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Calaf and Ishmael: A Tale of Turandot
Calaf and Ishmael are two friends thrust into a world of clashing empires in 3rd century CE Rome and Persia. Growing up in the court of the brutal Kushan emperor Timur, Calaf is Timur's son and heir, and Ishmael is the son of a scribe. They are inseparable, with ties of love and devotion that stretch back to births days apart and shrouded in mystery.
When Calaf nearly dies saving Ishmael, his father is furious that he would risk his life for a servant, and does all that he can to separate the friends. The fall of Timur's empire flings the two young men across the ancient world, and they must struggle against deceit, betrayal, and cruelty to find each other again.
After enduring years of separation and adversity, they reunite and face one last trial in the court of the merciless Princess Turandot. Calaf must choose. Reclaim his father's throne or condemn Ishmael to certain death.
With a deep cast of characters moving through a vivid and unforgiving world, this historical tale, inspired by Giacomo Puccini's opera Turandot, affirms that great loss can only be redeemed by love willing to sacrifice all.
When Calaf nearly dies saving Ishmael, his father is furious that he would risk his life for a servant, and does all that he can to separate the friends. The fall of Timur's empire flings the two young men across the ancient world, and they must struggle against deceit, betrayal, and cruelty to find each other again.
After enduring years of separation and adversity, they reunite and face one last trial in the court of the merciless Princess Turandot. Calaf must choose. Reclaim his father's throne or condemn Ishmael to certain death.
With a deep cast of characters moving through a vivid and unforgiving world, this historical tale, inspired by Giacomo Puccini's opera Turandot, affirms that great loss can only be redeemed by love willing to sacrifice all.
- GenresM M Romance
520 pages, Paperback
Published July 5, 2017
8 people are currently reading
753 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 23, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
Calaf and Ishmael is loosely based on Puccini’s last opera, Turandot. I’m not a fan of opera, to be honest. I’ve heard plenty and read many a libretto, but the story structure of operatic plotting tends to be excessively dramatic for my tastes. Still the historical aspect of Calaf and Ishmael intrigued me. Ultimately, there’s a lot of good in this book, but much like the opera upon which it’s based, Calaf and Ishmael falls prey to awkward pacing and to its own theatrics.
Calaf and Ishmael are relatively sympathetic characters. So much of what happens to them is outside of their control and they’re often battered about by the actions of others. They aren’t helpless, but they aren’t the masters of their own fate. They aren’t perfect men, either, and in that it was easier to find them relatable. They’re doing the best they can against incredible odds.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
Calaf and Ishmael is loosely based on Puccini’s last opera, Turandot. I’m not a fan of opera, to be honest. I’ve heard plenty and read many a libretto, but the story structure of operatic plotting tends to be excessively dramatic for my tastes. Still the historical aspect of Calaf and Ishmael intrigued me. Ultimately, there’s a lot of good in this book, but much like the opera upon which it’s based, Calaf and Ishmael falls prey to awkward pacing and to its own theatrics.
Calaf and Ishmael are relatively sympathetic characters. So much of what happens to them is outside of their control and they’re often battered about by the actions of others. They aren’t helpless, but they aren’t the masters of their own fate. They aren’t perfect men, either, and in that it was easier to find them relatable. They’re doing the best they can against incredible odds.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
January 29, 2021
This is a strong 3-star rating. There were parts of this book that I really liked, and I certainly couldn't wait to get back to reading the book whenever I had to put it down. The main characters - Calaf, Ishmael, Timur, and Sharina - were extremely well-written as were their relationships, experiences, and internal struggles. But there were also parts that were confusing as I had a hard time keeping all the supporting characters straight (as well as where their allegiances were as those shifted). It would have been helpful to have had a cast of characters list at the beginning of the book, and perhaps even a timeline. The maps were somewhat helpful, but since not all the rivers were identified on the maps it sometimes became arduous to figure out where the characters were. Finally, the 20th century epilogue was just unneeded.
April 4, 2021
I'm honestly not sure what to think about this. The story is pretty straight forward. You had Calaf, the son of the emperor, and his best friend from birth Ishmael.
The reader also gets a tale of murder, revenge, deceit, betrayl, and all that good stuff that soap operas are known for. We don't get evil twins, but we do get babies switched at birth. Yes, Calaf and Ishmael were switched at birth by Calaf's true mother Sharina as a way to get revenge on the Emperor Timur who ruled the Kushan Empire. Timur was pretty much a murderous arse and killed everyone who defied him. Sharina's father was the ruler of a kingdom Timur had conquered. Long story short-Timur kills her family and takes her a prisoner.
She was the wet nurse to both boys since they were born about the same time. She was going to kill Ishmael as revenge but she couldn't so she switched them. She passed her son off as the heir to the empire while the true heir was hidden in plain sight.
We get chapter after chapter of wars and battles and more deceit and treachery after Calaf is sent off for military training. Ishmael is left at home to train as a physician with the Timur's personal physician.
The Romans had sent spies to Kush in order to determine whether or not Timur would be a good ally.
The main spy, Flavus, is eventually exposed and becomes a mentor to Calaf. He takes Calaf to Rome for military training. Calaf becomes an excellent soldier and leader due to the training. However, during his time in the Roman military, the empire is overrun by the Persians and Timur is removed from the throne. Obviously, Calaf can't go home and in the mean time, he's told that Ismael died when the Persians burnt Timur's palace.
He's taken prisoner by the Persians along with other Roman soldiers. He is eventually reunited with Ismael after a lot of death. They go on the run, but Calaf is determined to take back the throne. By this time, Calaf knows the truth about his birth and eventually tells Ismael. Ismael isn't thrilled that it took Calaf two months to tell him, but he gets over it.
The two men reach the capital city. Since Timur was deposed, the Persians had set up a new king. His daughter Turandot was infamous for beheading potential suitors. She would pose three questions to them and if they failed to get the answer right, she beheaded them and put their heads on pikes.
Calaf challenged Turandot to allow him to compete for her hand. Of course, he answers the questions correctly. Once they are married, he will have the throne and he and Ismael can live happily ever after. His marriage will be purely political with some baby making so he can have an heir.
The book was inspired by an opera. Important people die in the last act of most operas. As it turns out, the Persians, who still control the Kushan Empire, have a warrant out for Ismael because he killed a high ranking Persian military officer for revenge. The officer was known for raping and killing other men. Ismael had been a victim before as had Calaf. Calaf and Ismael were offered a deal. Calaf gives up his claim to the throne and doesn't marry Turandot or Ismael will be turned over to the Persians. Everyone knows that the Persians will kill Ismael. Calaf wants to take the deal. Ismael doesn't. He ends up killing himself.
His suicide is the appropriate end for the book. Timur had to kill his best friends in the prologue for the good of the empire. Everything Timur did was, at least in his mind, was for the good of the empire. His true son Ismael kills himself for the good of the empire.
The more I think about this book, the less I like it. I think the author took the easy way out by killing Ismael. He and Calaf could have escaped and Turandot could have easily handed over an imposter to the Persians. She had no qualms about killing people so this would have been pretty easy for her. But no, Ismael dies and Calaf takes the throne. Very disappointing
The reader also gets a tale of murder, revenge, deceit, betrayl, and all that good stuff that soap operas are known for. We don't get evil twins, but we do get babies switched at birth. Yes, Calaf and Ishmael were switched at birth by Calaf's true mother Sharina as a way to get revenge on the Emperor Timur who ruled the Kushan Empire. Timur was pretty much a murderous arse and killed everyone who defied him. Sharina's father was the ruler of a kingdom Timur had conquered. Long story short-Timur kills her family and takes her a prisoner.
She was the wet nurse to both boys since they were born about the same time. She was going to kill Ishmael as revenge but she couldn't so she switched them. She passed her son off as the heir to the empire while the true heir was hidden in plain sight.
We get chapter after chapter of wars and battles and more deceit and treachery after Calaf is sent off for military training. Ishmael is left at home to train as a physician with the Timur's personal physician.
The Romans had sent spies to Kush in order to determine whether or not Timur would be a good ally.
The main spy, Flavus, is eventually exposed and becomes a mentor to Calaf. He takes Calaf to Rome for military training. Calaf becomes an excellent soldier and leader due to the training. However, during his time in the Roman military, the empire is overrun by the Persians and Timur is removed from the throne. Obviously, Calaf can't go home and in the mean time, he's told that Ismael died when the Persians burnt Timur's palace.
He's taken prisoner by the Persians along with other Roman soldiers. He is eventually reunited with Ismael after a lot of death. They go on the run, but Calaf is determined to take back the throne. By this time, Calaf knows the truth about his birth and eventually tells Ismael. Ismael isn't thrilled that it took Calaf two months to tell him, but he gets over it.
The two men reach the capital city. Since Timur was deposed, the Persians had set up a new king. His daughter Turandot was infamous for beheading potential suitors. She would pose three questions to them and if they failed to get the answer right, she beheaded them and put their heads on pikes.
Calaf challenged Turandot to allow him to compete for her hand. Of course, he answers the questions correctly. Once they are married, he will have the throne and he and Ismael can live happily ever after. His marriage will be purely political with some baby making so he can have an heir.
The book was inspired by an opera. Important people die in the last act of most operas. As it turns out, the Persians, who still control the Kushan Empire, have a warrant out for Ismael because he killed a high ranking Persian military officer for revenge. The officer was known for raping and killing other men. Ismael had been a victim before as had Calaf. Calaf and Ismael were offered a deal. Calaf gives up his claim to the throne and doesn't marry Turandot or Ismael will be turned over to the Persians. Everyone knows that the Persians will kill Ismael. Calaf wants to take the deal. Ismael doesn't. He ends up killing himself.
His suicide is the appropriate end for the book. Timur had to kill his best friends in the prologue for the good of the empire. Everything Timur did was, at least in his mind, was for the good of the empire. His true son Ismael kills himself for the good of the empire.
The more I think about this book, the less I like it. I think the author took the easy way out by killing Ismael. He and Calaf could have escaped and Turandot could have easily handed over an imposter to the Persians. She had no qualms about killing people so this would have been pretty easy for her. But no, Ismael dies and Calaf takes the throne. Very disappointing
May 12, 2018
(I won a copy in a Goodread giveaway.)
I'm a huge fan of the opera Turnadot, and was very excited to get my hands on this novel. The blurb on the back doesn't begin to describe how sprawling this book is. Wooten is competent in the craft, and the story seems well researched (there is a lot of excellent detail throughout), but it is overly long with a lot of character POVs, and that was a challenge to my interest.
I would recommend this story for fans of historical novels, particularly if you're keen being immersed in the 3rd century.
I'm a huge fan of the opera Turnadot, and was very excited to get my hands on this novel. The blurb on the back doesn't begin to describe how sprawling this book is. Wooten is competent in the craft, and the story seems well researched (there is a lot of excellent detail throughout), but it is overly long with a lot of character POVs, and that was a challenge to my interest.
I would recommend this story for fans of historical novels, particularly if you're keen being immersed in the 3rd century.
March 24, 2020
Palace intrigue and continuous plot twists
This was a very good book covering a place and time that was new to me. The character development is wonderful and reads almost like a good film rolling in front of your eyes. It's a story that draws you in and even though you feel tragedy coming at all times, the author does a good job of surprising you with pilot developments and twists
I wasnt sure how the end would evolve but it was a nice surprise and fitting ending
This was a very good book covering a place and time that was new to me. The character development is wonderful and reads almost like a good film rolling in front of your eyes. It's a story that draws you in and even though you feel tragedy coming at all times, the author does a good job of surprising you with pilot developments and twists
I wasnt sure how the end would evolve but it was a nice surprise and fitting ending
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July 1, 2025i'm not going to rate it because it wasn't what i wanted it to be but that doesn't mean it was bad.
October 16, 2025
Perfection. Absolut and uttermost perfection. I don't think I've ever read a book like this, but this one... I loved it. There was not a single thing I didn't love about it and I savoured every single page. Definitely one of the best books I've read this year.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews