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Every night, Shahrazad begins a story. Every morning, the sultan lets her live another day—providing the story is interesting enough to capture his attention. After almost one thousand nights, though, Shahrazad is running out of tales.
Marjan dreams of being a great storyteller like Shahrazad, someone who is also brave and compelling. When the chance arises to help Shahrazad find a new story—one the sultan has never head before—Marjan is eager to help.
But not everyone wishes for Shahrazad to continue spinning her tales to the sultan. Marjan’s mission to keep Shahrazad alive is more dangerous than she realizes. It takes her behind the walls of the closely guarded harem, sends her combing the bustling city markets, and has her trailing hidden paths to pull tales from strangers. She has to bring them back to Shahrazad before the sultan loses his temper and Shahrazad becomes the next, in a long line of wives, to die.
With its tight plot and interesting cast of characters, set against the gorgeous backdrop of ancient Persia, there’s something cozy and nostalgic about Shadow Spinner that makes it a unique retelling of Shahrazad’s story in One Thousand and One Nights. And at barely over 200 pages, it shows only a small glimpse of the larger story, choosing instead to spotlight an unlikely heroine.
Each chapter begins with a section titled “Lessons for Life and Storytelling.” Often this would foreshadow the events that happen within that chapter, while also leaving nuggets of wisdom for the reader and revealing Marjan’s own inner growth.
With its straightforward plot and beautiful message regarding bravery and forgiveness, Shadow Spinner is the perfect bingeable read for younger teens or fairy tale lovers.
If you’d like to read another book based on One Thousand and One Nights, check out The Stardust Thief.
Rated: Mild. There is no profanity. Violence includes references to potential murder and the unjust deaths of the Sultan’s past wives.
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