{"product_id":"farrah-noorzad-and-the-realm-of-nightmares-isbn-9780593564486","title":"Farrah Noorzad and the Realm of Nightmares","description":"\u003cb\u003eA half-human, half-jinn girl tries to save both her worlds from destruction in the second book of this richly imagined, action-packed fantasy series inspired by Persian mythology and Islamic lore.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A jewel of a fantasy novel that shines with adventure and sparkles with humor.”\u003cbr\u003e—A.F. Steadman, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e Bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eSkandar and the Unicorn Thief\u003c\/i\u003e, on \u003ci\u003eFarrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn her twelfth birthday, Farrah Noorzad found out her father was one of the seven jinn kings. Now, one epic quest and a whole lot of adventure later, she hasn't seen her father since she saved him from a cursed ring, and her place in the jinn world as a forbidden half-human is still more up in the air than a flying cloud. Not to mention that in the human world, she's moved away from her best friend Arzu because her mother wanted them to have a fresh start.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSo when she is summoned by the kings after months with no word from her father or her half-brother, Yaseen\u003ci\u003e,\u003c\/i\u003e she jumps at the chance to return to the floating jinn city and attend the glittering, magical Al Qalam Academy for the Exceptional while the kings make their final judgement. Farrah just has to prove she belongs at her father's side, and maybe even help Idris finally uncover his missing memories along the way.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut all the while the fire jinn Azar continues to whisper in her ear, sowing doubt and fear about her true place and her true powers. And when the City of Jewels is threatened, fate steps in once again, with a prophecy that claims Farrah might be the one to save the jinn world...or destroy it.\"The action and pacing of Zargarpur’s second series installment, which combines fantasy, Islamic legend, and Persian mythology, is as thrilling as the first. One unexpected turn after another will keep readers guessing....\u003cb\u003eHighly satisfying; will leave readers wanting more\u003c\/b\u003e.\" —\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\"\u003cb\u003eAn empowering story for children\u003c\/b\u003e....An excellent choice for readers with a love of fantasy and an interest in ­Persian and Afghan folklore.\" —\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003eDeeba Zargarpur grew up in Virginia, searching the deep dark woods for a portal to kickstart her grand magical adventure. Her love of magic and jinn stemmed from the cautionary tales passed down through the generations of her Afghan-Uzbek family. \u003ci\u003eFarrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate\u003c\/i\u003e is her middle grade debut. She is also the author of \u003ci\u003eHouse of Yesterday\u003c\/i\u003e.Chapter One\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Beginning of What?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery night, I fall into a nightmare.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe are back in the Realm Beneath the Unseen, and we are running out of time. The shadow jinn watch with their blinking, ruby-­red eyes while my half brother, Yaseen, and my friend Idris sprint through the golden gates and down a long, winding jeweled staircase.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt’s the final-­boss moment—­the pause in time and space— where I will finally do the impossible: undo my wish on the cursed ring of fate and free my dad from within it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExcept . . . \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI stop running when Idris yells “Now!” and Yaseen’s spear slashes through the air, unleashing a huge bolt of lightning right at the army of shadow jinn in front of us.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey scatter like bowling pins.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Take that, shadow puppets!” Yaseen laughs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Wait. Haven’t we . . . ?” \u003ci\u003eBeen here before?\u003c\/i\u003e I watch Yaseen charge ahead, going farther into the Realm Beneath. “Haven’t we . . . ?” \u003ci\u003eAlready done this?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Something wrong, Noorzad?” Idris jogs back when he notices I’ve stopped. His white hair is stuck to his cheeks and neck.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I just . . .” Everything feels so fuzzy. “Need a sec.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“You’ve got to take it easy,” Idris warns. “You’re not in­destructible anymore, remember?” Sweat drips from his chin.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Remember . . .” I rub my face. What do I remember? A wish on a ring during a dark and stormy night. A ghostly boy with a cloud in a pen who flies to magical, floating jinn cities in the sky. Seven thrones and a ticking clock. A journey with my brother and my best friend across farms and realms unseen. A broken elephant pin and a power that glows from my palms . . . \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e. . . It slips like sand from my thoughts, but I hold on as tight as I can.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I can see the bottom,” Yaseen shouts from below. A glittering throne roars to life through the bright red flames. A small, worn ring glints atop it. Five gems glow.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Get down, Yaseen,” I yell just as the ground rumbles. “The sixth gem is about to glow!” We \u003ci\u003ehave\u003c\/i\u003e been here before. I remember it now.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Wait, what?” Yaseen hesitates, but it’s too late.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe entire staircase shakes. I jump and roll out of the way, dodging a huge chunk of molten rubies before it crashes on my head.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSix jinn kings down,\u003c\/b\u003e the exiled jinn king Azar’s voice roars, \u003cb\u003eone to go.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“No!” I slap the floor of the shaking staircase. “This isn’t supposed to happen again!” I watch in horror as Yaseen stumbles and trips. His fingers wave through the air as he falls backward, plummeting to the ground. “We’ve already defeated you!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe traveled through realms, both seen and unseen, fought countless shadow jinn, solved all Azar’s riddles, and broke through every illusion. I made a deal with the forbidden fire jinn king, and I won. I undid my wish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI saved my dad and the other jinn kings from the curse of the ring of fate. I saved everyone. And most importantly, I saved myself from disappearing into nothingness . . . \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e. . . Didn’t I?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDid you?\u003c\/b\u003e Azar’s question slithers around me. \u003cb\u003eIt’s a shame you don’t recall.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Not another riddle. My brain can’t handle another!” I clutch my forehead because everything \u003ci\u003ehurts\u003c\/i\u003e. From my elbows to my knees to my bruised heart to my fingers and toes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Noorzad, you can’t keep fighting like this.” Idris kneels and holds my hands in his. His wide eyes stare into mine. They’re so clear, I can see the fire around us reflect through them. “You’ve got to catch him.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“But we did catch him,” I shout.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSo why is Yaseen still falling?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhy is the ring still glowing?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhy are we still \u003ci\u003ehere\u003c\/i\u003e?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eYou mean, why are \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eyou\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e still here.\u003c\/b\u003e Azar’s voice buzzes in my ears.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI blink. Idris is gone. So are the staircase and the shadow jinn and Yaseen.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSomehow, I’m in front of Azar’s golden throne. The cursed ring of fate is floating in the center. All seven gems glow, but there are seven chains now holding the ring to the throne.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“That’s weird, I don’t remember this happening,” I mumble while taking a step closer to touch one chain that has an imperfect link. Little wisps of dark energy float around the chain until it covers my hand in a cold fog.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eAn endless age\u003c\/i\u003e, the fog rumbles in my chest. \u003ci\u003eA fate defied.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Huh?” I try to wrestle away from the clouds that curl around my wrist, moving up my arm, but I can’t. My eyes get heavy. The Realm Beneath goes blurry.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eWithout its roots.\u003c\/i\u003e It trails up my elbow. \u003ci\u003eAll things shall die.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere’s a loud crack as an impossible thing happens. A whirlwind of golden fire shoots out of the ring, along with Azar’s gleeful laugh. He zips and zooms into the air. I can barely keep track of him. Everything in my head is so sludgy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBut should the end come rear its head.\u003c\/i\u003e It trails up my neck and whispers in my ear. \u003ci\u003eThere will be more than kingdoms dead.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe cold fog is everywhere. It dances in front of me until it takes the shape of a shadow puppet. \u003ci\u003eMy\u003c\/i\u003e shadow puppet.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Help me,” I try to say, but my mouth doesn’t move.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMy shadow jinn’s red eyes never blink. Behind her, a hazy mountain looms, engulfed in fire. She leans closer to me, places her cold hand on my cheek, and mouths, \u003ci\u003eDon’t you know? “They will be—­the beginning of the end.”\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“The end of what?” I want to say.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe dissolves back to fog without answering. The dark wraps its way up my chin, past my nose and eyes. Azar’s mismatched gold and red eyes smile at me. They are the last thing I see before the light winks out.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eIt’s time to wake up and find out, little one.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChapter Two\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBack to Reality\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI wake up with a wad of gum and packing tape stuck to my face.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Ugh, gross.” I immediately rip it off—­along with the little baby hairs on my cheek. “Argh, that hurts,” I yelp, and hold my throbbing cheek. My reflection on my tablet shows a big red mark, the same spot where my cheek got slashed in Centralia.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI can’t believe it’s been three months since I traveled to the exiled jinn king Azar’s realm to save my dad and the six other jinn kings from being stuck in a ring of fate for eternity (after I \u003ci\u003eaccidentally\u003c\/i\u003e wished them there). I never thought saving my dad would mean giving up my invincibility to protect my best friend in the entire world, Arzu Ahmadi, leaving me completely normal and powerless . . . but that’s okay. I tap the pink scar on my face and swivel around in my desk chair. Sometimes being a good friend means giving up awesome power. I know Arzu would do the same for me. I do miss being indestructible, though.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEspecially on days like today, when I’m facing a sea of open moving boxes. Being superstrong would totally make packing up my room a lot easier. The afternoon sun splashes rays of gold and pink against my crumpled bedsheets and comforter, where I’m sure I’ve lost an empty bowl or two of ice cream somewhere. In my defense, in a couple of days I am uprooting my entire life and saying goodbye to the only home I’ve ever known (and I only threw \u003ci\u003eone\u003c\/i\u003e tantrum when my mom spilled the beans).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause, spoiler alert, saving my dad and the rest of the jinn kings three months ago still wasn’t enough to convince my mom to stay in Philly.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I’m so glad we can be honest with each other now,” she had said when she’d tucked me into bed for the first time since I was spirited away to the Qaf Mountains and learned the truth about my identity—­that I’m a half-­jinn (“princess,” Arzu would add later) and that my father is King ­Shamhurish, one of seven jinn kings that rule over the unseen world. “Because I never want you to think I don’t choose you, janem. \u003ci\u003eI will always choose you.\u003c\/i\u003e But this only works if you choose me too.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Of course I do, Madar.” We hugged under the neon-­blue ocean lights in my room. In that moment, I knew choosing my mom meant leaving home, because Philadelphia made her sad. And even though leaving everything I’ve ever known is scary, facing down Azar and his shadow jinn taught me to face my fears.","brand":"Yearling","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48233164275941,"sku":"NP9780593564486","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780593564486.jpg?v=1767726741","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/farrah-noorzad-and-the-realm-of-nightmares-isbn-9780593564486","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}