The Kadin

Ive owned this book before, and i couldnt find it so i bought it again....bertrice small is an excellent writer and i LOVE this book! i recommend this book to anybody and everybody that loves to read!!

This book was definately not typical for Betrice Small as far as steamy romances go but it was tragic as most of her books. I was definately suprised as the lack of romance but I really enjoyed this book and the history it included.

I absolutely love this book! I have read this book countless times and enjoy it every time! Bertrice Small has never disappointed me.

This Kindle version was filled with typographical errors so, it did bum me out a bit.

One of Bertrice Small's earliest books (originally published in 1978), "The Kadin" is a beautiful historical novel that is intricate and involving all the way through. Unlike most romance novels, this one is very thin on graphic bedroom scenes--only 3 or 4 in the entire 441 pages. But that's great since Small fills up all that space with lots of plot and Eastern court intrigue. Janet/Cyra, Firousi, Sarina, and Zuleika all make their mark on the story and on the reader, and it's a fascinating glimpse into what the private lives and motivations of Selim I and Suleiman/Suleyman the Great might have been. Small weaves her fictional characters together with well-known historical events and people so seamlessly that they come fully to life. This was the first Bertrice Small book I read, and since the first time I read it more than 15 years ago, I continue to revisit this story regularly (I read my first copy so many times that it fell apart and I had to buy a new one). The relationship with Lord Hay is a bit disturbing to me given how it began, but it is sort of a staple of your typical "bodice-ripper" romance, and that is really the only typical romance novel bit about the entire book. The romance in the rest of the book is truly romantic, given to the reader more through thought and feeling than steamy bedroom scenes. To my mind, it's still the best of Small's novels and I highly recommend the book, particularly to those who might be dissatisifed with Small's most recent novels.

For those of you expecting a typical sizzling Bertrice Small romance, be prepared to get something different. I actually found myself checking the cover again and again to make sure this was the same Bertrice Small. There are virtually no [adult] scenes in this book, but the story is so compelling and wonderfully written that it doesn't need them. This is the amazing story of Janet aka Cyra Leslie, a young Scottish girl kidnapped and purchased for a Selim, future Turkish sultan. Even though this is not the life she would have chosen, she quickly adapts and is determined to make her life with Selim as pleasant as possible. She forms a lasting bond with her fellow wives and finds herself madly in love with Selim. This isn't a fairy tale romance. Cyra has to share Selim with other women, and their life is repeatedly marred by violence and tragedy. Her rise to power is fascinating, and all of the relationships in the book ring true. The book is well-grounded in historical research, and the book reads like a true story. Enjoy!

Janet Leslie is a young Scottish girl who travels with her brother and widowed father to a small Mediterranean duchy where her father will serve as ambassador to Scotland. One day she is betrayed and kidnapped only to be sold is the slave markets of the East. She arrives in Ottoman ruled Turkey and meets 2 other young woman who will be embroiled in a plot with her. Their role will be to become the favorites of the current sultan's beloved son Selim. Janet, now named Cyra, makes a vow with the 2 other women Firousi and Zulieka that they will remain true to each other and survive their ordeal. This book tells the unforgetable tale of a remarkable woman who must learn to live in a culture completely foreign to her own, a woman who falls in love with Selim and remains true to her friends, a woman who would be mother to one of Turkey's greatest sultans, Suleiman the Magnificent.

Kidnapped, sold, and brought into a harem thousands of miles away from her home in Scotland, young Janet Leslie, now called Cyra, must be strong and courageous. Capturing the heart of the future sultan, Prince Selim, she weaves her way through Turkish intrigue and supports her love. Not the only kadin (wife) of Selim, she befriends the other kadins and they love one another as sisters.
But there are many troubles that face Selim and only Cyra can help him be the strong man that Turkey needs. Cyra must also protect her young son, Sulieman, from malcontents that would control him. When Selim dies, she is lost in grief until Sulieman calls her back, still needing her advice. Secretly and quietly, Cyra rules the Ottoman Empire in its greatest moments. But can she keep her power from her son's kadin?

I started reading books by Bertice Small years, and years ago. This, I believe was the first book that got the ball rolling for me. Ms. Small has a unique ability to transport the reader. The characters come alive, the brutality, sensuality, and excitment is continuous. This book deals with the Saga of Lady Janet Leslie, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. From this Saga, which follows love, lust, intrique, etc. Ms. Small follows through with other books, i.e. Skye O'Malley Series. These historical romances are loaded with information on historical England, France, and the Middle East (or Eastern) lands. You can follow along from one generation to another and see how each tie into the lives of the decendents. Ms. Small has written various legacies which overlap into other novels, Janet Leslie's father the Earl of Glenkirk (Patrick) was again introduced in "Until You". i.e. Rosamund's continuing story. I have found them all to be very enjoyable. I'm now beginning "Philippa", the story of Rosamund's eldest daughter, I hope it's as entertaining as all the other books. I might add, I have often re-read Ms. Small's books when I needed a break from my own reality. Thank you Ms. Small for opening my eyes to history, love and hope. I always look for your work, I know I will be entertained. Thank you, again.

I think it was sad because things like that really happened in those times. To be betrayed by a loyal servant and sold to the highest bidder. But to be so lucky to find love, not just in a husband, but loyal friends, made her a very special person. Cyra was a very strong and sensible woman. I thought it was great that Selim saw this and loved her for it. She was his most beloved wife, and friend. When she hurt, I could actually feel her pain, and it tore at my heart. When something wonderful would happen to her, I would cry I was so happy for her. Her chartacter was so real, It was like I was actually living her story through her. In my opinion, this was one of the best book ever written.

I loved... abolutely LOVED this book. I first got it from a woman giving away a lot of her books due to moving and I read it until it fell apart. Then I bought another copy, which will likely also need replacing soon. Whenever I need a good dose of pick-me-up, I head straight for Ms. Small... usually to The Kadin. Lady Janet Leslie-turned-Cyra (Hafise) is a woman for women to be proud of -- a worthy heroine! Since I only objected to a tiny scene near the very end of the book, I could not remove even one star for trivialities such as that... but it was my own personal hang-up on the personality and identity of Cyra that the way her old friend Colin treated her near the end of the book should not have been tolerated, considering who she was - both the most powerful and beloved woman in the Ottoman Empire, and the strong-willed, not-to-be-trifled-with woman that she was. I don't care if she was past fifty by then; the Cyra I know should have had him killed for such presumption. I would have, if I were her... never doubt it! However, I may be more upset about that one small scene than necessary, considering Cyra is my hero, but what a worthy hero she is! Set in the fascinating world of a Turkish harem at a young age, Cyra is transformed from an impetuous child to a beloved and sweet, yet powerful woman. The nature of the harem life necessitated that she be ruthless when it was called for; and she had the strength of character to never shirk what needed to be done and the wisdom to know how and when to act in order to be in control of her own life. Though she lived in a harem, she was NEVER a slave or a victim, as harem life is usually portrayed -- indeed, she and her 'sisters' (Sultan Selim's other wives) made harem life seem very appealing. The four women shared a husband but there was never any jealousy or anger between them - they loved each other and each other's children more than anything. This story was touching and beautiful, the plot engrossing, the characters endearing and the setting fascinating. It made me extremely interested in Turkish history and harem life in that time period. This was one book that I most certainly would have loved to live in, had I the chance. I urge anyone to not pass it up. I have since read every Bertrice Small book that I could get my hands on, but "The Kadin" and Cyra still hold my heart, followed only closely by Cyra's descendant, Catriona, in "Love Wild and Fair," who most certainly has Janet Leslie's spirit - though staying mostly in Europe. What I love about Ms. Small is her attention to detail and being able to make wonderful pictures with her words. I know what Cyra's clothes looked like, her rooms, her jewelry, and of course her face. I enjoyed that aspect so much that to this day, it is difficult for me to enjoy a book unless I can picture every scene down to the last detail, and unlike many other authors, Ms. Small's detailing is never boring or used as a page-filler, but it's descriptive and fascinating - an integral part of the story. Another thing I like about Ms. Small's writing is the fact that she makes it possible for the heroines to fall in love over and over again - loving each person differently. She never makes it seem that if one got separated from her lover, her life was over and she could never love again - that there is only ONE person on earth for anyone to love and if they're gone or have been separated, there is nothing to be done but curl up and die. She rarely ends her books with the herione ending up with her first ["and only"] love, and if she does, she usually makes it so that there is another love in-between that the heroine may love differently, but loves all the same. I like that, because the Jack-and-Jill-Forever scenario rarely works out in real life. People may lose each other, but life and love go on. That is the feeling that I get from reading Bertrice Small, and even though "The Kadin" doesn't follow the usual format, it remains my favorite through the beauty of the setting, the heartwarming tale of romance and friendship and most of all the strength of character of the woman.

Although, the idea of life in a harem really threw me off. I became glad that I find it hard to stop a book once I've started it. Despite, my initial reaction. This book had some incredibly touching moments. And yes. It did lose a bit of it's value When Cyra returned to her homeland but even then she did so with style. It showed the spirited woman she was and always would be.
This book showed that people can adapt to anything. And do it gracefully. True it would have been different if she had gone into her situation (living in a harem) purposely. But she didn't. What she did was take a situation that could have turned really bad really fast and made it more than tolerable. She made it a joy. Cyra has style. And Selim is depicted as a man more than a Sultan which is marvelous. I've read this book several times over and I'd reccommend it to anyone. Cyra personifies a woman in complete control of her life. Even when things seem to be crashing down around her. The only draw back is of course that her son didn't grow up to be the ma wwe'd hoped and that The so many of the sons of Selim died. Accurate of the way history was perhaps. But a let down that someone as resourceful as Cyra and the other wives couldn't find a better way.

The characters in the Kadin were not the husband hopping, lover taking, wild sex having characters that are usually found in Bertrice Small's other books. This tale was very unlike the usually violent stories that Ms. Small writes. It had a comfortable familiarity that allowed you to become more attached to the characters themselves than you usually might in a run of the mill romance novel. The Kadin is the story of a woman and her family, her husband, his harem, their children and the joys and sorrows that they all live through. The cheese factor that is commonplace in so many romances is missing from this book and in its place is a sort of tender, low key, cry for the characters you love... affection.

Wow. The historical detail in this novel was excellent, rivaled only by the love story between Cyra and Selim. For those who point out that they can't imagine sharing one man, please open your minds! This happened regularly during that time period, and it still goes on today in the Middle East. I vastly prefer this book over all of Small's other books, because there is none of the overwhelming eroticism like in "The Love Slave" or "All The Sweet Tomorrows". The book did fall apart in the end, however, when Cyra Hafise returned to Scotland to once again become Janet Leslie. How am I to believe that the wise Cyra Hafise would leave the Ottoman Empire in Khurrem's hands? Overall, this was an excellent book, worth reading because of the historical detail and in-depth definition of the characters. Small actually makes the reader hate Khurrem, and wonder at Suleiman's weaknesses.

I thought this book was absolutly fantastic. Even though the years in the book went by rather fast I still enjoyed it. When reading this book I really got involved in the character of 'Cyra', we follow her life from the very beginning ang then when she passes away. I found myself a bit emotional when coming to the end because I new that she was going to die but it still effected me. Throughtout the book she shows such heart and such strength that a person would find it very hard not to conect to her in one way or another. I would highly recomend this book to any Bertrice Small fans, you won't be disapointed!!!

This is a wonderful book and I find myself reading over and over again. It is definitely not your typical Bertrice Small romance novel though the story is so intriguing, that it just doesn't matter. It is an amazing story of what this woman accomplishes in life by adapting to her surroundings. I love it even though I have read it so many times I am discovering errors/typos (and I still continue to read it). I have always been a big fan of Bertrice Small and this is my favorite book by her, I can't recommend it highly enough.

I love Bertrice Small's books, this one was particularly intriguing. It tells the story of a young woman who became a sultan's wife, and eventually returned to her native land.
This kindle edition has many flaws, but that is the publisher's fault. Ignore speling mistakes and typos, and enjoy the story.

Out of the whole collection of Bertrice Small's work, this one out does them all. I love her ability to make every character have a place in her novels. The Kadin is striking because one gets the whole life of Ms. Leslie, not just a snap shot. When reading this, you will cry, laugh, love, and cheer her on every step of the way!

I started reading Bertice Small with Love Slave. But I thoroughly enojoyed reading The Kadin. The author has a way with words, that transports you to the era. I "lived" with Cyra, Firousi, Zuleika, Sarina, Lady Refet. So much so, that I finished reading the book on a Sunday afternoon. Loving it, crying, laughing, enojoying it tremendously. The Kadin explained so much about the Sultan way of life, not known today. So much so, that I re read certain parts of the novel today, and looked up on the internet all that I could find on Sultan Selim. I strongly recommend reading this book if you wish to get away from your world for a few hours. I cried when Lady Refet passed away, as did Haji Bey. Via the author, you can understand their way of life and view yours as in need of change or review. Trust me, you must read this!

Kadin was a wonderful romance, full of intrigue, adventure, and love. It all begins with the capture of a young Scott's maiden after her 13th birthday. Subsequently, she is sold in a slave market, and her wondrous adventure begins.

Small has the most creative way to introduce us to harem living by a young scotish girl. Her adventure to a new land and culture will keep you turning the pages. I have read this book over and over it is such an excellent, entertaining read. Full of suspense and love the ending is a absolute winner. Treat yourself to something different in romance stories. Small has written a book that should be a movie. Five stars. How I wish this story was on CD.

It is true that Cyra Hafisse is a wonderful character and one that you will not soon forget. The interesting thing about htis character is that you will find her name popping up in other of Ms. Small's books. You will remember Cyra with fondness just as much as Esther Kira does. A wonderful read and a must if you are a fan of Bertrice Small.

This book cought my attention and never let it go. I must admit i got into a lot of trouble when I couldn't put it down. I'm very picky about the books I read and this one got me. The scenes are written so intricatly and in detail you have to know. Plus who wouldn't want passion like the one betweem Cyra and Selim or Janet and Colly.

If you've just started reading Bertrice Small and haven't read this book, this is a must-read! It's her very first book and my absolute favorite! Bertrice's style hasn't quite matured in this book but the story is so good! You'll find references to the main characters in this book in later novels down the road!

This was the first book I read from Bertrice Small and it is without a doubt my favorite above all others. The characters became very real to me. I even have passages of the book memorized. To any of you out there who haven't read this book, do it today. I'm sure it will become one of your favorites, too

This fabulous tale will pull you in until you turn the last page. I just couldn't put it down. The historical detail is so rich and accurate and the romace very passionate. This is an absolute must-read for historical romance readers.

I LOVED this book! The mixture of women from different cultures, all uniting in their love for one sensual, erotic, and powerful man made an interesting read! The intrigue, the sexual scenes, and such a rich sense of history! I absolutely loved Cyra, Firousi, Zuleika, and Sarina! Esther was also a favorite. A must read!

This was the first Bertrice Small book I ever read and has remained my favorite over the years. This book complete transports you into it's fantasy world and I frequently re-read it whenever I need an escape. I can laugh out loud at various things I read, but this is the only book that can make me cry. I recommend it to every historical romance book fan.

Like the rest of the reviewers, I agree this book is a true classic. Janet/Cyra and the rest of the characters literally leap off the page at you, and you're never the same afterwards. Bertrice teaches you about history, and you don't even mind! I loved the bond between the ladies, and the love between Cyra and Selim. Again...a true classic!

I never liked romance novels until i read a Bertrice Small book. The Kadin is so much more than a romance novel,its a story of janet/cyras life. I laughed and cried my way through the entire book. This is definitely a book I can read over and over again and would reccommend to anyone. Everyone of Mrs Small's books are great but this is by far the greatest.

I found this title at my local library,it sounded interesting so i got. The book takes off to a good start and leaves you wanting more, until you get less than half way through.I was looking for a uplifting romance not some historical book. The love between Selim and Cyra was not bekievable to me, I mean how can you say your in love with someone and then go off and slip with other women and say oh i love them too......what kind of crap is that????? I can't believe Cyra just took it like it was especially with her supposedly fiery character.Beatrice Small writes well, but I just could not open up to the idea of sharing a man your in love with.

This has always been my favourite book by Bertrice Small. I have read it many times. My favourite part of the book would have to be the friendship between Cyra, Zuleika, Furousi, and Sarina. I hope if my muslim husband takes 3 other wives that the four of us would be like those 4; friends for ever.

I have just finished reading The Kadin. I really enjoyed this book. I am a lover of historic fiction and found it to be very acurate in its portale of 15th century middle east and europe. I hope if you read it because of this review that you enjoy it as much as I did.