"An impressive achievement, a novel populated by swashbuckling soldiers, mysterious Gypsies and more than a few guileless courtesans. It's also a love poem to the cosmopolitan beauty of Istanbul. . .As she traces these characters' colorful stories, Shafak unfurls what may be her most accomplished novel -and is certainly her most expansive."-The New York Times Book Review

"There is great beauty in Shafak's evocations of the era, and the novel can be read as a series of fascinating vignettes on the relationship between art and religion, creativity and devotion. . .Nowhere is the novel's sense of place more deftly established than in Shafak's passages on the character of Istanbul. . .Vibrant, fresh, and lively." - The Washington Post

"A beautiful and intricately told tale of the bond between a boy and an elephant, set in 16th century Istanbul. . .a rogues' gallery of memorable characters also contribute to the action."-The Seattle Times

"A gripping page-turner that blends mystery with Ottoman history and Turkish folklore. . .an exquisitely realized historical yarn of 16th-century Ottoman empire."-The Pittsburgh Post Gazette

"[A story] of freedom, art, love, devotion and humanity. . .Jahan is well drawn and the scenes depicting his relationships with the elephant, Sinan, and the Princess Mihrimah are among the most satisfying in the novel."-The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Architecture is a powerful motif in Elif Shafak's intricate, multilayered new novel, which excels both in its resplendent details and grand design. . .This edifying, emotionally forceful novel shows how hate and envy destroy, and how love might build the world anew."--The Observer

"Shafak's novel is a vigorous evocation of the Ottoman empire at the height of its power. . .a fascinating work in which building a fulfilling life can be as difficult as creating one of Sinan's masterpieces."--The Sunday Times

"At once epic and comic, fantastical and realistic. . .like all good stories, it conveys deeper meanings about human experience. . .The Architect's Apprentice explores issues of power and bigotry, creativity and freedom, but is overarching theme is love. . .a carefully crafted work of imagination that both reveals and conceals its skill. It will confirm Shafak's reputation as a writer of impressive range, who quietly resists categorization and is not afraid to ask the big questions."--Financial Times

"This is Shafak's most ambitious novel yet, and it is her best - told with a generous humanity that will surely realign attitudes both to the imaginative possibilities of fiction and to the constructed reality of the world around us."--The Independent

"Shafak paints a gorgeous picture of a city teeming with secrets, intrigue, and romance."--The Daily Times