A review by laurieb755
Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef

4.0

Kiyash Monsef (https://www.kiyash.com/) has written a thoroughly engrossing fantasy that draws from his Iranian background, his childhood interests and the place where he both grew up and made his home as an adult with a family. His name sounded familiar to me and then I saw his dedication: To Jane McGonigal. Bingo, it all clicked! Years and years ago (2012) I discovered Jane McGonigal thanks to her TED Talk about the game she created to help deal with her concussion. One web search led to another and connections were made.

Searching for connections is not unlike Marjan’s journey to find out what, exactly, happened to her father; what, exactly, is it that he really and truly did as a veterinarian; what, exactly, is the connection between the stories he used to tell her (weren’t they just tales?) and the mysterious life he led; and what, exactly, is the ‘thing’ that is causing her to feel that she is missing something within her. That’s a lot for a teenager to deal with as she tries to cope with the sudden death of her father after losing her mother a number of years earlier. 

Marjan will have to trust herself, think on her feet, and open her eyes to the wonder of the magical creatures that need her help. It turns out that taking over her father’s veterinary practice isn’t quite as straight forward and simple as one might expect. Throughout her journey of discovery (which includes learning about herself), Marjan will find her friendships with Grace and Carrie tested, meet a self-described white witch, Malloryn, who becomes a friend, and have an adventure with Sebastian. 

Once was, once wasn’t. So begins each tale shared by Marjan’s Dad. I could have read a book just of these legends, they were intriguing! Kiyash Monsef brings these worlds to life (the story and the legends within) with his beautiful writing, using just the right amount of words to paint pictures of a place that, if you are willing to suspend belief in the known, brings to life a fantastic world of the unknown. I’ve already placed his next book on reserve at my local Library.