Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Family, friendship at heart of exciting game-world fantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
As Farah and her longtime friends gather to celebrate her 12th birthday in her family's new apartment on New York's Upper East Side, they unwrap what they think is her aunt's birthday present: a clockwork-driven world straight out of the Arabian Nights, contained in a game called "THE GAUNTLET of Blood and Sand." Excitement turns to horror when Farah's annoying but beloved 7-year-old brother dashes headlong into the game world -- and there's nothing for the friends to do but go in after him and face off against the game world's unknown Architect.
Is It Any Good?
First-time novelist Karuna Riazi creates an exotic, mechanical world drenched in magic and danger, with a pesky little brother trapped in it and three BFFs determined to get him out. Her exciting mix of ghostly monsters and high-stakes battles of wits includes strong messages of kindness, family, friendship, diversity, and girl power.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about friendship, which is a strong theme in The Gauntlet. Do you have any friends you've been close to since you were little? How would you feel if you moved and couldn't see them so much? Would you figure out a way to stay connected?
Have you already sampled the tasty Bangladeshi dishes and Middle Eastern sweets that keep coming up in the story? If not, which ones do you think you might like to try?
What do you know about Eid and other festive occasions Farah's family celebrates? What holidays does your family celebrate? Do you like to check out other people's celebrations, too?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Salaam Reads
- Publication date : March 28, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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