Hi everyone! Today I’m so thrilled to be partnering with Disney Book Group in order to give one lucky reader the opportunity to win an Aladdin: Far From Agrabah prize package, which includes a beautiful hardcover edition of Aisha Saeed’s new novel and a magic carpet blanket sure to transport you to a whole new world!
One (1) winner receives:
● A copy of Aladdin: Far from Agrabah
● A magic carpet blanket to read adventures of suspense and wonder.
Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Disney Book Group.
Aladdin: Far from Agrabah is an original novel set in the world of the upcoming Aladdin live-action film from Walt Disney Studios, which is scheduled to be released May 24th 2019!
While Aladdin: Far from Agrabah begins in a manner similar to the events present in the 1992 animated film, Aisha Saeed quickly makes the story of Aladdin her own, crafting a vibrant, colourful and wholly original story that fans of Aladdin will be sure to want to explore.
When Princess Jasmine first met Prince Ali of Ababwa, she was convinced he was no different from the countless other pompous, arrogant and selfish potential suitors her father had introduced her time and time again. Despite her initial misgivings, however, she can’t help but be drawn to Prince Ali, particularly because there are moments, however fleeting, when he reminds her of Aladdin, a dark-haired boy she met and connected with when she was exploring the kingdom of Agrabah disguised as her handmaiden. Jasmine becomes even more enchanted with Prince Ali when he introduces her to his magic carpet, which allows the pair to travel not only to the distant deserts, forests and islands Jasmine has always longed to see, but also to Price Ali’s kingdom, Ababwa. When Aladdin’s magic carpet is stolen and the pair are potentially stranded at Ababwa forever, they must work together as a team to save the carpet and return to Agrabah before it’s too late.
While all of Saeed’s characters are thoroughly loveable, Jasmine is easily the character who shines the brightest. Jasmine is smart, ambitious, and eager to help improve the kingdom of Agrabah and the lives of her citizens. Having grown up watching the strong example of leadership and responsibility exhibited by her mother, a beloved and respected sultana, Jasmine wishes to follow in her footsteps, and longs to have her opinions and advice taken seriously by her father and his advisor, Jafar. It is with Aladdin in Ababwa that Jasmine is treated as an equal for the first time, free from her gilded cage and able to envision a future where she is able to express herself and be taken seriously. This is not the only area in which Saeed’s writing excels. Aladdin: Far from Agrabah sparkles with rich detail, as the author describes everything from buttery baklava to creamy pistachio pudding in mouth-watering detail. Aisha Saeed’s sense of setting is equally immersive and enchanting, as Aladdin shows Jasmine the world on his magic carpet, complete with glimpses of bioluminescent fish, thundering waterfalls and a glimpse of the aurora borealis. The real magic lies not in Aladdin’s lamp, but in the author’s prose.
Aladdin was my favourite Disney film as a child, and being able to re-visit a familiar story and characters while following them on an entirely new journey was a delight. I’m so excited I was able to partner with Disney Book Group today to offer another reader the opportunity to on on this magical journey with me. While I haven’t always been thrilled with Disney’s decision to re-make all of their beloved classics in live-action, Aisha Saeed’s latest novel now has me eager to see Agrabah on the big screen!
About Aisha Saeed
Aisha Saeed is the author of Written In The Stars which was listed as a best book of 2015 by Bank Street Books, a 2016 YALSA Quick Pick For Reluctant Readers, and named one of the top ten books all Young Georgians Should Read in 2016. She is also the author of the middle grade novel Amal Unbound which has received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus and is a Global Read Aloud for 2018. Aisha is also a founding member of the nonprofit We Need Diverse Books™. She has been featured on MTV, the Huffington Post, NBC, and the BBC, and her writings have appeared in publications including the journal ALAN and the Orlando Sentinel.
Title Aladdin: Far From Agrabah
Author Aisha Saeed
Pages 336 Pages
Intended Target Audience Recommended For Ages 10-14
Genre Fantasy, Adventure
Publication Date April 2nd 2019 by Disney Book Group
Find It On Goodreads ● Amazon.com ● Chapters ● The Book Depository
This stunning original novel will tell an all-new story set in the world of the new film, featuring Aladdin and Jasmine.
A magic carpet ride full of adventure, suspense, and wonder written by New York Times best-selling author Aisha Saeed, this story will be a must-read for any Aladdin fans who find themselves drawn into and enchanted by the magical world of Agrabah and beyond.
2 Responses
Thanks so much for sharing this post! I am looking forward to the remake of the movie and Aisha’s newest book!
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This looks amazing!! Can’t wait to read Far from Agrabah.