The Golden Throne

This is history, but not as we know it. It is non-fiction posing as a novel, rich in incident and cinematic detail. It's tremendous . . . It's a sign of how thoroughly gripping this book is that I found myself wanting a second volume as soon as possible -- Justin Marozzi * The Times on The Lion House *
Wolf Hall for the Ottoman Empire ... History at its most gripping ... And the next two volumes, we know, will have plenty of drama to come * Telegraph on The Lion House *
The most daring history book of the year. Unforgettable -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times on The Lion House *
A formidable book ... incredible -- Rory Stewart on The Lion House
An urgent, immersive, present-tense gallop ... behind the bejewelled descriptive prose a thumping pulse of action tugs us through * Financial Times on The Lion House *
Luminous ... gripping ... truly magnificent * Spectator on The Lion House *
Exquisite . . . So arresting is this book, so enveloping in the tensions of its narrative, that most readers will feel a pang of sorrow that the tale does not run on. The Lion House leaves us with a tease, or taunt: 'Who, apart from God, can say what will come next?' A sequel, surely. Although it was the peak of the Ottoman Empire, Suleyman's reign also offers clear glimpses of a great decline to come. Who better to tell us about it than Mr. de Bellaigue? * Wall Street Journal on The Lion House *
There are books that enlarge the mind, there are books that enrich the soul, but rarely comes a book so beautifully-written and profound that it manages to do both -- Elif Shafak on The Lion House
Christopher de Bellaigue has a magic talent for writing history It is as if we are there as the era of Suleyman the Magnificent unfolds -- Orhan Pamuk on The Lion House
Narrated with a verve and flair that make the characters burst from the pages. Outstanding -- Eugene Rogan on The Lion House
Non-fiction with the readability of a thriller. Unputdownable -- Victoria Hislop on The Lion House