The Candle and the Flame

Plot Summary: Fatima lives in Noor along the Silk Road. Noor is inhabited by humans and a tribe of Djinn called the Ifrit. The Ifrit help defend Noor from another Djinn tribe called the Shayateen. Fatima is just a normal girl an event where she gains Djinn Fire, a special power that allows her to become a Name Giver. She is brought to the Emir's palace where she becomes involved in intrigue that could spell the end of peace for the inhabitants of Noor.

Fatima is a Muslim girl who lives in Noor, a multicultural city. Because of an attack by the Shayateen when she was young, she is an orphan. She is a singer and poet who plays the oud. She doesn't expect to gain Djinn Fire but rises to the tasks given to her in the story.

Author Background: Nafiza Azad was born in Fiji and now lives in Canada. She is a practicing Muslim who believes in freedom of expression and multiculturalism. She writes books about girls "taking over the world" (Azad, n.d.).

Critical Evaluation: This book was good, but not fantastic. It was heavy on the palace intrigue and mythology of the Muslim world. It is also a multicultural book. Nafiza Azad has said that she wrote it as a response to narrowmindedness. In the book, besides the Muslim characters, Diwali, an Indian Hindu holiday is celebrated, and trading with the Chinese is mentioned. All that was great. However, as some reviewers mentioned, it wasn't my favorite. It had exciting moments, but the end was rather abrupt without much real buildup. Despite how scary they were described at the beginning, the Shayateen didn't really stand much of a chance once Fatima gained Djinn Fire. Of course, we want her to win, but all within one night? This is Nafiza Azad's first book, so for that I think she needs to be lauded (Good Reads, n.d.).

Speed-Round Book Talk or Short Book Trailer: Fatima is living the life of a commoner among the various inhabitants of Noor, on the eastern Silk Road, until she gains special powers. Brought into the palace for protection she uncovers a plot to end the peaceful life of Noor's citizens. Can she stop it?

Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation: Nafiza Azad wrote this book because of Islamophobia and narrowmindedness (Azad, 2019). Islamophobia, among other discrimination, is a major problem. A book with a Muslim protagonist can help reduce discrimination. All people deserve to be treated with respect.

Reason for Inclusion: I find the history of the Middle East and Central Asia to be very interesting. The mythology of the Muslim world is fascinating. This book took the mythology and applied it to modern issues that need to be written about. 

References

Ahmed Alshaiba. (2015, September 24). My trip around the Arab world / رحلتي حول العالم العربي. [YouTube]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHN4d8Nnwl8.

Azad, N. (n.d.). About me. https://nafizaazad.com/about-me. 

Azad, N. (2019, May 14). The candle and the flame. https://nafizaazad.com/the-candle-the-flame. 

CrashCourse. (2012, March 22). The Silk Road and ancient trade: crash course world history #9. [YouTube]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfe-eNq-Qyg. 

Good Reads. (n.d.). The candle and the flame. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39821312-the-candle-and-the-flame.

Let's Talk Religion. (2020, October 18). What are the Jinn? [YouTube]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8DQWTts9vw.