The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad
Published by Scholastic Press on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 1338306049
Pages: 391
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Fatima lives with her adoptive sister Sunaina in the city of Noor along the Silk Road. She and Sunaina and their adoptive grandmother are the only humans to have survived a vicious attack by the Shayateen, who are djinn known for creating chaos, that killed their parents. Noor is in the country of Qirat which is ruled by the human Maharajah Aarush. Aarush works closely with the Emir of Noor, Zulfikar who is an Ifrit. The Ifrit live their lives to protect humans. Fatima has grown close to an old bookseller, Firdaus, and when Firdaus is attacked, Fatima becomes Fatima Ghazala when she takes on some Ifrit fire. When rebel forces team with the Shayteen and traitors at the highest levels to overthrow the Maharajah, it is up to Zulfikar and Fatima Ghazala to stop the rebellion and prevent another Shayateen slaughter. The author weaves in several Middle Eastern and Muslim traditions and handily includes a glossary of terms used. A stunning debut.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham