Nush and the Stolen Emerald

By Author / Illustrator
Jasbinder Bilan
Genre
Historical Fiction
Age range(s)
9+
Publisher
Chicken House
ISBN
9781915947024
Format
Paperback / softback
Published
09-05-2024
Synopsis
A stunning new historical children's novel from Costa Award-winning author of Asha & the Spirit Bird. Anushka is furious. As princess of an Indian kingdom, she has watched the British East India Company take land and her family's most divine jewel - an emerald the size of an apple. So when her father, the Maharaja, decides to visit Queen Victoria at Buckinham Palace, Nush goes too - determined to bring back the gem that can heal her country.
A fabulous new historical direction from Costa-winning and Waterstones-shortlisted author, Jasbinder Bilan. Themes of colonialism and identity, mixed with an action-packed royal mystery.
Praise for Jasbinder Bilan: 'A gorgeous sumptuous read from a master storyteller.' Hannah Gold 'A light-filled, huge-hearted delight.' Katherine Rundell 'Atmospheric, dreamy, charged with wonder and menace, loss, sorrow and delight.' Times Literary Supplement.
Reviews
Beverley
11-year-old Nush lives with her identical twin brother Arian and their father, the Maharajah, in the kingdom of Jaisalmer, India. Arian may be the eldest by a few minutes, but Nush is the more outspoken and confident. She loves to ride and climb, and is an expert at picking locks. The British East India Company is prevalent in India, taking lands, jewels and treasures from the inhabitants, including a magnificent emerald which was stolen from the Maharaja's palace.
Unhappy with this situation, the Maharaja decides to make a diplomatic visit to England to visit Queen Victoria at Buckingham Place and ask for her help in stopping the East India Company from devastating his country with their actions. Arian is supposed to accompany his father, but is reluctant to do this, so Nush dresses in his clothes and tricks her father into taking her instead. She is determined to do everything she can to recover her family's lost emerald, but she has no idea how dangerous this quest will turn out to be.
Set in the 19th century, Nush and the Stolen Emerald is a beautifully written and well-researched adventure novel. Nush is the perfect heroine; brave, clever and fearless, she will stop at nothing to achieve her goal. On arriving in England, Nush and her father meet the seemingly kind and helpful Captain West, trusted advisor to Queen Victoria - but is he all he seems to be? Nush becomes friendly with the royal children, especially Vicky and Bertie, who will one day be King.
As Nush begins to investigate the whereabouts of the precious emerald, she discovers intrigue and betrayal within Buckingham Palace itself. When the Maharaja mysteriously disappears, leaving Nush alone in London, she enlists the help of Vicky and Bertie and all three find themselves in danger as they work to unravel the mystery of the missing jewel - and the missing Maharaja!
The novel is fast paced, with short chapters which keep the action flowing. Nush races around London on horseback, breaks into locked rooms and houses, and comes face-to-face with a pistol-wielding female villain. There are rooftop chases and a thrilling dockside stand-off, all of which keep the reader entertained throughout.
Through a clever mix of fact and fiction, the author introduces the reader to the history of colonial India and the East India Company. We are also given an insight into the lot of girls and women at this time; both Nush and Vicky are restricted in their lives because they are female - neither can take their place in the line of succession for their respective countries, despite both girls being bolder and more confident than their brothers. The authors' notes are also very interesting, explaining how the story is based upon the real-life visit of a maharaja and his daughter to Queen Victoria in 1852.
This is a lovely book, and would be a perfect addition to any school library. Highly recommended.
288 pages / Reviewed by Beverley Somerset, school librarian
Suggested Reading Age 9+