The Kingdom Over the Sea -- New Fun Fantasy Middle Grades Novel

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

As the summer begins it is time to find books for summer reading. Today I get to share a fun new middle grades novel that is perfect for summer reading and adventures. It is The Kingdom Over the Sea by Zohra Nabi. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

From the Publisher:

Aru Shah meets One Thousand and One Nights in this lavish middle grade adventure following a girl who must travel to a mystical land of sorceresses, alchemists, jinn, and flying carpets to discover her heritage and fulfill her destiny.

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.

From Me:

Ok, this was a book I had a hard time putting down. The story is an adventure and full of many fun characters and intrigue. One feels for Yara when her mother dies and the unknown of the journey and note her mother leaves that sounds like a fantasy. The secret language her mother taught her that she thought was Iranian but proven wrong. The magical world she enters with sorcery and alchemists. Zehaira is bursting with magic, but sorcery is outlawed, and the alchemists have taken over. Yara's mother left instructions to find a sorceress, but Zehaira's power has changed, and the sorcerers are in hiding. Yara has struggles and mysteries to solve. She meets many challenges and keeps searching for the truth of her past. 

The sorceress she needs to find isn't ready to accept her when she arrives. She doesn't know who Yara is and doesn't want to welcome her or her powers. Yet Yara finds or rather makes her place in the community and is there to fight for the sorcerers. The book is full of so many twists and turns. It gives a feeling of ancient Middle Eastern culture. I love how the characters are developed. Each has his or her own role and personality. 

Kids will love the adventure of this book as well as the magic. I love that it can tie into ancient history Middle Eastern culture but is a new story not yet told. I hope you will check it out!