By: Susan
Fletcher
Genre: Young
Adult Fiction
Pages: 304
Published: 2006
Told in: First
Person
In a nutshell:
Mitra and her young brother, Babak, are Persian nobility in
hiding. Mitra dreams of finding their family in Palmyra, while Babak dreams for
whoever’s item of clothing he sleeps with. With this strange ability and the
king’s men after them, Mitra and Babak find themselves with three wise Magi who
depend on Babak’s dreams of stars to lead them to a new born king in Bethlehem.
What you may enjoy:
This is a great perspective of the Christmas story without
the book being about Christmas. The book has a historical fiction feel to it
that keeps it from being religious. And if you like determined female
characters disguised as a boy, this book is for you. It’s a creative take on
the wise men that moves steadily along.
What you may NOT
enjoy:
Mitra is not a very likable character. She doesn’t make
rational decisions and is a bit whiny. The story is aimed at young girls,
somewhat predictable, and at times a little slow. If you’re looking for a
stunning, take your breath away kind of read, this is not it. For most, this book
falls in the average to mildly enjoyable category.
Warnings:
Violence and Disturbing Images:
Girl is drugged; boy convulses; boy falls and splits chin
open; boy torture, implied and mentioned; family massacred, implied and mentioned;
girl slapped; girl nearly stabbed; men fight with knives, non-graphic; babies
killed, mentioned and mildly graphic.
Sex and Nudity:
Girl mentions physical attraction; girl begins her menstrual
cycle
Language and profanity:
G*d
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