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Cover of The Magician of Samarkand

The Magician of Samarkand

Alan Temperley (2003)

SubgenreHigh Fantasy
Age groupMiddle Grade 8-12
Content ratingPG
Pages (Standard (250-400))
Setting
CSM age10
Goodreads3.8
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Content levels

ViolenceMild
Sexual contentNone
LanguageNone

Trigger warnings

CaptivitySlaveryManipulation

Positive tags

AdventureHeroicSelf-DiscoveryHopeful Ending

Heroine archetypes

Reluctant HeroineCommoner / Peasant

Protagonist archetypes

Chosen One

Tropes

Chosen OneEvil SorcererQuestReluctant HeroHidden IdentityMentor FigureComing of Age

Themes

SacrificeCourageGood vs EvilPower and CorruptionFamilySelf-SacrificeStanding up to Tyranny

Synopsis

Anahita lives a happy life with her family in the city of Samarkand until the evil magician Zohak Ali arrives out of the desert and threatens to punish the entire city unless Anahita agrees to be his slave.

Is The Magician of Samarkand appropriate for my child?

Suitable for most readers 10 and up.

A classic good-versus-evil fantasy where a young girl must face an evil magician to save her city. Contains mild peril and threats of enslavement but no graphic content.

What to know going in

This book has mild violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include slavery, captivity, and manipulation.

Who'll love this

Middle grade readers will root for a brave girl who must outwit an evil magician threatening her entire city.

Tags

Historical FantasyMiddle Eastern SettingAdventure Fantasy