Dalya and the Magic Ink Bottle by Evenson, J.M.

4.5 out of 5 🌟Charming mixture of magic and adventure

Just after a few pages into 'Dalya and the Magic Bottle' I knew that book is exceptional. I started reading it with my son and cannot stop after he was already long asleep. It reminded me of a feeling when I was reading 'Harry Potter' for the first time. The novel is captivating and magical, a true fairytale. I enjoyed almost everything about this title. It's an international adventure that takes place in Istanbul, Turkey with squad goals like in ‘Wizard of Oz’ and mysterious events reminding me of ‘Alice in Wonderland’.

The story is about a young girl from Ohio who arrived in Istambul with her Dad to meet their relatives and spend summer in an old family house. Both the Turkish mansion and her family share a secret that will lead her into a magical journey.

Did I mention I loved the story? It's packed with action, cliffhangers, plot twists, and adorable characters. Even if is full of old cliches like talking animals and evil aunties I didn't frown once. Yes, it is predictable and I'd love to see more developed and multi-layered characters but let's remember it's a quite short book and recommended for 8-12-year-old readers. What I really enjoyed was the international flavor - how Dalya, who was born in the USA, looked at her family's country and how her perception of importance of cultural heritage changed with time.

Both I and my 9-year-old totally love this 'Dalya and the Magic Bottle'. I’ll definitely buy a copy for my local library.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and feelings are my own.

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