FARRAH NOORZAD AND THE RING OF FATE

A calamitous wish sends a girl on an adventure to free her father from entrapment while exploring the secrets of her true heritage.

Twelve-year-old Muslim, Afghan American Farrah longs for a connection to Padar, the father whom she only sees once a year on her birthday. When Farrah makes a wish on a magical ring—“I wish to find a place in Padar’s world”—the ring’s power is unleashed, simultaneously trapping him inside it and freeing Idris, a jinn boy. Fearing for the safety of Padar and the rest of her family, Farrah sets out to save him. When shadowy, menacing figures materialize and try to claim the ring, Idris appears, revealing information that changes Farrah’s life forever: Padar is one of seven jinn kings, making her a half-jinn, someone whose very existence is forbidden. With help from Idris and Yaseen, her newly discovered half brother, Farrah’s perilous journey to try to undo her wish takes her to the Realm Beneath the Unseen. Zargarpur’s worldbuilding is solid as she weaves together a fantasy world that includes elements of Islamic legend and Persian mythology to create a richly detailed portrait of two existences that are destined to clash. At its core, this is a story of seeking belonging, navigating complicated family circumstances, and believing in one’s strengths that unfolds through fast-paced action with unexpected plot twists that allow for expansion into future volumes.

An engaging read with an original and courageous young hero.