![]() The superb worldbuilding offers an ever shifting topography, rather like an Escher vision of the East. Secondary characterization is not so strong Essie and Alex seem more types than people. In her debut, Riazi gives readers a Muslim protagonist who resists genre clichés: she’s resolute rather than feisty, smart but aware of her weaknesses. ![]() Farah’s desperation to find Ahmad heightens these deadly stakes. Once in the game, they are given three challenges-and failure to win all three will trap them there. ![]() ![]() But when her trying-but-adorable little brother-he has ADHD-vanishes into a mysterious board game called The Gauntlet of Blood and Sand, white Essie and brown-skinned Alex don't hesitate to join Farah in jumping in to rescue him. Upper East Side Bangladeshi-American Farah’s having a hard time clicking with her old friends from Queens when they come to her 12th birthday party. A young hijabi finds herself, her brother, and her friends trapped in a very dangerous game. ![]()
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