This is a fun, lively work of historical fiction, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It follows the adventures of Sira Quiroga, who in the 1930s is a young, immature Spanish seamstress from a working-class background. She makes some poor life decisions which leave her alone in Morocco, indebted and unable to leave the country, and through a combination of dangerous adventures and hard work, manages to grow up and open a high-class dressmaking business. Which comes in handy for the Allies in World War II, when she is recruited as a spy.

I am typically less critical of books I read in Spanish, since the language requires much more concentration from me than English; this book I enjoyed almost entirely for its fun and sometimes exciting plot, rather than for any exceptional character development or insight into human psychology. But it is a lively and enjoyable plot, and I was quickly immersed in Sira’s struggles. The book provides a satisfying balance between lighter and darker elements: unlike in a lot of historical fiction, which focuses on the wealthy and privileged, the obstacles Sira faces are major and the stakes often high, but at the same time she builds a support network that keeps her story from ever becoming too dark. Similarly, most of the book takes place against a backdrop of war, but Sira waits out the Spanish Civil War in Morocco and spends WWII in Spain, so never encounters war firsthand. It’s a balance, in other words, that allows the story to be gripping without being brutal, and fun without being frivolous.

It’s also a good choice for readers who like to learn about a historical place and time through fiction: even while Sira has her own personal struggles, the book is engaged with its historical milieu, and real historical figures play major secondary roles. It does tend to assume (at least in the Spanish edition) some knowledge of the Spanish Civil War, prompting me to do a little of my own research. And I certainly learned from it; I had little knowledge about the bond between Franco and Nazi Germany, for instance, nor how close Spain was to entering the war on the Axis side. The author’s background is as a professor, and she does an excellent job of combining rigorous research with great storytelling.

Overall, this isn’t a life-changing book for me and it’s one I’ll remember more for its enjoyable plot than other literary accomplishments, though in terms of writing style and especially doing the research it is a cut above the general run of historical fiction. I enjoyed and would recommend it.

Finding accommodation can be really tough, especially if you are looking for something specific but besides that for some people can be really easy. I suppose that the first need you need to take into account is your budget: how much money are you willing to spend? Then you can make a decision. Then you will have to deal with the kind of accommodation you are looking for: do you have children? Do you want something fancy or simple? These questions can be easily answered and the you will have your perfect accommodation.

There are many good places to stay if you are staying in Marrakech and I can recommend you some of them. If you are looking for a resort you may need to try going to the Four Seasons Resort. It may be a little expensive –maybe it will cost you a lot of money- but maybe it will be worth it. You will have the opportunity to have private pools for you and your kids and some nice shops inside. The service is really nice in this hotel. The location is amazing for visiting the city and the atmosphere is relaxing. The bar is amazing and the restaurant is delicious. It is a quite hotel and the decoration is beautiful. The rooms are big and the breakfast is really good. You can go to the downtown in five minutes which is really good and really close. The pool is amazing and luxury if you want to enjoy with friends. It is also locate near the airport which is a good place to be taking into account that if you are traveling from another country you may arrive in the airport so transportation will not be that expensive. It has big gardens, pools and spa: a really amazing place for you to stay.

If you want another hotel, you still have more options for accommodations for you to stay during the Morocco Tours. La Mamouina is another excellent place with a subterranean spa, private riads among other good things. It is beautiful and many people love being here. The gardens are perfectly maintained and the restaurant serve delicious food here. You can have an excellent dinner or enjoy walking around the gardens. Whenever you come into this hotel it seems like you are visiting a paradise. The rooms are comfortable and it has a beautiful decoration. The pool and the spa are amazing too. It is a pleasure for everyone to be here.

If you are looking for a more affordable accommodation –but not cheap accommodation either- you can also try staying in the Palais Namaskar. Here many architectures style combine and make this beautiful hotel –the same with the furnishing-. This is a paradise if you compare it with the noisy city of Marrakech. This is an excellent place if you want to see the sun or relax, listen to good music or taste good food. The room with pools are amazing and they are decorated in a modern style. You can also go to private parties in the nights with important people. This is a beautiful hotel decorated with a Moroccan style combine with other styles too. The food served in the restaurants is amazing. The simplest rooms are amazing and they seem too great for the price you pay. What I really like about this place is that it gives you privacy and you have a spa. This is definitely a good option for everyone.

So, if you are staying in Marrakech be sure to stay in one of these hotels.

The program is still devolved/restricted to just Amazon published titles apparently.  But, a review of one of last month's selections by Obisidan Blue reminded me I hadn't looked at May's offerings.

(Kindle Firsts is for Prime members and let's them get one of the selections free one month ahead of their release date.  Current month's selections will be at https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/kindlefirst )

Because it's labeled "Fantasy," I chose to get this first in series:

   The Hundredth Queen by Emily R. King 

Marrakech is a special place, full of markets, gardens, mosques and palaces. You need to enter the location and discover the streets just, of the historical Medina. There is absolutely no better way of discovering Marrakech that walking around this beautiful city and going to the Medina. People here are kind so they will be prepared to help you when you need it.Basically, traveling to Morocco is a magical adventure you would wish to live and you cannot skip the chance of coming to this city. This is why prepared some places you can visit through the Morocco Tour.

An excellent place you can visit in the first place is the Le Jardin Technique. This is a peaceful oasis that is located in Marrakech. This is a fantastic place if you want to flee from the congested places. It is actually near those crowded places which is surprising the fact that place is peaceful and you will breathe fresh air. It is not an inexpensive place and it is not a “secret” garden. They have two backyards and the access is just a little expensive. When you come in you can make a decision where to eat or drink something. It really is a peaceful place but people do not recommend browsing this accepted place a whole lot, it seems like there are better places than Le Jardin Top secret. People often complain about the price of everything: the solution, food. They feel it does not give a lot of things, and when you purchase the solution you anticipate more even. The truth is that this accepted place is amazing, it has a lovely garden where you shall feel peaceful; it is impossible never to feel in this real way. So, if you are not looking for peace, you certainly do not need to come here. If you’re buying a relaxed place, come here and have a sit when you look around you and drink some tea.

There another activities that you can enjoy in Marrakech like tours for 4×4 cars. These Morocco Tours are recommended for folks who like adventures. If you’re this kind or kind of individuals, you will enjoy these travels really. If you are the type of person who enjoy getting lost and buying new things, you is going to Marrakech souks. It is not as amazing as it is Fez souk but you can still enjoy it. It might be frustrating if you come here for the very first time due to sellers that will make you buy anything they are selling, but remember you just have to be polite, smile and say “no, thank you”, you do not need to get upset. You can taste the food, it is amazing and it flavor good really.

Some recommendations aren’t to get lost in the Jewish neighborhood, this is why if you get lost you should be careful. You might find difficult to find the leave nevertheless, you will find it. Remember that the key objective of this accepted place is buying a lot.

Marrakech is not a old city completely. The best proof of this simple truth is the Marrakech Station. It is elegant and modern and it is located near of the most crucial avenues. Here you will be able to have any train. You can find inside this station many shops, exchange and cafeterias rates.

This a modernization symbol in Marrakech. If you understand this place outside the house, it might not exactly appear too elegant, but when you enter the train station you shall find a modern place, like a different world. You could spend time looking at the shops.

Any successful chef (and even unsuccessful ones like me) will tell you that you eat with your eyes first.  This is true for the presentation of a plate in front you, and for a book tempting you with foods to eat.  Especially for foreign foods that I'm not especially familiar with, pictures are so important to get a feel for what I'll be eating, and to give me guidance for what the finished product should look like.

That's why I was so excited to see that this cookbook is filled with beautiful, delectable pictures.  Almost every recipe had a corresponding picture.  Some were pretty straightforward (Cucumber Salad), but others were totally wow (Marrakech Fish Tagine with Olives and Chickpeas, and Tagine with Eggs and Tomatoes -- side note, these two were coincidentally tagine recipes, but there is quite a variety in the book).  Bonus thumbs up for Ema's chicken soup (M'rrq D'mama) which is a spin on matzo ball soup. 

These recipes are a great introduction to Moroccan food, and good for a beginner to intermediate chef. 

I won a copy of this cookbook from Good Reads First Reads.