A fascinating story, horrific tragedies interspersed with spots of brightness, and a rare look into the closed society of an enigmatic Middle Eastern kingdom.

The book is simply written, without dross, and is filled with the recollections of a girl growing up in an environment determined to crush her spirit. She perseveres, and lives to tell the tale of others not as lucky. You wouldn't think you could pity a real-life princess, but you will.

I think I'm going to say this in a lot of other reviews, but I give a five-star-rating only to those books I can read over and over again. For a long time this was a regular re-read, one that I would find myself drawn to, and then finish with the realisation that life as a free woman is precious, and worth more than all the wealth in the world.