The Book of Wonders - 2012 Book #19

The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards is a fun, engaging read. It tells the story of Zardi, a young girl who just turned thirteen, the age of womanhood. She is now old enough to be taken by the sultan as his praisemaker. The praisemaker has to shout the sultan's praises from a tower for three months, and then they are hunted and killed by the sultan himself. The only way to escape the sultan is if she gets married. Her nonna tells her that she has a great destiny to fulfill. Zardi doesn't know what this is.

Zardi's sister is about to get married when she is taken by the sultan to be the new praisemaker. Her father stands up to the sultan, demanding that his daughter be released. Instead, the sultan takes him prisoner as well, promising that once he's through with Zardi's sister, Zubeyda, he's coming back for Zardi. Zardi decides that this is her destiny: to save her sister and father from the sultan.

Earlier that day, she and her friend Rhidan had seen the great sailor, Sinbad. She had heard that Sinbad was setting out for a nearby city where there where rumors of the rightful prince still being alive. She decides to disguise herself as a boy and go find Sinbad to help her. Her friend Rhidan comes along not only to help her but to find out more about who he is and where he's from. Earlier, Sinbad had made a comment about seeing other people like Rhidan, and Rhidan hopes that Sinbad can help him find his family.

So Zardi and Rhidan set off an adventure involving pirates, brass giants, sorcerers, fortune tellers, djinnis, magic amulets, and evil serpents.

This book is very engaging and keeps the reader wanting to know more right up to the last page. The story ends, making it very clear that the story is not over; there must be a sequel in mind for this book, because Zardi's and Rhidan's adventures are not finished. Unfortunately, that sequel has not been written yet.