In 1576, when Tahmasb Shah of the Safavid dynasty dies unexpectedly, there is no designated heir to the Iranian throne. Equal to the Sun was an excellent example of how good a well written, well researched historical fiction novel can be. As the story is told by Javaher, I felt the character of the princess was a little remote but I particularly enjoyed the setting of this story as I don’t often get to read about this time or this part of the world. I liked the first book I had read by this author, The Blood of Flowers, and found Equal to the Sun another absorbing read. She thought the next Shah would undoubtedly recognize her value, but unfortunately he came with a very ambitious wife. When he died she had difficulty convincing the subsequent incompetent Shah of her value and had to make arrangements to have him murdered. Her father appointed her as his advisor when she was only sixteen. Princess Pari plots and schemes behind the latticed screen of the harem. This story illustrates the difficulty of being an intelligent, ambitious woman who must battle for her very life in a time where women weren’t expected to show how politically enlightened they could be. The story is told by her trusted servant, eunuch, Javaher, who serves as her advisor, spy and confidant. Author earns big points for shining the spotlight on a oft overlooked time period and place.Įqual to the Sun by author Anita Amirrezvani is a historical novel of 16th century Persian politics told by relating the story of Princess Pari Khan Khanoom, a favored daughter of the Shah, and her quest for power.

I found the conclusion of the investigation anti-climatic and lacking wow factor. and the protagonist's investigation for his father's death. The book's main plots were surviving the change in shahs. Was it the author's choice? Or do people really talk that way? Oh, light of the universe, please make it stop. After that intro, I found the book slowing with reciting of poems and the maddening formalities and brown-nosing titles when addressing people. I had to walk away and return to the book. The book opens with stomach churning introduction when a eunuch describes his castration to the princess.

It's kind of funny that I've read about this time period set in England, Japan, Russia (well, book in queue), Hungary (Elizabeth Bathory), and Turkey/Malta. Loosely based on the princess Pari Khan Khanoom Safavi, it's a story set in 1570's Iran. 'Equal to the Sun' equals a full three stars from me.

First book in the bridgerton series