Rebel of Fire and Flight

A 16-year-old flees via hot air balloon to escape an arranged marriage in Marufu’s debut, a rousing fantasy set in fictional country Ghadaea. Khadija, a member of Ghadaea’s upper caste system, the ghadaeans, longs for adventure after growing up on tales of daring princesses and magical jinn; she isn’t thrilled when her father informs her that he has found a man for her to marry. Meanwhile, Jacob, a member of the lowest caste, called the ha¯ri, longs to escape an abusive glassmaking apprenticeship. During a trip to the market with her father, Khadija notices a group of ha¯ri struggling to control a hot air balloon and decides to hijack it for herself. When she finally lands, she meets Jacob, who joins her in a swiftly unfolding adventure across Ghadaea. But while Khadija and Jacob evade capture and rescue ha¯ri from exploitation, a revolution brews in Ghadaea’s streets, threatening their newfound friendship. Juxtaposing Jacob’s desire for freedom in an oppressive caste system and Khadija’s yearning for the right make her own choices despite her privileged upbringing, Marufu delivers a tightly plotted adventure, steeped in South Asian lore, that tackles themes of prejudice and traditional gender expectations. Ages 12–up. (Jan.)