To locate a powerful relic, a group of friends must find allies and confront monsters from Kazakh mythology in this translation from Russian that was a bestseller in Kazakhstan.One afternoon, Batu, a regular boy in contemporary Almaty, Kazakhstan, accidentally summons Aspara, a 13-year-old warrior prince from the ancient Saka people who has been dead for 2,000 years. Aspara enlists Batu's help to find the Golden Cup, said to make all those who drink from it "wise, honest, and just." The duo travel across time and space seeking counsel from Samruk, a giant eagle. When they arrive, however, the eagle is missing, as is her nest in the world's tallest tree. Instead, they are attacked by the taloned monster Jeztyrnaq. Their narrow escape reveals the need for reinforcements, and Batu invites his friends to join their efforts. Even then, the group makes little progress in the search for the Golden Cup; just as they start to unravel the mystery of its disappearance, they are sabotaged by Batu's bully, Scorpion, and Scorpion's cruel grandfather. The adventure concludes with an epic battle with evil spirit Shahruh, who manifests as a giant black bear, and many lingering questions to be answered in sequels. Although the twists are predictable and the dialogue leans heavily on repetitive insults, the dramatic battles, plentiful monsters, and fast pacing make this a worthwhile story for readers in search of new worlds.A promising series opener that journeys into a thrilling world. (glossary, cultural note) (Fantasy. 8-12)

Debut authors Nauryzbai and Kalaus employ Kazakh mythology to craft a thrilling series-opening fantasy about a contemporary tween who accidentally summons a warrior prince from 2,000 years in the past. Batu, who lives in Almaty, is struggling to cope with his family’s preparations for a new baby, and bullying from classmate Scorpion. After inadvertently calling upon Golden Warrior Aspara—the legendary 13-year-old hero of the Saka people—Aspara recruits Batu in his search for the Golden Cup, an ancient Saka relic. Dangerous encounters with evil spirits called Jeztyrnaq imperil their quest, forcing the duo to rely on Batu’s friends to survive. Things get even more treacherous when Scorpion and his meddling grandfather begin their own search for the Cup. Culturally significant details—including sensorial descriptions of the smell of dishes such as bauyrsaq and shelpek, and the intricate patterns of traditional Kazakh rugs—ground the characters’ journey in Batu’s present, even as the narrative swiftly shifts between contemporary action and scenes from Aspara’s past. Fans of fantasy adventures such as the Pandava series and Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond will enjoy the easy-to-root-for characters and familiar tropes that populate this action-packed tale. A glossary concludes. Ages 8–12. (Aug.)