Review: Incredible world-building, intriguing characters and a real sense of magic
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 14, 2011
Characters with depth; a credible premise in a magical world filled with Djinns, Arifa and Siofra from folklore; all the richness of A Thousand and One Nights; and a real talent for description make "A Thousand Glass Flowers" a sweeping historical fantasy that will particularly enchant lovers of all things exotic.Focusing on the lives and desires of two protagonists--Lalita, a talented scribe sold into the Sultan's harem; and Finnian, an immortal with the ability to mesmer (perform magic)--this novel draws the reader into its intricate web. Although the characters are also featured in Batten's earlier series, readers can be assured that "A Thousand Glass Flowers" works well as a stand-alone offering, and is worthy of its glowing reviews.