The Cover:
It is apparent that the front cover is made by an adept cover-designer, for it lures the lovers of the historical-fiction genre. The woman sporting a crown on her head is dressed simple and elegant, and the rosary beads in her hand adds to the monk-like character that she is. The sword in front of her is bathed in flames, that is something that gives a multi-layered meaning. Only a thoughtful cover-designer would have been able to come up with a cover of this standard.
The Blurb:
It is apparent that the front cover is made by an adept cover-designer, for it lures the lovers of the historical-fiction genre. The woman sporting a crown on her head is dressed simple and elegant, and the rosary beads in her hand adds to the monk-like character that she is. The sword in front of her is bathed in flames, that is something that gives a multi-layered meaning. Only a thoughtful cover-designer would have been able to come up with a cover of this standard.
The Blurb:
This story has
Historical, Political & Social aspects. "JAIRAJGARH," The Grand
Empire of Rajputana, whose King is a great warrior, and a devious politician.
He didn't limit his devious politics to only the royal throne, but extended it
to his personal relationships. He's a ruler, who waited for a long time to have
a successor for his grand empire and went on to design a conspiracy for the
murder of his own child... The third wife of the King, Maharani Meeramani, who
is a warrior by actions, and a hermit by thoughts. This ardent devotee of Lord
Shiva, turned her pain into power and despite being a stepmother of a Eunuch
Prince, Meeramani has not only loved, but has safeguarded the prince from his
own father and beyond everyone's imagination, she has tried to prepare him to
take over the Royal Throne while fighting against all odds of society. A
'Eunuch' Prince, whose responsibility is to earn rights for the entire Eunuch
community. A Political and Social war between the 'King'& his 'Queen'. Who
will win and claim the Royal Throne? Will Queen Meeramani convert the Royal
Throne into "The Divine Throne"? To unravel the truth you have to be
a part of the journey of Queen Meeramani's struggle.
In my opinion, the blurb reveals too much of the story inside. It reads more like a short summary of the book rather than a blurb. A little more subtlety could have been there in order to make the reader read between the lines to figure out what the story is going to be about.
What I liked?
The author has managed to build a grand fictitious historical world, keeping in mind the old customs and norms as followed by Rajput Kings and Queens. This shows the effort and time it would have taken to arrive at believable names for places, palaces, and names of kings, queens, princes, princesses, servants and doctors. Everything is measured and worked out. That's something only an author with an eye for minute detailing can pull off. I also liked way the impenetrable empire of Jairajgarh was described.
Coming to the story, the vivid imagination and the way the story has been told by starting from the present, going back to the past and then back to present and that leading to the next set of events is appreciable. What is also laudable is how there is always something happening in each chapter that forces the reader to turn the page. That hooking-factor is very much there.
What I liked the most is the characterization of Maharana Ranjeet Singh, the great warrior and a devious politician as mentioned in the blurb. I feel the characterization of him is an amalgamation of a great country and how it is looted by devious politicians. His wife, Maharani Meeramani's character seems to imply the cure for the corrupt minds. The author's subtlety in sketching the characters is notable.
Portraying strong female characters during a highly patriarchal era is something of a feat. There are always women in the pages of history that inspire us even today. Using fiction as a tool to inspire is something that is great, and the factor that it does so, is simply brilliant. Also, the way the author addresses the prevailing problems of the current society overlapped in the era of Kings and Queens strikes gold.
What I Disliked?
What should have been celebrated as a great story is tampered by mediocre editing. In certain places there are different spellings for names, there is no end quotation marks, and some improper usage of homophones as well, which make it difficult for the reader to follow. I wouldn't point this towards the author, but rather the editorial team that should have done a better job.
I'm saddened by the fact that such a fantastic story faces turbulence because of very minute factors.
Also, there are some similar phrases that are often repeated by different characters at different points of time. Some characters (other than the central characters) seem to be very linear and have similar view-points.
Other than this, The Divine Throne of Maharani Meeramani is a great story that talks about everything that is wrong about today's society, cleverly pitched in a historic era. I strongly recommend to refine the editing for the second print-run, for stories and imaginations of this standard must truly reach greater heights.
Verdict: Meeramani Strikes Gold. Yet, mediocre editing proves to be a spoilsport.
Book Sniffers Rating:
About the book:
Title: The Divine Throne of Maharani Meeramani
Author: Meenakshi Verma
Type: Paperback
Publisher: Invincible Publishers
No. of pages: 278
Year of Publication: 2017
Price: 299 INR
Buy Paperback: Amazon
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