<i>The Seven Keys of Balabad</i> (review)
2009; Johns Hopkins University Press; Volume: 62; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1353/bcc.0.0724
ISSN1558-6766
Autores Tópico(s)Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East
ResumoReviewed by: The Seven Keys of Balabad Karen Coats Haven, Paul The Seven Keys of Balabad; illus. by Mark Zug. Random House, 2009 [288p] Library ed. ISBN 978-0-375-93350-9$19.99 Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-375-83350-2$16.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 6-9 Over five hundred years ago, King Agamon of the fictional country of Balabad hid his enormous treasure from an invading army and sent the seven keys to its hiding place off in different directions with his seven sons. Unfortunately, Agamon did not survive, and the secret of the treasure's hiding place remained entrusted to his advisor, who had a map of the labyrinthine passages leading to the treasure woven into a majestic carpet. Flash forward to the present, where the theft of a carpet from a mosque and six of the seven keys from businessmen and entrepreneurs all over the world lead Zee, a young boy from a distinguished family in Balabad and owner of the final key, and his new friend Oliver, son of a New York journalist and an art historian, into the middle of a dangerous and elaborate plot to raid the treasure. The two are joined by Alamai, the daughter of a former Balabad soldier who helps them piece together the mystery, and it is her bold fearlessness that leads them to uncover the clues to the treasure. In the style of the Indiana Jones adventures, this action-adventure transports readers to an exotic, richly imagined location with classic villains, danger lurking around every turn, and a climax that delivers on the suspense with rich rewards. The setting becomes fully realized as the kids traipse through the Thieves' Market and chase their quarry through the city to the ruined palace, and then descend into the maze of tunnels under the city. It may all be familiar to the point of mild hokeyness, but Haven makes it perpetually entertaining. Reviewed from an unillustrated galley. Copyright © 2009 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
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