Toads and Diamonds by Heather TomlinsonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Inspired by pre-British India, Heather Tomlinson has created a gorgeous world. I loved the juxtaposition of religious views, and how clearly the lines were drawn between belief systems - vegetarian vs. meat eaters, colorful dress vs. white coats. I loved that she created a step family that actually loves each other and acts like a family. I looked up the step wells that feature so prominently in the book, and they were a treat! I loved the journey each girl went on and what she learned about herself along the way. This book was just an exotic enchanting delight all around!
***
This is my Goodreads review, but there are a few things I wanted to expand on. The premise of the book is that two sisters are each blessed by a goddess when they fetch water at their local well. The first sister, desiring beauty in the world around her, is blessed to have flowers and jewels fall from her lips each time she speaks. Because of this she is separated from her family and taken under the protection of the royal family. The second sister desiring to protect her family, is blessed to have toads and snakes fall from her lips each time she speaks. This doesn't seem like much of a blessing when she is forced to flee from the local Governor who is afraid of snakes and wants to kill her. Later, the country falls to a plague because of the snake shortage caused by the governor, and the sister is able to protect her family after all. The book follows each girl in turn, and has a happy ending, which is essential to me in any book I like.
Only two things occur to me when I think of India - extreme poverty and filth. Unfair? Yes. But that's just where my head goes. I liked this book because it reminded me that India wasn't always (and isn't now) like this. It is full of color and beauty. I looked up the stepwells that the book revolves around, and saw this.
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