The Ghazalli family forms an engaging base in this fantasy-rich story; each member is a force field of distinctive powers, but they manage to stay relatable at the same time, while working through the issues that so often accompany large families. When an ancestor’s ghost links them to an ancient prophecy, the family must unite to hunt down seven magical stones scattered across the Middle Sea, harnessing their unique strengths to overcome trials by sea, land, and air. The cost if they fail, as in all great hero quests, is perilously high: cosmic peril. But the Ghazallis willingly take on the challenge, working to the refrain of “whatever happens, we’ll make it through as a family.”
The Goshenite immerses readers in the vibrancy of the Middle Kingdoms—and hints at more to come after this first installment in the author's Echoes of Destiny series—while blending evocative landscapes and enchanting magic with the heritage of the Qayrans and Elysians, two bloodlines that merge in the Ghazalli family. A host of AI-generated images add little, making characters who seem singular in the prose look glossily generic, but this debut beautifully balances tradition with innovation, interlacing ancient lore and mystical beings deeply rooted in Arabian mythology—like genies, dragons, and sea creatures—into a culturally rich narrative. As Badr’s mother proclaims, “there’s a time and place for magic,” and readers will find it overflowing here.
Takeaway: Epic family quest rooted in Arabian mythology.
Comparable Titles: S.A. Chakraborty’s The City of Brass, Saladin Ahmed’s Throne of the Crescent Moon.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: B-
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
