Reviewer’s Note: Since Marva Dasef and I review for the same company, I feel it is important to mention that I purchased my copy of Quest for the Simurgh, Marva did not ask me to write a review (this is an unsolicited, independent review) and I always write what I think.
Quest for the Simurgh
by Marva Dasef
Texas Boy Publications, 2009
eBook, 82 pages
Fantasy/adventure
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Four teenagers discover their magic teacher, Wafa, has disappeared. The condition of his home suggests he didn’t leave willingly. On a table, his teaching book lies open at the section devoted to the mythical bird known as the Simurgh. Someone has chalked a large X across the open pages. Some of the youngsters think he has been kidnapped by mountain raiders. Others feel the X means they are to go in search of the Simurgh. All agree they must go after their mentor.
So begins a quest that takes the young adventurers from their small desert village into the mountains and, with the aid of a strange little man they encounter, right through one of the mountains into an enchanted land, a place full of natural beauty, life, mythical creatures, demons, gods and spirits.
Faiza, the only girl in the group, is unknowingly the tie that binds them all: Bahar, who lives mostly on his own, while his brother works and travels with the region’s trading caravans; Harib, the son of the village’s richest trader; and Parviz, a recently freed slave who is new to the group.
It is her strength of character, quick wit and natural magical powers that keeps the group alive and together. Although, there’s nothing she can do to prevent the fact that all will return home fundamentally changed.
Marva Dasef’s Quest for the Simurgh is a well written, solidly edited and smooth reading novella—something of a rarity in this wild, new world of self-publishing. Targeting what Dasef calls Middle Grade readers, the novella is what most would know as juvenile fiction (preteen). Yet I didn’t feel bored or as if I was “reading down.” No, I was reminded of The Arabian Nights, somewhat modernized. I was definitely introduced to mythological creatures I had never heard before, and I had no difficulty believing I was in a different land.
Dasef’s website indicates the Quest for the Simurgh is the beginning of a larger work she calls The Faiza Chronicles. I hope this work is successful enough to see that series come to light.
Copyright © Clayton Clifford Bye
