Oh I come from a land...
...from a faraway place...
...where the caravan camels roam...
Where it's vast and immense...
*** record screech ***
...hang on a second...
Okay, sorry about that. I got a little carried away, but just try looking at the cover of today's book of choice, and NOT breaking into song, or having an Aladdin-esque feeling come over you! Trust me though, that's where the similarities end. Oh, no...this isn't a story redo in the least. It stands on its own two proverbial feet...until they're flying on a magic carpet, that is...with SPECTACULAR results. Ladies and gents, Middle Grade Fiction fans of all ages, I give you, today's featured title...
by
Zohra Nabi
9781665931083
Margaret K McElderry Books
About the book...
My own Yara, if you are reading this, then something terrible has happened, and you are on your own. To return to the city of Zehaira, you must read out the words on the back of this letter… Good luck, my brave girl.
When twelve-year-old Yara’s mother passes away, she leaves behind a letter and a strange set of instructions. Yara must travel from the home she has always known to a place that is not on any map—Zehaira, a world of sorcerers, alchemists and simmering magic. But Zehaira is not the land it used to be. The practice of magic has been outlawed, the Sultan’s alchemists are plotting a sinister scheme—and the answers Yara is searching for seem to be out of reach.
Yara must summon all her courage to discover the truth about her mother’s past and her own identity…and to find her place in this magical new world.
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A diamond in the rough...
...okay, so maybe nothing THAT dramatic, at least, at first.
Yara is a remarkable young girl who is suffering a terrible loss. It's something no one should have to experience, and yet everyone does at some point or another in their lives...loss. The thing is, usually that loss isn't accompanied by a strange letter from the person who passed, instructing you to a place you wouldn't normally go, to say words you wouldn't normally say, and embark on a journey to a place you've never seen, let alone heard of. Yes, things are rather MYSTERIOUS in Yara's life at the moment, and that's only the tip of the gemstone...
Every astounding journey needs a catalyst, so we greet Yara's news with a heavy heart, but are just as quickly turned right-side up when her own story truly begins. She's going on an adventure, no hobbits or evil wizards in sight (well, not WIZARDS at least...*eek*), and where it leads, she has no idea. The instructions her mother provided were vague at best, and the secrets Yara is about to uncover have nothing on the dangers she'll face, the strength she'll need, and the friendships she'll make. I'm telling you, I was turning pages as quickly as my hands would allow because I simply HAD to know what happened! If my reading time allowed, I dove into the print edition (LOVE MY PRINT BOOKS!), and when it didn't, but I managed to scupper a few idle minutes with my phone in hand, the epages flying by equally as fast.
The point is, this story was captivating, for both the emotions explored and the adventures to be had. Yara goes through a lot, yet in spite of that, she's just as bound and determined to see things through, to save the day, and, with any luck, find her place in this new world. All the sad lows, and angry highs, get her through her grief, and help her stay on task when all seems lost. Her newly made friends aid in teaching her that hurts can last long after the physical damage, but a touch of kindness, a loving smile, and an open heart can truly make all the difference. A great read for Middle Grade Fantasy fans, and an author to keep your eye on for wherever her pen leads next!
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About the author...
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Zohra Nabi grew up inventing stories for her two younger sisters. She studied law at Cambridge and Oxford universities, but secretly dreamed of being an author. Now she lives in London, browsing bookshops and writing magical adventures. The Kingdom over the Sea is her first book.
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Special thanks to Lindsey at Simon & Schuster's Children's Publishing for the eARC/copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is newly available, so snag your copy today!
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
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