April 1, 2024
A tween uncovers a fantastical truth about her heritage in this intriguing and peril-filled series opener by Zargarpur (House of Yesterday). Twelve-year-old Afghan American Farrah Noorzad only gets to see her father, Padar, once a year because he spends most of his time in the U.A.E. for work. Yearning for more of his presence, she makes a birthday wish during their annual rock-climbing excursion. The wish backfires, however, and reveals Padar’s true nature—he is one of the seven jinn kings, and Farrah’s wish causes him to swap places with Idris, a young jinn who was trapped in an enchanted ring. Not only is Padar imprisoned, but if Farrah doesn’t free him, the remaining kings will become trapped as well. Accompanied by Idris, Farrah travels to the realm of the jinn, where she meets her jinn half brother Yaseen, who joins the tweens on their quest to save Padar. Zargarpur highlights Persian mythology and Islamic lore via sharp narration and lively characters to cultivate an epic adventure about family, identity, and self-discovery. Ages 8–12. Agent: Elana Roth Parker, Laura Dail Literary.
May 15, 2024
A calamitous wish sends a girl on an adventure to free her father from entrapment while exploring the secrets of her true heritage. Twelve-year-old Muslim, Afghan American Farrah longs for a connection to Padar, the father whom she only sees once a year on her birthday. When Farrah makes a wish on a magical ring--"I wish to find a place in Padar's world"--the ring's power is unleashed, simultaneously trapping him inside it and freeing Idris, a jinn boy. Fearing for the safety of Padar and the rest of her family, Farrah sets out to save him. When shadowy, menacing figures materialize and try to claim the ring, Idris appears, revealing information that changes Farrah's life forever: Padar is one of seven jinn kings, making her a half-jinn, someone whose very existence is forbidden. With help from Idris and Yaseen, her newly discovered half brother, Farrah's perilous journey to try to undo her wish takes her to the Realm Beneath the Unseen. Zargarpur's worldbuilding is solid as she weaves together a fantasy world that includes elements of Islamic legend and Persian mythology to create a richly detailed portrait of two existences that are destined to clash. At its core, this is a story of seeking belonging, navigating complicated family circumstances, and believing in one's strengths that unfolds through fast-paced action with unexpected plot twists that allow for expansion into future volumes. An engaging read with an original and courageous young hero. (author's note) (Fantasy. 8-12)
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June 1, 2024
Grades 5-7 After Farrah's absent father gives her a magical, wish-granting ring for her birthday, they're both surprised when it reveals his true jinn form and traps him inside. Turns out, Farrah is half-jinn, half-human, which isn't exactly allowed by jinn rules. Joined by a secretive jinn guide, a surprise (and surly) jinn half-brother, and her human best friend, Farrah traverses both the jinn world (where she is persona non grata) and the human world (with the family she can't bear to face) to stop the ring's curse from unraveling reality as she knows it. Rock-climbing, roof-jumping, monster-fighting Farrah is active and hardy, motivated by her desire to prove that she's exceptional. Eventually, she faces what it really means to love--and be loved--unconditionally. Fast-paced and colorful, Zargarpur's (House of Yesterday, 2022) energetic middle-grade debut, inspired by her own Afghan Uzbek family stories, will appeal to readers who love discovering a magical world located right on top of our own. Final chapters and front matter suggest series potential.
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