Equal of the Sun

Tired of the Tudors?  Anita Amirrezvani's latest book Equal of the Sun (#181) introduces Princess Pari Khan Khanoom, daughter of the Shah of Iran, and member of the powerful ruling Safavi dynasty.  She has been raised at her father's side with an intimate knowledge of court politics, law and culture.  When her father dies unexpectedly after a long and stable rule, Princess Pari throws her support to a brother who has been imprisoned by their father for a number of years, as it turns out for good reason.  The number of legitimate contenders in the Iranian court makes the English power struggles over the throne and succession look tame by comparison.

Although Princess Pari and the major players in this novel are real, the story is told from the point of view of the fictional Javaher, a eunuch, a gift from her father shortly before his death.  Javaher has chosen to become a eunuch in order to serve the court, a decision that mystifies many people.  He is loyal to Pari, but Javaher does have his own agenda.  Once he proves himself to Pari, he is in a unique position to gather information for her in the gatherings of the court itself, forbidden to Pari as a woman, and also from the closed world of the women in the harem, where he can pass freely.  Pari cannot rule in her own right but she is determined to be a power player, by whatever means are necessary.  Javaher definitely should have taken the advice of his sage old eunuch mentor Balamani who tells him, "Never love a royal". 

This is Ms. Amirrezvani's second novel.  Her first, The Blood of Flowers, also set in 16th century Iran, was a standout.  I was really excited to win an advance copy of Equal of the Sun as a First Reads on the Good Reads website.   If you read historical fiction for the same reason I do, to be transported to a different time and place, to meet characters with a compelling story to tell, Equal of the Sun will fill the bill nicely.  It's always a bonus to learn something new about a culture and time that you know nothing about.  In this case, the power struggles may be familiar, but the language of the court and the poetry as the pinnacle of learning and accomplishment is such that it cannot fail to move you with its beauty.  A recommended read for all the right reasons.