by Julie Berry
Part of Wishes and Wellingtons, book 1
First published 2020
Maeve Merritt despises the strict regulations at her London boarding school for "Upright Young Ladies." Her latest punishment sends her digging through refuse, where she discovers a sardine tin containing an irritable djinni who refuses to acknowledge a schoolgirl as his master. The magical being brings unwanted attention from multiple pursuers. An orphan boy from the neighboring charitable institution tracks them down. A tall stranger with ginger whiskers joins the chase. A discontented school employee enters the hunt. A ruthless business magnate also seeks Maeve's supernatural find. Each pursuer wants the djinni for their own purposes. Maeve must rely on her cleverness and bold attitude to navigate the dangerous situation. She faces mounting pressure as the various parties close in on her location. The young woman discovers that controlling a djinni involves far more complexity than fairy tales suggest. Her quick wit becomes her greatest weapon against those who would take her magical discovery by force.
Genres: historical-fiction, adventure, fantasy, young-adult
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: London
Period: 19th-century
363 pages · Hardcover · Sourcebooks Young Readers