Really enjoyable read. Good characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. Think others will enjoy.

Author D’Silva transports readers to her native India in a new multi-period novel exploring her frequent themes of difficult family dynamics and the limited choices open to the country’s daughters.

In 1936, Mary Brigham, raised in her aunt and uncle’s London home, is preparing her debutante season and planning to be presented at court. An atypical historical novel heroine, she dreams only of marrying well and raising a family—at least until an old friend of her late parents alludes to their lives in India and a terrible tragedy she can’t recall. Chapters set eleven years earlier introduce Sita, a girl from a wealthy Indian household, and show how her unusual childhood friendship with Mary developed. In the beginning, both Mary and Sita are equally sympathetic: Mary for her sorrowful past and determination to face up to it, and Sita because she can never attain her parents’ approval.

Despite some confusing aspects of their juxtaposed narratives—the girls’ ages aren’t mentioned, for one—the novel smoothly depicts their transformations into adulthood. Sita ends up marrying a prince and moving into his opulent palace, where her mother-in-law makes her life miserable. Years later, what happens at Mary and Sita’s reunion twists their lives irrevocably and leads to a devastating secret left for Sita’s granddaughter, Priya, to uncover decades later. Priya, a modern documentary filmmaker depressed over her husband’s infidelity, plays an unfortunately small role, although her presence serves to bring the earlier stories full circle.

The plot gets over-the-top dramatic toward the end, and colonial Indian politics remain mostly in the background. Also, too many women have the tendency to faint when confronted with bad news. Still, readers desiring a satisfying excursion to a land of jasmine breezes and delicious cuisine may wish to follow the story and indulge in all the lush atmospheric details.

(from the Historical Novels Review, August 2018)

Women’s ambition, women’s capability to lie and manipulate, and women’s ability to love, cherish and recover. ‘Beneath an Indian Sky’ by Renita D’Silva is the cautionary tale of Sita and Mary and how their lives, from childhood to old age, are entwined in India. It is a symmetrical story, but the permutations of its angles and consequences are not clear until the end. Be patient, relax into the story, because the ending is worth it.
1925, India. Sita’s parents despair of her acting like a girl so, to encourage more restrained behavior, they arrange for her to become friends with Mary. Mary’s parents encourage individuality, freedom and learning, but Mary secretly envies the rules and ordered life of Sita’s home. And so the two girls become friends. Until in 1926 something happens which splits them apart.
This is a tale of opposites; two little girls who, despite being different, become friends. What happens when they grow up turns into a darker more difficult story about friendship, honesty, betrayal, loss, anguish and regret. Renita D’Silva takes you to another world, India pre- and post-partition, with all its scents, colours, flavours, wealth and poverty. She is a magical writer of the setting into which she lays an emotional story of the twists and turns of women’s treachery and ability to heal.
The girls are born into an India where women must defer to their husbands and sons, where endless wealth and dirt-grovelling poverty exist side-by-side; where women do not always support each other and mistakes are not forgotten. Behind the story is a ‘be careful what you wish for’ moral that applies to both girls. Intertwined with their story is the modern one of Priya, a documentary film-maker, who lives in London and is unable to have a child.
I really enjoyed this book, read quickly over a weekend. Be warned, secrets have a way of being found out.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/

As always, Renita De Silva has produced a superb story which spans a lifetime and takes place in India. This author understands characters and writes in such a way that they really get beneath your skin. If you have not read one of her wonderful stories, make the first.
The story begins in 1925 with a arranged friendship negotiated by the mothers of Sita and Mary. Sita's mother considers the friendship will curb Sita's rather wayward streak. However, this is not the case as Mary's parents are much less restrictive and as a result the friendship really takes off as the two girls enjoy the freedom this allows.
A tragedy eventually comes between this friendship which leads Mary to return to England, deserting Sita and leaving their relationship in tatters.
Sita grows into a strong willed, outspoken and determined young woman and eventually this draws the young crown prince to make her his choice of bride. Meanwhile, Mary makes her way back to India, also becoming a young bride. We then follow both women into their married life and watch how both characters grow and change in their new roles. For both, life is not as they had dreamed and this plays a part in the women they become. As with many of De Silva's stories we have a dual time phase at play with the character Priya from 2000. but I would hate to give away how this relates to the earlier characters. You will have to read to work out that for yourself!

Beautifully written novel, this story takes place in India of the early twentieth century, until 2000. Sita and Mary are childhood friends, growing up in totally different homes, one traditional Indian where Sita is expected to be obedient and marry, while Mary’s parents are freethinkers, her Dad from England, her Mom of mixed race. Over the years, jealousy and envy turn the friendship into a nightmare. The descriptions of India are poetic, and the characters are carefully crafted. I highly recommend this novel which highlights a place and its culture.

I loved the characters, they seemed real as they had flaws. The story is fast paced and keeps you engrossed. I felt so bad for Mary,for all the tragedies that happened in her life.  I can't decide whether i love Sita or not, i did feel bad for her sometimes , but there were times when i was angry with her too. The helplessness of Indian women is  described pretty well. It is a story which talks about love,betrayal,abuse of power,grief and loss. The story was predictable at times, but still i enjoyed it . I would like to read more of Renita D'Silva

The story is set in India and partly in England. It is narrated through two main timelines and three narrators. Through the chapters, we get to meet two young girls growing up in India, Sita and Mary. Sita is a fearless, rebellious Indian girl. Mary on the other hand is a shy, reserved English girl. Right from the start, readers get to see how the friendship changed the girls’ lives.

The vivid background that took me to India. I could see the exotic locations, the trips on elephants and the beautiful cheetahs. Through the words of the author I too felt I was India, I could see the vibrant colors, smell and almost reach out to touch that country. Her writing took me to another culture, one I had never known.

An emotional story of friendship, passion, ambition, jealousy, guilt and regret, I couldn't put the book down. This is the first book I've read by Ms. D'Silva but it won't be my last. My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been waiting for ages to read Renita's latest release and I think this is possibly her best book to date. Sita and Mary are two young girls that become unlikely friends in the 1920s and 30's in India. Sita is headstrong and feisty and goes against everything her parents wish for her. She meets Mary who lives with two parents that believe in people choosing their own paths. The two friends have very different ideas of what is the ideal life path to choose. However, when tragedy strikes it changes everything and the two girls literally become worlds apart.

In current times Priya is dealing with the end of her marriage and although this story is not as meaty as that of Sita and Mary, Priya has no idea how her life will change when she finally sets foot in India. The characters I just fell in love with. The story I was absorbed in from start to finish and truly this was a book I didn't and couldn't put down.

There are many reviews which will go into finer detail on the plot, characters and so on, but I truly don't feel the need. This book will literally take you to another time and another world and you will find yourself falling in love with it all. This is my absolute favourite by Renita so far and I would HUGELY recommend this book to anybody that loves a book that will engage you from page one.

Another captivating book by Renita D'Silva, this is the third amazing book I have read by this author.
An unputdownable read that held me from the very first page right through to the last. I felt that I lived within the pages and could vividly see the characters and their surroundings.
This is such a great story, beautifully written, and full of atmosphere. I really did love it and thoroughly recommend it.

Thank you.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the eARC.
Set in India and England, the 3 main characters are Mary, Sita and Priya. Starting in 1928 in India under Colonial Rule, we get to know Mary and Sita as they form a deep friendship. When tragedy strikes, Mary is sent to live with family in England and Sita ends up marrying a Prince. In 2000 we meet Priya in London, whose marriage has sadly ended as she leaves for India with her father to visit her dying grandmother.
The story is quite sweet, but a bit too drawn out for me. There were parts I skipped through... though I normally am not drawn to romantic novels, I love books about India (I lived there for several years) but there was not enough India for me. Ms. D'Silva's books are much loved and her star rating is stellar, so I am definitely in the minority in only rating this book 3 stars. The 3 strands come together quite well and the ending is a happy one, sure to please many more romance fans.

"All it takes is one decision, one moment of madness, of curiosity winning over sense, for your life to change for ever."

Mary and Sita meet in India as children but then tragedy interupts their idyllic life of freedom. Each girl fights against expectations of parents and society as they grow into adulthood. Both independent and single-minded, Mary and Sita try to make their dreams come true. Unfortunately, betrayal and jealousy mar their lives and prevent happiness.

Set against the lush background of India beginning in 1925, the narrative goes back and forth in time and alternates between the voices of the Englishwoman, Mary, and the Indian, Sita. One can almost see, smell, hear and taste the country through the eyes of the women. This novel is rich in detail and description.

Those readers who enjoy historical fiction will surely find a dramatic and moving story within these pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

Beneath an Indian Sky is the latest historical fiction read from author Renita D'Silva. It is a heartbreaking story of love, loss, betrayal, guilt and family secrets. It takes you by the hand and leads you on a journey into three women’s lives to demonstrate how friendship can turn into fierce ambition that only leads to destruction and devastation. This book is very character driven but all the better for it. Initially I was missing out on the character in the present delving back into the past to uncover secrets as is quite often normal in the time slip novels I read in the historical fiction genre. I soon came to realise that Priya in the present, who has just discovered her marriage is over due to her cheating husband, was not to be the sole focus of this book.

In fact when the very chapters from her viewpoint appeared every now and again I found myself reading them as quickly as possible to get back to Mary and Sita's story which I found to be much more fascinating and intriguing, as the in bonds of friendship and love were tested to their max .Yes Priya was an essential element but more so in the last section of the story as she is the one who helps the journey attempt to come full circle, in a way she helps to join the dots to complete the puzzle. I did feel for the circumstances she found herself in and I thought she was very vulnerable but this was more Sita and Mary's story to tell. An emotional story of passion, yearning, zeal and regret.

The book is divided into seven sections, some more brief than others but they were all essential as they helped move the story on in terms of months and years passing by. For this book has issues that require setting up and then further exploration and development. The pain of loss and sacrifice does not happen over night neither does it diminish. Everything that occurs has far reaching and long lasting consequences which last a life time and cannot be resolved satisfactorily within a short space of a few weeks or months. Pain, hurt and anger do not leave instantly but rather there comes an acceptance of one can not see the light at the end of the tunnel. Should the characters involved lay down and accept this betrayal or should they fight until the bitter end? But in this case the reader hopes that the unnecessary actions of one which cause so much heartache to another will see some justice served.

Renita D'Silva has woven a powerful story and what gathers the reader in so quickly is the stunning evocative descriptions. One feels as if they are there in India feeling the heartbeat and soul of the country through the heat, exotic foods and the constant hum of people and animals. The glorious descriptions come alive on the page and in particular in this story a royal palace takes centre stage and through such vivid writing, you can imagine the opulence and abundance of wealth that allowed any desire or wish to be fulfilled. Renita has brought alive a time in India's history which is long gone and which may never be replicated again.

England, 1936, Mary Brigham is about to come out at the royal court after a season on the London circuit with her cousins. Mary questions whether this is what she actually wants or is love, family, a husband, children and a household of her own more in keeping with her character and hidden wishes. It soon becomes apparent that England has not been the background to Mary's childhood and that the country of India is where she grew up. An arrival at her Aunt's household leads to a devastating discovery for Mary which in turn makes her question everything. Why had she blocked out that time she spent in India? So many questions run through her mind and to get answers, to satisfy the wishes of her now lost but beloved parents she returns to the heat, excitement and mysteries that await her. In doing so she embarks on a journey with clear intentions but little does she realise said trip will change her once again forever. In the beginning I did find it difficult to keep track of the time period I was reading about despite it being written at the beginning of each chapter. It went from 1936 , then back to the mid 1920's, the present and then back to the 30's again. It all felt a little jumpy until I settled down into the rhythm and pattern of the story.

In 1925, we meet Sita, a young girl who feels so constrained by the rules placed upon someone of her sex. The reader can see Sita has spirit, she is different from the norm and will not be happy with marriage, children and a husband. She wants to be out there experiencing adventures, freedom and life in general. She is a disappointment to her parents as her antics do not inspire good things. From the moment she was born she is believed to have brought bad luck and the fact a suitable husband cannot be found only further re-enforces her mother's beliefs. Sita is fearless, feisty, untameable and unafraid. She will take on any challenge but maybe these qualities will turn out to be her weakness and a downfall can only be inevitable. Sita is not at all docile, as she constantly plots to run away and lead her own exciting life. Bring groomed for marriage is the last thing she wishes for. It is admirably for someone who wants to go against the norm but Sita to me seemed as if she would be restless, anxious and always on the look out for something else no matter even if she had achieved her goal.

She was a person who would become ruthless and cold hearted in her schemes and would trample over anyone to get where she needed to be. I did like her initially but over the course of the book as her story is developed her character was not someone I liked. Her actions were so cruel and unforgiving and when she committed the ultimate betrayal and got what she wanted it was almost like she goaded over those she had hurt and left behind. I think she deserved everything that came her way. I did admire her free spirit and wanting to go against the norm when we first met her but she took things way too far and caused too much hurt and suffering. So much so her own life couldn't be a bed of roses as guilt must have been eating her up.

When Mary and Sita first encounter each other and develop a friendship as young girls, they are complete opposites. Sita is bound by shackles she feels her parents place around her whereas Mary's parents afford her freedom which she is not willing to embrace. Two very contrasting girls yet they bond and develop a friendship, one which you would hope can survive anything. Little do they know a chance friendship will led to such a forbearing on their futures. But when devastation strikes and the girls are torn apart, two very different paths emerge for the pair. Will the paths lead them back to each other or has fate a lot of surprises and twists and turns in store for the pair?

I never quite knew where the story would eventually lead too and thanks to such brilliant writing my opinions of the characters changed several times. Normally I find myself coming down on one characters side and I never stray from that but here that wasn't the case and I loved the fact it was so. Beneath an Indian Sky provides the reader with a lot more than they bargained for. A myriad of emotions arise as you read through the story as the author has written with such detail and passion. It highlights be careful what you wish for and that maybe to some extent we should be content with the lot we have been dealt in life. This book is full of heartache, turmoil, sadness, bitterness and love and has confirmed Renita D'Silva if you hadn't thought so already as a top class author who can write a scintillating and impassioned story that will have the reader gripped.

WoW..........I am lost for words.......But, what a wonderful, beautiful written book Beneath an Indian Sky by Renita D'Silva is.

This book is about 2 young girls growing up in India. Sita and Mary become good friends when they were children. Sita is a Very head strong young girl and wants to make a difference.. Her parents are very strict and does not want Sita to read books and learn, but to be married into a good family at an early age.
Mary is the daughter of the Deputy Commissioner and comes from a loving family. Mary is allowed to run free and read books and learn about the world around her. Two different lives they both lead.
A tragic event happens and Mary has to go back to England to live with her family as Mary's parents are killed. They loose contact with each other.

Many Years pass, Mary returns to India and helps out as a teacher in a local school for girls. Mary meets Sita again under very different circumstances.
Sita has made a difference and became a very powerful lady and now is Queen of India.
But do they become good friends again?

Beneath an Indian Sky is Just a wonderful book. Very emotional story of passion, regret, friendship, greed and jealousy. My heart went out to Sita and Mary.
Renita writes with Passion and so much detail of all the characters you will meet in this book. You will fall in love with the atmosphere and smells of India.
You'll be thinking what if .......as the Moral of the Story is "Be careful what you wish for! Power and greed is not everything. Friendship is"

So turn off your Mobile. Make a hot drink. Find a comfy chair, open this book and become apart of this wonderful story. Don't forget your tissues as you will need them.

If I could give this book 100 stars I would So 5 big Fat Stars.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review on Goodreads, Facebook Page and Amazon UK xx

After I finished A Daughter’s Courage last year which was my first book I’ve read by Renita, I was wondering how on earth she could top that incredible book. Now after finishing Beneath An Indian Sky, I’m in awe and love for Renita’s writing skills. I’m stunned and emotional but I know for a fact, Renita D’Silva you are definitely one of my favourite authors.

I loved everything about this book – the setting (I always love books about India), the characters and of course the writing. Renita has a magical way with words that transports you not only to a different country but a different time period. I love the descriptions of India in the 1920s, the sights, the smells, the sounds was beautifully described, at times I forgot I wasn’t in India! I really felt a part of not only the beautiful palaces but also the houses inhabited by the people – I wanted to visit the zoo and have a pet mongoose!

I adored the split time line, I was intrigued into Priya’s story and how she’ll fit into the book and when it started to come together, I was glad of the addition of her story. Sita and Mary were two very different characters that came together as friends and in those early years I felt as if I was part of their friendship group. I also loved how Renita was able to bring forward Mary’s story several years and I was left wondering – why is she back in England? What happened to her friendship with Sita? When all was revealed, my heart shattered and I was in admiration of the two for very different reasons.

Despite the different character voices and different time periods, it’s easy to keep track of what’s going on and it’s the perfect read to escape on Sunday when it’s raining outside. You’ll soon forget where you are and embrace the magic of India. I would love to visit India and experience all the sights, smells and sounds for myself but I think for now Renita’s books are the next best thing!

Throughout the book, my opinions for Mary and Sita changed a lot – both characters do questionable things but I will say that both characters are very driven to not conform to standards that were expected of them in that time. I admired both of them for that. I loved all the different animals that are in the book, it was a refreshing change to read about Indian animals that aren’t just tigers!

Beneath an Indian Sky was just perfection – it was heart-breaking and touching, all written with Renita’s brilliant flair for creating a world I was part of and that I am sad to leave. The characters and the story will stick with me for a long time. Another brilliant read by Renita and I have a feeling this will appear on the top reads of 2018 list!

Last year I read Renita’s book, A Daughter’s Courage. It was a beautiful, emotional read that has since claimed a spot in my list of favorites. I was delighted to find out that the author has a new book . I am totally honored to share my review of Beneath an Indian Sky as part of the blog tour organized by Bookouture.

The story is set in India and partly in England. It is narrated through two main timelines and three narrators. The author did a fantastic job in seamlessly interweaving the story between narrators and timelines. Through the chapters, we get to meet two young girls growing up in India, Sita and Mary. Sita is a fearless, rebellious Indian girl. Mary on the other hand is a shy, reserved English girl. Right from the start, readers get to see how the friendship changed the girls’ lives. The effects of this childhood friendship are felt again when the girls later reconnect as grownups.

I really liked the description of the setting. The vivid imagery took me to India. I could visualize the exotic locations, the trips on elephants and the beautiful cheetahs that Sita liked. The author made me feel like I was right there in the beautiful garden with Mary. In my mind, I could see the vibrant colors of the plants against the background of the majestic palace. I don’t know another author who brings settings alive like Renita does. I could see, smell and even feel India just from the way that she described it. She really does paint pictures with her words.

The setting wasn’t the only thing that was brought to life in the story; the characters were equally masterfully crafted and easy to connect with. It didn’t matter whether they were good or bad. The author made me care about all of them. I understood their motives even when I didn’t agree with their actions. The supporting characters were also very well portrayed. There are some that were present in only a few chapters but they greatly affected the course of the narrative and left their mark. The two that stood out to me the most were Charles and Sita’s mother-in-law.

This book has a number of heavy, interesting themes. One that really stood out for me was motherhood and how it is perceived in different situations. How in some circumstances, it is celebrated but in others, it only brings heartache and pain. Gender roles were also covered in the narrative and so were family ties. Another theme that I thought was quite well developed was ambition. It was interesting to see how the characters were influenced by their ambitions and just how far they were willing to go to achieve their goals. Although this is historical fiction, the themes are still relevant today. They are so realistically portrayed that they will make you identify feelings that you didn’t even know that you have experienced before. I know I have been examining my friendships a bit differently since reading this book.

This was a beautiful narrative but it was also quite heartbreaking. It covers a span of decades and readers get to follow the girls’ lives from childhood to old age. There were disappointments along the way, a lot of betrayal and pain.

I ended up devouring this book in a day because I couldn’t stop turning the pages. This is the kind of story that brings characters into your life who end up claiming a spot in your mind and heart. I still can’t get over the heartbreak that I felt while reading the story and again, when I got to the last page and had to say goodbye to the characters.

If you have never read Renita’s books, you need to rectify that. Start with Beneath an Indian Sky or A Daughter’s Courage. I am currently on a mission to read everything that she has ever written. Definitely recommended!

It’s always great to find a new historical fiction writer and Renita D’silva is definitely an author I’ll be reading more of in the future as I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

From the first pages I felt immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of India. I could really picture the setting in my mind and felt like I was right there next to Mary and Sita watching everything unfold . I particularly liked the vivid descriptions of Mary’s garden in India with its wonderful wildness and amazing animals running free. I’d love to have had such a garden as a kid and I enjoyed reading about the kid’s exploits there, imagining the fun I’d have had.

Mary and Sita where my two favourite characters and I enjoyed reading about their friendship, despite their differences. Sita is a very strong willed, rebellious character who wants more to life than the marriage and kids her parent’s have planned for her. Mary in contrast is a very gentle, tidy little girl who is loved by everyone and just wants to fit in. She is embarrassed my her free spirited parents and think she doesn’t live up to their expectations. These differences actually bring the two girls together, helping them try new things that neither would have dared try before and helping them to see the opposite view to the one they have. There were times when both characters did annoy me though as they seemed so selfish and set in their ways. Despite this I was very sad when, after a tragedy, the two are forced to separate as I’d have loved to have more about their friendship as young girls.

The story is told from three points if view Sita’s, Mary’s and Priya in the present day. I did initially orefer Sita and Mary’s story as it wasn’t immediately obvious where and how Priya fitted in. However I soon liked all three stories equally, especially when Priya visits India.

The gradual unraveling of what happened was brilliantly done and took me by surprise as I didn’t see some of them coming. Even without these though I loved the book for how involved in the story and the girls lives it made me feel and I truly felt a bit sad when it ended and I wasn’t able to read more about their world.

This is the first book by Renita D’silva I have read but it won’t be my last as I thought this book was absolutely superb! If you like dual time, historical fiction with a bit of mystery you will love this book.

Huge thanks to Kim Nash and bookouture for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

I have had one of those weeks where I have just wanted to get away from everything. I'm sure we have all had that feeling at least once in our lifetimes, but, seeing as running away wasn't exactly feasible, I had to find a book that was able to transport me as far away as possible. Thankfully Renita D'Silva was on hand with 'Beneath an Indian Sky'! I think India is a pretty good distance away from Scotland, don't you?

Switching between two different times (the past, and the present), Renita D'Silva has written a story which not only was able to transport me to India, it also had the ability to transport me to a very realistic 1928. Now, I say realistic like I was actually there - I wasn't born in 1928 but due to the beautiful descriptions and the vivid imagery which D'Silva's writing brought to life in my mind, it truly felt as though I was standing in the middle of a palace in 1928.

With the storyline also being set in the year 2000 and despite there being a rather large gap between the two years, D'Silva has flawlessly merged both into one overall gritty tale which enabled me to completely lose myself in the authors words and everything the story represented. 

Renita D'Silva certainly hasn't left any stone unturned with this book, that's for sure. Sita's life moved me to tears and for the life of me, I cannot put into words why that was. I just know that I have never been moved by one characters story in that way before, and for that reason alone, 'Beneath an Indian Sky' will forever have a special place in my heart.

A moving, gritty, realistic and untouchable novel from the outstanding Renita D'Silva.

An evocative, emotional encounter with India from the mid-1920s to the millennium, tracing the lives of three women through their hopes, loves, lies and secrets.
Sita and Mary become friends both finding something in the other that they like and admire, but even at the beginning of their childhood friendship, lies and secrets are evident. A tragic event changes the course of both their lives but fate brings them back together as young women. One suffers the ultimate betrayal, and the other carries a guilty secret that blights her entire life. The women's lives are full of complex relationships, and the three stories are enthralling, where they intertwine the emotion intensifies, demonstrating their ambition, independent spirit and tenacity.
A beautifully written, thought-provoking story. Set mainly in India, the setting is atmospheric and imaginable through the vividly descriptive prose. Historically the book is set in a pivotal time for India and its people, which provides an opportunity for some and takes away privilege from others, in its wake. A story of childhood dreams, and adult realities and the fine line between good and evil, a lovely way to while away a few hours.
I received a copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I've read most of the books written by the brilliant Renita D'Silva, and absolutely loved each and every one of them. Through her beautiful, colourful prose, she always makes me dream, taking me back in time, away from real life chaos, on enchanting journeys to and from magnificent India.

The story in 'Beneath an Indian Sky' is a poignant, character-driven tale of hope, love, guilt and betrayal revolving around three women: Sita, Mary and Priya. Sita's and Mary's stories start in the 1930s when India was under British rule. Priya's story takes place in the year 2000.

"I will run away and create my own destiny."

Sita is a rebellious, feisty young girl, outraged at the unfairness of life. Why isn't she allowed to do the things boys do? Why can't she read, study, play in the mud like her brother? Her parents can't wait to get her married, but she doesn't want to end up serving a man for the rest of her life. She doesn't want to learn how to sew, dance, sing and keep house like other girls do. Why do men have such power? Why do they get to decide what women must do? I loved Sita and her strongheaded, rebellious nature and jealous character. These will help her thrive and achieve what she's craved all her life, but at what cost!?

Mary is a lovely English girl who lives in India with her parents. She becomes best friends with Sita. Sita loves her company as it enables her to escape from her claustrophobic home where her mother rules supreme, and Mary has all that Sita misses and craves: books, freedom. Life is so unfair! Mary is not bound by any rules and regulations and is given free rein by her parents.

When tragedy strikes, the two girls' lives are changed forever. They are separated and lose all contact. Half a world away from each other, both girls embark on very different, but equally convoluted life journeys, until years later, their paths cross again. And OMG what happens then!! The story takes on an unexpected, shocking twist at this point.

Priya's marriage ends suddenly when the love of her life leaves her for a much younger girl. Her father urges her to go with him to India to take her mind off things and visit her ailing grandmother. At that point there was no way Priya could have foreseen how her life would change once she lands on Indian soil.

Okay, I honestly think this is the author's best book ever!! It's just amazing, a rollercoaster of emotions, a kaleidoscope of colours, an outburst of sights, smells and sounds. This heart-rending story made me feel all sorts of emotions: joy, hope, anger, sadness. I actually ended up with tears running down my cheeks by the end, something that has never happened to me while reading, but I couldn't help it. My emotions were all over the place and there was so much heartache and turmoil going on that it felt like opening a valve, releasing all the pent-up pressure that has been building up since the beginning of the book. That ending (WOW!) will remain imprinted on my mind for many years.

All characters, settings and details in this novel, both in the past and the present, are brought to life in vivid colour and splendour. And colour is a tool this author knows how to wield very effectively and make full use of in her spectacular descriptions of characters and locations. For example this is how she describes a typical Indian marketplace:

"...piles of rotting vegetables, mounds of potent-smelling spices in all colours of the rainbow spilling from cane baskets, lurid yellow dough confections sizzling and sputtering in huge vats of oil, cows and dogs weaving between people dressed in kaleidoscopic garb, a cacophony of noises and scents..."

​So full of life and realistic, don't you think? You can visualise this scene perfectly.

An element which I liked in this book is the contrast between rich and poor. On one side, we have the tiny mud huts by the river that use a piece of cloth for door. On the other, we have the vast opulent palace of the king, with its countless enormous rooms, jaw-dropping luxuries and furnishings, beautiful gardens and courtyards. It's all portrayed so vividly that I felt as if I were there exploring and admiring all this. Another aspect I really enjoyed in this book is the inclusion of many exotic animals and birds like elephants, deer, monkeys, cheetahs, a mongoose, parrots and mynah birds.

By now you might have suspected that I really enjoyed this book, haha! I could go on and on, there's so much to say about this beautiful epic tale, its characters, the well thought out plot, the exquisite prose and all its wonderful aspects. But I'll just add one more thing - Fantastic, Ms D'Silva, simply fantastic!! Well done!!

With thanks to Bookouture for approving my request to read and review this book through Netgalley. Highly recommended!!

Each time I’m about to start a new book by Renita D’Silva, I usually feel nervous, worrying that it won’t be able to match up to her previous book or that I’ll one day become immune to her beautifully descriptive prose and remarkable characters. However, having loved three previous books by this author, this is the first one I’ve started reading without that nervous feeling. Instead I had an excited shiver of anticipation, similar to that feeling as a child when you wake up on Christmas morning and wonder if Father Christmas got you what you wished for. Beneath an Indian Sky was most certainly a story beyond anything I could have wished for.

Set mostly in India, this story has the same exotic surroundings and atmosphere I’ve grown to love in Renita’s books. The location always comes to life with its vivid colours and scents. Beneath an Indian Sky has a real fairytale feel to it, with an opulent palace, a bitter queen, a charming prince, as well as a not-so-charming one, and even a hint of Cinderella in there too. This story allows you to indulge in the delightful dream of being a fairytale princess.

As with many fairytales, it’s not all sparkle and unicorns, so don't be fooled into thinking this is a story filled with just happiness and dreams come true. In fact there are no fairies, dragons or unicorns in this story, but there are cheetahs, elephants, monkeys, a leopard, a bear, parrots, peacocks (my parents have a peacock that visits their garden every day up in Yorkshire), and a pet mongoose which for some reason made me giggle each time it was mentioned. I did have to Google ‘mongoose’ to remind myself what they look like. It turns out they look not unlike the Superman meerkat cuddly toy I have on my computer desk. He keeps me company when my dog is snoring away, so I guess in a way I have a pet mongoose of my own. How exciting.

With only a handful of characters I found this story really easy to follow. I struggle when there are a lot of characters, but this story mainly focused on two friends, Mary and Sita, and gosh, how that innocent friendship as young girls shaped their futures was extraordinary! Let’s just say, when I started this book, I had no idea I’d end up where I did. What a truly incredible, sometimes shocking, and often emotional journey! Ooh, I’ve come over all tearful again. That ending!!! Anyone able to read the last scene without tears in their eyes must have a heart of stone, or no heart at all.

What I loved about the characters was the way my opinion of them changed over time. Depending on your personality, you may find yourself liking one character more than another, but it’s interesting to see as the characters develop and grow, whether your impression of them changes too. Mine certainly did. I loved watching Mary and Sita’s friendship blossom when they first met. How two very different personalities had a way of complimenting each other so well. At the time, little did I know what challenges they would face in the future.

My favourite character was Sita. I may not have always liked or agreed with her, but I found her the most intriguing, and admired her drive and motivation. Her desire to get on in life and be the most successful she could be, despite her unsupportive parents who treated her as if she was cursed (thank goodness my parents didn’t do that when I was born on Friday 13th), her lack of feeling loved, a deep desire for her parents to be proud of her, and her struggle to get an education, having to secretly read books (I can’t even imagine a childhood without books). Sita made me feel a mixture of emotions throughout, but mostly anguish and anticipation.

Beneath an Indian Sky is an emotional tale of friendship, passion, ambition, jealousy, guilt, regret and the importance of love. It is also my favourite book read this year so far, and quite possibly my favourite book by this author (although I’m not fully decided as I loved A Mother’s Secret so much). I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Renita D’Silva has done it again! She’s taken me off to another world, and made me fall in love with her characters as if they were real friends.

If you’ve enjoyed Renita’s books before, you’re going to LOVE this one. If you’ve never read any books by Renita, please, please, please read one of her books. I want more of you to experience her beautiful stories for yourselves.

This is my favourite quote from the book because of the beautiful image it placed in my mind:

A vast glimmering mirror and in the midst of it, floating serenely, a palace, its illuminated likeness reflected in the dark depths of the lake. Moonlight playing peekaboo with the stars, replicated on the placid, glowing water, which carries a sheen of starlight and a mystery all its own, hiding secrets within its soft, inviting depths.