• Shadow Princess

  • The Taj Mahal Trilogy, Book 3
  • By: Indu Sundaresan
  • Narrated by: Sneha Mathan
  • Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (544 ratings)

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Shadow Princess  By  cover art

Shadow Princess

By: Indu Sundaresan
Narrated by: Sneha Mathan
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Publisher's summary

Critically acclaimed author Indu Sundaresan returns to 17th-century India as two princesses struggle for supremacy of their father's kingdom. Trapped in the shadow of the magnificent tomb their grief-stricken father is building for his beloved deceased wife, the emperor's daughters compete for everything: control over the imperial harem, their father's affection, and the future of their country. They are forbidden to marry and instead choose to back different brothers in the fight for ultimate power over the throne. But only one of the sisters will succeed. With an enthusiasm for history and a flair for rich detail, Indu Sundaresan brings listeners deep into the complicated lives of Indian women of the time period and highlights the profound history of one of the most celebrated works of architecture in the world, the Taj Mahal.

©2016 Indu Sundaresan (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Featured Article: The Best Indian Authors to Listen to Right Now


"India," to quote actress and human rights activist Shabana Azmi, "is a country that lives in several centuries simultaneously." Just as those different time periods seem to coexist in one place, so do the voices of brilliant literary talents. Each of these writers and their works have contributed to help the world better understand this expansive country and its beautiful, multifaceted culture, whether it be from within India’s own borders or through the memory of its customs and traditions from distant continents.

What listeners say about Shadow Princess

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good writing and narrating although disturbing content

I found the greed, obscene levels of wealth, and ambitions achieved with fratricide, genocide, maiming and imprisonment of anyone perceived to be in the way, to be extremely disturbing. What an awful society. After this trilogy of books, I have learned enough about the Mughal Empire.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Shadow Princess

Another superb book by Indu and beautiful narration by Sneha, her voice is so captivating I did not wanted to stop listening, she brings each character to life.
The book is an excellent source of history about emperor Shah Jahan how he built the Taj Mahal and about his daughter who ruled his harem and courts.
Overall an excellent must read

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

excelente libro historico

historias contadas desde el punto de vista de las mujeres del harén.
No sabia nada de los emperadores mongoles, algo muy diferente, la prosa te transporta al lugar

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

very well written

Not my favorite in the series, but a good read. well written. Historical fiction is always my favorite to read. This story does not disappoint.

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1 person found this helpful

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Another beautiful work

All of Indy Sundaresan’s works are well written. They draw one in to ancient lands & the lives of the characters so effectively, it makes me listen to them over & over. Also extremely well narrated. Thank you

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoy the history of India

This is a great continuation of this series. I have never learned about the history of India. Story had a little more details about the architecture than I would have preferred so that made the book longer than needed to be. Loved the telling of the princess and the love and care for her father till the end.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Historical fiction heavy on the history

This was fascinating, in its way, but probably not everyone’s cup of tea. The rich and convoluted story of family politics in the Mogul empire is bracketed all the way through with sometimes tedious details about the tombs and structures that were built by them, including, most notably, the Taj Mahal. Fascinating, yes, but occasionally just a bit much.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

WONDERFUL!

Would you listen to Shadow Princess again? Why?

Couldn't have asked for more from this series. I loved all 3 books and in fact kept buying them as they just got better and better. Sorry to see it all end. I'll try to find something like this again. Very informative, historical and well written.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best book series on Mughal India

excellent written. this iBooks has more to offer than my claimed historical accounts of Mughals.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent reader, captivating story

I was captivated by all three books, but I did struggle at times with so many names I am not familiar with. I can't tell a person's name from a place or a sword or an elephant, and I'm still not sure about the clothing names. The reader was fantastic, and I understood enough of the story to get to the end.

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1 person found this helpful