Customer Reviews

Quest for the Simurgh

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Simurgh is a creature of myth and magic, as are many of the creatures who inhabit this story. Thankfully, none of them are the usual overworked gang of dwarves, elves, trolls, etc. that have populated most of the books in this genre of late.

The tale is set in the pre-Islamic middle east, and the author has drawn from Persian and Mesopotamian (those are the ones I recognize, there may be others) mythology for her characters and magical beings. As the title implies, the story is a quest. Faiza, the heroine, and her three companions set out to find their teacher, Master Wafa, whom they fear has been kidnapped. Like all good quests, there are obstacles to overcome, hardships to be endured, and challenges to be met. There are also a couple of pretty good battles to be fought along the way. Faiza and her friends must also confront and conquer their own demons, both literally and figuratively, each in his or her own way.

The story is well-written, the characters well-drawn, appealing and believable. I cared about Faiza, and wanted her to succeed. Master Wafa is quite a different take on the usual mentor/magician, and the magical creatures encountered throughout the story are delightfully different and wonderfully described. I heartily recommend this book to all who enjoy a good adventure tale.

This book is well-edited and well-formatted. It's a cross between YA and a children's story. The concepts are such that it's YA, but things are simplified in some places, and thus it reads for an even younger age (8-9?). Some of the problems presented are quite simple as are the solutions. (Do we accept a girl even though she is a girl, do we trust our friends, do we forgive them and so on.) In some cases, challenges are solved so quickly it is more what I would expect from a young children's book. For example, the children decide to go on a quest--to achieve this they have to make up excuses or lies. This part would have been more believable had they simply run away because some of the scenes didn't ring true at all (especially that of Parvis. I don't believe with his background he would have taken the route he did--nor do I believe his father would have allowed it).

The descriptions and mythology are handled quite well and in good detail. The unusual characters and the various legends were a big strength of this book. However, it is here that I am not certain a younger child would remain engaged because some of the detail spans several pages. The world that is created is quite magical and intriguing in several scenes.

The children in this story reminded me a bit of the Boxcar Children with a spiritual/mental challenge. Each child is given a challenge in the book, but there is not as much depth here as I would expect with a YA. In a normal quest, you would expect a YA to face a challenge that had grown throughout their lives--so perhaps a person who had always been tempted by gold/riches, would have to face that down. This story did not have such a background with every character. When it did have "past doubts" it was not as well-developed as I would have liked. I would have liked to see the self-doubts early--and then have to see them faced down.

Although I don't know quite where this story fits age-wise, it is well-written and mildly entertaining. The pace could have been faster, especially in the beginning. The early scenes were used to "setup" the story and the personalities. While done well, I think it could have been done more effectively during the journey. They served a purpose, but were slow.

I think the characterization was good for a children/YA, but not good enough to make the cross to adult (some YA are very good crossovers into adult; this is more a crossover into childrens).

The most interesting thing about the book is the legends and unusual beasts; these were imaginative and fleshed out well.

I was given this wonderful book quite recently and became an adult Marva Dasef fan. On so many different levels, "Quest for the Simurgh" was a real page turner for me. The final battle was terrible and awesome. The death of Menog brought tears. Character weaknesses of the individual young people made them susceptible to so much trouble. Then Marva allows redemption and a future each can control. Is there a tiny reference toward the end to another of Marva's books? Master Wafa talks about waiting too long to visit a girl, Cadida, who lives on the other side of the mountains. If Marva Dasef had been writing when I was a teen, her books would have enchanted me along with Tarzan of the Apes, Call of the Wild, and The Black Stallion.

This book is just great reading, not only for young adults and pre-teens, but older readers will be drawn into a well told tale set in a fantasy world that is very believable. Highly recommended.

Quest for the Simurgh is a great book about a girl named Faiza who wants to find out why the village magician has disappeared. She thinks he left a clue for her, because she finds his most precious book open and marked with an x with chalk. She thinks he is telling her to seek the magical birds the Simurghs who are not very far away. She and three boys from her class head to the mountains where the Simurghs are said to be found. They meet a strange little man who said he would bring them to the Simurghs. But he is actually a spirit leading them to a battle between good and evil. Faiza meets the good goddess Anahita who tells her about the war the spirit is bringing them to. The goddess persuades Faiza to help her win the war and warns her that the boys will betray her.

I would recommend this book to someone who likes Fantasies and Myths. This book has lots of magical creatures from the Middle East like Simurghs, Gods, Griffins, Flying Horses, and lots more. My favorite part is when Faiza and the boys enter the war and you wonder if the boys are on the good or the bad side.

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

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

I must say this was a super fun read! I don't want to give away the plot, but I will say that the characters were believable, easy to identify with, and fun to root for. To me, it was a mixture of The Chronicles of Narnia, The Alchemist, and Eragon. The combination of myth and legend blended seamlessly with the setting of ancient Persia. Clear descriptions, strong action, and a steady pace added up to an all around solid piece of work. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's work. Certainly, I would recommend it for others to read.

My first thought when seeing that Marva Dasef had a new book out was:

> "What the heck is a simurgh?" My second was: "Who cares?"

>

>

>

> But I'm familiar with Marva's work; I wanted to see what she had to

> offer. I had no clue what to expect when I finally got around to

> reading it. Folks, this ain't no Harry Potter. Thank goodness! That's

> been done to death. Marva's magic school is nothing like Hogwart's

> Academy.

>

>

>

> Marva's simple school of magic features a wizard who teaches

> about magical creatures but has never even seen one. Not only that, he

> teaches the kids reading and writing before they even get started on

> wizardry. Marva, through her mediocre mage, gives the young reader

> his/or/her first hint that the pen is not only mightier than the

> sword, but it can evoke more magic than a wand.

>

>

> Faiza, her heroine, battles alongside gods against demons, where

> the puny magic of humans would be worthless anyway. Can she use her

> wits and lead her merry band of men..., er, boys-to save the human

> race from worldwide war? Epic battles test her, but her teacher has

> taught her well.

>

>

>

> So final thoughts to Marva Dasef: Why didn't you come up with a title

> that would give a potential reader a hint of the simple, yet elegant

> tale that is Quest for the Simurgh? Final thoughts to the reader: I

> still haven't revealed what a simurgh is, have I? Buy this book and

> find out for yourself. You'll be glad you did

I couldn't put it down. Enjoyed it more than a lot of other books similar in story matter. The characters were well crafted and the heroine was believable in that you wanted to go along with her on her quest. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to sink into a good adventure tale.

This novel is a delight. Packed full of adventure, it weaves timeless myth and lore with contemporary characters and a fulfilling storyline. The characters felt genuine, and as a reader I cared about their plight. The author holds true to a wonderful and consistent voice while pulling the reader into her world. A lovely, fun-packed tale - an exciting read for all ages.

A wonderful read for all kids. I'm adding this book to my "buy more of" to give as Christmas gifts to the kids in my family. A rollicking adventure filled with thrills, excitement and memorable characters. Quest for the Simurgh