3.5 stars.

This story wasn't what I was expecting and I'm not sure if that is the main reason why I didn't enjoy it as much, or not.

It is extremely well written, however it reads more like a historic biography than a work of fiction. Which I think is what threw me off. It is historically factual and centre's a lot on religion, status and race. And whilst that is a very interesting and new take on a 'retelling', I at times found it to be a little bland and monotonous.

If you are looking for magic, you will not find it within these pages. Prepare for raw emotion, despair, desperation and often times bleak situations. There are few light notes to this story.