  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 08/01/2017 Gr 4–7—Into the crowded highway of middle grade fantasy enters newcomer Cyprus, with a mystical tale of two girls from mirror worlds connected by a magical shard of glass. Halan is heir to the Magi Kingdom; but alas, this princess is devoid of magic, and thus a detriment to her world. Nalah, a glassblower's daughter, lives in New Hadar and holds a powerful magic within her that threatens to erupt in a land where magic is strictly forbidden. When wealthy Tam approaches Nalah and asks for help repairing a magical mirror, Nalah sees a chance to solve her family's money woes. She doesn't realize that by helping Tam she creates a link between the two worlds, which Tam escapes to while kidnapping Nalah's father. Nalah must travel to the Magi Kingdom to rescue her father. Nalah and Halan team up to uncover the identity of the rebels who are torturing innocent people, even if it implicates the King, Halan's father. The girls' tales unfold in alternating chapters, which eventually overlap in this adventure. VERDICT Those searching for a new fantasy may want to give this one a try, but a fair amount of violence and a somewhat complicated story line may keep less confident readers from sticking with it.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 09/01/2017 *Starred Review* The Prince and the Pauper is given Arabian Nights flair in this clever retelling that unites magic and adventure. Nalah is a peasant girl in New Hadar who must hide her magical abilities or be arrested. Halan is a powerless princess in the Magi Kingdom, where magic rules. Neither 12-year-old knows the other exists, but a magical mirror Nalah creates at the request of a family friend becomes a portal between their worlds. When Nalah’s father is abducted into the other world, Nalah has no choice but to follow. Disappearing through the mirror, Nalah and her friend Marcus realize that this is the fairy tale kingdom they learned about as children. When Nalah and Marcus find themselves captured by a rebel leader, they discover that Princess Halan, Nalah’s tawam (mirror image), also is being held. Enchantment, plot twists, and the realization that what you see is not always what you get, make this debut novel inviting and fun. First in the Shard series, this romp will hook readers with its appealing tween characters, exotic settings that blend old and modern, and empowering fight between right and wrong. Give this to readers who love to cheer for the underdog! - Copyright 2017 Booklist. Loading...
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