One minute Sara's bored on vacation in Istanbul.Who will she be forced to sacrifice?
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Jan 24, 2012
J.Elle
rated it: 
The Secret of Ka
Dear Christopher Pike,
Please stick with horror. This foray into Istanbul and djinn (genies) was NOT a success. You are better than that.
Thanks,
A concerned reader
<spoiler>Sara is staying with her father in Istanbul for the summer when she finds a magic, flying carpet. Also, she meets a one-armed boy, Amesh, who works at her father’s job site and whom, you are supposed to believe she falls irrevocably in love with, despite the fact More...
Dear Christopher Pike,
Please stick with horror. This foray into Istanbul and djinn (genies) was NOT a success. You are better than that.
Thanks,
A concerned reader
<spoiler>Sara is staying with her father in Istanbul for the summer when she finds a magic, flying carpet. Also, she meets a one-armed boy, Amesh, who works at her father’s job site and whom, you are supposed to believe she falls irrevocably in love with, despite the fact More...
Mar 22, 2011
Liz
rated it:
A story of an American girl who while visting in Turkey with her father falls in love with a local boy, discovers a flying carpet that takes her to an island inhabited with djinns (genies), and must prevent a war between three mystical races from starting up once again. An enjoyable novel somewhat but I found the two main characters to lack real personality. They are typical teenagers: selfish, hotheaded, and stubborn. Because of this I felt no chemistry between them and their love to be artific
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Jan 25, 2011
Rhiannon
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Like so many others I was a great fan of Christopher Pike growing up. His teen thrillers were positivly iconic, and i'm thrilled to see he's still going strong (his thirst series is a New York Times Bestseller), but even more excited to see he's branching into a slightly younger audience.
The Secret of Ka follows Sara on her bored ramblings through Turkey while her father spends all day everyday ensconced on a work site she's not allowed to visit. Until, that is, she discovers the Ma More...
The Secret of Ka follows Sara on her bored ramblings through Turkey while her father spends all day everyday ensconced on a work site she's not allowed to visit. Until, that is, she discovers the Ma More...
Oct 23, 2010
Connie
rated it: 
I feel the need to point out that this book begins with a number of MAJOR factual errors, as listed here on Amazon.
As a short sampling, let's just point out that Turkey is a modern, secular Mediterranean nation where women do not habitually wear veils (indeed, the proposal to allow women in university to wear headscarves was considered shocking! ATM, the requirement is that they attend bareheaded). There is no desert in or near Istanbul - in fact, Istanbul (which is NOT the capital o More...
As a short sampling, let's just point out that Turkey is a modern, secular Mediterranean nation where women do not habitually wear veils (indeed, the proposal to allow women in university to wear headscarves was considered shocking! ATM, the requirement is that they attend bareheaded). There is no desert in or near Istanbul - in fact, Istanbul (which is NOT the capital o More...
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Sep 14, 2010
Jaime
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Christopher Pike and I go back a long ways. When I was in junior high and high school, I was obsessed with his books, counting his Final Friends series, Chain Letter, and Gimme a Kiss amongst my favorite books. Every time I was able to visit the Mr. Paperback a half hour from my house, I would go straight to the Young Adult section and hope for a new Christopher Pike book, anxious to fork over my $3.95. I owned every book he published. So it’s not surprising that I was excited to see this new
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Sep 04, 2010
I found THE SECRET OF KA to be fairly different from other Pike books. With the idea of genies and magic carpets, it’s much more fantasy than horror/thriller; but I liked it just as much. Sara’s a pretty interesting character. At first, I wasn’t quite sure what to think of her. She’s this headstrong, get what she wants type girl, who’s a tiny bit bratty. As the story progresses and Sara comes into posession of the Carpet of Ka, her entire character begins to change. She realizes there are bigger
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Jul 30, 2010
Lydia
rated it:
I don't know about you, but I've been in love with magic carpets since I first heard the story of Aladdin, then Disney went and made a movie about it and cast a totally cute animated character in the role and a beautiful princess and the hook sunk even deeper in.
So when I came across The Secret of Ka on NetGalley I jumped at the opportunity to read it. But let me warn you - I know I received an uncorrected e-galley of this book and am not sure if the book was deliberately typed up l More...
So when I came across The Secret of Ka on NetGalley I jumped at the opportunity to read it. But let me warn you - I know I received an uncorrected e-galley of this book and am not sure if the book was deliberately typed up l More...
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Jan 28, 2011
Nurshafiqa
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 31, 2010
Melissa (i swim for oceans)
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Dear magic carpets, how I love thee! Seriously though, while it may be a story as old as time, I can’t get enough of those darn mystical carpets. When I saw that this book not only featured magic carpets, but also action, adventure, and just a hint of romance to keep you going, I had to get my paws on it. (Thank you, netgalley for the free galley!)
Ok, so here’s the gist of the story…Sara is spending her summer bored in Istanbul, while she’s supposed to be visiting her father. She can More...
Ok, so here’s the gist of the story…Sara is spending her summer bored in Istanbul, while she’s supposed to be visiting her father. She can More...
Jul 07, 2011
Sami
rated it:
I’m truly torn with this book. On the one hand I really was thrilled to read a new book by Christopher Pike. I loved him when I was younger, and I read all his Adult books because I love his work so much. I was even more thrilled to find out that his older books are being repackaged and reissued. Especially the Remember Me series which I still love. The Thirst books, originally the Last Vampire series, which I’d actually not read when it first came out. A new book by Christopher Pike? Yes, pleas
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Jul 27, 2010
Kate
rated it: 
I received this book via NetGalley. I was a little leery despite being a Christopher Pike fan from way back - I loved his horror novels and this seemed like more of his sci-fi fantasy stuff he was writing toward the end of the period when I read his books religiously.
Sara is visiting her father in Istanbul for the summer and mostly finds herself bored hanging out in the hotel while he's at work. One days she sees a cute delivery boy with a packager for her dad and she cons Amesh in More...
Sara is visiting her father in Istanbul for the summer and mostly finds herself bored hanging out in the hotel while he's at work. One days she sees a cute delivery boy with a packager for her dad and she cons Amesh in More...
Jul 16, 2010
Brenda
rated it:
So, I spent a good portion of my teenage years reading Christopher Pike. Probably, at the time, he was my favorite author. I haven't gone back to read any of the same books to see how they stood the test of time. I suspect the writing quality is about the same now as it was then. Easy, entertaining reading that will appeal to teens.
The story here was different than most of the other YA fantasy that's on the market right now. There wasn't a love triangle in sight, thank goodness. The More...
The story here was different than most of the other YA fantasy that's on the market right now. There wasn't a love triangle in sight, thank goodness. The More...
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Nov 06, 2010
Jimmy
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 12, 2010
Jasmyn9
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What if genies really existed? And what if you happened to stumble upon a magical flying carpet that could take you to them?
Sara is visiting her father in Istanbul and is totally bored out of her mind. Visiting him one day at work she finds an unusual antique carpet. The next thing she knows she flying across the ocean to an enchanted island of the djinn.
But when Sara and her new friend, Amesh, decide to use the djinn without understanding their ways...disaster strikes. Amesh More...
Sara is visiting her father in Istanbul and is totally bored out of her mind. Visiting him one day at work she finds an unusual antique carpet. The next thing she knows she flying across the ocean to an enchanted island of the djinn.
But when Sara and her new friend, Amesh, decide to use the djinn without understanding their ways...disaster strikes. Amesh More...
Oct 11, 2010
L. A.
rated it:
Sara Wilcox is spending the summer with her Father in Turkey, What she finds is that she is on her own most of the time due to his job at Bectar, a hydroelectric construction site. Sara finds the language difficult and loud, it is hot and crowded, no fun at all. She has just turned 15 years old and looking for something to do.
It is then that she meets Amesh. He also works for the same company as her father. She finds him very attractive and really likes him. He is missing and More...
It is then that she meets Amesh. He also works for the same company as her father. She finds him very attractive and really likes him. He is missing and More...
Jun 08, 2010
Felicia
rated it:
I am so glad I read this book so soon! When I read the description of the book it sounded good enough to read but I really didn't expect it to be one I would really enjoy. I was so wrong, I wish the description of the book was as well written as the book was because I would have read it sooner. I really expected a juvenile book about genie's and flying carpets but it was not juvenile at all. It was such an original take on magic and fantasy. The story is fun and interesting with so many twists t
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Oct 30, 2010
Jenny
rated it:
I don’t know too many books with genies and magic carpets so the first thing that came to mind was Aladdin because that’s the only story I know with genies and magic carpets.
In the beginning Sara seemed very spoiled to me and she always has to have it her way. Both she and Amesh have so many arguments about the carpet and she says that they will share it 50/50 but she still feels more entitled to it than he does. At first I understood why Amesh might be so insistent on finding a Dji More...
In the beginning Sara seemed very spoiled to me and she always has to have it her way. Both she and Amesh have so many arguments about the carpet and she says that they will share it 50/50 but she still feels more entitled to it than he does. At first I understood why Amesh might be so insistent on finding a Dji More...
Jul 03, 2011
Phil
rated it:
I am a massive fan of Pike's books, both the adult and teen ones and cannot recommend them enough. However in my opinion The Secret of Ka is the worst one i've read. The idea for the story has so much potential and could be a great read but the execution of the book seems shallow and rushed with no real depth.
I think the main problem, other than the innacuracies about Turkey and Turkish people (as discussed in many other reviews), are the two main characters and their relationship.
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I think the main problem, other than the innacuracies about Turkey and Turkish people (as discussed in many other reviews), are the two main characters and their relationship.
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Feb 23, 2011
Julie
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Sara Wilcox is 15 years old, from Raleigh, NC, and is in Istanbul visiting her father who works at Becktar Enterprises. Unfortunately for her, she's left pretty much alone and bored all day long. Then she sees a cute boy with a package for her father. After a tussle in the hotel lobby, she has the package in hand and has met Amesh, who lost his right hand in some sort of accident. He also works for Becktar Enterprises, and with lots of encouragement, agrees to take Sara to the work site.
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Feb 22, 2011
Emily
rated it:
I don't want to sit here and rant on about the issues I had with this book because what I disliked about it might be something that others enjoyed. And usually I'm fine with bashing things I don't like, but call it a change of heart. I'm sure Christopher Pike worked hard on this book and I'm sure the story means a lot to him. The only negative thing that I will say about the book is that some things in the end that needed cleared up weren't so I hope there'll be a second book (or else that's jus
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Sep 08, 2010
Jessica at Book Sake
rated it:
While this book is listed as a young adult book, I would tend to think the younger ones would enjoy this book and classify it as more of a middle grade book. The storyline is generally easy to follow even when Pike creates this different world within our world. Magic isn’t a trick and genies in a lamp aren’t like Aladdin’s. Pike’s writing is fantastic, I’ve heard wonderful things about his previous works, but this is my first experience reading any of his books. I would gladly read anything else
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Oct 11, 2010
lisa
rated it:
i really wish christopher pike was a better writer. this was a great story, and the writing would have been fine ten years ago, but ya lit has improved drastically in that time and pike's writing just hasn't. the dialogue was stilted and inauthentic, and sara, the main character, was not a very believable 15 year old. these were my exact problems with the alosha trilogy as well, and this story was just as original and interesting as those were.
i was also, for probably the first time si More...
i was also, for probably the first time si More...
May 24, 2011
Andrea
rated it:
This book is an action packed adventure that I just couldn't put down. I found myself at the edge of my seat many times during this read. It was almost like when you watch a scary movie and suddenly get the urge to yell warnings at the screen. I also catagorize this book as one of those teen books that is on the cusp of being an adult book. Although there was no funny business in the romance department, there were some truely terrifying aspects to this book that would be much more suited to an o
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Dec 30, 2011
Meli
rated it:
This was a bit frustrating to read at first... probably because there weren't many interesting baubles to begin with except with the description of Sara's character and belongings. Jeez, what does an American girl have to do to get free room service around here? lol! xD
The setting was interesting, and I know that there are loads of peeps out there that are jabbing fingers at the badly researched facts, but that's how somethings roll. There are places that writers use to an extent, bu More...
The setting was interesting, and I know that there are loads of peeps out there that are jabbing fingers at the badly researched facts, but that's how somethings roll. There are places that writers use to an extent, bu More...
Jan 16, 2011
Bookworm007
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 13, 2012
Sarah
rated it:
The Secret of Ka by Christopher Pike is a YA fantasy that has stirred up controversy in the book blogosphere. Most of that stems from the book being set in Istanbul and the apparent lack of fact checking in how the city and its residents are portrayed. After reading, enjoying and mulling the negative reviews, I am still giving the book a positive review but not a perfect one.
Sara is in Istanbul visiting her father who is working on a large construction project. Her father demands she More...
Sara is in Istanbul visiting her father who is working on a large construction project. Her father demands she More...
Sep 17, 2010
Reading Angel
rated it:
I was afraid going into this book that a story that involved magic carpet and genies (djinn) would be corny. Luckily, I was wrong. Secret of Ka was an original idea that was well written and well executed. It was a lot of fun learning the rules of the djinn, how you can only make one wish safely, if you get to the classic three wishes then you are in big big trouble!
Sara and Amesh's relationship was the only thing I really had a problem with in this book. I'm getting tired of rea More...
Sara and Amesh's relationship was the only thing I really had a problem with in this book. I'm getting tired of rea More...
Oct 20, 2010
BOOK BUTTERFLY
rated it:
Book Opening:
"An entire summer alone in Turkey with my father. When I first heard about the trip I was so excited. But now that I had logged the obligatory twenty hours of jet travel that it took to get to the Middle East and another week in Istanbul itself—the hot and crowded capital of Turkey—I was having second thoughts."
Notable Scene:
"Sara!" Amesh shouted. "Stop!"
"I didn't hurt it. I don't think I can." I lif More...
"An entire summer alone in Turkey with my father. When I first heard about the trip I was so excited. But now that I had logged the obligatory twenty hours of jet travel that it took to get to the Middle East and another week in Istanbul itself—the hot and crowded capital of Turkey—I was having second thoughts."
Notable Scene:
"Sara!" Amesh shouted. "Stop!"
"I didn't hurt it. I don't think I can." I lif More...
Oct 16, 2011
This was my first experience with a Christopher Pike book and let me tell you, I will definitely be checking out his others. I seriously didn’t think I would love The Secret of Ka as much as I did, but… I did. Love it, that is. It was the perfect mix of light fun and serious drama.
Sara was a great protagonist. She was strong and independent, but wasn’t stupid. And then comes Amesh. He was a cool character, but I never really understood the relationship between him and Sara. He was c More...
Sara was a great protagonist. She was strong and independent, but wasn’t stupid. And then comes Amesh. He was a cool character, but I never really understood the relationship between him and Sara. He was c More...
Apr 10, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com
When I first started reading this book, I was afraid that I would have to give it less than 4 stars, but after a slow start I really enjoyed this story.
I had a major problem at first with the main character, Sara. She was very self-centered and mean, but by the end of the story she had matured. I decided that she would be someone I would like to be friends with. The same thing happened with Amesh, Sara's love interest.
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When I first started reading this book, I was afraid that I would have to give it less than 4 stars, but after a slow start I really enjoyed this story.
I had a major problem at first with the main character, Sara. She was very self-centered and mean, but by the end of the story she had matured. I decided that she would be someone I would like to be friends with. The same thing happened with Amesh, Sara's love interest.
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