I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A young woman falls for the man whose life she inadvertently stole in author Zachary Hagen’s “Aisha’s Secret.”

The Synopsis 

How many masks can one girl wear?

Aisha is the best thief in Easima, the capital of Makan Alsahar. She wants to survive and to thrive, but how can she? After all, an orphaned daughter of a seamstress without a single honest dinari can’t aspire to much more than stealing the very bread she needs to live…and maybe a few fancy jewels and golden trinkets.

On a particularly fruitful day of thievery, Aisha finds a bottle and unleashes the fiery djinn within. When the djinn, Qadira, offers her three wishes in gratitude for her freedom, she mistakenly wishes to become a princess. However, instead of becoming the daughter of a childless king, she switches lives with Prince Aladdin.

Thrust into the life of princess of Makan Alsahar, Aisha must navigate the convoluted intrigue of the palace court. Unfortunately, Rapha, a low-level advisor, knows who she is and blackmails her into helping him rise through the levels of the royal advisory.

When Aisha meets Aladdin in the markets of Easima, she starts to fall for him even though she stole the life that was rightfully his. Now Aisha must hide her true identity and help Rapha climb the ladder of success in the Makan Alsaharn court. Will she keep living a beautiful lie, or will the truth be what it takes to finally leave her old life behind for real?

From the author of the Eternal Chronicles comes a dramatic retelling of the story of Aladdin. The intrigue and drama of Aisha’s Secret will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

The Review 

A truly remarkable twist on an iconic story. The narrative flips the script so many know on the story of Aladdin, making him the known royalty of this land and Aisha the street thief who finds the magical djinn who grants her wish. The creativity is equally matched by powerful imagery that brings the unique setting of the city of Easima to life, and the tension that builds throughout the narrative was palpable.

What really brought this story to life was the character development and world building. The twist that makes Aisha’s identity from her past still in play and how she continues to fight for survival as a result showcases how no wish can undo trauma or hardship. Her bond and connection to Aladdin and the tension between them as she wrestles with her secret brings the emotional weight this story needs as well.

The Verdict

Captivating, thrilling, and entertaining, author Zachary Hagen’s “Aisha’s Secret” is a must read fantasy story. The twist and turns this story takes and the complex yet enthralling character dynamics at play will keep readers engaged in this evolving narrative. If you haven’t yet be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author 

Zachary Hagen is a fantasy author and editor. He lives his wife, Claudia, and their dog, Flynn. When he isn’t busy writing his next book or teaching, you can often find him walking around his neighbor hood or up hiking in Hanging Rock Park with his wife and their friends.

From a young age he was enthralled with the world of story. From the stories his parents read to him from his blue bedtime story books (if you know, you know) to the first two series that he read, The Chronicles of Narnia and A Series of Unfortunate Events, Zachary’s tastes continued to develop throughout his years of reading.

The influences for his first series, The Eternal Chronicles, include Christopher Paolini, J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and others.