4.5 stars! This was such a delightful read. I was utterly transported to another time and place and couldn't put it down. Jana's life is filled with adventure, love, loss and heartache. I couldn't imagine being a Company Daughter and the ordeals they faced. This is a must-read for historical fiction lovers!

I'm also so surprised that the entire idea for the story was inspired by a footnote.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!

Sailing from 17th century Amsterdam to Indonesia, Jana and Sontje are "company daughters", basically sex trafficked to Indonesia to marry company workers of the Dutch East India company. A historically accurate, well written book.

This was a good book, well written and tells of the harships that women endured at the hands of the Dutch East India Company. I liked the ending and the character development. 
What I was NOT happy with was the fact that the description did not tell that there were lesbian issues in the story. It would NOT have made a difference to me. I have no problems with those issues, but some readers may and I think it should be included in the description.

I believe this is a good book and worth reading.

Jana Beil has had a tough life - even by the standards of the start of the seventeenth century. Good fortune brings her to the door of a house seeking work. A house where she is taken in to work and meets the beautiful young mistress, Sontje. Just as things are looking brighter for Jana, things go wrong again. She finds herself taking a last resort as a company daughter. Heading off as a wife in the New World - if she can survive the terrible journey.
This  is a beautifully descriptive book. The journey half way round the world in horrendous conditions is particularly well written. The sounds, sights and particularly the smells are bought to life in wonderful 3D. It isn't just the beautiful descriptions but the thoroughly researched historical setting. This is a book that stands out from the pages.
This isn't a fast book. There are spurts of action but on the whole it moves along at a steady pace. 
Much as I enjoyed the setting and the description there were places where I felt the story needed to move along a little bit more. I wouldn't say it dragged but it definitely slowed.
The main characters are Jana and Sontje but there is a good supporting cast as well.
I enjoyed looking at a different aspect of seventeenth century life. I would certainly keep an eye out for further books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

Told in the perspective of Jana Bell, a young woman who ran from poverty and abuse north of Amsterdam and found little more than trouble, more hard work and abuse after. From being conscripted into a “roundhouse’ or brothel on first arrival, she ran from that situation only to beg a position as a maid in the Reynst household where she meets and is instantly captivated by young Sontje – the daughter of the house.  Things are not ‘easy’ but comfortable, and in this house, she is safe and free from abuse.  But bad investments and loss of fortune soon turn that situation around, and Sontje’s engagement falls through – the option to become one of the ‘mail order brides’ for ‘The Company’ becomes the best option. Worried for Sontje, although not interested in marriage – Jana finds a way onto the ship to ‘watch’ for her.  

What emerges is a story of a growing love between the two girls – even as it started in the ‘familiar’, and the pragmatism of Jana, not expecting more or better is a constant contrast to Sontje’s rather sheltered and rosier outlook on the world. A ten-month voyage to Batavia (modern day Jakarta) brings deprivations, hardship, abuse and plenty of struggle, and arriving to ‘discover’ their futures isn’t much better.  

Be aware that the situation for both these girls is grim, and situations, circumstances and attitudes all push the idea forward that women, in this situation, are little more than commodities, and just slightly more valued than the slave labor, both imported and native, that the company uses with impunity to build their base and fortune.  For a debut, Ranjaram has put us in Jana’s head, allowing us to see the bleak realities of the world as she sees it: even with her cautious and rather pessimistic viewpoint, the story flows smoothly from one moment and incident to the next.  It’s not an easy read, but it is wholly engaging and utterly ‘in the moment’ while showing the similarities and differences between 500+ year old attitudes and those that are still fought against today.  Take a chance to see and understand a bit better the history of subjugation and valuation of women and allow yourself to be transported to the world of old.  

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.  

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aQz /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

A compelling story of two young Dutch women of different classes who end up unlikely friends and then something more as their fates take them to a Dutch colony to become the wives of company men. The details of the homes, clothing, and food are wonderful and rich and will delight lovers of historical fiction. The fates of the two young women will sober anyone with romantic notions of what options were open to women without status. Sometimes we live the life that is open to us, not the life of our dreams.

This was a story that worked better for me in theory than in practice. I am always interested in historical fiction about a unique time and place (i.e. not Europe during WW2) and this was a really fascinating tale of Dutch women sent to Batavia to marry settlers. However, for me there wasn't as much character development as I'd like (particularly for Sontje) and there was an underscoring of colonialism that didn't quite sit right.

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.