This was a very quick read, but swept me up from the first page to the very last!

Nardeen is a very compelling main character. Subjected to unimaginable heartbreak and trauma at a young age, we see her find her own strength as she becomes determined to avenge her family. She’s intelligent and stubborn, but she has her flaws too.

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There are lots of different genres at play in this book, and I thought they were woven together really well. It’s a historical fiction, set in Baghdad during the Golden Age, with a strong mystery aspect and a sprinkling of fantasy thrown in there too. I find that sometimes it can be hard to slip a little bit of fantasy into a book, but it was done really well here. The setting and the fantasy aspect blended together seamlessly, and it worked really well.

The writing style also had a fantastical, whimsical quality to it, which really helped the fantasy elements blend in. It’s to the credit of both author and the translator that it worked so well!

This was a really enjoyable read that transported me to another place and time. It’s a great addition to anyone’s collection of translated fiction!

I received a free copy for an honest review.