While I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my review, all opinions remain my own.

All Dayla wants is to go home. Instead she's stuck with her dad (who is too busy working) in Instambul. trying to get the old family home ready for sale. What happens next is a wild adventure that Dayla didn't expect from an old ink bottle.

I loved this story. It had beautiful imagery and you could just see the pictures in your head as you were reading. I think it would be perfect for any young girl. I loved the story and was kind of sad to see it end.

I have been trying to read this book ever since it came to me but I am not able to. IT SIMPLY JUST WON'T OPEN. But still I requested this book because of its cover and the story synopsis. Even though there is a saying 'Don't judge a book by its cover', I simply can't help myself and so I have to say, the cover is awesome and I believe so is the story.

well I. guess I wont. be Reading this book it wont download for. me. and that is Sad. i had been really looking forward to Reading this book. I have heard and Read Great reviews about The book

I absolutely adore this book! It's been so many years since I read a book based on magic other than comic series or graphic novels! And I am so glad I picked this one up at the right time. And rightly so when I am an adult who gets really stressed out from all the mundane activities of daily life and work. This book worked like charm in making me believe in magic all over again!
The book narrates the story of a young girl, Dalya, who is away from her home with her dad at Istanbul to visit her aunt. She finds herself in an old house to spend the following days which she already starts dreading the moment she gets in. But life is going to change for her when she meets this unusual cat in the house. Her aunt seems to know something. Dalya feels she being watched all the time. Her dad still has work issues even though they are on a vacation. She's getting frustrated soon enough and no one can blame her.
But magic is awaiting her, will find her true friends, a story to tell about her great great grandmother, and finally fulfil her wish to be home.

I love the way the book.is written. It's pretty adventurous with a variety of character representation. It sometimes seems like a fairy tale with a bad aunt, magic performances, animal friends and acquaintances of all kinds! Wait, is there time travelling as well?

This book will work well for both cat and dog lovers as well because there are important characters representing both. And the characters are all so lively and unique that I simply rushed through all the chapters in just one sitting. It's that good.

Somehow I kept wanting for more when the book ended.

I like the author's work a lot and I will be looking forward to every book written by her.

And yes, I would love to watch this one as a movie adaptation! It's that vivid while I was reading the book!

Totally recommended 👍

"Mashallah has many special meanings," he said. "Usually, you say it when you notice something wonderful or beautiful about someone you love. It's a way of asking for protection. That good luck charm necklace is also meant to protect you."
"From what?"
"Jealousy. envy. We call it the Evil Eye," he said. "Saying mashallah reminds us that everything good in this world is exactly as God willed it. You say it when you feel thankful for the goodness your loved ones have been given and you want to keep them safe from anyone who would take it away, but it only works if you say it with your whole heart."

This book is precious! It brings me sense of belongingness, brings me to exciting adventures, brings meaning to friendship, bravery, kindness, and love. Such a beautiful book for children to read.

I am shock at first because this is 200 pages long. I thought it includes illustrations but it is just like a real long book for children. The story reminds me a lot of Coraline. They went to visit an old house, the place looks creepy, there's a little girl and a cat, then she is brought to a different place she didn't know. The difference is that Dalya is the cat in this story.

The book has a lot of stirring twists. She went back to the past, she tried her best to go home and understand why Zehra Hala told her she is the family's secret and she met great friends. It's grand! I love the friendship with Mina, Boz, Azman and Dalya. Though it was only a short time that they were together, I find their friendship charming and sweet.

I love Dalya's characteristic. Though still a child, she is definitely wise enough to assess her situation and weigh her options on the things she needs to do. She chose friendship over anything else. Even when things get so messed up, she still knows what she wants to do.

I also adore Mina. She also prioritize friendship over anything. She is loyal and she will do anything for her friends. She stands up for them and protect them. She is a sweet person. The end shows how she values her friends when she willingly let Dalya go because she wants her to be happy. Truly selfless!

The end is surprising. I never expected it will turn out to be like that. Dalya's adventures and story is peculiar and noteworthy. I love this so much.

Conclusion:
Definitely recommended to anyone who love Children's Fiction. If you love Coraline, you will certainly adore this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Capstone for this ARC.

Delightful story of a girl named Dalya who, on vacation with her Dad in Istanbul, is mistakenly transformed into a cat, and transported back in time.

As we read through the story, we learn that Dalya goes back in time to "set things right." Little do we know what that means until the end of the story. You have to read it to find out.

A fabulous children's/middle grade book. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

A girl, a rat, and a cat. Those are the main characters of this novel set in 1900s Istanbul. Oh, and later a dog joins them. And there are menacing squirrels. And oh, yes, there is a magic ink bottle with a jinn that only grants one wish.

It is a crazy, rip roaring ride. Dalya makes a wish to go home, because, well, she figures any place is better than her father’s childhood home in Istanbul where he is ignoring her. But, the way that magic works, as is always true, is that you don’t always get what you think you want.

At first I was a bit annoyed at the novel, because fI felt it was throwing stuff at us that had no connections, and by the end, I felt that it mostly all came together.

It is a good message that home is what you make it. And it was cool that actions have consequences. And that time travel does make a difference. I feared that it wouldn’t, and it would be a “oh, I had a strange dream,” sort of story. I was glad that it was not that sort.

A little slow in the beginning, and then once the craziness starts, it never lets up.

Good middle grade book. I think kids in that age group will enjoy it, and perhaps want to find out more about Istanbul.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

My kids and I loved this story. Not only was it exciting but we love time travel and cats so... Hoping it becomes a series so we can keep up with the characters!