Michelle Moran

Unwilling to surrender to British Empire conquerors, Queen Lakshmi of India's Kingdom of Jhansi raises male and female armies to defend her beloved realm. By the international best-selling author of Cleopatra's Daughter and Nefertiti.

A Novel

Rebel Queen

Ana V. 

I picked up this book because of the title and who it refers to Manikarnika, Queen (Rani) Lakshmi, leader of the Indian rebellion in 1857. The description of the book said it to be the Joan of Arc of India. Instead, we follow the life of the narrator (Sita) one of the queen's guards, falling a little into a YA story of a teen being bullied by another girl who is also part of Rani's guard. Sita's story is brutal and heartbreaking, but it took me a few chapters to understand the book wasn't going to be about Rani Lakshmi. 
The culture of India is well portrayed by the author, as well as the cruelty found in both the Indian and the British people. I wished it had been through Rani's point of view though. Still, this was my first book from this author and that makes me very curious to read her bestseller.

Sheila

Well written & captivating! I connected with the protagonist Sita easily, & even though the book was written as a kind of diary-style 1st person POV it didn't detract from the overall setting. Instead, it made it easier to feel Sita's confusion and emotions as she's overwhelmed by city & palace life compared to her humble childhood. I also thought the book did a good job in showing how diverse India was and continues to be, where neighbouring cities could be worlds apart in terms of culture, language, atmosphere, and even architecture; many other authors tend to paint India as homogenous. 

I feel like more effort could have been made in developing Sita's relationships with the other Durgavasi, but otherwise I don't have many other complaints. :)

b.andherbooks

While this really awesome squad of trained women fighters did exist in 19th century India, this historical fiction take was actually quite boring. A lot of telling instead of showing, with much of the action taking place off the page. A love story between the main character and a guard is fairly lackluster and not really necessary. I wish this was better. However, it did check off the "Book set in Asia" square on my 2015 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge.

Kylie edwards

Isobel 

When the British Empire sets its sights on India in the mid-nineteenth century, it expects a quick and easy conquest ... But when they arrive in the Kingdom of Jhansi, the British army is met with a surprising challenge. Instead of surrendering, Queen Lakshmi raises two armies--one male and one female--and rides into battle, determined to protect her country and her people. Although her soldiers may not appear at first to be formidable against superior British weaponry and training, Lakshmi refuses to back down from the empire determined to take away the land she loves.

Rebel Queen A Novel

Reviews