from the acclaimed author of the bastard of istanbul a colorful magical tale set during the height of the ottoman empire in her latest novel elif shafak spins an epic tale spanning nearly a century in the life of the ottoman empire in 1540 twelveyearold jahan arrives in istanbul as an animal tamer in the sultans menagerie he looks after the exceptionally smart elephant chota and befriends and falls for the sultans beautiful daughter princess mihrimah a palace education leads jahan to mimar sinan the empires chief architect who takes jahan under his wing as they construct with chotas help some of the most magnificent buildings in history yet even as they build sinans triumphant masterpiecesthe incredible suleymaniye and selimiye mosquesdangerous undercurrents begin to emerge with jealousy erupting among sinans four apprentices a memorable story of artistic freedom creativity and the clash between science and fundamentalism shafaks intricate novel brims with vibrant characters intriguing adventure and the lavish backdrop of the ottoman court where love and loyalty are no match for raw power