.

While secrets behind famous Saudi Arabian scandals are revealed and sensitive topics such as female circumcision are discussed with admirable comprehensiveness and insight, the reader is left holding their breath and bracing themselves for the next shocking revelation. She tells of child-brides forced to marry men who are decades older; sexual abuse of wives which is perfectly legal in that country and ending with her sister gone through sexual abuse by husband when she was menstruating and not allowed to have sex according to Quran but saying no to her husband cost her this harm and permanent disability.


Princess Sultana's Circle

This is the third book from the princess series, That said, these books are purported to be the true stories of a single Saudi Arabian woman and I find that fact to be a little difficult to swallow. Author and Sultana together didn't waste a chance to emphasize on the unimaginable wealth in which the Saudi royal family is indulged.

A so-called true capturing of the life of Sultana a Saudi princess, Sultana tells the story of her disgust with the backwardness of Saudi men, she uncovers the story of a couple of her own sisters being abused, a friend, a group of 20 girls or more held in a royal prince palace as sex-slaves, the story of an Afghan maid, another Pakistani maid,etc. Every single chapter seemed to outline or highlight some atrocity or violation of basic human rights.

Although Princess Sultana herself had not been in such a position since her husband Kareem is one of the very few men in the book who are not accused of abusing and assaulting women. Yes, the book is stuffed with so many examples and memories of abuse, stories that are told one after another, in a manner similar to a list being read out, rather than a story being told.

Nor did they waste a chance to blame Islam for all the retrograde life described in Saudi and the Middle East.

The book portrays Sultana as the "exception" to the rule, she's the so called open-minded princess who enjoys taking off her veil whenever she can, drinks alcohol, shops at New York's fanciest stores, weeps heavily on the scene of 9/11….. just anything that will make a western reader accept her and praise her open-minded thinking.
This is the third book from the princess series, That said, these books are purported to be the true stories of a single Saudi Arabian woman and I find that fact to be a little difficult to swallow. Author and Sultana together didn't waste a chance to emphasize on the unimaginable wealth in which the Saudi royal family is indulged.

A so-called true capturing of the life of Sultana a Saudi princess, Sultana tells the story of her disgust with the backwardness of Saudi men, she uncovers the story of a couple of her own sisters being abused, a friend, a group of 20 girls or more held in a royal prince palace as sex-slaves, the story of an Afghan maid, another Pakistani maid,etc. Every single chapter seemed to outline or highlight some atrocity or violation of basic human rights.

Although Princess Sultana herself had not been in such a position since her husband Kareem is one of the very few men in the book who are not accused of abusing and assaulting women. Yes, the book is stuffed with so many examples and memories of abuse, stories that are told one after another, in a manner similar to a list being read out, rather than a story being told.

Nor did they waste a chance to blame Islam for all the retrograde life described in Saudi and the Middle East.

The book portrays Sultana as the "exception" to the rule, she's the so called open-minded princess who enjoys taking off her veil whenever she can, drinks alcohol, shops at New York's fanciest stores, weeps heavily on the scene of 9/11….. just anything that will make a western reader accept her and praise her open-minded thinking.

[Carla Parreira]

O livro conta sobre a vida das mulheres no mundo árabe. Eis um pouco da tragédia silenciosa de humilhação e violência imposta pela própria cultura: “…Aqueles que desejam a liberdade devem se dispor a pagar por ela com a própria vida…
O poder total envenena a mãe de quem o detém… Embora meu castigo, talvez até minha morte, possam ser cruéis, o fracasso seria mais amargo, porque o fracasso é para sempre…
É muito difícil no mundo mulçumano arranjar um bom casamento para moças que não sejam mais virgens… A ausência do olhar arguto da policia religiosa patrulhando as cidades em busca de mulheres sem véu para espancar ou pintar com tinta vermelha era boa demais para ser verdade…
Minha prima Mishail teve os olhos vendados e foi obrigada a se ajoelhar num monte de terra. Foi assassinada por um pelotão de fuzilamento. O amante, depois de vê-la morrer, foi decapitado com um golpe de espada…
Na Arábia Saudita, o amor e o sexo são considerados repugnantes, inclusive entre sexos opostos, e nossa sociedade faz de conta que os relacionamentos baseados no amor sexual não existem…
Em meu país, a lei religiosa proíbe que homens e mulheres solteiros se encontrem. Homens encontram-se com homens, e mulheres com mulheres. Como não podemos namorar do jeito tradicional, a tensão sexual entre pessoas do mesmo sexo é passível. Qualquer estrangeiro que tenha passado algum tempo na Arábia Saudita sabe que as relações homossexuais correm soltas pelo reino…
O amor entre mulheres podia ser mais delicado e suave do que a posse agressiva que o homem impunha à mulher…
Quando um homem alcançar a sabedoria de Deus, poderão descartar o véu que tanto odeiam!…
Na fé mulçumana, os cães são considerados impuros e é nisso que se baseiam a raiva e o desgosto extremos de Ali. A fé islâmica dita que o recipiente do qual um cão bebeu deve ser lavado sete vezes, a primeira com água misturada com pó…
Avançar a civilização é responsabilidade dos que são maltratados pela sociedade, pois somente quando se mostram descontentes com a imperfeição é que as pessoas podem melhorar a sociedade na qual vivem…
Era com terrível seriedade que os homens de minha família recitavam a lei da obediência, afirmando que a tranqüilidade de nossa sociedade conservadora decorria da perfeita obediência dos filhos aos pais e das esposas aos maridos…
Eu estava tão empedernido que não tive pena de minha própria filha! Ao contrário, depois de enterrá-la viva, suspirei aliviado e voltei para casa satisfeito por ter salvado minha honra e meu orgulho da humilhação…
Na minha terra, as mulheres não passam de objetos, belos brinquedos sexuais para o prazer dos homens…
Casado, fazia das esposas escravas, pouco se importando com a felicidade delas, sempre cuidando de desposar adolescentes bem novinhas, que ainda desconheciam a natureza do homem e aceitavam como normal o perverso comportamento masculino. Além das quatro esposas, Ali arranjava uma concubina atrás da outra. Como pai, ignorava as filhas e dava afeto somente aos filhos…
Mulheres atraentes davam péssimas esposas, pois, penteadas e vestidas com esmero, só pensavam em ter palácios suntuosos, muitos criados e jóias que não acabavam mais…
Em minha terra, pouca coisa é mais valorizada do que a beleza feminina…
Como podemos mudar as tradições obsoletas de nossa sociedade sem frustras as expectativas da geração anterior?…
A lei egípcia, assim como a saudita, dava aos homens poder total sobre as mulheres, e não era incomum um homem já de certa idade tomar uma segunda esposa ou mesmo se divorciar da primeira e levar uma moça mais jovem e bonita para casa. As experiências de minha vida ensinaram-me que os homens quase sempre são a causa do sofrimento feminino… Eles deixam a menina chegar à puberdade com o clitóris intacto; então, um ou dois meses antes de ela se casar, fazem uma festa para comemorar a circuncisão. O rito acontece nessa época, e não no nascimento, como em outras tribos…
Mas existe ainda um outro método mais bárbaro e perigoso de circuncisão feminina, chamado faraônico. Eu não conseguiria nem imaginar a dor das mulheres submetidas ao terrível ritual. Nesse processo extremo, findo o procedimento, a adolescente vê-se sem o clitóris, os pequenos lábios e os grandes lábios. Se tal operação fosse realizada em um homem, tratar-se-ia da amputação do pênis e do escroto ao redor dos testículos…
Descendentes africanos no país ainda se arriscam à punição mantendo a tradição, crentes de que somente a redução do prazer sexual pode garantir a castidade da mulher…
Organizações mundiais de saúde estimavam que a mutilação genital afetava de oitenta a cem milhões de mulheres em todo o mundo. quanta dor infligida a meninas e adolescentes!…
É verdade que muitos sauditas gozam de prazeres secretos com mulheres que não são suas esposas, mas nenhuma de minhas irmãs teve o azar de desposar um depravado capaz de se deitar com uma empregada em sua própria casa…
As esposas não têm a mesma opção, considerando que só se concede um divórcio em favor da mulher após uma detalhada investigação de sua vida. Na maioria das vezes elas não conseguem o divorcio, mesmo quando a causa é justa. Essa falta de liberdade feminina tão apreciada pelos homens facilita ao marido exercer controle e poder unilateral e não raro cruel sobre as esposas. É fácil para um homem lançar mão do divorcio quando quer punir a mulher. Basta declarar ‘eu me divorcio de ti’, ou ‘eu te repudio’, e o marido expulsa a esposa de casa, quase sempre sem os filhos…
Os homens tinham esse beneficio: além de poder se divorciar com a maior facilidade, tinham o direito de voltar atrás e retomar o casamento como se nada demais tivesse acontecido. Sob a lei mulçumana, o marido pode agir dessa maneira duas vezes…
O grande movimento pelo direito das mulheres na Arábia Saudita já se iniciara e não seria derrotado por homens doutrinados pela ignorância. Os homens de minha terra viverão para lamentar minha existência, pois jamais deixarei de desafiar os maus precedentes que eles permitiram prevalecer contra as mulheres da Arábia Saudita…”

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love these stories. I am fascinated by life in other countries and this series and author shed a light on the little known or little paid attention to details of the lives of women in Saudi Arabia. I could read Princess Sultana stories forever and be very happy.

[Oreli · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK!!!!! I cried so many times. I have no words for all the feelings I felt while reading this. It was so heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. This isn’t the usual genre I would pick to read but WOW I’m I happy I did.

[Becki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this series as a young teen, a 3rd-culture-kid. Raised in Asia & reading these books as a 12 year old, while living in Turkey, and a 14 yr old, living in Romania. I was too young to understand the true struggle of old world, crashing into modern “society”. So, I found myself believing men, in Arabic nations, were to be feared. When I reread the books in Romania, I decided that men, universally were dangerous, & the life of a female always at knife-point. 17 years later, I’ve read the series again, and understand the horrible bind most Arabic nations, esp those with great resources face. The need to hold to culture & religion, for that is their heart, while dealing with the West, and frequent pressures placed on them by democratic nations who will use their culture as a weapon in the board-rooms to extract the most favorable deals.
This book, like Land of a Thousand hills helps you understand the culture, mindset, and land mine that is the East-West.

This book led me to watch the 1980’s Death of a Princess, and All the Shahs Men. Both highlighting that while the stigma of women is easily highlighted as horrific in many of these nations, we, the West, are intricately responsible for making matters worse.

The author of this book, to me, isn’t lovable - but admirable by honestly telling her story, showing us her & her countries flaws, while also weaving a love song of the strength, beauty, and courage of her homeland. I’m glad to have read it again, to see deeper, understand parts of the problems, and to have been led to both the documentary & this history book. I’d highly suggest this book as an important read. But, would suggest to lay aside as much of your prejudice you can, and let the culture speak to you. In this day, when feminism has become toxic, these books have helped me remember what the true sisterhood of fighting for rights is about.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dit is een omnibus met de drie boeken in één. Het eerste boek verhaalt de jeugdjaren en het jonge leven van deze prinses; De beperkingen die zij als meisje en vrouw ondervindt en ook een aantal verhalen van vriendinnen en kennissen van haar. Ze heeft dan nog het geluk te trouwen met een man die ze eerst wat heeft leren kennen en die redelijk modern is. Dit eerste boek is best interessant. De twee volgende boeken heel wat minder. Het begint met dat de familie er achter komt dat zij de auteur is van het eerste boek. Lijkt een heel drama te worden maar eenmaal ze besluiten dat niemand er toch achter komt maakt het niet uit. Verder krijg je de problemen met haar dochters. De oudste dochter is opstandig en als ze er dan ook nog achter komen dat ze een lesbische relatie heeft is ze rijp voor de psychiatrie. De tweede dochter wordt dan weer fanatiek religieus en dat is vervelend omdat ze hen voortdurend wijst op al hun overtredingen.
Sultana maakt zich nog altijd druk om vrouwenrechten maar spendeert ook veel tijd aan tripjes naar het buitenland om te gaan shoppen. Een dagje NY met een creditcard waar een half miljoen op staat is heel gewoon. En dat is dan niet voor juwelen, die moet ze gewoon aanwijzen en die worden dan achteraf afgerekend. De hypocrisie blijkt ook in haar vurig pleidooi voor de islam maar ze slaagt er niet eens in om zich aan de ramadan te houden. Ook al kan ze een groot deel van de dag slapen en hoeft ze niet zelf het eten te bereiden. Maar zoiets koop je dan af met giften. Naarmate het einde van het derde boek nadert wordt ook wel steeds duidelijker dat ze zeker niet bereid is haar extravagante rijkdom op te geven. En uiteindelijk eindig je toch teleurgesteld. Zd komt er onvolwassen en wispelturig over.

[Linda Siegel-Richman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring,Poorly written soap opera of Saudi Princess

Story of a self centered, boring alcoholic Saudi princess with enough money to really change the world. This princess cares about herself, her money, and her status while pretending to care about how the plight of women in her country. She shows a serious lack of control over her own behavior, her own language, the way she physically lashes out at her children,, husband and others. She acts like a child with no impulse control despite
The fact she is an adult.
Do not waste your time on this book. You will be disgusted by the Saudi kingdom along with this particular princess and her family. At the conclusion of the book, I prayed and continue to pray for the overthrow of the Saudi government as well as the destruction of the wealthy Saudi kingdom who make their nine hundred millions off the backs of their impoverished citizenry.

[Sumaiya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2nd book ,, it would have been really good if it was a fiction book.. as non-fiction it was sooo over dramatic and many false & unrealistic drama occurred in one family. Moreover, there was many false ideas about islamic rules interpreted in the book.. I can understand that some of these stories might be true but it is very hard for me to believe it.. Also, there are scandals in the book that is so awful & inhuman and if it did really happen with no action was taken from authorities ( as it was interpreted in the book), then we live a really dark world
Therefore, i dont feel like reading the 3rd book as i cant imagine it will be any better

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written, and engaging real life account of the life of a modern-day Saudi Arabian princess. An awesome read-aloud for adults and older children. We bought the books separately, DON'T DO THAT, buy the trilogy; to have to wait for the next book to arrive would be unbearable! We blazed through this unforgettable biography, NOT able to stop reading her fascinating, amazing, entertaining, hair curling, sometimes funny, and sometimes terrifying account. Fortunately, we had all three books before we started reading.

[Kym Godwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Feel Like I Know Sultana

As I finished the 3rd book in this series I felt like I personally knew Sultana and her family. I could feel her pain, joy, and determination. Living in the Middle East I know that while not all men here are like they are in Saudi but some are and some women are treated always as second class. I'm grateful this is not my experience however.

[Torey Lanier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

Very similar to the first books, full of terrible truths and family drama. Really opens eyes to the abuse of women going on without seconds notice. The dangers of standing up for women’s right under islamic faith are life threatening. Men are to blame. Also sheds light on waste the Sa’ud family indulges in despite the extreme poverty.

[Maria SpacedOut · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book that I thoroughly enjoyed and believed it to be a true story. The books are precieved to be true, but I later learned it is fiction being passed off as non-fiction. The writing style was good, but I really hate the deceit behind this book. If anyone reads this, go into it knowing that it's fiction and you will enjoy it.

[Susann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting!

I read the first book of the three a few months ago and reread it in this trilogy. It was just as good the second time. Thank goodness information about some of this traditional terrible abuse of women in Saudi Arabia is finally coming out. Unbelievable and shocking. Pretty rough stuff. Very enlightening.

[Therese Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great books

I couldn’t put down these books. They were so informative and thoughtful. I was thankful every day to be born in the USA as I read them. It was heartbreaking to hear of the abuses of woman in these countries. This true story of the determination and courage of one woman was inspiring !

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likely fiction disguised as a true story.. I especially enjoyed the first book, but as the series continued I began questioning the story's truth. A little internet investigating exposed the series as embellished if not entirely untrue. Irritating...

[Kendra VanderVoort · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess was GREAT! Highly recommend. Didn't finish Princess Sultana's Daughter since I feel it veered off the family and went more into the Muslim religion.

[Stephanie]

Amazing books. Hard to put down.

[Idoia blanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bonita historia, hecho real,de la princesa sultana. 3 libros, y cada cual más bonito.

[Nathalya Oweis brusel · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best trilogy about the women in the middle east ever read , very recomended

[Lydia Moser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, often heavy, moves/flows well with good tempo, sometimes gives unreliable and unlikable narrator

[Astrid Falkenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a non-believing, evolved Western woman, I was appalled at the many stories of female oppression recounted in all 3 books, and the powerlessness of women in the Middle East to this day.
I can't even fathom how the author would willingly live in Saudi Arabia for so many years, but can only hope that by her publishing these horrific stories, some of the women have been saved.
I must admit I was disappointed that I had to read all 3 books before Princess Sultana finally grew enough of a spine to stand up for one woman against all the men in her family and saved her. After she knew that female members of her own family and close friends suffered unimaginable horrors, some were even killed by their male family members, and yet she did nothing to try and save them. Instead she turned to alcohol and mindless excessive shopping. I really had a difficult time with the excesses of the royal family and their laziness, when obviously in other parts the poor people, including their own servants, were suffering, and had no way of escaping their plight.
I learned a lot about the misinterpretations of the Koran by men, so they could abuse women at will. It reinforced my belief how religion can poison people's minds, especially innocent childrens'.

[Travel Writing · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggle with this book.

Jean Sasson has garnered an audience with a Saudi Princess, who shares her life. This alone is astounding. The story itself is like listening to a 40 year old woman with all the money and the opportunity in the world, but with the mentality and coping skills of an 8 year old.

This is a typical and continually theme throughout the entire trilogy:
The Princess' nephew brings a young girl he bought, so the girl can be raped by he and all of his cousins while on a 'camping trip' with the entire family. When he is caught in mid rape- the only ruckus from the men is why was he stopped? He bought her fair and square! The Princess buys the young traumatized girl from her nephew and sets her up as a maid.

Princess is pleased as punch at herself for her amazingly giving and open-minded spirit for this generous act!

To me- this is indicative of the absolute entitlement and lack of compassion or ability to be generous. You basically bought another human to pick up after you. No thought to making the girl educated or giving her an opportunity to have a say in her future. Nope. Buy her. Make her pick up my shit.

I live in the Gulf region (basically the Middle East to most) and this book does not endear me at all to the royal women of the region.

[Kelly Ardyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all 3 of these book and I really hope that Princess Sultana will write another book soon. These books let you see just how living in Saudi Arabia is like, and I don't know how they do it, it's really scary at times! Now Sultana complains a lot about how bad her life is, and i understand the whole living in Saudi thing, but as far as her life, she has nothing to complain about and it makes me sick how she thinks its so bad. First off she got lucky and got to marry a man she loved and that loves and worships her, he does not beat her or treat her bad, they have 3 great kids and her husband never took anymore wives. She is treated like a Princess every step of the way, she even eats strawberries flown in from Europe everyday, and even the water they water their plants with is flown in from somewhere like Italy or something. She has a private plane to go anywhere, they have palaces all over and apartments and condos in Egypt, London, etc..... this girl has it made, I feel sad for the other people that she writes about in her books, but I don't really feel that bad for her!

[book.to.frame · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning things about a culture that I knew little about. While the main character hates the way women are treated in her country, she does nothing to change it. She rebels against those close to her and falls into her own self destruction. By the middle of book 3, I was getting irritated that Sultana had still done nothing to help the women of her country. Though I was relieved that she finally spoke openly about her feelings with the men in her family, I am left with a feeling that she can do so much more. I suppose everything takes baby steps. I just wish she wouldn't have waited so long for the small step she took. Overall, throughout the reading, I could not put it down. I wanted to know what would happen next.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well....

I can honestly say I was enlightened by the first book. I honestly had no idea the extent of hatred toward Arab women. However, each generation and culture of women have fought the battles to be seen if not as equals to be treated humanly.
Battles are not won by merely speaking of them hoping someone will change your situation for you. I am very happy that princess Sultana finally realized this. I just wish it hadn't taken three books. I truly pray that she and her sisters have taken there new found connection and have rescued as many women as they could.
Do not grow faint in well doing.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If this book was true, I would give it a higher rating. While I was reading it, I thought it was true... after I finished all 3, I did a little research. It seems it is likely fiction, maybe even stolen from another author, with Princess Sultana herself being entirely fictional.
That being said, how much can we trust about all the supposedly "true stories", eye witness accounts, and even the way women are treated in Saudi Arabia.
When one thing is called into question, it ALL has to be called into question.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this set of books five stars because of the world it opened it up to me. I think sometimes people's ratings on books are too critical of the writing (and chances are most reviewers have never even written a book) and not on the book's content or importance. The Princess books are important. If you have a heart for women, then you won't be able to stop reading these. As an American woman, it is hard for me to imagine this type of oppression and it further reminds me why the separation of church and state is so critical. I will definitely read more of Jean Sasson.

[Farhin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy to read but haunting. All 3 are impossible to put down from page one. It's hard to believe these are true stories. All woman's rights advocates and middle eastern bound travelers should read this. There are a lot of Muslims that make the pilgrimmage to Mecca (only slightly inconvenienced by the impossible rules like -Mehram) and leave not realizing the tyranny that exists for the women who are born into that nightmare.