City of a Thousand Dolls (Bhinian Empire #1)by Miriam Forster
Published February 5th 2013
by Harper Teen
Summary from Goodreads:
An exotic treat set in an entirely original, fantastical world brimming with deadly mystery, forbidden romance, and heart-stopping adventure.
Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a child. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. Nisha makes her way as Matron’s assistant, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city’s handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die.
Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls’ deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but her own life.
Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a child. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. Nisha makes her way as Matron’s assistant, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city’s handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die.
Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls’ deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but her own life.
Thoughts:
I think I fell in love with the whole exotic fantastical setting first before realising that the book actually had a deeper thought provoking message in it. Inspired by several Asian elements notably the Indian social caste system, the book told the story of Nisha who lives in the City of a Thousand Dolls as the Matron's assistant. The city is actually where abandoned girls are sent to live and their future will be determined by city's officials after they have completed their training.
It is harrowing to read about the second class citizen treatment given to females even if it is only fictionalized and I found myself not able to really connect with Nisha as her early infatuation with higher born Devan just annoyed me. However, things picked up significantly when Nisha started investigating the murders of the girls and the deeper she delved into the mystery the more secrets she uncovered about the city and herself. We are told of how special Nisha is through her gift in communicating with several spotted cats who roamed the city and seemed to be following and guarding her every move. And the final revelation actually has a lot to do with the cats and I'm glad they did not exist for some comic relief but feature prominently in the plot.
This book might have been perfect if the characters appeared to be more likeable and beliavable. The series certainly has promise and I'm eager to read the next book.
Verdict: 4 stars.
In my Debut Author, Books in a Series and Fantasy Reading Challenge
Available on: Amazon
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