Thursday, March 17, 2011

Oracle of Stamboul by Michael David Lukas

Eleanora, a beautiful and intelligent girl, is born under auspicious occasions. She is delivered by two tartar midwives who tell her father about a prophecy. Unfortunately, they also tell her father of the loss of his wife. Eleanora grows up being raised by her doting and loving father and her unkind stepmother/aunt. From an early age, Eleanora proves to be a gifted child and loves to learn. But her stepmother/aunt refuses, and teaches her instead to be a housekeeper. When faced with a month long separation from her father, Eleanora stowes away on a ship and joins her father in Stamboul. There, life and death await. Her father is killed in an accident, and Elanaora becomes a ward of her father's host. Bey, a kind man, takes her in and hires a tutor for her. Her tutor notices her great mind, and recommends her to the Sultan.
This book reminds me a lot of Atonement. The author is meticulous in his detailed account. Eleanora was a great character, and the Sultan was intriguing. This is a good book. I would recommend it.
I won this book from the Goodreads First Reads program.

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