Jonathan Michael Heilig

The Sultan's Blacksmith Jonathan Michael Heilig

Historical Novel SocietyAugust 2020The Sultan's BlacksmithREVIEW BY J. LYNN ELSEBorn in 1590 on the same day as the future sultan, Kismet is raised by his grandfather in the slums of Istanbul. Due to his uncanny abilities, Kismet will embark on extraordinary adventures. From blacksmith to sultan's advisor to wanted fugitive, Kismet's journey is one of self-discovery, intrigue, and wonder. Kismet is an intelligent boy placed in exceptional circumstances. The story explores many aspects of life in 17th-century Istanbul in lovely, rich detail. Heilig's prose skillfully hints at the underlying magic at work in Kismet's life, an enjoyable main character who stays true to himself. While the story offers a diversity of male characters, females are sparse and largely uninfluential. This is probably true to society, but dropping a few women in Kismet's path would broaden the book's audience. It's a magical realism tale, so anything is possible. There are aspects of The Sultan's Blacksmith that remind me of The Alchemist. The book may appear middle grade, but the subject matter, character age, and language are more appropriate for adult audiences. Also of note are some formatting errors with regard to paragraph breaks and spacing, and dialogue between different characters that runs together. While I typically gravitate towards books with stronger female characters, I enjoyed this book and its vibrant historical setting. There's an enchanting sense of culture which permeates the pages, inviting readers to stay awhile and enjoy a cup of tea. Additionally, the ending provides just the right amount of wrap-up of the story elements with a lingering mystical aftertaste that sticks with you. A well-written, charming tale about the mysteries of fate.