Victoria Princewill's 'In the Palace of Flowers' is a brilliant, refreshing tale that transports readers to 19th century Iran, where love, power, and betrayal are rife. From the decadent halls of the royal palace to the colourful markets of Isfahan, Princewill weaves a rich tapestry of history and fiction that is hard to put down.

The warm and compelling story follows the life of young and beautiful Jamila, a poor girl who rises to become the chief wife of the Shah. But as Jamila becomes more powerful, she also becomes more vulnerable to the machinations of those who would seek to bring her down. Through it all, she must navigate the treacherous politics of the court and the ever-shifting sands of loyalty and betrayal.

Princewill's prose is lush and evocative, so much so that her characters are complex and fully realized, with their own motivations and desires. 'In the Palace of Flowers' is great for historical fiction, romance, and political buffs. Amazing story.

In the fag end of the 19th century, women from Abyssinia, Ethiopia, Zanzibar and other places used to serve as slaves in Qajar-ruled Iran. They were a prominent presence in the upper echelons of society, and they worked in varied roles like house servants, guards, eunuchs who were protectors of the king’s harem, etc.

In The Palace of Flowers, Victoria Princewill takes a fragment of a real-life account by Abyssinian slave Jamila Habashi who served in the royal palace and imagines her life. The story is not just about Jamila, though. It also includes a peek into the lives of the women in the harem, the eunuchs as well as the princes, all ruled by a despotic Shah. Rebellion, inside and outside, is not too far away, and we’re soon caught up in the complex maze of palace intrigue and the increasingly strong winds of revolution.

Revolving primarily around Jamila and Abimelech, an Abyssinian eunuch and slave, we get an excellent idea of class divisions and societal differences among the servants through them. Jamila is unhappy with her life, but she is unclear about what exactly would make her happy. Sanaa, one of the Shah’s favourites in the harem and with whom Jamila has a friendly relationship, too is unable to understand.

“Tell me, what precisely do you seek? Abimelech implied you were restless, hungry, in search of something more…When I ask what you seek, you say you wish to work in the harem theatre. I am… confused.”
The story doesn’t detail just Sanaa’s restlessness. There’s political change afoot too with the general population’s increasing dissatisfaction with the Shah’s rule.

To me, The Palace of Flowers is all about seeking freedom within and without. And it was not just the slaves or the eunuchs but even the princes and the women in the harem who sought it.

I felt the pace lag in many places, and I feel the book could have been shorter, crisper. However, this is an important book. Do read it if you are prepared for the heaviness of it all.

Thanks to NetGalley and Cassava Republic for the ARC.

Desire observational astuteness of slave mentality it took me awhile to figure out who was what and I lost interest .. shifting narrative focus befuddled me ...

When I started this book, I was dropped right into an opulent world where the darker emotions are more prevalent than happier ones. Every relationship is fraught with undercurrents. This is the Shah's harem in Persia. At the end of the book, the author actually provided a poem by the real slave that the story is based on, and this adds an additional aura to the narration.
That said, I did not enjoy it. There were many political intrigues, and I learnt a lot about certain practices of the time that I would have otherwise no knowledge of. Despite all of that, the individual characters in this particular glimpse of the court did not seem to play out in any particular way. There are a lot of sections, one to do with the workings of the Harem/queens/concubines, another with the preferences of the people in the court and finally slaves and what life meant for all of them. Each section seemed historically significant but, as a story, did not come together. I am in the minority with regards to my reactions to the book, given the glowing reviews. It is just that to bolster my mood after reading the harrowing realities of the time, I wanted a plotline to go with it, and I did not think I got that from this book.
The author has put significant time and effort into bringing to life the history of the palace and the country's politics, and it shows up well. It was just not the right book for me. I would recommend it to historical fiction readers looking for a new country/time to try as long as they are comfortable with darker overtones.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

This was a well-written and beautiful story. Oftentimes, we do not think of slavery in the Middle-East or the Black people are everywhere. In the Palace of Flowers by Victoria Princewill is based from Jamila Habashi, an Abyssinian slave in Iran and who wrote the only known first person account.

In this novel, Jamila is an Abyssinian slave girl and concubine and another slave-Abimelech, a eunuch both serving in the royal courts of the Qajars in 19th century Iran. Both Jamila and Abimelech feel that they are more than their circumstances and in their own way question how will they be remembered and honored when they die. "It is a marvellous thing to be remembered. We, of course shall beforgotten, Jamila thought..."

In the backdrop to this story, is the rumblings of a political upheaval from the slaves,as well as the Iranian citizens who feel the Shah is allowing Russia and England to influence their way of life and culture. There is an underlying power struggle between court advisors, the Shah and his sons, and even the many wives.

The author's research on this time period is stunning and brilliant, and colorful and intriguing. The historical details put the reader front and center watching and smelling every moving part. At times, because of Jamila's age her actions annoyed me, but I undestand her need for relevance. And, with Abimelech I felt his pain of being smarter than those who were tasked to lead and make all the decisions. Each character felt that they were worthy of a better life.

"We shall be forgotten, Jamila realised,...A life had been lost, and the weight meant something. Precisly what,...remained unsure of". The idea of who will be remembered resonates in not only the slaves, but the royal court membersand the wives all vying for influence. Their shared grief of being forgotten is the beauty of this novel. Thank goodness we have the wrtten story of the real Jamila to forever remember her story.

I highly recommend this novel

Thank you Cassava Republic Press and NetGalley for this ARC!

In the Palace of Flowers takes place in 19th Century Iran, centered mostly around the royal court and harem of the Qajar Dynasty. The book follows Jamila, a young Abyssinian slave who serves one of the Shah’s many wives and is also a concubine for one of his sons.

After attending the funeral of a nobleman, Jamila starts to question her place and the place of slaves generally and longs to make some sort of change.
“We shall be forgotten, Jamila realised, watching the funeral rite with empty eyes”.


A desire to be remembered, to be significant, to make an impact, is a theme that runs throughout the book. You see it with the slaves, the concubines, the wives, even the Shah’s family. In an extremely hierarchical system, everybody is vying for something, whether that’s more freedom, more attention, or more power. Nobody is exempt from this system, even amongst the slaves there is a hierarchy, however we do see how favour can be gained and lost very quickly through certain political alliances.

This book gives a fascinating insight into the lives of the slaves who were forced to attend to the whims of the Shah, his family and his entourage of wives. As you’d imagine with a book dealing with this subject matter, it was pretty heavy at times, but I think it was necessary to convey the reality of the lives of the slaves during that period.


This book was inspired by the only existing letter by Abyssinian slave Jamila Habashi.

“In the Palace of Flowers” is a historical novel by the incomparable Victoria Princewell who takes us to Iran during the 19th century Qajar Dynasty. I don’t believe I’ve read any Iranian fiction before and I was absolutely transfixed.

The story centres Jamila and Abimelech, both Abyssinian slaves and the latter a eunuch. At the heart of their stories is the fear of irrelevance and erasure, and a longing for freedom and respect, even if only posthumously. Which is why, since the character of Jamila is based on the only existing first-person narrative of an Abyssinian slave in Iran, I appreciate Princewell for honouring their stories in this beautifully written book.

With rich prose that matches the opulence of Iranian palaces, Princewell transports you to the harem where Jamila and Abimelech precariously navigate royal tantrums, political subterfuge, favouritism, and citizen rebellion. I was desperately rooting for both as their friendship and livelihood was tested on many levels.

It must be a feat to write a stunning novel like this that is at once educational and celebratory of erased history AND do all this as a debut, surely?? Thank you to @netgalley and @cassaverepublicpress for this copy.

" The peace you seek does not exist outside. Nor solely at dawn. You must be able to find it at all times, in the dark, within yourself. "

This story is a dual narrative, told from the perspective of two Abyssinian slaves at the Qajar court in 19 th century Persia ( Iran ) : Jāmila, a slave to one of the Shah's least favourite wives among 80, besides being a playmate of the Shah's youngest son, Nosrat Mirza; and Abimelech, eunuch to Nosrat Mirza, who also managed to become a trusted advisor of the Shah.

The story opens with Jāmila standing in the crowd present at a Nobleman's funeral and realising that as a slave she would never have one. Her kind were not considered human enough to be granted a funeral. Their bodies were just tossed aside into an unmarked spot, to be obliviated from history. This thought runs through the fabric of the entire story. Slaves were to serve the noblemen and make themselves invisible at other times. Even the revolutionaries who wanted to dismantle the Qajar court, to give Iran back to the Iranians, devoid of British and Russian influence, did not consider the African slaves as part of their community. They were not " people ".

Yet the real Jāmila Habashī, from the Omrānīah tribe did leave behind a letter, dated 1905, which is the only existing first-person account of an African slave in Iran, written in their own hand.

The story contains explores themes of search for ones identify, court politics, the importance of women in society at the time, and the inned workings of the Shah's harem as well as his court.

Victoria Princewill does an excellent job of simulating Jamilā and Abilemech's story and that of their peers during that time in this historical fiction.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for this e-copy of the book.

The review for this book is up on the following platforms as well;
goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3960057341?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/COA_nSiLi9L/

In the Palace of Flowers by Victoria Princewill is not a fairytale about perfectly beautiful princes and princesses, flitting about grand palaces chasing love.

It is a story about power.

It is a story of Jamila and Abimelech, two Abyssinian slaves in the Qajar Palace in pre-revolution Iran. This is the first book I've read from that time period and I have to say, this was a lesson in history I didn't know I needed.
The book opens with Jamila attending the funeral of a nobleman and wondering about her own existence. "We shall be forgotten, Jamila realized, watching the funeral rites with empty eyes."

This realization sets Jamila off on a journey that takes her to the doorstep of the Iranian revolutionaries. Revolutionaries trying to overthrow the ailing shah and push back on the growing influence of the British and the Russians. But will the risk of consorting with revolutionaries reap any rewards for a young Abyssinian slave of the Qajar?

I'm still trying to process the many layers in this book. Besides the story of Jamila and Abimelech, what stood out the most for me were the wives in the haram. The Shah had the habit of plucking young girls from villages he passed and making them his wives. But, how fair can one man be to multiple wives? As much as I hated Chehra Khaanoum, Jamila's mistress, I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her. To be trapped in a room, with no husband, no friends, no rights, and no recourse. That existence is enough to drive one insane.

As any book that's written from the point of view of the enslaved, this is a tough read. Be forewarned of the following TW:
-Intimate partner abuse
-Slavery and all abuse that goes along with it
-Physical violence
-Rape

Thank you @VictoriaPrincewill @CassavaRepublic and @NetGalley for the ARC.

#InthePalaceofFlowers #NetGalley #QajarDynasty #Bookstagram #2021Reads #Slavery #DiverseReads #ReadAroundTheWorld

This is a slave narrative like I've never read before. An untold narrative that isn't about the transatlantic slave trade but which follows Jamila and Abimelech, two Abyssinians enslaved in the Qajar Royal Court in Iran during the late 19th century.

Here is the opening line of the book as told by Jamila, one of the main characters:
"We shall be forgotten".

Thanks to Victoria Princewill, you shall not be forgotten. "The real Jamila Habashi", whose letter is "the only existing first-person account of an African slave in Iran" inspired her and we are tremendously thankful to her for giving life to this character. For bringing humanity to the fore of these stories.

Abimelech is a eunuch and the other character we follow and one which I loved. All characters are flawed and the glimpses of intimacy we are shown all add to their complexity and humanity in a setting I had never read about.

The style of the book flows beautifully and this book was a real education for me in terms of Islamic history as well and you can tell how much research went into this book.

I truly enjoyed the author chat organised by @sofia_reading and @greek girl.reads on Instagram and highly recommend them.

I look forward to Victoria Princewill's new project which is a YA historical fiction with Scholastic!! How exciting!

Thank you to @NetGalley and @CassavaRepublicPress for this ARC in return for my honest review. In the Palace of Flowers is out now worldwide!

I was tempted by the bright cover of this book.
Full of intrigue and politics.
I did not know much about this period of Persian history, I enjoyed descriptions of living quarters of wives, concubine and slaves. The political scheming of the Shah's household was complicated and confusing.
I only got half way through this book. I had just finished Hilary Mantel's masterpiece bring up the bodies, so probably not a good time to try Palace of flower.

In the Palace of flowers, tells the story of two enslaved Abyssinians; Jamila and Abimelech; and their lives within the Persian Royal Court in the late 19th century. The opening question posed by this book is; how will we be remembered when we die? Jamila in particular is plagued by this existential question and refuses to accept that her life has been predestined to be one that will be forgotten. She seeks out books and education and as a means of securing an autonomous future and identity for herself. Abimelech, a Eunuch in the court, grapples with past trauma and a desire to ensure that his intelligence is respected and his status ensured. Faced with the immutable fact that they are owned people the two make an attempt to be the masters of their own lives, with varying consequences.

The novel explores the various established hierarchies within the court as well as efforts to disrupt this. In particular I enjoyed the exploration of how politics permeated various parts of the royal court and was not limited to the Shah and his advisors. For example the status of the slaves were not equal, with some being advisors, tutors, concubines, cleaners and this in itself was largely dependent on where they had originated from. Similarly the many wives of the Shah who lived within the Harem, had to vie for his attention and affection, in a way that was somewhat comical at times, but nevertheless demonstrated their politicking. Overall it was interesting to see these dynamics at play and the lengths that individuals would take to ensure their place in the status quo.

This unique historical perspective was inspired by a single surviving letter written in 1905 by an enslaved African Women living in Iran.
The strength of the narrative is in on sense largely due to the sense of dignity and strength of will given to both characters but also the rich descriptions of life in the court. The ability of the author to bring to life a relatively obscure part of history and the trans - sharan slave trade really marks this book as an exemplary example of historical fiction and one that will stay with me for a long time.



Thank you @NetGalley and @Cassavarepublicpress for providing me an ARC of this book.

An atmospheric novel set in the court of a Shah in 19th Century Iran. The main story is that of Jamila, the Abyssinian slave to one of the Shah's wives and Abimelech an Abyssinian Eunoch and advisor to one of the Princes. In The Palace of Flowers court politics are revealed, not only are their differences in the ranks of slaves, but in the wives and concubines also. At times a tough read due to the violence and hardships bestowed upon the slaves, but reading through the story you learn that no one is truly safe within the court regardless of their status. Both Jamila and Abimelech want more from their lives but choose different paths to try to achieve this in the end.

An interesting read.

I was given a copy of In The Palace of Flowers by NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

Such a unique setting, I thoroughly enjoyed being in 19th century Tehran and Golestan Palace. This story delves into power dynamics, lust and loyalty. I also enjoyed getting to know Abimelech and Jamīla, but found myself wanting to know more of their back story. I also found myself feeling disappointed in Jamīla, hoping she would choose a different path or get what she wanted, but the ending was great nonetheless.

'In the Palace of Flowers' is such an important read - not only does Victoria Princewill evocatively describe the delicate political situation of 1890s Iran, she also carves out a space in the literary scene for as-yet largely unheard/forgotten voices and stories. The novel - an historical fiction - follows the lives of Abyssinian slaves, Jamila and Abimelech, who, having been brutally kidnapped from their homeland, live and serve under the Qajar dynasty in Tehran. Jamila and Abimelech both find themselves pawns to, and manipulators of, the complex, ever-shifting loyalties, hierarchies (racial and social), friendships, rebellions, and betrayals within the walls of the Golestan Palace, providing readers with an insight into the precarious nature of courtly life and politics in 19th century Iran. Princewill's descriptions of the opulence of the Qajar court are stunning - I particularly loved the segments in which the dawn breaking over the Hall of Mirrors and the chaos of the bazar were evoked. Moreover, the underpinning theme of memory/remembrance made this read all the more poignant, almost taking on a testimonial quality - I would highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Cassava Republic Press for allowing me to read this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

'I do not simply want out. I want...more. Our minds are not mere basins for our memories.The questions of who we are, where we come from, why we live like this, why one society can sell another- I am tormented by them...' Victoria Princewill
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In the Palace of Flowers was inspired by a letter, the only existing first-person account of Jamila Habashi, an African slave in Iran 🇮🇷 in 1905. It is the story of two Abyssinian slaves, Jamīla and Abimelech, serving in the royal courts of the Qajars in 19th century Iran. The story follows the two slaves as they navigate the treachery of the royal court they serve in, as well as the domestic tensions that led to the constitutional revolution in Iran in 1905.
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Life in the royal court is dangerous- the Shah has 80 wives and countless concubines all scheming for influence, as well as countless princes, diplomats and advisors all playing their own political games- the lives of slaves within this court are precarious to say the least. This book was a real education for me, as I didn't know anything about the history or politics of Iran and this was a great glimpse into a small part of its history.
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Jamila desires more from her life than being a slave- she wants an education and she wants freedom. The fact that Jamila left behind a letter and Princewell has turned it into this novel is a moving tribute to the lives of all the slaves whose voices were lost throughout history. Highly recommend ⭐️

Thank you to @netgalley and @cassavarepublicpress for my copy!

First of all, I love the premise of the book.

It’s a fresh take on a topic that not a lot of people know about which is why I was intrigued.

I’ve gotten about 25% of the way through the book and have to abandon it.

The constant abuse towards the two main characters is very real, but it’s incredibly jarring for me to read and sadly being a Highly Sensitive Person, I don’t feel like I can go on and finish this.

Best of lock to the author for launch.

What I have read is beautiful.

An ambling historical novel, this is set at a slower pace yet still somehow packed full of hope, love, betrayal and sex. A unique storyline, I haven’t read anything like this before.

Jamila is an Abyssinian slave in the harem of the Iranian Shah in the 1890s. With the clever eunuch Abimelech, she tries to find the meaning of freedom amidst the drama, politics and scheming within the Persian court.
Very vivid descriptions and backed by research, a bit slow paced.

In The Palace of Flowers is Set in Iran at the end of the 19th Century in the Persian royal court of the Qajars and it is a fast-paced but deeply layered historical novel about Jamila, an Abyssinian slave and Abimelech, an Abyssinian eunuch and their desire to be free, to live a more fulfilling life and not be forgotten.

It is based on the only existing first-person account, of Jamila Habishi, an Abyssinian slave in 1905 Iran.

It is a story about love and friendships, sex and betrayals, brutality and humiliation, but above all a desire to be remembered and to be free.

It is exciting, heartbreaking, well researched and beautifully written.

I was immediately transported into the Royal harem and 19th century Iran. All the characters where really complex, their actions felt totally believable and I was really invested in both of their journeys.

Although, it is an atypical slave narrative in that it focuses on the main characters ambitions and drive to change their current situation and remains hopeful even in the darkest moments, the author does not shy away from the brutality of slavery- Both Jamila and Abimelech are humiliated and subject to Brutal abuse, both physical and mental, which does not make for an easy read, so do approach with caution.

Overall, I was blown away by this historical novel and will be recommending to anyone interested in learning more about this period in history.