The Book of Indian Queens comprises of essays on some of the most fierce and relentless Indian Empresses. Written by renowned authors, it includes both fictional and real tales of these eccentric women. I was personally pleased to see Mr Bond’s chapter where he spins a tale of an old princess living all alone in a palace, who thinks her prince has turned into a snake. But a chapter from the famous Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni was mildly disappointing as she narrates how Rani Jindan contemplates her life at the time of her husband’s death because I was expecting something different. But my favourite of all was Manu Pillai’s chapter about the Maharanis of Travancore. This book is very small and can be finished in just one sitting but it does not pack a punch.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it because I’m certain that there are better books available out there. But if you’re looking for something short then this may work for you.

Thanks for the copy @alephbookco ✨