Noor is a fantastical, multicultural city in South Asia, home to a tremendous variety of languages, religions, and cultures.Eight years ago, however, Noor was attacked by a tribe of chaotic djinn called the Shayateen, resulting in many deaths. Only three humans survived the massacre, and Fatima was one of them. The ruler at the time, Maharajah Arjun, asked the djinn of order and reason, the Ifrit, for help safeguarding the city, and now, his son, Maharajah Aarush, peacefully rules over Noor alongside Zulfikar, the leader of the Ifrit. When one of the most important and powerful Ifrit dies, however, Fatima undergoes a radical transformation—one she doesn't immediately comprehend—and wakes to discover that she now has the fire of the djinn within her. Now, she must find a way to protect her family and friends from a seemingly inevitable civil war while figuring out her new identity. Based on Islamic mythology and Arabic folklore, debut author Azad's descriptive storytelling and complex characters give the novel a certain richness and texture missing from solely plot-based narratives; readers can vicariously taste foods from different cultures and partake of the sights, smells, and sounds of the city of Noor where Hindus and Muslims live side by side in peace and harmony. The novel also sensitively deals with the delicate issues of grief and trauma.A must-read for lovers of fantasy. (dramatis personae, glossary) (Fantasy. 14-18)

The city of Noor offers a lush blend of culture, faith, and language, as citizens originating from various points along the Silk Road rebuild it into a teeming trade stop following a recent massacre. Fatima, one of only three survivors of the Shayateen djinn attack eight years ago, lives a simple life with her adoptive sister, until a catastrophic encounter with a powerful Ifrit djinni reveals the fire within her and changes her life forever. When the threat of the Shayateen looms again and political unrest pushes the country toward civil war, Fatima must overcome her grief and fear and tap into her newfound abilities to protect her family, friends, and beloved city. Azad's splendid debut is an ode to cultural harmony that features exciting magic, an emotionally complex cast, and a touching romance. While the plot lags at times, readers will find respite in moments of humor and the immersive writing. The promising level of craft employed here insists that readers and book buyers keep Azad on their radars.

Noor is a fantastical, multicultural city in South Asia, home to a tremendous variety of languages, religions, and cultures.Eight years ago, however, Noor was attacked by a tribe of chaotic djinn called the Shayateen, resulting in many deaths. Only three humans survived the massacre, and Fatima was one of them. The ruler at the time, Maharajah Arjun, asked the djinn of order and reason, the Ifrit, for help safeguarding the city, and now, his son, Maharajah Aarush, peacefully rules over Noor alongside Zulfikar, the leader of the Ifrit. When one of the most important and powerful Ifrit dies, however, Fatima undergoes a radical transformation—one she doesn't immediately comprehend—and wakes to discover that she now has the fire of the djinn within her. Now, she must find a way to protect her family and friends from a seemingly inevitable civil war while figuring out her new identity. Based on Islamic mythology and Arabic folklore, debut author Azad's descriptive storytelling and complex characters give the novel a certain richness and texture missing from solely plot-based narratives; readers can vicariously taste foods from different cultures and partake of the sights, smells, and sounds of the city of Noor where Hindus and Muslims live side by side in peace and harmony. The novel also sensitively deals with the delicate issues of grief and trauma.A must-read for lovers of fantasy. (dramatis personae, glossary) (Fantasy. 14-18)

Gr 7 Up-Fatima is human but carries the fire of the djinn within her. She lives in Noor, a vibrant, multicultural city along the Silk Road that has risen from the ashes of destruction by the Shayateen but faces threats to its existence. Azad seamlessly blends Islamic concepts and Middle Eastern mythology with a cornucopia of other traditions to create a magical musing on identity, community, friendship, love, and loss.