The Mountain of Light by Indu Sundaresan is historical fiction based on the 186-carat Kohinoor diamond and those who possessed it during it’s long history in India, Persia, Afghanistan and England.

It’s a fascinating story, however Sundaresan never lingers long enough on any of the characters for the reader to feel fully invested in what happens to them, and to understand what possessing this diamond really meant. An interesting read that could have been a fantastic story had it been better written.