Set in the 19th century, this fictional tale takes us through the interesting life of Eleonora Cohen, a very bright, and special girl. The historical context of the Ottoman Empire implicates an intertwining of magic and realities that appear, although faintly, throughout the novel. The twists and adventures of the precocious child are captivating. The narrative will transport you to another time and place and the imagery of Istanbul is described very vividly. When the young wunderkind ends up impressing the Sultan with her political opinions, I asked myself, will this child alter the course of history? Read the story and discover the feel of the city of Istanbul, depicted in an enchanting way. Michael Davis Lukas is an American writer and this was his first novel. He resides in Oakland and teaches at San Francisco State University.