The City Beyond the Stars by Zohra Nabi

What worked:

Yara is determined to save her mother, The Grand High Sorceress, and she’s angry that no one is trying to rescue her from imprisonment. Yara knows it will be dangerous to leave the boundary of her settlement since it’s concealed by enchantments. However, she learns that her mother is researching a new kind of magic that might be used to stop the alchemists. It might also have devastating effects on the world. Yara’s quest to uncover her mother’s discoveries will lead readers on an adventure through magical protections and hidden worlds.

The setting has a Middle Eastern flair to it that includes elements related to the Persian stories of Shahrazad and the Arabian Nights. Characters can travel about on flying carpets and Yara is accompanied by a magical jinn that takes the form of a goat. Females wear long robes called qamis while turbans or wraps adorn their heads. Stories hold power and one tale references a girl avoiding death by telling an enchanting tale each day, reminiscent of Shahrazad’s strategy to save herself from execution. Former bedtime stories hold unknown magic but original narratives can be used to destroy or kill.

An intriguing part of the book is Yara’s relationship with Aaliya. The two young girls are surprised to find out they’re sisters but Aaliya is especially angry about this news. She’s been calling herself the new Grand High Sorceress since her mother’s disappearance and it’s hard to accept that she’s no longer the only daughter. As the older sister, she still feels some level of superiority over Yara. Yara’s more open to having a sibling but that doesn’t help to change Aaliya’s feelings. Yara has empathy for her sister and she’s mostly able to navigate the turbulent swirl of emotions. Their evolving relationship is a highlight for readers and surprises await during the plot’s climax.

What didn’t work as well:

The early part of the book recounts events from the previous one but readers may want to know more. Apparently, Yara was living with a guardian and didn’t know anything about being the daughter of The Grand High Sorceress. Somewhere along the way she was given her mother’s powers but she’s unable to wield any magic in this book. As always, the easiest way to answer any questions about the backstory is to read the first book!

The final verdict:

The plot presents an innovative twist to the power of storytelling and the complications of discovering the existence of a new sibling. The ongoing conflict in the series pits alchemists against sorcerers and it’s displaced many citizens while others live in anger and fear. Overall, I recommend you give the book a shot.