The Kingdom Over the Sea Synopsis
Longlisted, Branford Boase Award 2024
When Yara’s mother passes away, she leaves behind a letter and a strange set of instructions. Yara must travel from the home she has always known to a place that is not on any map – Zehaira, a world of sorcerers, alchemists and simmering magic. But Zehaira is not the land it used to be.
The practice of magic has been outlawed, the Sultan’s alchemists are plotting a sinister scheme – and the answers Yara is searching for seem to be out of reach. Yara must summon all of her courage to discover the truth about her mother’s past and her own identity . . . and to find her place in this magical new world.
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Zohra Nabi Press Reviews
“Spellbinding storytelling - lyrical, heartfelt, and glittering with possibilities.” -- Sophie Anderson - author of The House with Chicken Legs
"A stunning story of the power of words and standing up for what’s right. Absolutely magnificent." -- Lizzie Huxley-Jones
"Intricately-woven and wholly authentic." -- Aisha Bushby - author of A Pocket Full of Stars
“Pure alchemy on the page, every word woven with a spell of enchantment. I can't wait for a return trip to Zehaira.” -- Zillah Bethell
“A beautiful book. Sumptuous and compelling, it had me gripped from the very first page. A magical thing.” -- Joanna Nadin
"Lyrical prose, strong characters and an utterly enchanting magical world." -- Abi Elphinstone
"Utterly mesmerising. I loved journeying with Yara!" -- A.M. Dassu
"Beautifully written and utterly captivating – I loved it!" -- Sarah Crossan
"Steeped in elemental magic and myth, with brilliantly real characters and breath-catching tension, this is storytelling readers won’t want to miss." -- Sarah Driver - author of The Huntress Trilogy
“One of the best children’s fantasy debuts I’ve read in years.” -- Anna James - author of the Pages & Co Series
"A glorious debut brimming with magic and warmth. The Kingdom Over The Sea dazzled me every time I turned the page." -- Natasha Hastings
"Undoubtably a classic in the making. A rich, magical world that any child would long to get lost in." -- Sarah Underwood -
About Zohra Nabi
Zohra Nabi grew up inventing stories for her two younger sisters. She studied law at Cambridge and Oxford universities, but secretly dreamed of being an author. Now she lives in London, browsing bookshops and writing magical adventures. The Kingdom over the Sea is her first book.
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