Another BOOK!

The Oracle of Stamboul by Michael David Lukas


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received The Oracle of Stamboul written by Michael David Lukas as an Advanced Reader’s Copy and a Goodreads giveaway - thank you!


The main character of this story is Eleonora Cohen, who is, for most of the story, nine years old. I was wondering as I began to read this book if I was going to like a story about a child. However, Eleonora is an unusual girl; she is rather the genius and as we grow with Eleonora, her questions become our questions.


I seem to inadvertently be in the middle of reading a series of books about incredibly smart child protagonists who are pushing out against the control of their lives by the adults (The Hunger Games, Ender’s Game) but unlike the others’ futuristic settings, this story is historical fiction, set in the late declining stages of the Ottoman Empire. I like reading fiction when I can learn something; I promptly looked up the geography and the rulers of the Empire during this period to better understand the events as they unfolded. However, the author gives us plenty of flavor and context; the extra is not necessary. His descriptions are rich and clearly set the time, place and mood. Many of his metaphors are unexpected; it comes as no surprise that he teaches creative writing to elementary school kids. His book has a ‘young adult’ reader feel but then some of the best stories do. There’s no pretentiousness here in his writing; I rather like it and enjoyed reading this book more because of his style of prose.


Read this book if you like historical fiction. Read this book if you like a hint of the mysterious. Read it if you like to explore and learn. I recently read another review somewhere whose reviewer was disappointed at the ending. I wholeheartedly disagree. I will let you decide but I think the ending is the only one that really makes sense for Eleonora and for everyone involved. It is a charming, interesting story and I for one, thoroughly enjoyed it.






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