"In twelfth-century Persia, dreamy and sheltered Shaherazade stumbles upon the Malik's beloved wife entwined with a lover in a sun-dappled courtyard. Shaherazade, whose late mother bestowed her with a love of stories, retrieves a mahogany box filled with fine paper. And ... she pens an anonymous poem to the Malik recounting the story of his wife's infidelity. Shaherazade's words set the Seljuk Empire on fire. Enraged at his wife's betrayal, the once-gentle Malik beheads her. But when that killing does not quench his anger, he marries and beheads a new bride each night. To suppress her guilt, quell threats of a revolt, and perhaps marry the man she has loved since childhood, Shaherazade steps forward to be the next one. On their wedding night, she begins a yarn, but as the sun ascends she cuts the story short. And with every rising sun, she must navigate the perils of the Third Crusade and maneuver through the age's greatest courts while keeping the Malik enthralled by her otherworldly tales night after night--because the slightest misstep could cost Shaherazade her head"--Dust jacket flap.
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