Sunbolt by Intisar Khanani | Islamic School Librarian
Sometimes you remember reading a book and liking it, but not a lot more. Why I never wrote up a review about this Muslim authored 153 page young adult fantasy novella (?) in 2013 when it was first published I have no idea, but now that it has a new cover and some minor tweaks I am happy to share it, support it, and urge you all to do the same. My only complaint is the book is too short. It tells a complete story, but I did not want it to end. The print version includes the prequel Shadow Thief in the backmatter, and I believe the series will total three books when complete, but I’m not a patient person and even the second time reading this had me sucked in from the very first page and unable to put the book down until I finished The paranormal world building, character development, intrigue, interest, adventure, and curiosity, is masterfully written and conveyed to take the reader on a journey where the next turn is completely unexpected, yet plausible, worrisome, yet hopeful, fast passed, but not rushed, and before you know it the last page has been read, and you are still emotionally attached to Hitomi, longing for Karolene, and anxious to see what will happen next. There is no Islam in the book, many names come from Arabic though, and there is killing, death, vampires, soul suckers, magic, and lots of secrets yet to come to light.
SYNOPSIS:
Hitomi is still an outsider in Karolene unable to blend in even though she has been there for years. Her skin and features give her away, but it is her secrets that she tries to hide more than her appearance. She is part of the Shadow League, and when she gets a chance to help with a mission to save a political family that opposes the Arch Mage Blackflame, her life with the fish sellers is about to change. She encounters vampires, is taken through a portal to a landlocked northern land, is imprisoned with a Breather and starts to test the power of her own magic.
WHY I LIKE IT:
The twists and turns of the book are a wild ride. You don’t know what is going to happen next, and while it takes a minute to share details of 15-year-old Hitomi’s world and Karolene at the beginning, the connection it creates to the main character is worth it as the story progresses. In a short time you really feel you know how she sees the world, functions in it, and thus the emotional bond makes you invested in what is to come. I love that Hitomi is mixed race, young, female, fallible, smart, strong, and empathetic and likeable. She isn’t perfect, but you are definitely cheering her on.
FLAGS:
The book has magic, killing, death, plotting, secret, torture, politics, but for the genre and age is relatively clean. The prequel novella, Shadow Thief, does mention rape.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
The book is a bit too short for a full book club discussion, but I would absolutely recommend, shelve, and encourage middle school readers and up to grab a copy and take an hour or so off from their lives to read about Hitomi’s and make predications about what will happen next.
To show support to this incredible author, and this fun book, please preorder/order here. You can also suggest your library shelve it, put it on hold, once it arrives, check it out, and enjoy it.
