The Scorpions of Zahir

by Christine Brodien-Jones, Kelly Murphy (Illustrator)

Zagora Pym has always wanted to be a desert explorer. Her father, Charlie Pym, is exactly that, and she's always loved to look over his maps of far away exotic places. One day she'd be trekking through the deserts of Africa and China, discovering hidden treasures from lost tribes. But Zagora would never have guessed that her chance to prove herself would come so soon. Like most adventures, it starts with a mysterious letter. The question is, how will this adventure end?

Zagora's dreams of desert exploration are about to come ture, but are she and her father and brother being followed? And will they ever make it back to civilization?

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Adventure, Childrens, Young Adult, Morocco, Fiction

384 pages, Hardcover

First published July 10, 2012

About the author

I've always been drawn to the mysterious “other worlds” we inhabit as children: the invisible secret worlds that adults never seem to notice. Much of my childhood was spent immersed in books (the library was just around the corner) and I wrote my first story at age seven about a girl and a dragon.

Branches of trees were the best places to read books. My favorites were fairy tales, fantasy and science-fiction, including books by Edward Eager, Astrid Lindgren, Ray Bradbury and Madeleine L’Engle. Years later I would read these same stories to my sons Ian and Derek.

After studying creative writing at Emerson College, Boston, I traveled and lived in Almeria (Spain), London and Amsterdam. I met my husband Peter, a native of Wales, while traveling and we raised our two boys in New England. Over the years I've worked as a free-lance journalist, an editor and a teacher.

I'm the author of the post-apocalyptic fantasy THE OWL KEEPER (Delacorte Press, 2010)and THE SCORPIONS OF ZAHIR (Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2012). Delacorte will publish my next book, THE GLASS PUZZLE, in June 2013. I'm represented by Stephen Fraser of the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency.

When I’m not writing, I love to sail, read, hike and explore distant corners of Argentina. Peter and I divide our time between Gloucester, Massachusetts and an old country house in Deer Isle, Maine. We spend our winters in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Reviews

[Lyuba · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read the synopsis of The Scorpions of Zahir, I was pretty excited to read it. I mean, give me an Arabian story any day and I will be all over it. Unfortunately, this book was as hard to read as it was hard to put down. I blame it on the ARC, but because this is the only version I have to go by, here are my thoughts.

My main gripe with the book were the missing journal entries, and because of that I felt semi-lost any time the journal was mentioned. Also, the conversations felt unfinished, almost as if characters were about to say something else but were cut off and the action moved on to the next thing.

Other than that, I loved everything else in the book! I especially admired the clever use of the vocabulary. While the storytelling could be considered on the "slow" side, instead it was almost like I was reclining on the low pillows, slowly sipping tea and not hurrying anywhere. I think Christine Brodien-Jones captured the Arabian world very well, at least based on my limited knowledge.

I loved how Zagora and Duncan were just normal kids, faced with the extraordinary circumstances. Yes, she had some powers, but Zagora felt very real to me, like an 11 year old girl who still needs (and realizes that she does) adults in her life. Her dad was her hero, and no matter what happened she did not loose her faith in him. I loved her progressing relationship with her brother Duncan, which by the end of the book made me very proud of both of them.

The story was engaging and kept me turning page after page. I only wish there was more of Mina, because she was my favorite.

Overall, I loved this book and I will recommend it to anyone who would like to read about realistic characters in a (semi)realistic situations. Yes, The Scorpions of Zahir has several fantasy elements, but I don't think they were the focus of this book. Instead, the fantasy took a back step, while the children and their actions took the front stage.

Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Random House Children's Books via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.

[Alya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sigh... an adventure story with a spunky girl with a touch of the fantastic in Morocco, seemed like it had promise.
Unfortunately it suffered from the old phrase that one must "show, not tell". Everything was explicitly spelled out, not allowing or investing any trust and emotion on the reader's part. Plus, it felt overly quickly paced, the characters fairly one dimensional, and just... there was no oomph. Furthermore, for someone who creates a secondary character with such an investment in science and astronomy (the girl's brother), I found the idea of a planet speeding towards earth without any ramifications physically. Not even a slight global reference to shifting ocean tides or just, something to ground it in enough realism to feel accessible.

But the worst part was the obvious colonial window one can easily read into this. Admittedly I'm in a whole literary theory ride these days (taking a class on it) but I mean... she exoticizes every single part of Morocco, from the arabic script and language, the colors people wear, the architecture, the food... She is offered a fig and feels like she has been transported. Her books of reference regarding her zeal for adventure and exploring include the Tin Tin series, notorious for the imperialist approaches, especially the early volumes. The children she meets are all ragged, dirty, or troublesome in some way... And when the become her friends they serve roles that are subservient to her, becoming her "guardians"... Because the white outsider is obviously the chosen one, the only one who can do right and set things back to good. In fact, the main girl Zagora follows a line of white explorers who all served that same role as she, only it has been prophecied that she will be the one to fix everything ultimately. Of course.

I just... can't get out of that. If it were written better I'd probably not harp as much on this stuff because at least it would be a smoother read. The Ideas are fresh and fun, but... sigh.

[Isabella R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scorpions of Zahir by Christine Brodien-Jones is a tale of supernatural beings, scorpions, and rocks from outer space. Though the book is not very long, only about 350 pages, it is a book I believe all young adults will enjoy. Something I really liked about the book was the fact that it includes real dessert legends and prophecies which made the book seem much more realistic. The main idea of the story is a girl named Zagora, her brother Ducon, Mina a tribal girl, and Razziq a poor merchant boy go on this adventure through the Sahara desert to return an alien stone which draws gigantic, intellectual scorpions to them and If they don't, a planet will crash into the earth and scorpions will rule the world. I know this seems incredibly far fetched but this is a book that will undoubtedly grab your attention and bring you to the mysterious world of the Sahara.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried, but I just couldn't get in to this one.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love the cover with its vibrant blue/green and the idea of archaeology in Morocco, the primary setting for this book. I didn't know too much about its plot going in to the book and I was okay with that.

Once I started reading though I really struggled to connect with main character, eleven year old adventurer Zagora Pym who aspires to be an explorer just like her father is. I don't know exactly why because on the surface, she is pretty much the kind of character I like. She is spunky, curious, and intelligent. She has ambition and drive that should bring her much success as she ages. But I didn't really like her. Certainly part of that was her habit of taking her father's possessions, hiding them, and then obscuring her actions as well as her generally impetuous nature, which had her diving headfirst into situations without carefully considering the best course to take. But another part is me the reader just not clicking with her.

The other characters are fine. There is her father and older brother whose differences from Zagora actually come in handy and give her a new appreciation for his interests. Then there's the shady Olivia and her cousin the mysteriously reappearing Pitblade. Two characters from the region are their guide Razziq and the imperious Mina who wants to reclaim an artifact for her people. Lastly there are the titular scorpions, who terrified me. Not only are they bigger than the average scorpion, they also seem to be smarter and capable of coordination. Much as they scared me, I did appreciate their importance to the plot.

Overall: Inability to connect with characters combined with slow-moving plot made this an unpleasant read for me. I hope more readers are able to click with Zagora and gave her story its due.

Cover: As mentioned above, I like the cover. Definitely signals middle-grade story as well as capturing the desert setting.

[Cindy III · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received through First Reads.

I was drawn to Scorpions of Zahir because it is about adventure set in Morocco. There was adventure, but also a bit of fantasy elements, friendship and family. Zagora is the main character. She was kind, brave and outgoing. Her dad was okay. He was definitely a parent, but I also felt a detachment. Duncan, Zagora's brother was my favorite. He is more of a homebody, an intellectual. He starts his travel to Morocco not really wanting to be there and changes as stuff happens.

I liked the illustrations. There are not a lot, so it doesn't distract from the story. The drawing of Duncan actually looked the way I imagined him. Everyone else didn't, but that's the beauty of a book. It does not have to conform.

I do not know much about Moroccan culture or folklore. I don't expect it was accurate. In fact, while it is set in Morocco it has a touch of alternate history. For example, the planet Nar Azrak and the history surrounding Zahir. What I got and enjoyed were the descriptions of the desert and the casbah, travel by car and the train, the places they stayed in. The people they encountered were interesting. There was Mina, which it was quite a meeting. She is an intense character. Razziq, who is resourceful and kind.
There are some dangers Zagora and her family have to face. Not knowing what will happen and everything all together make Scorpions of Zahir a good read.

[Estevan Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received my copy of this novel through Good reads First Reads and was rather delighted with it. Zagora, the main character, is a young girl who is filled with imagination and longs for adventure. After discovering a journal in her father's study, a magical stone in the attic, and a letter from one of her father's long lost friends, the family engages on a magical adventure to the lost city of Zahir. Once a gorgeous and booming metropolis, Zahir has been buried under the sands of the Sahara and the area has become the refuge of unnatural scorpions. Can the family return the mystical Oryx Stone to Zahir, ushering the return or Oryx to the area and the banishment of the scorpions, or will they fail and usher in a cataclysmic event?

The story was well thought out and well executed. The writing is simple and easy to follow. I enjoyed how the author included lots of information about the area which would provide a young reader with entertainment as well as a brief educational introduction to the area, archaeology, and astronomy. The multiple villains also help the Zagora learn life lessons about family, friendship, and responsibility. I will definitely pass this on to the young readers in my life.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time with this book. For some reason this book was hard for me to really get into. Zagora is the kind of character that I would normally really like, she is adventurous, intelligent and spunky. But I just didn't connect with her in this book, though I did like the characters of her father and brother. The inconsistency with mythology, a fairy new interest interest of mine, added to other improbabilities in this book detracted from my enjoyment of the book too. But for a younger reader I do think that the fast pace, adventured that Zagora, Duncan and their father take will appeal to some readers.

Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley. The rating, review, and all opinions are my own

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked this a lot. Picked it up at the library for my 10 year old son, who was not convinced from the cover he would like it, so I read it first. Slow first half that meanders and plods along; exciting, adventure-packed second half that mixes history, adventure, fantasy, and a touch of science fiction that I couldn't put down. A few nice things about brother and sister coming to appreciate each other; otherwise it's a simple main character becomes the designated hero story, but with a 11 year old girl at the center instead of the more typical 11 year old boy (Gregor, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson). I think I will try to read this one to my son until he gets into it and then let him devour the second half himself.

[Lena Kilburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging story about a twelve year old girl who, along with her archaeologist father and younger brother, travels to Morocco on an fantastical adventure. The story is fast paced and exciting with lots of enticing and mysterious characters. The highlight for me was the vivid imagery--descriptions of the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of Morocco, which I think would ignite many young imaginations. The plot is a bit convoluted and complex and character development could have been stronger, but overall this is a good read, especially for bright, ambitious young girls with adventurous spirits.

[Tibby]

This is a book I would have loved in middle school. Maybe not as much as Theodosia, but still would have loved it. As an adult, I was less attracted to it. I thought Morocco was a bit romanticized. I had a hard time believing the kids wandering the desert by themselves. The writing style was also a bit plain. Upon reflection, though, I think that not only would I have loved it in middle school it would also have met me where I was. I was not a strong reader. I wasn't much of a reader at all and all these factors would have drawn me in and kept me reading. So no complaints from adult me after all.

[Bari · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am about half way through this book and am not sure if I'm planning on finishing it. Although this book received good reviews from School Library Journal, Booklist and Kirkus, I found this book lacking.

The plot seems to drag on and I keep waiting for the action and adventure to begin. Based on the description and reviews, I was expecting the story to be a fast paced Indian Jones type of adventure for young kids. I am not sure if the kids will hand in their long enough to finish this.
I may pick it up again at a later date.

[Shanshad Whelan · Rating 2 out of 5]

the storytelling was decent . . . but I just couldn't buy the story from the start. The idea of a planet pulled off alignment and hurtling towards earth is just hard to buy . . . the fact that said planet is supposed to "crash into Zahir" seems bizarre. I'm pretty sure if a planet, any planet even got mildly close to earth, the gravitational pressures would throw earth out of its orbit. And if not that, then a planet would likely destroy the entire earth lock stock and barrel.

[Sara Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This children's tale of a young girl, Zagora, who travels with her dad and brother to Morocco is fun and full of adventure. A good story for those kids who need a journey while learning about friendship, trust, and courage, not to mention how to be a good daughter and sister. While there were a few moments of eye-rolling due to stretches of the imagination and attitudes towards travel (that as an adult I'm aware of, but young readers would never notice) I really enjoyed this one.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found myself wanting to know ' what happens next', which was a nice surprise. The primary characters are too simple, but then I'm not a young girl anymore. I imagine my 6 yo would enjoy listening to this story.
I won this book on goodreads. Thank you for the opportunity to read your work.
I'll be donating this book to the local veterans home, after I share it with my little girl.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story of an 11 year old girl and her adventures in the deserts of Morocco. There is a bit of the mystical world and quite a bit of danger (giant scorpions) which kept things moving. My favorite thing is the name of a fellow adventurer- Pitblade Yegen.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Charlane Lucardie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a really fun kid's book, full of twists and turns. very well written with good character development

[Tisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably a good recommendation for 4th grade girls needing a strong-girl-character book. The plot is okay, but is not developed as fully as older kids would demand.

[Dianna Damir · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an odd book. I think the premise is interesting but the Nar Azrak stuff took me out of the story instead of drawing me in.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book from a giveaway! Very interesting book for middle-grade kids. The main character is relatable and fun. I love the cultural aspect of the setting. Would recommend!

[Leila · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the Mummy in book form. Minus the creepy bugs that crawl under your skin.