The invasion of the last free kingdom of Sri Lanka - And the love of a girl for an elephant - Review of "The Elephant Keeper's daughter"

Ceylon, 1803. In the royal city of Kandy, a daughter is born to the king’s elephant keeper—an esteemed position in the court reserved only for males. To ensure the line of succession, Phera’s parents raise her as a boy. Kandy is the only kingdom on the island that is not under the British thumb YET. However when Phera is in her early teens the king is betrayed and her family looses everything. A strange mix of terrible violence combined with a sweet story of a girl and her elephant. I did like the exotic setting. Not sure if I understand the reason why an English officer changes from a nice older brother to a violent brute. Stress? Illness? 

4 stars out of 5