I thought the writing was beautiful but the story/characters fell a little short for me. I do love the fact that it is rooted in a true story, but I was hoping for more development.

Glance at an interesting part of history, lovely description and imagery. But I found it to be a colonial romanticism overdose, too much white savior and over-baked emotion.

In general felt like an oversimplification/generalization of the struggles of the native people, with a general theme of equating/comparing it to the protagonist's own trauma--apples to oranges.

tw: rape/assault, abuse, prostitution, trafficking

Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture and Samantha Rajaram for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

17th century Amsterdam. Jana Beil is a young girl, who run away from abusive house, only to end up in a brothel. She made her escape from there and found herself hungry and lost in Amsterdam knocking on wealthy people’s doors in search of house work. Jana is lucky and Master Reynst offers her a house cleaning job. She met his daughter, Sontje. Through many years of friendship and hardship, Jana and Sontje found themselves as Company Daughters on one of the colonies, where they must be married to one of the colonists.

I loved the theme of the book. The idea of basically selling oneself for a possible better life somewhere is hard to believe and yet it did exist. Throughout many years of colonialism human trafficking was flourishing not only in terms of slave trade but also women trade as a wife material. Samantha Rajaram did amazing job in setting the scene of old Holland and its traditions. She did fantastic research on the topic and the book is very impressive in its novelty

However, if I feel that the premise s amazing, the execution felt short for me. I did not enjoy writing style, it was dry and uninspired. In terms of character development, only Jana was evolving greatly. The rest of them, even Sontje, was flat and mundane.

Overall, good book, I learned a lot and it facilitates my further research into the topic.

This was a great and immersive read. The tone and Dutch setting reminded me a lot of "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" by Tracy Chevalier.
The Dutch words throughout bthe book sometimes kicked me out of the writing and I think I would've preferred less of them.
Topics are quite harrowing at times and range from sex trafficking, rape, abuse, violence and extreme poverty to lots of death.
Nevertheless a good read I can recommend to any historical fiction fan, who likes F/F romance/relationship.

This was an absolutely beautifully written, stunningly captivating story! Rajaram has a way with words. The descriptions put the reader right there with the characters. You can taste the salt in the air and feel the hunger pains along with the characters.

This story is perfect for readers that enjoy historical fiction. This does have some pretty strong content that I want to warn people about. There are multiple instances of rape and the after-effects both physically and mentally. There is slavery, homophobia, poverty, and malnutrition/starvation.

The character development in this story was amazing. Jana and Sontje both have journeys the include each other, but they also have separate personal growth. It was lovely to read!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the Reader's Copy!

Now available on Barnes & Noble, Kobo and Indie Bookstore.

In her debut novel The Company's Daughters, Samantha Rajaram explores the little known history of Dutch colonization of Batavia (now Jakarta) through the eyes of two women - formerly wealthy and wellkept Sontje and scrappy, resilient Jana. The story unfolds a bit like an epic drama, almost addictive in nature.

On the long voyage between the Netherlands and Batavia, the two learn to rely on each other for almost everything and become closer than friends. Once they reach the colony, the two are tearfully torn apart and must forge their own path in this new, unknown land.

What I enjoyed the most about this book is its immersive nature. Rajaram's Jana is a dynamite that captures your attention and doesn't let go. The setting of Batavia, the colonies vividly recalled. Above all, Rajaram captures the fickle and human nature of the young girls forced to become Company's 'Daughters'.

The only thing that drew me back a little bit was the description of the slaves, particularly where Jana states that "they didn't want fancy things like we did," because that's not true. Western women like Jana often have an overly simplified narratives of their slaves.

Overall, this was a really great retelling of an often overlooked part of history & I enjoyed it!

What would you do if you saw this advert?
Wanted: Company Daughters. Virtuous young ladies to become the brides of industrious settlers in a foreign land. The Company will pay the cost of the lady’s dowry and travel. Returns not permitted, orphans preferred.

Amsterdam, 1620. Jana Beil has learned that life rarely provides moments of joy. Having run away from a violent father, her days are spent searching for work in an effort to stay out of the city brothels, where desperate women trade their bodies for a mouthful of bread. But when Jana is hired as a servant for the wealthy and kind Master Reynst and his beautiful daughter Sontje, Jana’s future begins to look brighter.

But then Master Reynst loses his fortune on a bad investment, and everything changes. The house is sold to creditors, leaving Jana back on the street and Sontje without a future.
With no other choice, Jana and Sontje are forced to sign with the East India Company as Company Daughters: sailing to a colonial Dutch outpost to become the brides of male settlers they know nothing about. With fear in their hearts, the girls begin their journey – but what awaits them on the other side of the world is nothing like what they’ve been promised…
This is a book I would have no problem in recommending. It isn't what I usually read, but I feel enriched by having read it. It will stay with me for a long time.

Set in the 1620s in Amsterdam, Jana is searching for work and finds employment as a maid for the Reynst family. But when Master Reynst loses his fortune, his daughter Sontje and Jana find themselves desperate so they both sign up to be a settler bride in the Dutch colonies. But their relationship develops into something more over the course of their arduous journey...
The Company Daughters is a rich book about life in the 1600s. I believe the author Samantha Rajaram has done plenty of research as the plot and details feel very authentic.
Jana has had a tough start to life which is gradually revealed over the course of the book. She has missed out on love and is desperate for acceptance and affection. Her relationship with Sontje is tense as they negotiate the changes in circumstance as a result of the book's events.
Jana is a likeable character whereas I understood her frustration with Sontje's selfishness and lack of awareness once their roles become more equal on the boat (not emptying the chamber pot!) Her difficulty in adapting to her role as a wife in the colony, her relationships with slaves and determination to keep busy despite her new status made her feel realistic and relatable.
There are some deeply unpleasant scenes in the book, especially on the journey to the colonies. Attitudes of the time are dealt with openly through the revulsion of Jana, including sexism, classism, slavery and racism. Her tender feelings toward Sontje and their blossoming love create a sense of danger in a world where lesbian love was unthinkable and hidden.
I admit that I found the Dutch words sprinked amongst the text a little tricky but this is simply downtto my own lack of knowledge - if it had been French or German then I don't think it would have stood out.
The descriptions are rich and vivid and The Company Daughters was a very enjoyable historical novel.

The story is about brides bought and paid for during the British rule in India. The book was thoroughly enjoying though the pace kept dropping at times. The story is heart wrenching and so relatable, and makes you want to keep reading. One of my favourites from Bookoture,

I really enjoyed this book. Seemed at times slower paced but I personally like that in a book. The storyline was pretty heart wrenching at times and really made me want more. I wish it had been longer and I would say this is one of my faves this month.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought perhaps it was a bit too modern in its outlook and attitudes but it kept up the pace and was a great page turner. The heroine is so likeable and the story was interesting about The Dutch East India Company sending young girls and women out to be married off (sight unseen) to settlers in Batavia often as the only way the girls could escape from destitution in Holland. The privations of the voyage although well described must have been even more brutal in reality given how early the novel is set and the extreme heat in Batavia must have been unbearable especially wearing western style clothes. It was an easy, light read that whilst full of period detail was restful to pick up and read before sleep.

"But having lived through so much upheaval, I doubt I will ever know the full taste of safety. I'm forever assuming some future disaster. Reading myself to flee."

Jana Beil has not had an easy or happy life. She's fought to survive, escaping violence and neglect only to find herself homeless and starving on the streets of Amsterdam in the late 17th century. She is grateful to find employment in the home of Master Reynst and his daughter, Sontje, but tragedy strikes when Reynst loses everything after a bad investment and Jana faces uncertainty once more. Sontje is faced with just one option; to travel to Batavia as one of the Company Daughters, a bride for one of the VOC settlers on the Dutch colony. When Sontje asks Jana to accompany her she agrees, eager to both escape her life in Amsterdam and to find a way to keep close to Sontje.

I am a big fan of historical fiction, especially when it's based in fact, so I was instantly drawn to this book which is based on the true stories of Dutch women who were shipped to the other side of the world to become brides for strangers. It was a long and arduous ten month journey where they face increasing hunger and illness that threatens to end their voyage before they reach their destination. It is clear that the author has done a lot of research which she blends with fiction and vivid scene setting to transport you to another time and place, immersing you in this poignant tale.

"I ignore the fear rooting in me and feel triumph in this. Even in our captivity, we've found each other. Seized at whatever joy we can find."

The characters are well written and richly drawn. I loved the protagonist, Jana. She's easy to like and root for, a strong and determined character who isn't typical of the women of the day. We follow her as she goes on a compelling journey that is both literal and figurative, her life marred by tragedy; where every time she feels like things are finally going well something comes along to pull the rug from under her feet once again. She isn't someone who wishes to conform to what society expects of her, and over the course of the book her rebellious streak becomes increasingly evident as she is determined to carve her own path.

"I can't help but feel bitterness—the fact of my body's ownership passing from hand to hand—my father's pummelling, the other men with their pawing and leering, as though I existed only for their gaze."

The author also examines the lack of freedom, rights and choice available to women of the day. They are owned by men their whole lives and at their mercy. They can only hope for a father, husband or master who is kind and doesn't beat or rape them. It's a bleak existence and they have no way to independently make their way in the world; even a widowed woman is looked upon with suspicion if she doesn't quickly remarry.

Atmospheric, harrowing, moving and hopeful, this was an easy and entertaining read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

"Some questions are best left unanswered. And when I see a fresh indigo thread or finished woven piece sparkling with colours I think I've never before seen, I feel a shock of pleasure all I do not understand about them. And this is a new feeling, the joy of not knowing."

Amsterdam, 1616, Jana Beil has worked hard to survive. Hunger is often stronger than shame or fear. She finds a job in the home of Master Reynst and his daughter, Sontje. Jana is treated well in their household but everything changes when the Reynst family loses all of their fortunes. Sontje is left with nothing and asks Jana to join her on a ship to Batavia for a new chance at life, as brides of Dutch settlers. Of course, nothing goes as expected.

Overall, this historical fiction novel and Jana's story were enjoyable, but I had the impression that there was too much going on. The shift between Jana's different lives (before and after the Ringhouse, on the Leyden, in the colony) was not as fluid and smooth as I wished. It felt forced at times.

However, it was easy to root for Jana. She is determined and has the strength required to survive. I was impatient to know more about her past (the hints to the Ringhouse were killing me) and to better understand her perspective.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

Title: The Company Daughters
Author: Samantha Rajaram
Publication Day: Oct 30th 2020

Description:

Wanted: Company Daughters. Virtuous young ladies to become the brides of industrious settlers in a foreign land. The Company will pay the cost of the lady’s dowry and travel. Returns not permitted, orphans preferred.

Amsterdam, 1620. Jana Beil has learned that life rarely provides moments of joy. Having run away from a violent father, her days are spent searching for work in an effort to stay out of the city brothels, where desperate women trade their bodies for a mouthful of bread. But when Jana is hired as a servant for the wealthy and kind Master Reynst and his beautiful daughter Sontje, Jana’s future begins to look brighter.

But then Master Reynst loses his fortune on a bad investment, and everything changes. The house is sold to creditors, leaving Jana back on the street and Sontje without a future.

With no other choice, Jana and Sontje are forced to sign with the East India Company as Company Daughters: sailing to a colonial Dutch outpost to become the brides of male settlers they know nothing about. With fear in their hearts, the girls begin their journey – but what awaits them on the other side of the world is nothing like what they’ve been promised…

Based on true history, this is a beautiful and sensual historical novel, perfect for fans of The Girl with the Pearl Earring, The Miniaturist and The Indigo Girl.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Company Daughters' by Samantha Rajaram.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 30th October 2020

This is the first book that I have read by this author.

I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching and intriguing cover and intriguing synopsis. I wanted something different to my usual psychological thrillers and this caught my eye. I enjoy true stories and when I read that this is based on one I couldn't help but choose it. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue, 81 chapters and an epilogue and is spread over 4 parts. The chapters are short in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in Amsterdam and Batavia, Dutch East Indies, with some time spent on Table Bay.

This book is written in first person perspective with the protagonist being Jana Beil. I enjoy books written in first person perspective as as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them.

Part One concentrates on Jana's hunt for work and how she finds it with Sontje's father and the misfortunes of what leads her to become a Company's daughter. It also speaks of how Jana and Sontje's relationship grows from employee/employer to what may pass as friendship. Part One is set in Amsterdam.

Part Two concentrates on Jana and Sontje's voyage on the "Leyden" and the hardships they and the other "daughters" face at sea. The cruelty shown made me feel physically sick. Part Two is set onboard the "Leyden" and at Table Bay, a natural bay on the Atlantic Ocean overlooked by Cape Town.

Part Three sees the end of Jana and Sontje's time on the "Leyden" and the beginning of their time in Batavia.
Filled with loss, love and heartbreak.

I won't go into Part Four as it may spoil the storyline for future readers.

This is a very well written novel with descriptions that really help you imagine what is going on and how the characters are feeling. The synopsis and cover of the book worked perfectly with the storyline.

The storyline itself is based on true events, is unique and very well researched which is a huge bonus. It drives me mad when I'm reading a historical novel and events are recorded inaccurately. I do believe that when you are writing a historical novel, even a fictional one that research should be done to make it more realistic and accurate. Anyway, to continue my review on this novel which HAS been well researched!! The plot is filled with love, loss, secrets and is a roller-coaster of emotions throughout. I won't talk about specific events as I do not wish to spoil anything for future readers. I did have to Google a few words as I didn't understand them but they were in relation to the language used in the countries the story was based so this didn't bother me at all. I found that by the author putting in the language the characters used the 'conversation' Jana is having with the reader is more genuine and realistic (hopefully you understand what I mean by this).

I enjoyed watching the bonds and relationships between certain characters strengthen and grow or deteriorate and dissappear as well as seizing their own individual personalities grow in strength. Jana is a real inspiration in that, although she went through so much emotionally and physically, she is a true fighter and grew stronger from what she went through. All of the characters had their own individual and realistic personalities which I enjoyed meeting and getting to know about. I love it when books include strong female models and Jana is definitely one of the strongest I have met.

This book would make a fascinating movie and I think the storyline will stay with me for a long time. I would also like to congratulate Samantha on bringing some unheard of (to me) history to light and I will definitely be looking into it more. I find it awful how events like this not only happened but were condoned and believe it is nothing better than trafficking as it is today.

Overall a fascinating and eye opening novel which is based on a true story and is an emotional roller-coaster ride.

Genres covered in this novel include Historical Fiction, Coming-of-age Story, Lesbian Literature, Biographical Fiction, LGBT Literature amongst others.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as anyone who is interested in history or wants to learn more about past events in the form of a story .

392 pages.

This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I loved it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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Author Bio:

Samantha Rajaram spent most of her childhood in Gillette, Wyoming, where she and her family were the first Indian-Americans to live in the community. As a law student, she focused on social justice and international human rights law with a focus on female sex trafficking.

She is now an educator, and currently teaches composition at Chabot College in Hayward, California. She lives in the California Bay Area with her three
children.


Social Media links:

Website: samantharajaram.com

Twitter: twitter.com/Samantha_Reader

Instagram: instagram.com/samantha.r.reader


Buy Links:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B08F1WH5CGSocial

Apple: http://ow.ly/sxWp50AR7E6

Kobo: http://ow.ly/a4pB50AR7FO

Google: http://ow.ly/B4jL50AR7Ji

Jana Beil is a poor young woman adrift on the streets of Amsterdam in the late 17th century. She has escaped domestic violence and imprisonment in a brothel so when she is taken in as a servant by the Lenst family she is grateful. However when her employer dies both Jana and the daughter of the house, Sontje, are left with nothing. There is one option and that is to travel to Batavia as a bride for the VOC settlers, a long and difficult voyage to a harsh setting but one that Jana and Sontje are prepared to make.
This is a book based on true stories of the woman who were prepared to be shipped halfway across the world to marry an unknown man, funded by the Dutch East Indies Company. In this respect I loved the book, the setting was different and the knowledge of both Amsterdam life and times plus those of Batavia was excellent. Where the book fell down for me was in the depiction of the relationships, the lesbian affair felt forced and the details of the quite violent marriages was sketched over. It's a nice easy and quick read which definitely entertains.

Well, I see that I am in the minority here with my rating. I am sorry to say that this book just did not do it for me. I found the heart wrenching stuff a bit over done and I was not able to connect with any of the characters that I was supposed to connect with.

This is another one of those "It's me and not you" kind of rating.

My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this advanced readers copy. This book released in October 2020.

What an immersive piece of historical fiction. Based in 1600s Amsterdam and Dutch colonies, I was thoroughly transported in time and place. Not only is this a period and place in history that I really don't know much about, it is also a queer story. In a genre that doesn't get much LGBTQ+ representation, this story does it masterfully. I am so glad I read this book and can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced reader copy.

What a beautiful book.

This story is set in the early 1600's and centres around Jana, a poor Dutch girl fighting to make a living in Amsterdam. She works as a servant in wealthy Dutch houses to survive, and in one of these houses she meets Sontje. While their relationship starts off rocky, with Jana working for spoiled, rich Sontje, they quickly learn to rely on each other. When Sontje's father dies, Jana is out of work, and Sontje is being shipped off by the East India Trading Company as a Company Daughter, orphaned women sent to Dutch colonies in Bavaria to become wives to the Dutch settlers. Jana makes the decision to journey to the settlement with Sontje, and what awaits them both is like nothing they ever dreamed of. Jana and Sontje quickly learn to be independent, trust their instincts, and be true to one another.

This was such a beautiful story of one woman overcoming her struggles to become everything she could ever dream of. Jana is such a strong character to read about, and you're constantly cheering her on. She ends up finding love, a family, and an independence she only dreamed of while living in Amsterdam. The ending wasn't entirely what I was hoping for, but it was still beautiful nonetheless.

4 stars

*Many thanks to Samantha Rajaram, Bookouture, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
Based on facts, the book describes the fate of young women who in the 17th century decide or are forced to decide, to spend ten months on Dutch East India Company ships that take them to Batavia, modern Jakarta.
The act of human, or rather sex, trafficing, is a shameless crime, however, in those days, agreeing to become wives of the Dutch settlers was the alternative for those females who were orphans, had no support in family, and the only option was starvation or prostitution. Some of the female characters find happiness and prosperity in the colony and are definitely better off there.
The book is quite interesting and the details regarding life in Batavia and Amsterdam well-researched. Definitely an solid insight into history of which I knew nothing.

Amsterdam 1616 is not a very pleasant place for a woman especially one who is a servant, with no family and no protection of any kind. Her fortune changes when she becomes a domestic in the service of Master Reynst who along with his daughter Sontje treat Jana as a human being something she is experiencing for the first time in her life.

Whilst everything seems to be good Master Reynst falls on hard times due to bad investments and Sontje and Jana embark on an adventure to Batavia (Indonesia) as brides for settlers. (This was a practice even with the British in India). It worked out well for some, not so well for others.

The story of The Company's Daughters takes us through Jana and Sontje's lives - one in deep unhappiness and abuse, the other a loveless marriage but someone who was kinder. Jana survives the marriage and goes on to make a surprising life for herself and for the community she finds herself amongst.

The story is descriptive of life both in Amsterdam and Batavia at the times. The hardship faced by people in Europe as well as the settlers who had to adapt to a different lifestyle, culture, weather were very well detailed and provided such an interesting read.

Historically full of detail this is a must read for those who like history with a colonial flavour.