Review #218: The Tyrant's Daughter- J.C. Carleson

Title: The Tyrant's Daughter
Author: J.C. Carleson
Publisher:  Knopf Books for Young Readers (February 11, 2014)
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 163
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Summary: From a former CIA officer comes the riveting account of a royal Middle Eastern family exiled to the American suburbs. 

When her father is killed in a coup, 15-year-old Laila flees from the war-torn middle east to a life of exile and anonymity in the U.S. Gradually she adjusts to a new school, new friends, and a new culture, but while Laila sees opportunity in her new life, her mother is focused on the past. She’s conspiring with CIA operatives and rebel factions to regain the throne their family lost. Laila can’t bear to stand still as an international crisis takes shape around her, but how can one girl stop a conflict that spans generations?

J.C. Carleson delivers a fascinating account of a girl—and a country—on the brink, and a rare glimpse at the personal side of international politics.

*Bonus Backmatter includes a note about the author's CIA past, and a commentary by RAND researcher and president of ARCH International, Dr. Cheryl Benard. Recommendations for further reading are also included. Review: * Note: The copy I received only had 163 pages so I hope I wasn't missing half of the book.

I received this book free from Netgalley in exchnage for an honest review.
When I saw this cover on Netgalley I knew I needed to read the book, then when I read the synopsis it made me want it even more. I haven't really read very many Middle Eastern (whether they are based on or real) books but I do find the different cultures very interesting to learn about. I found that even though this book was a work of fiction it had enough real qualities that I could connect to the story and feel where the characters were coming from.
I really loved Laila's character despite her have being kept in the dark most of her life, she just had this innocence about her that the author really made work in her favour. Now Laila's mother I did not like at all. She was such a manipulative character not only to outsiders by to her own family, she was a snake in the grass.
I'm really hoping that there are more books so I can see how Laila uses her new found information and what will become of everyone. I would recommend this novel readers interested in different cultures.

About this author

J.C. Carleson never intended to be an author. Although she was always a proficient writer of term papers, reports, and other necessary but mundane documents, she didn't consider herself cut out for the creative life.

Nearly a decade as an officer in the CIA's clandestine service changed that.

With her head now brimming with stories of intrigue, scandal, and exotic locales, Carleson was finally ready to give writing a shot. Her fiction and non-fiction works alike tap into her unique experiences, drawing readers into the highly charged, real world of espionage.