Shalimar

Rating:
Summary: Never disappointed by Ryman
Review: Ever since reading and re-reading "Olivia and Jai" and "Veil of Illusion", I yearned for more from my now favorite author, Rebecca Ryman. She masterfully writes about my two favorite subjects - the history of British-occupied India, and good, romantic stories about mysterious men. Thank you for another enthralling tale. My only complaint is that there wasn't quite enough about the relationship of Damien and Emma and maybe too much about the political intrigue. What I loved best about "Olivia and Jai" is that the love story was the main focus with the history as a backdrop. Still, I will look forward to ANYTHING Ryman cares to do in the future.

Rating:
Summary: Historical romance the way it ought to be
Review: How refreshing to find a historical romance the way such books used to be, before they became sex fantasies in period costume! Reminiscent of THE FAR PAVILLIONS in both setting and scope, SHALIMAR builds to a startling conclusion that will take your breath away! I'm going back to the library to look up Rebecca Ryman's other books, OLIVIA AND JAI and THE VEIL OF ILLUSION.

Rating:
Summary: Well-written but moves slow at times ...
Review: I enjoyed this book, but found it a bit slow at times while the various plot threads were being separately spun. I could have done without all the "chit-chat" in Simla with the govt folks ... didn't feel it contributed much to the overall plot. Would definitely read more by this author.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting plot - dreadful romance
Review: I find this novel hard to rate. I thought it was wonderfully written. The plotting intricacies of the quest for the legendary Yasmina Pass, and the dance for power between the British and the Russians was well-handled. I would rate the book five stars for that alone.

However it was all bound up with a totally dreadful love story between high-spirited Emma and the awful Damien. Sure we learn more about Damien later on that is supposed to make us like him more, but I don't feel anything excuses the things he says, and the way he treats Emma - espousing the viewpoint that a man has "needs" so is perfectly within his rights to have mistresses, but that an unfaithful wife deserves to be beaten, slapping Emma roundly during one of their early meetings, manipulating circumstances to force Emma into marrying him very much against her will, all but raping her on their wedding night, forcing her to pack up and leave Delhi immediately after the wedding despite the fact that her best friend is getting married in two weeks and Emma has been involved in all the long planning and was to be maid of honor, ordering Emma around as if she was a wayward child ......

Sorry, nothing I learned about Damien later on ever made me forgive him that beginning, and the hardest thing for me to grasp was the way Emma began to soften towards him although he never gave her any reason to. For this dumb romance part of the book I would give it one star.

So 1 star for the romance and 5 stars for the rest of the plot which I truly did enjoy gives an average of 3. Now trying to decide if I should risk another of Ms. Ryman's books!

Rating:
Summary: I need more books by this author!
Review: I finished this book and immediately started the search for everything else Ms Ryman wrote. This is a wonderfull book, a perfectly told story. The main plot is the search for a legendary secret pass, but anybody who wants to read a good love story will love Damien and Emma's story. I adored the characters, Ms Ryman's style and wit, and while the book lasted I was in 1890 Central Asia - although this might give a uncontrollable urge to pack up and go to Kashmir, or Samarkand or Simla.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, but not "Olivia and Jai".
Review: I miss Jai Raventhorne, Amos and Alistair. Damien is utterly exceptional in every way, but could you tell if he is blond or black? Freddie Birkhurst is more familiar than David in "Shalimar"! What happend to Maya and Kyle? Rebecca Ryman, thanks for heartbreaking hours.

Rating:
Summary: A riveting mix of romance and espionage.
Review: It is not often a reader comes across so skilful and gripping a combination of romance and espionage. What makes Ryman's new book as "unputdownable" a read as the unforgettable "Olivia and Jai" (set in Calcutta) is the fluidity with which the several narrative strains entwine and then separate for the thrilling finale. As with her other books, the structure here too is amazingly complex yet never too complicated for quick understanding. Her graphic descriptions of the Kashmir valley and Central Asia in the 19th century bring these little known regions to instant life and her characters are vibrant, alive and very real. Set against the high adventure of the "Big Game" being played by Britain, Russia and China in the last century, the novel astounds by its topicality today when Kashmir is still Asia's most volatile flashpoint. As a male reader not especially enamoured of romance, I have to say the romantic skein in this one melded beautifully with the strong meat of espionage and intrigue. Ryman's research into the last decade of the last century and the machinations of the Raj is prodigious and impeccable. A friend brought me this book from America which I have enjoyed thoroughly. I recommend it highly to those who appreciate graphic prose, intelligent writing and clever plotting. I hope that it is published soon in this country.

Rating:
Summary: Authentic India
Review: Rebecca Ryman is a great example of why the world needs... Her superbbooks are just not known here in Australia, so the only way to seekthem out and obtain them is through this site. In Shalimar Ryman'scraft has matured - the plotting and development are superbly handledand as usual her authenticity is unrivalled. While the relationshipbetween Damien and Emma give the plot its agonizing sexual tension,the espionage story is what lifts it above being just another lovestory. Like all great historical novels, it subtly educates you abouta corner of history you know little about, while also spinning anold-fashioned ripping yarn with spies, explorers, bandits, and deepdark secrets. It's a pity that Ryman's previous books are all out ofprint - those discovering her anew are sure to want to read herearlier work. When is she coming out in paperback?

Rating:
Summary: Not her best.
Review: Since the story is a mixture of espionage and romance, a lot of names are revealed. I had to reread the passages in order to keep track of them. So this is not something you'd want to read in bed. Damien and Emma are the faint reminiscences of what Ryman's other characters have been. However, the dialogues are too played out, and the exposition is a bit shaky. I still don't get the love-hate relationship between them. But overall, Ryman's curry-like description will work like magic.