The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad - OPTIONAL

The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad, 416 pages.  Scholastic Press, 2019.  $19.  

Content: Language: PG (4 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG-13.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVEARGE  

Fatima was rescued as an orphan and infused with djinn power, which goes unrecognized by her adoptive human family.  When a new ruler is established in the city of Noor, a shift of magical power happens among the djinn who protect the city, and Fatima finds herself in possession of fire power.  The leader of the djinn, Zulfikar, is drawn by Fatima and her power and together they must try and protect the many different people in the city of Noor.  

Fatima is a lovable, strong woman whose sad story is infused with power and magic.  The story includes familial bonds, romance and political intrigue within a world of desert magic.  I was satisfied with the telling, but sometimes got lost among the Muslim names (one character sometimes had multiple names) and terms (there is a glossary at the back).  The violent content includes poisoning, deaths and a sword fight.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson.