I read this on a Kindle Paperwhite, which I feel affected my enjoyment of the book. At first, I thought I was having trouble getting into it. Then I realized that the first few pages are a list of characters, a map of the Ottoman Empire, and a genealogy page. Those are so small as to be unreadable in the Paperwhite format, so I thought I was missing something, and felt frustrated.

When I relaxed and allowed myself to enjoy the story line and not read as though I was going to be tested on the content, I truly enjoyed the story. There are parts that read like poetry, evoking imagery and imagination about the era, the lifestyle, and the palace.

Fiction based on the life of Ceclia/Nurbanu Sultan, taking place in the 16th century, this book is full of detail, presented as a diary of confessions. It is clear that the author has done extensive research, and has presented the growth and contribution of the Ottoman Empire here in a human, palatable context. I appreciate this insight, and feel not just a bit more enlightened, but also a bit more compassionate; a difficult reaction to explain.