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Rumaysa Ever After

Author: Radiya Hafiza @radiyahafiza

Illustrator: Rhaida El Touny

Published by: PanMacMillan @macmillankidsuk

Published on: 28th April 2022

Price: £7.99

ISBN: 978 1 5290 9131 1

First line: Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived a couple named Naina and Samar.

Genre: Fairytale, adventure, family

Age: 9+

What’s it all about? This is the second book about Rumaysa, with the first, Rumaysa A Fairy Tale, having come out 1st April 2021 (not the best publication date, however there is a little gentle humour involved throughout both stories!). It follows loosely the fairy tales that lots of people would be familiar with, such as Rapunzel and Cinderella. Rumaysa has escaped from the tower that she was imprisoned in by Cordelia, and is wandering the land looking for her parents whom she was stolen from many years before. Desperation and despair grip her as she tries to hide her magic but also help those people that need it along the way. Her magic necklace continues to pull her towards these helpless people, but away from her only goal- her parents. Along the way, she meets and helps Prince Aydin. This leads to her staying at his castle where she meets his sister, Saira White. Are they helping her? Should she stay? Read on to find out what happens!

Why should I read it? What a classic opening line! If you are studying traditional fairy tales, you could hope for no better start! The story is beautifully written, with carefully constructed characters and ever evolving plot. You’d think at some point that the simple storyline of wander, then meet a problem might get boring, but it is carefully crafted. There is gentle humour within and a loose connection to some traditional tales which the reader might like to spot. I like how every now and again the author talks to the reader breaking the fourth wall. I found it an easy read, which might inspire many children to go on to read or write more.