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Sensuous and delightfully intelligent, The Princess of Dhagabad is the first book in a trilogy by a talented new author.
"a fine recasting of Arabian Nights material into a fable for our times."
--- Locus
"truly compelling"
-- Booklist
"a lot of originality, an exciting story, a well realized background, and vivid writing."
--Poul Anderson
Once I got used to the writing, this book was incredibly easy to read. There were many familiar elements, to other kind of Arabian-night tales, but the setting was charming and entertaining. The main character is likable and I can easily believe she is a princess. I think it would be challenging to write a character who is ‘all-powerful’ and knows everything (including what’s going on anywhere), but the character of Hasan turned out very well.
The story takes place during the whole coming-of-age period of the only princess of Dhagabad. The sultan has no sons, so she is brought up more like a prince. We get to see how she changes from a lonely 11-year-old dreamer who rarely smiles, to a willful 17-year-old whose best friend and companion is a djinn slave left to her by her grandmother. Caught between her duties — studies, and eventual betrothal to some prince determined by the council — and her wishes — to learn more about the world, with Hasan — her decisions will impact not only her own life, but the entire kingdom of Dhagabad.
I moved straight on to the sequel. This book doesn’t end at a cliffhanger, in fact it ties things up rather well, but I’m excited to see what happens next — because the real struggles are yet to come!
(Read with the Nook app on an iPad.)
A note on the format — dashes turned out as squares.
Anonymous
Posted March 6, 2013
Loved it!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.SallieRide2750
Posted June 6, 2012
The Princess of Dhagabad is pampered, sheltered and more than a little restless. She is tired of her gilded cage, wanting to experience the world outside the palace walls.
Then on her twelfth birthday, the princess is allowed to open a bottle, a gift bequeathed to her by her grandmother. She is given a Djinn, a powerful magical slave. Over the years, Hasan, the Djinn, proves his worth and devotion time and time again. Hasan is the Princess of Dhagabad’s protector, teacher, confidant and friend. Hasan and the Princess go on many adventures together and their story culminates with an unexpected twist.
Anna Kashima is a very precise writer and her talents are artfully showcased with descriptions so intense, readers can smell the spices and taste the sankajat. Anna Kashima paints the story of The Princess of Dhagabad on a large canvass. It is a larger than life fairytale that engages the scenes and transports the reader to places of magic and adventure.
Anonymous
Posted July 4, 2000
Anna Kashina's book is a sheer joy to read -- I was drawn effortlessly into a world that was magical, to be sure -- but what is special about this book is that it explores the philosophical depth of what it means to be a spirit, great and enslaved, in a way I've never seen before. And love does change everything.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 27, 2000
Highly recommended for the adult fans of Harry Potter! This book, with its sensual harem scenes, is definitely not appropriate for the young adults, but it has the same geniune feel of an all-time classic that, together with the beautiful writing will leave you longing for more! It tells of an Arabian princess growing up in a man-oriented society, entrapped in her personal world of responsibilities until one day, on her twelfth birthday she becomes the owner of a powerful (and handsome) djinn. The book is fun to read, but it is more than fun, reaching through its magical descriptions right down to the most fundamental questions of life. I couldn't put it down and am definitely waiting for the promised book two in the trilogy!
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Overview
Sensuous ...