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The Scorpions of Zahir
by Christine Brodien-Jones (Goodreads Author), Kelly Murphy (Goodreads Author)
by Christine Brodien-Jones (Goodreads Author), Kelly Murphy (Goodreads Author)
When I read the synopsis of The Scorpions of Zahir, I was pretty excited to read it. I mean, give me an Arabian story any day and I will be all over it. Unfortunately, this book was as hard to read as it was hard to put down. I blame it on the ARC, but because this is the only version I have to go by, here are my thoughts.
My main gripe with the book were the missing journal entries, and because of that I felt semi-lost any time the journal was mentioned. Also, the conversations felt unfinished, almost as if characters were about to say something else but were cut off and the action moved on to the next thing.
Other than that, I loved everything else in the book! I especially admired the clever use of the vocabulary. While the storytelling could be considered on the "slow" side, instead it was almost like I was reclining on the low pillows, slowly sipping tea and not hurrying anywhere. I think Christine Brodien-Jones captured the Arabian world very well, at least based on my limited knowledge.
I loved how Zagora and Duncan were just normal kids, faced with the extraordinary circumstances. Yes, she had some powers, but Zagora felt very real to me, like an 11 year old girl who still needs (and realizes that she does) adults in her life. Her dad was her hero, and no matter what happened she did not loose her faith in him. I loved her progressing relationship with her brother Duncan, which by the end of the book made me very proud of both of them.
The story was engaging and kept me turning page after page. I only wish there was more of Mina, because she was my favorite.
Overall, I loved this book and I will recommend it to anyone who would like to read about realistic characters in a (semi)realistic situations. Yes, The Scorpions of Zahir has several fantasy elements, but I don't think they were the focus of this book. Instead, the fantasy took a back step, while the children and their actions took the front stage.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Random House Children's Books via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
My main gripe with the book were the missing journal entries, and because of that I felt semi-lost any time the journal was mentioned. Also, the conversations felt unfinished, almost as if characters were about to say something else but were cut off and the action moved on to the next thing.
Other than that, I loved everything else in the book! I especially admired the clever use of the vocabulary. While the storytelling could be considered on the "slow" side, instead it was almost like I was reclining on the low pillows, slowly sipping tea and not hurrying anywhere. I think Christine Brodien-Jones captured the Arabian world very well, at least based on my limited knowledge.
I loved how Zagora and Duncan were just normal kids, faced with the extraordinary circumstances. Yes, she had some powers, but Zagora felt very real to me, like an 11 year old girl who still needs (and realizes that she does) adults in her life. Her dad was her hero, and no matter what happened she did not loose her faith in him. I loved her progressing relationship with her brother Duncan, which by the end of the book made me very proud of both of them.
The story was engaging and kept me turning page after page. I only wish there was more of Mina, because she was my favorite.
Overall, I loved this book and I will recommend it to anyone who would like to read about realistic characters in a (semi)realistic situations. Yes, The Scorpions of Zahir has several fantasy elements, but I don't think they were the focus of this book. Instead, the fantasy took a back step, while the children and their actions took the front stage.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Random House Children's Books via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
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Reading Progress
| 05/20/2012 |
|
40.0% | "Give me a desert story anytime and I will be happy." | |
| 05/21/2012 |
|
70.0% | "Something about this book makes it pretty hard to read, but I can't pinpoint what exactly." |
