A great adventure story about finding where you belong, found family, found purpose, and believing in yourself.

This is a Middle Grade book but there's plenty of depth and interest to suit older readers too. The first book of The Kingdom Over the Sea series, the story follows Yara who must journey to her mother's homeland after her mother has passed away, to a place called Zahaira, somewhere Yara never knew existed, just as she never knew her mother's true past.

My slight niggle with this is: <spoiler> the inherited power trope, just as Yara is coming to understand herself, it's revealed that she is actually the daughter of the most powerful sorceress in the land her mother came from, and that is why she has so much power within herself. I kind of wished that hadn't been the case, and that Yara's power came from a different source, because otherwise it just comes down to blood, like 'this is why you're special, you're someone special's daughter after all. I hope future books give some credit to Yara's, revealed-to-be adopted mother, or to Yara herself. </spoiler>

My niggle aside, I really like Zohra Nabi's style of writing, the pace is fast, the world rich-feeling, and all of the characters have something about them to like. I'll definitely be reading the next instalment.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange of my honest review.

This book is supposedly for middle grade readers, but I think it’s fine for the “older” still young at heart readers too. I really enjoy reading this book although the first few chapters feel like a drag, but after a while the adventures kept me hooked! The characters all have interesting personalities.

I would recommend this book to my family/ friends who loves middle grade books!

This book is magical.

It transported me to another world, one with alchemists, jinn and sorcerers. I loved the writing and the pacing was well done- it kept me hooked throughout and I kept anticipating what would come next. This is a middle-grade novel, but Yara was quite mature for her age. She made some serious decisions and took a stand for what she believed in. There's secret identities and grief as Yara tries to find out more about her mother's past.

I really had a good time for this, and would recommend this for all ages!

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher's for the e-arc!

I really enjoyed this story. Very exciting, lots of adventure and self discovery. It was really fast paced, so you never found yourself bored.
It sets up perfectly for a sequel which I will almost certainly be reading too because I really need to know what happens next!
The characters were great, with Yara being very outspoken and an incredibly strong character, she inspires her friends to be better and believe in themselves, never taking all the glory for herself, even though sometimes she wants to, she knows when someone else is better suited for the task.

Highly recommended!

What an absolutely fantastic debut by Zohra Nabi!! Mystery, suspense, a twist on Middle Eastern myths and legends. Following an intriguing and magical Prologue the story begins with a tragic event for any 12 year old girl, the death of her mother and the prospect of a life in care. Yara Sulimayah’s Mama has left her a handwritten letter of instructions - she must go to a city called Zehaira and find a sorceress called Leyla Khatoun by boat from Poole Harbour. For a girl who hasn’t had much in her life - no friends to speak of, or much in the way of possessions, and lives on the 6th floor of a tower block in Bournemouth, this is mind-blowing. Her mama had said she originated from Iraq, but the language she and her spoke was strangely alien to any Iraqis they ever met. Grief is put on hold as she plans her escape from the social worker, taking one of her beloved mother’s headscarves as her only sentimental item. Yara makes it to the dock and travels across the sea with a ‘Ferryman’ (think Charon or Aqen) to a city where there are no mobile phones, the air is thick with spices and her mysterious language is the mother-tongue. Tracking down the sorceress is filled with danger, as Yara stumbles upon a deadly plot against the magical community by the Sultan’s Chief Alchemist. She steals one of his secret weapons… a jinn (genie of the bottle)… Disguised as a goat, Ajal, the jinn accompanies Yara on her quest as she battles through this strange land to seek her destiny. Meeting new friends and many enemies along the way, Yara discovers her origin, grieves for her Mama, and (quite recklessly) comes into her own powers as she leaves her past behind and becomes a heroine to a community where she truly belongs. I enjoyed the representation of Mesopotamian/Arabian cultures, odes to the rich influence they have had on the Western world. I’m pleased to tell you that there is a cliffhanger at the end of the book… The book is beautifully packaged.

This is yet another MG fantasy that turns into an "ooh, didn't you know, girl? - you have hidden powers and you need to find them to save the world!" story – but at least it starts off doing it with a heck of a lot of class. Our heroine, barely twelve, finds her mother dead and herself a ward of the English social services, until she finds a letter left for her, saying what she must do to travel to the magical land of her birth. Once there, she finds someone from the prologue incredibly reluctant to engage – and a heck of a lot of threat to the world she will have to grow up and save. For one thing, magical abilities are more than frowned on by the powers that be, and we find ourselves caught up in a right old ding dong, as practically a pogrom is undertaken against all sorcerers. How can our girl find her world-saving destiny with her powers, when it's just too dangerous to use them?!

Yes, this instance of a book with the "girl grows to save world" elevator pitch is a distinctive one, and indeed it's not really that obvious at the start that that is what we're in for. There's so much brightness, difference and exotic flavour to this, not only because it is so clearly set in an Arabian world. But as each and every step along the plot is a tick in a must-tick box en route to the end, things do lose their magic and novelty. And when certain characters return to the story, and the whole second third ends with too much quibbling and bickering for little point, a lot of fun had drained from the pages.

The final third improves again, but I don't think it does it enough. Things that are supposed to be major surprises and twists are not much of a surprise, and even with all the benefits this book might be considered to have – multiple females of agency and power, ethnic representation, obvious parallel to Earthly religious persecution – none of that makes up for the fact the story is ultimately too humdrum, and not on a match with the feel from earlier in the piece. Three and a half stars.

Middle-grade fantasy is on fire this year and The Kingdom Over the Sea offers excitement and enchantment from the off. With an ambitious plot, cantankerous characters and a main character who has no idea where she belongs, readers will be pulled into an immersive and unpredictable magic carpet ride that will leave them reeling from its twists and turns.

Left alone after her mother passes away, Yara is left with nothing but a letter containing very strange instructions. Leaving behind her home, the bewildered girl travels to a place not on a map only to get on the wrong side of a ruthless alchemist.

It's not long before Yara learns that Zehaira is a dangerous place where magic has been strictly outlawed. But can she find out why her mother sent her here and where she belongs in this unsettling place?

Sharing Yara's confusion and complete lack of knowledge about her true identity, readers are in for a treat of revelations which unravel through pages that are laced with danger, magic and mystery. This is not a cosy fantasy that makes you feel you're being enveloped in a warm hug! Instead, Zohra Nabi has created something dark and edgy which simmers with powerful magic.

Yara is a great protagonist with the odds very much stacked against her. As she stumbles into a world she knows nothing about - with no family or friends - readers will find themselves rooting for her to uncover the truth and find a place she can call home. There's some great characters introduced along the way and I particularly loved Yara's dynamic with the formidable Leyla. The ending is definitely a firework finale and I think there's going to be lots more to come.

Devastated after the sudden death of her mother, 12 year old Yara is left with only a mysterious letter from her mum giving her instructions of what to do in the event of her death. Having no family and no idea about her past, Yara decided to trust her mother’s words, this embarking on a journey that will lead her to Zahaira, a land of magic, alchemists and sorcerers.
But all is not well in the land on her arrival. The sultan has outlawed magic, and sinister schemes are afoot. Yara must discover her past and find her place in this magical world where secrets, mystery and danger lurk at every turn.
This is a wonderful debut novel by a truly talented author. I loved the celebration of the power of words which runs throughout the story. Yara is a strong, courageous, stubborn and endearing character and the world building is superb.
This will appeal to all readers of MG fiction, but especially those who have enjoyed Millwood-Hargrave and BB Alston.

You know when you finish a book and you immediately jump online to google if there’s any information about when the next book will be released? That was me and The Kingdom Over the Sea. To say I loooooooved it is an understatement! It is superb! The creativity and world building is truly epic and I adored the way Nani interwove ideas about belonging and ‘otherness’. I think this is one of the best and most original fantasy books I’ve read for a very long time and I cannot wait to see where the author takes Yara and co next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's UK, for providing me this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I've now seen the cover design and some of the inner illustrations for this debut middle-grade book and it is stunning! Whilst Zohra Nabi has written an exciting story full of sorcery, portals and peril, flying carpets, spellmaking and jinn, Tom Clohosy Cole's cover really sparks off the deeper visual imagery that's so immersive, when reading a story set in a magical world and I can't wait to see it in the real world!

Yara, the MC is a feisty and courageous young woman who has been raised knowing that it's important for her to use her voice, not only to speak up for herself, but also to call out injustice where she sees it with others. From being orphaned right at the start of the story, she gains 'found family' and friendship in unexpected places, as she travels to Zehaira, the Kingdom over the Sea, and in the magical quests and adventures she has there.

As a reader, it is clear the author is also using this magical world to develop ideas around prejudice. There are definitely opportunities for broader discussion around 'othering', and how this is created and maintained by social structures and power systems, and through the spread of both fear and hate. There are also many occasions for 'empathy development within the narrative.

I did find the pace ramped up in the last 4 or 5 chapters and so the ending felt somewhat rushed, in comparison to the rest of the story. However, the Kingdom has been left open for more adventures with Yara (plus Rafi and Mehnoor too I hope!) and I will certainly be wanting to read more. In the meantime, I will definitely add this title to my MG collection in the school library and can think of lots of pupils, for whom it will tick all the right boxes!

This book was such a delight! Zohra Nabi’s writing is just beautiful: it’s so evocative and it flows so smoothly, and I loved being in the world she had created! It’s loosely Middle Eastern-inspired, and you can just *feel* the colours and flavours of it all!

The idea of a portal fantasy where our world is the alternative was so fun - almost a reverse-changeling type story - and I loved how it was Yara’s real-world campaigning experience that gave her the skills she needed to succeed in her home world!

Yara herself was my favourite kind of ‘I will do the right thing if it kills me’ kind of main character, and her determination and resourcefulness drew me in right away! The trio of friends she collects was also so charming, and I really appreciated the way they all balance each other’s impulses.

The story is propulsive and engrossing; one could argue that it’s a little rushed at the end, but I didn’t really mind it! The ending definitely does felt a bit inconclusive though - it definitely feels like it’s setting up for a sequel, though I can’t find any mention of one upcoming.

CW: death of a parent

*Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK Children's, Simon & Schuster Children's UK, for providing me this arc in exchange of an honest review*

This was a wonderful middle age book about a young girl, Yara. I loved Yara as a character, and the world building was great. The magic system was really good and I couldn't put it down. I loved it.

I absolutely LOVED The Kingdom Over The Sea!

The world-building is rich and the storytelling was wonderful. I loved the way the magic system worked and I think it worked brilliantly that the story begins in our world before (literally) transporting you to the magic. I really hope there's a second book!

Oh, I would have loved this book when I was 12-years-old. It has everything. Magic, jinn, flying carpets, dastardly villains. What's not to like?

You journey with Yara as she starts out as a bewildered and grieving orphan finding herself in an alien land which she has no knowledge of, and follow her as she discovers who she really is, and her destiny and the power she has in her.

I really didn't want to leave this world behind and look forward to the sequel which is promised at the end. a really strong debut and an author to look out for..

I loved this story and the setting of the story.
The characters are great and I wanted to know how the story would continue when I couldn´t read.

A stunningly beautiful adventure. A rich world and the feeling that there’s so much more to come for Yara. It’s easily ten stars for me. Thank you so much to the publisher for this ARC.

The Kingdom Over the Sea is a stunning, powerful and magical adventure that completely enthralled me from the fast-paced prologue to the wonderful ending which makes me desperate for more from this world.

Grieving the recent loss of her mother, Yara finds a letter from her, with a strange set of instructions, telling her that she must return to the city of her birth, Zehaira, a place that is not on any map and one that Yara has never heard of. Yara decides to follow the instructions, and finds herself in a city with golden domes where she can understand the language, a language which her mother had taught her.

It is not long before Yara discovers that the world her mother has sent her to is not the world that she left 12 years before. Magic has been outlawed and the Sultan’s alchemists have risen in power, determined to wipe out any trace of magic and destroy those who wield it – the sorcerers. Will Yara be able to find a place to belong in this new world? Can she discover the secrets of her past? Will she be able to find a way to save the sorcerers from their usurpers?

What an incredible adventure this is! Exciting, fast-paced, and brimming with danger, plots and secrets hidden just out of reach. Sorcerers, alchemists, jinn not to mention flying carpets, hidden hideouts and elemental magic … perfect!

Yara is the most amazing young girl with incredible inner strength which makes her courageous, and determined to stand up for what she believes is right, even when this means breaking the rules or facing terrible danger. I love the bond she forms with Ajal (who is the most wonderful character) as well as her friendship with Mehnoor and Rafi who prove loyal and supportive friends.

This is an absolutely mesmerising, magical adventure, but is one which doesn’t shy away from dealing with themes such as prejudice and persecution fuelled by hatred, fear and power. This makes it a really powerful read, and one which opens lots of opportunity for discussion.

This is a dazzling, magical read, with family, friendship and hope at its heart, a breath-taking read for young adventurers of 9+.

When twelve-year-old Yara Sulimayah loses her mother she knows her life will never be the same again.  As she reads the letter her mum left behind she has no idea where the journey she is about to make will take her. Living in Bournemouth she is close to the sea so her first step is easy, the rest of her travels not so much.

Arriving in Zehaira, a land she didn't know existed, Yara is finally drawn to those who wish to help her but things have changed since her mother left and finding allies is not easy. Not knowing who to trust and with danger everywhere Yara’s task seems almost impossible but she can’t let her mum down no matter how scared she is.

I really enjoyed this. The story is beautifully written, and Yara makes for a sympathetic main protagonist who is easy to root for. There is a whole new world waiting to be discovered between the covers of this book and I hope there will be more adventures for Yara and her new found friends in the future.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. Aimed at readers aged 9 and over this is a great book to get lost in. Recommended.

I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review

This middle-grade novel hits harder than expected as it takes you on a journey through an exciting new world filled with Jinns, alchemists, and so forth. Flows like water and the lead protagonist is a brave curious little girl fitting right in with the great middle-grade protagonists of today from Enola to the Bailey siblings. Well worth checking out.

3.5 stars

I had no idea when I requested this that the home Yara had always known was actually Bournemouth and that the portal to a magical kingdom was actually in Poole (where I live). This upped the excitement stakes for me and my little ones immensely and it’s all I can do not to get them to jump off the quay just in case they end up in Zehaira. Jokes….but seriously, EXCITING!!!

This is a lovely book; sorcery, magic portals, a genie, witchcraft….held together by a great cast of characters, many of them kick ass females. Some parts felt slightly rushed/convenient to me, but I don’t think it would spoil a middle grader’s enjoyment.

I look forward to seeing what happens next in Zehaira. Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Shuster for my review copy.