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Айша, любимата наложница на могъщия принц Акбар хан, среща в сърцето на Афганистан английския лейтенант Кит Ралстън — офицер от английската империя. Акбар хан, научил за изгарящата страст на наложницата си към чужденеца, се впуска да ги преследва. А Кит и Айша, омагьосани от любовта си, късно забелязват, че Акбар хан им е приготвил сурови изпитания…
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First published January 1, 1990
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About the author
Jane Feather
171 books630 followersJane Feather (born Jane Robotham) is a popular British–American writer of historical romance novels. In 1984 she wrote five contemporary romances under the pseudonym Claudia Bishop. She is a New York Times-bestselling, award–winning writer, and has more than ten million romance novels in print.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 14, 2012
Twelve year old Annabel Spencer sees her parents slaughtered by Afghan raiders as they travel. She is abducted, and the only words she can make out are "Akbar Khan."
Flash forward several years to see Christopher (Kit) Ralston on patrol to try to scout out the Afghan rebels who have been harrying British supply lines. He sees a gorgeous naked white woman bathing, and later finds her again. She says her name is Ayesha and she takes him to Akbar Khan, the leader of the people hereabouts (it's more complicated than that but close enough). Khan senses an attraction between his concubine and the Englishman, and wants to subtly punish her and show the hated Englishman that he has power even over English, so he gifts Kit with Ayesha's services for a night. The thing is, when it's over both of them are changed and neither can forget. But neither can fit in the other's world.
As always Feather is an adept historian, putting the romantic adventure against the backdrop of Afghanistan just before and during the First Anglo-Afghan war. It's relevant today in that it shows the dramatic cultural conflicts and the political and geographic problems that make it impossible for anyone to truly conquer this country or it's people. Feather has keen insight into Akbar Khan's complex and subtle mind, and the cultural differences that even today westerners don't truly grasp, to our detriment. The Brits, on the other hand, just took for granted that everyone recognized their right to expand their empire into heathen lands and that the "savages" didn't have the ability to overcome. More, they took promises from their enemies at face value and failed to grasp until it was too late that Islam condones lying to enemies to weaken their position. Error piled upon error as the Brits bit by bit gave up any advantage, leading to one of the worst massacres in history.
Our couple, too, face impossible odds. Annabel is the property of Akbar Khan, and even after Kit abducts her there's just no way they can escape his grasp, and even if they could, what then? Can a woman raised by heathens and kept in a zenana (harem) from puberty ever be accepted among the people of her birth?
This really is one of my favorite books by Feather. I highly recommend it.
Flash forward several years to see Christopher (Kit) Ralston on patrol to try to scout out the Afghan rebels who have been harrying British supply lines. He sees a gorgeous naked white woman bathing, and later finds her again. She says her name is Ayesha and she takes him to Akbar Khan, the leader of the people hereabouts (it's more complicated than that but close enough). Khan senses an attraction between his concubine and the Englishman, and wants to subtly punish her and show the hated Englishman that he has power even over English, so he gifts Kit with Ayesha's services for a night. The thing is, when it's over both of them are changed and neither can forget. But neither can fit in the other's world.
As always Feather is an adept historian, putting the romantic adventure against the backdrop of Afghanistan just before and during the First Anglo-Afghan war. It's relevant today in that it shows the dramatic cultural conflicts and the political and geographic problems that make it impossible for anyone to truly conquer this country or it's people. Feather has keen insight into Akbar Khan's complex and subtle mind, and the cultural differences that even today westerners don't truly grasp, to our detriment. The Brits, on the other hand, just took for granted that everyone recognized their right to expand their empire into heathen lands and that the "savages" didn't have the ability to overcome. More, they took promises from their enemies at face value and failed to grasp until it was too late that Islam condones lying to enemies to weaken their position. Error piled upon error as the Brits bit by bit gave up any advantage, leading to one of the worst massacres in history.
Our couple, too, face impossible odds. Annabel is the property of Akbar Khan, and even after Kit abducts her there's just no way they can escape his grasp, and even if they could, what then? Can a woman raised by heathens and kept in a zenana (harem) from puberty ever be accepted among the people of her birth?
This really is one of my favorite books by Feather. I highly recommend it.
July 29, 2013
I would not recommend this book to anyone who has a loved one fighting in Afghanistan. The story of the British in that country in the 19th century seemed so plausible that I wasn't surprised to find out that it followed actual historic events closely. And most of the characters in this brutal tale are based on real people. although the couple at the center of the plot are fictional. I found myself disgusted at and frustrated by the arrogant stupidity of the British military as portrayed by Feather and the sadistic, but clever, cat and mouse game played with them by Akbar Khan. The graphic violence of the book was upsetting, mostly because it had happened to real people. I found myself skipping to the final 20 pages to enjoy the happily ever after as an antidote to the atrocity that preceded it. Despite all this, it was a gripping read, but by no means light.
August 2, 2016
Fascinating that it actually has an accurate historical background during the British occupation of Afghanistan. Except for the main character, of course. No way would her "owner" have waited until she was 15, or let her read...
April 25, 2024
No fue la historia que me esperaba, pero ha sido una lectura atrapante, de esas q no quieres soltar xq quieres saber q pasa, pero al mismo tiempo no quieres q se acabe xq estás disfrutando la trama como ya hace rato no lo haces.
Kit Ralston es un oficial de ejército inglés comisionado a Afganistan como castigo x una diablura irresponsable de esas q hacen los niños bien q nunca se han tenido q esforzar x nada xq todo les corresponde x derecho de nacimiento. En Kabul lo encontramos recuperándose de una resaca, xq tampoco es q las funciones del ejército se le den muy bien y prefiere matar el tiempo entre alcohol y juegos de azar, cuando no las féminas q pueda conseguir en ese pedazo de infierno olvidado de la mano de Dios. Y sin embargo, es en ese rincón perdido donde encuentra, en forma totalmente fortuita, encuentra a Ayesha, la favorita de uno de los poderosos Kanes de Afganistan, que para más INRI resulta ser Annabel Spencer, una joven inglesa raptada por bandidos del desierto cuando apenas tenía 12 años.
Kit queda automáticamente obsesionado con Annabel-Ayesha y a partir de ahí, todas sus acciones tendrán un solo objetivo, salvarla de su cautividad y llevarla de vuelta a casa. Obviamente sus motivos son completamente egoístas, pero ese es un detalle sobre el q no se hace demasiado enfasis, xq no le conviene y xq la situación política del país no lo permite, dado que las tribus afganas están al borde de la insurrección, liderados por el dueño y señor de la joven q Kit quiere para él.
En un descuido - bastante absurdo desde mi punto de vista - Kit lograr "liberar" a Annabel-Ayesha, prácticamente 5 minutos antes de q estalle la revolución, y al estallido de violencia se suma el conocimiento de q Akbar Khan no va perdonar el insulto.
La historia es muy buena, la ambientación está muy lograda, y según lo explica la propia autora, se han respetado los detalles históricos. Ahora, en mi modesta opinión, si están buscando una historia de romance extremo, de amantes trágicos llevados x la pasión en un ambiente de odio y sangre, aquí no lo van a encontrar. Sí, Annabel&Kit se enamoran y quieren estar juntos, pero las circunstancias son las peores, no solo x el momento histórico y el pasado de Annabel sino xq Annabel ya no es una joven inglesa sino al contrario, está totalmente imbuida de las costumbres afganas al punto de compartir incluso los sentimientos de desprecio y odio hacia los ingleses. Y aunq ella se siente inexorablemente atraída hacia Kit, ella pertenece al Khan y no se plantea siquiera volver a la civilización en la q nació. El personaje de Annabel es sin duda lo más interesante de la trama, x como evoluciona, y pasa de ser una niña inglesa, a una joven afgana q nuevamente debe descubrir a la inglesa en ella. Es una joven muy inteligente y utiliza esa inteligencia en forma sabia al tratar tanto con Kit como con Akbar Kahn.
Aunq la pareja Kit&Annabel resulta bastante desapasionada, solo x este personaje, la historia ha valido la pena y creo q la novela va de esto, no del romance; sino del descubrimiento y redescubrimiento de una joven q ha sido sacada de su zona de confort, no una sino dos veces y aún así, ha sabido jugar sus cartas y salir ganadora.
Kit Ralston es un oficial de ejército inglés comisionado a Afganistan como castigo x una diablura irresponsable de esas q hacen los niños bien q nunca se han tenido q esforzar x nada xq todo les corresponde x derecho de nacimiento. En Kabul lo encontramos recuperándose de una resaca, xq tampoco es q las funciones del ejército se le den muy bien y prefiere matar el tiempo entre alcohol y juegos de azar, cuando no las féminas q pueda conseguir en ese pedazo de infierno olvidado de la mano de Dios. Y sin embargo, es en ese rincón perdido donde encuentra, en forma totalmente fortuita, encuentra a Ayesha, la favorita de uno de los poderosos Kanes de Afganistan, que para más INRI resulta ser Annabel Spencer, una joven inglesa raptada por bandidos del desierto cuando apenas tenía 12 años.
Kit queda automáticamente obsesionado con Annabel-Ayesha y a partir de ahí, todas sus acciones tendrán un solo objetivo, salvarla de su cautividad y llevarla de vuelta a casa. Obviamente sus motivos son completamente egoístas, pero ese es un detalle sobre el q no se hace demasiado enfasis, xq no le conviene y xq la situación política del país no lo permite, dado que las tribus afganas están al borde de la insurrección, liderados por el dueño y señor de la joven q Kit quiere para él.
En un descuido - bastante absurdo desde mi punto de vista - Kit lograr "liberar" a Annabel-Ayesha, prácticamente 5 minutos antes de q estalle la revolución, y al estallido de violencia se suma el conocimiento de q Akbar Khan no va perdonar el insulto.
La historia es muy buena, la ambientación está muy lograda, y según lo explica la propia autora, se han respetado los detalles históricos. Ahora, en mi modesta opinión, si están buscando una historia de romance extremo, de amantes trágicos llevados x la pasión en un ambiente de odio y sangre, aquí no lo van a encontrar. Sí, Annabel&Kit se enamoran y quieren estar juntos, pero las circunstancias son las peores, no solo x el momento histórico y el pasado de Annabel sino xq Annabel ya no es una joven inglesa sino al contrario, está totalmente imbuida de las costumbres afganas al punto de compartir incluso los sentimientos de desprecio y odio hacia los ingleses. Y aunq ella se siente inexorablemente atraída hacia Kit, ella pertenece al Khan y no se plantea siquiera volver a la civilización en la q nació. El personaje de Annabel es sin duda lo más interesante de la trama, x como evoluciona, y pasa de ser una niña inglesa, a una joven afgana q nuevamente debe descubrir a la inglesa en ella. Es una joven muy inteligente y utiliza esa inteligencia en forma sabia al tratar tanto con Kit como con Akbar Kahn.
Aunq la pareja Kit&Annabel resulta bastante desapasionada, solo x este personaje, la historia ha valido la pena y creo q la novela va de esto, no del romance; sino del descubrimiento y redescubrimiento de una joven q ha sido sacada de su zona de confort, no una sino dos veces y aún así, ha sabido jugar sus cartas y salir ganadora.
did-not-finish
August 31, 2022DNF at around 10%
I will give this author credit for setting her historical romance in a different setting. But OH MY GOD THE RACISM!!! It wasn't so much the hero calling the Afghans barbaric every page. That I get. It's very period appropriate. It was that combined with him fetishizing how "pale" the heroine's skin is. So much gleeful excitement about her lack of melanin. I couldn't get past it.
I picked this up because the stepback is gorgeous. I'm putting it down because "Save the pale white girl from the evil brown people" is, quite frankly, exhausting.
I will give this author credit for setting her historical romance in a different setting. But OH MY GOD THE RACISM!!! It wasn't so much the hero calling the Afghans barbaric every page. That I get. It's very period appropriate. It was that combined with him fetishizing how "pale" the heroine's skin is. So much gleeful excitement about her lack of melanin. I couldn't get past it.
I picked this up because the stepback is gorgeous. I'm putting it down because "Save the pale white girl from the evil brown people" is, quite frankly, exhausting.
August 29, 2021
I did not finish this book and I'm unsure how so many people did! I made it to page 67 when he 'exploded' "Goddammit woman, one day I will master you!" ... To a woman he met the day before.
If you read the back of the book you know Annabel is a captive to an Afghan leader and Kit wants to save her so he can have sex with her.
This is honestly one is the top five worst books I've attempted to read.
If you read the back of the book you know Annabel is a captive to an Afghan leader and Kit wants to save her so he can have sex with her.
This is honestly one is the top five worst books I've attempted to read.
March 27, 2023
Worth Reading
I enjoyed this historical romance novel set in Afghanistan. However, there were parts that I found the story to be lacking and rough terrain to push through. I know Ralston would follow Anna anywhere. But what of taking up his duties to England and working out how Anna would fit into his future. I would hope for a epilogue to bring better completion.
I enjoyed this historical romance novel set in Afghanistan. However, there were parts that I found the story to be lacking and rough terrain to push through. I know Ralston would follow Anna anywhere. But what of taking up his duties to England and working out how Anna would fit into his future. I would hope for a epilogue to bring better completion.
June 15, 2018
Sucked
April 6, 2015
I just finished this book today and came here to express how much I loved it! But I must confess I'm a little puzzled by all the negative/lackluster reviews. I'm glad I didn't read them before I bought and read the story.
Wrought with impossible choices, sacrifice, and passionate love, the relationship between Kit and Anna was breathtaking and exciting. Set that against the unforgiving backdrop of a volatile Afghanistan, and you have an epic historical romance with as much relevance today as it had in it's fictional time period.
I was fascinated with the culture and people even as I was slightly appalled. Akbar Kahn was a worthy villain with understandable motivation. Even if he wasn't relatable, he was likable. Just as the title implies, Bold Destiny is an exceptional period piece that has forgone the general romantic Regency charm for higher stakes, greater suffering, and a more powerful love.
This story deserves it's ranking up there with some of the best of it's kind. For fans of Laura Kinsale, I would highly recommend.
Wrought with impossible choices, sacrifice, and passionate love, the relationship between Kit and Anna was breathtaking and exciting. Set that against the unforgiving backdrop of a volatile Afghanistan, and you have an epic historical romance with as much relevance today as it had in it's fictional time period.
I was fascinated with the culture and people even as I was slightly appalled. Akbar Kahn was a worthy villain with understandable motivation. Even if he wasn't relatable, he was likable. Just as the title implies, Bold Destiny is an exceptional period piece that has forgone the general romantic Regency charm for higher stakes, greater suffering, and a more powerful love.
This story deserves it's ranking up there with some of the best of it's kind. For fans of Laura Kinsale, I would highly recommend.
August 13, 2012
Not your normal historical romance. It´s not set in glitzy upper class Regency England but in harsh Afghanistan. In the beginning I wasn´t sure but when I found out that most of the things that happens are historically correct, I liked it better.
When Annabell Spence was little he family was killed and she was taken. She was given as a gift to Akbar Kahn, the greatest war lord in Afghanistan.
Years later when Christopher Ralston meets her she is Ayesha the favourite in Akbar Khans harem.
It is a dark story filled with war, famine and abuse but there is also friendship, happiness and love.
I can´t imagine being ripped from my normality and thrown into new and strange surroundings. That happens to Annabell not once but twice. I think her duality is shown very well.
After awhile I found that I actually liked both H/H and was cheering on the HEA!
When Annabell Spence was little he family was killed and she was taken. She was given as a gift to Akbar Kahn, the greatest war lord in Afghanistan.
Years later when Christopher Ralston meets her she is Ayesha the favourite in Akbar Khans harem.
It is a dark story filled with war, famine and abuse but there is also friendship, happiness and love.
I can´t imagine being ripped from my normality and thrown into new and strange surroundings. That happens to Annabell not once but twice. I think her duality is shown very well.
After awhile I found that I actually liked both H/H and was cheering on the HEA!
February 24, 2012
I love this author so much. Every her book is different, thrilling and interesting. Buy this one I find the worst of all of hers I've ever read. So unrealistic, and I didn't understand the protagonists at all. Their feelings appeared from nowhere in some strange and unknown moment. Wouldn't recommend it. There are so many really fantastic Feather's books!
September 16, 2015
Not your usual historic romance! Loved the desert setting of Afghanistan. Many interesting twists with the exotic cultural norms of these desert people thrown in. The heroine is also a unique charactI loved her strength, intelligence, and boldness even if she wasn't your average aristocratic young miss from England. Definitely a fine told story and worth reading!
July 29, 2012
Very descriptive, yet the author uses a lot of words that the average reader will not know. There were even a few I had never come across before and I consider myself knowledgeable. It was a tedious read. I did learn a lot of Afghani customs and views though.
August 11, 2009
Good mindless fluff.
August 21, 2012
Good history and cultural descriptions, mixed with the romance. A good read!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews