Monday, February 3, 2014

The Tyrant's Daughter By, J.C. Carleson


The Tyrant's Daughter is about a teenage girl who flees to America after her father is assassinated.  Raised to think her father is king, Laila experiences an intense culture shock when she arrives.  This tale brings attention to the different experiences of three warring factions, focusing on a Dictatorship in the Middle East.  Laila's eyes are open to not only how the world viewed her father's 'rule', but also how the factions who opposed her father suffered.  This novel is masterfully written, an experience that is easy to relate to as well.  Laila’s American classmates welcome her with open arms.  Through her friendship with Emmy and Ian Laila is able to experience a freedom that she isn't accustom too, but Carleson doesn't write a tale to sign the praises of the freedoms of America.  Laila also learns the immense difference in cultures through the different versions of the Cinderella tale, and how the moral of the story is lost on her American friends who only see it as a barbaric tale.  Laila also connects with Amir who is a boy her age.  Through him she learns of the atrocities people had suffered during her father's reign.  (I hope that isn't too much of a spoiler.)  Laila also learns more about her mother during the course of this novel, where she comes from and what drives her.  The characters in this novel have a depth to them that makes it effortless to sympathies with.  The Tyrant's Daughter is a journey of self-discovery, family and culture.  I highly recommend this book; it was quite an enjoyable read.

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