CITY OF STOLEN MAGIC

A sweeping historical fantasy for middle-grade readers.

Step back in time to a period when magic was part of the fabric of an undivided India that was still under British rule. Twelve-year-old Chompa is a witch, just like Ammi, her mother, though each of them wields magic very differently. Chompa’s powers are put to the test when her mother is kidnapped by the Company. She comes under the tutelage of Mohsin, her mother’s friend who arrives in response to Ammi’s letter about the impending threat. Unfortunately, he gets there too late; Ammi has just been taken away by boat. Chompa travels from her village to the big city of Dacca and then across the sea to London, dodging danger and making new friends along the way. Fortunately, she’s in the company of a motley crew of fellow magical children; magic itself is being threatened, and so are its wielders. Mischievous and memorable side characters, various djinn, and suitably evil villains all make for a fun read. The plot sags in the middle but picks up quickly. The author deftly weaves in themes of colonialism and racism to create an absorbing narrative about slavery, exploitation, and poverty, as she further explains in an author’s note that contains fascinating cultural context. Prabhat’s illustrations in the section openers and chapter headers are visual treats, inviting readers to linger and pore over the little nuggets tucked inside.

A brave, pacy book with some spellbinding history.