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Safiyyah Ar-Raheem is an independent author who aims to write books she would like to read. She enjoys educating and enchanting the community with passion and enthusiasm. She wants to offer readers what she would like to read: light-filled adventures.
She is the author of August In Savannah: The Novel, A Grand Fairytale, and The Web We Weave.
You can follow her on Instagram @author_Safiyyah_
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
A Grand Fairytale by Safiyyah Ar-Raheem relates the journey of Princess Nevaeh of Dagda, Prince Loubens of Cailleach, Princess Emma of Danu, Princess Kehlani of Alator, Prince Deitrich of Nuada, Prince Dai’Lyn of Branwen, and Princess Cartier of Morrigan to Castle Eisen in Olorun for the Harvest Festival. Each royal first-person point-of-view character is accompanied by a magical or loyal companion, ranging from dragons to phoenixes, and travels from their unique homeland through the diverse and scenic landscapes of Yemaya. Along the way, they look back on personal memories, develop new bonds, and prepare for a grand familial reunion. The goal is singular although the outcome is uncertain: to get to Castle Eisen, reconnect with their extended family, share their experiences, and celebrate the festival through shared meals, games, and memorable moments.
Safiyyah Ar-Raheem’s A Grand Fairytale is uniquely written in that each chapter is formatted as a vignette in which the characters introduce themselves, each in a different real-world language, while en route to the Harvest Festival. There isn't a traditional plot to the overall book, or at least not one with a feeling of taut conflict, and, with the exception of coming together at the end with closure, each vignette is akin to a short story itself. It works and I enjoyed the book as a whole. I thought the descriptions of the beauty of Yemaya’s diverse landscapes were well done. As readers, we get to see so much, including the majesty of cascading waterfalls, forests, and colorful marshlands. Overall, this book is perfect for fans of character-driven storytelling that savors life’s quiet moments and celebrates the ties of family, tradition, and home.
