THE KINGDOM OVER THE SEA, by Zohra Nabi, Margaret K. McElderry Books, June 6, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)
A girl fulfills her mother’s mysterious last wish and travels to a mystical land to discover her heritage in The Kingdom Over the Sea, by Zohra Nabi.
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. —Synopsis provided by Margaret K. McElderry Books
The Kingdom Over the Sea is just the sort of adventure young readers will want to join heading into the summer. In it, author Zohra Nabi has created a magical world that’s both exciting and enticing. Her writing is smooth and comfortable, allowing readers to easily settle in while still providing some lovely twists along the way.
Yara is a bold protagonist who’s independent and able to think for herself. But she’s also open to learning and building new friendships along the way.
The Kingdom Over the Sea moves quickly — perhaps a little too quickly at the end — and features a magic system that’s unique but fairly easy for readers to grasp. It’s a strong fantasy that should appeal to a large cross-section of readers. I look forward to reading the next book.
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