Rating: 
Summary: An easy read, but 2-dimensional.
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book because I'm interested in the place and era. I also liked the fact that it was written by an Indian and a woman.The story was shallow; more a vehicle for telling about the times in a way that would make it interesting to a larger group of readers than just those with eclectic taste. I found the character development lacking. I enjoyed this story anyway and would recommend it to a Westerner with an interest in India's past. It was a quick, engrossing and exotic read.
Rating: 
Summary: excellent as history, good as literature
Review: I was drawn to this book by the period of time it covered, and because I am very interested in British history. I was further drawn by its historical depth, covering many events that very few Westerners outside of Britain have any knowledge of. I found little bias because it seemed there were two groups of main characters: those who were in support of royal India and those Indians and Angrez (British) who were in support of the Raj. I somewhat agree with the prevailing criticism that the characterisation is a bit thin, but if you are reading this for its historical significance (as I did) as opposed to its literary worth, then it really shouldn't matter very much. Overall, it is very well written book that examines the relationship between the maharajahs of royal India and the British Raj through the eyes of an Indian princess. In the vein of Rutherfurd's "Sarum" and "London," but not as broad and long-winded.
Rating:
Summary: Overall good, bit flat
Review: It's very appealing, and if you have any interest in Indian modern history, or the life of an Indian woman, AND you like a long, slow read, then this is a good book. The author covers a great deal of ground in the novel and at times I found descriptions (of utterly fascinating events) rather superficial.
Rating: 
Summary: A mediocre novel but still worth reading
Review: The Maharajahs of India have been
relegated to a minor footnote in both
history and literature. This bestseller attempts to remedy that by telling
the story of Jaya Devi, the daughter
of the Maharajah of one kingdom
who marries the Prince of another.
Beautifully descriptive and evocative, the book is nevertheless rather disappointing as it never really gets off the ground. All the characters but Jaya appear flat and one-dimensional and, even more frustrating, Jaya herself never really grows up. We are left with an apology for India's imperial past, one that is lovingly and touchingly told but one that fails to seriously explore the issues. And when time rolls on and the tumult of Indian partition erupts, Jaya and her story fade far into the background. Mehta's narrative stutters through a cursory listing of events with little emotional impact. This Gone with the Wind of India's princely kingdoms could have done with a good editor. I encourage all those interested in India's past to read it, I just decry the lack of better alternatives.
Rating:
Summary: A mediocre novel but still worth reading
Review: The Maharajahs of India have beenrelegated to a minor footnote in bothhistory and literature. This bestseller attempts to remedy that by telling the story of Jaya Devi, the daughter of the Maharajah of one kingdom who marries the Prince of another. Beautifully descriptive and evocative, the book is nevertheless rather disappointing as it never really gets off the ground. All the characters but Jaya appear flat and one-dimensional and, even more frustrating, Jaya herself never really grows up. We are left with an apology for India's imperial past, one that is lovingly and touchingly told but one that fails to seriously explore the issues. And when time rolls on and the tumult of Indian partition erupts, Jaya and her story fade far into the background. Mehta's narrative stutters through a cursory listing of events with little emotional impact. This Gone with the Wind of India's princely kingdoms could have done with a good editor. I encourage all those interested in India's past to read it, I just decry the lack of better alternatives.
Rating:
Summary: Flat, failed to connect for me
Review: This is basically a fairly dry attempt at an historical epic. I'm familiar with Ms. Mehta's name, and had considered buying Karma Cola once. Here I'd hoped for historical fiction with a little edge to it. Nothing doing. No twists, no edge, no juice to the story at all for me. Even the travelogue-type descriptions withered for me. This has all the trimmings of the engrossing saga, including the lovely cover, but I'm sorry to say it didn't go anywhere for me.
Rating:
Summary: India and a Princess in Evolution
Review: This novel reads as a chronicle, not only of Princess Jaya's life, but also of an India in transformation from the late 1800s up through the early years following Independence in 1947. I enjoyed reading this book and found Princess Jaya to be a remarkable woman. She weathers a lot of trying experiences and shows herself to be resilient. The only fault I found with the novel, however, was in the sequencing of historical events. For instance, some of what the author stated about the placing of some events during the First World War were not accurate. When I read a historical novel, I get a better appreciation for the novel when the historical events it describes are true and placed in the proper sequences. Perhaps for some other readers, that matters little. But for me, that took away from me giving this novel 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: India and a Princess in Evolution
Review: This novel reads as a chronicle, not only of Princess Jaya's life, but also of an India in transformation from the late 1800s up through the early years following Independence in 1947. I enjoyed reading this book and found Princess Jaya to be a remarkable woman. She weathers a lot of trying experiences and shows herself to be resilient. The only fault I found with the novel, however, was in the sequencing of historical events. For instance, some of what the author stated about the placing of some events during the First World War were not accurate. When I read a historical novel, I get a better appreciation for the novel when the historical events it describes are true and placed in the proper sequences. Perhaps for some other readers, that matters little. But for me, that took away from me giving this novel 5 stars.
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