Review by Ellie, Year 9, Blackfen School for Girls
I picked this book up expecting a fun adventure, but it turned out to be so much more. Nush is a strong and determined character, and I loved following her journey as she tried to track down the missing emerald. The story is full of mystery, danger, and clever twists that kept me hooked the whole way through. One of the best things about this book is the setting – the author makes everything feel so vivid, from the dense jungles to the bustling streets. It almost feels like you’re there with her, dodging danger and solving clues. The way she connects with nature and animals was also interesting - it gave the story a deeper, almost spiritual feel but still with lots of action. Overall, Nush and the Stolen Emerald is a fast-paced, exciting read with a brilliant main character and perfect for anyone who loves adventure with a bit of mystery!

Review by Henrietta, Year 7, St Mary’s RC High School
The time in which the story was set in was interesting because not many books are about that time or based on this specific subject. I found Nush very interesting because of her strong character and maybe her slightly different opinions on female rulers. Her Indian background is also very clear, showing how proud she is of her nationality, which I love. I also enjoyed Miss Nicolson, or Betty Walker, a lot. The way she pretended to be a governess, with Captain West’s help, intrigued me a lot. There weren’t any characters I didn’t like, as I think all of them were written amazingly, with different personalities, reactions, limits and motives. I learnt about English and Indian history, as well as some Hindu mythology. The plot was very interesting. Plot twists came out of nowhere, which I enjoyed a lot. There were one or two bits where I said to myself, ‘that doesn’t work very well’, but the plot over all was thrilling and thought-provoking. What stands out to me about the book most is either the strong sense of a few English traditions mixed with Indian ones too, or the plot twists. I would recommend this to other pupils, especially those of which who love history. I learnt some Indian-related words, like Maharani and Maharaja. There wasn’t anything I didn’t enjoy about the book. It was very enjoyable to read, and I would read it again.