A Whole New World by Liz Braswell is a what-if story set in the world of Disney’s Aladdin. The story is what if at the Cave of Wonders Aladdin gave Jafar the lamp. A Whole New World is the first book in the Twisted Tale series. The tone surprised me a little. It starts as the rated G (for general audiences). Then the twist happens and it turns PG-13. Jafar straight-up murders the Sultan. Someone’s head gets pulled off by magic. Which is a gruesome scene. I thought Jafar would transform someone into a snake. Their head starts lifting above their neck. However, the head gets pulled up and then off. The story leans into themes the original movie explored about the poor and rich classes but expands upon them. Jasmine realizes that her father, the sultan, was a horrible ruler. He did not do anything for the poor. When Jafar is in charge the novel turns into a revolution and the resistance story. Jasmine takes on the role of Princess Leia to run the resistance. Meanwhile, Aladdin leads a gang called the Street Rats like Robin Hood. Both Star Wars and Robin Hood are about resistance so it fits well. The Genie is interesting. He is under Jafar’s control, so he rarely jokes. This story emphasizes Genie being enslaved. Jafar’s plan for the story is to rule but he’s not just content with Agrabah he wants the whole world. How does Jafar plan to rule the world? By creating an army of the dead. The Genie’s rules are clear. He cannot grant more wishes. He cannot make someone fall in love. He cannot raise the dead. What The Genie can do is help find a book a dark sorcery that will teach Jafar to raise an army of the dead. The stakes are high in this story. The pace of the is a little slow until the final battle. The pace could have been better if the reader knew more about Jafar’s plan. The resistance is slow to set up. I was satisfied with the ending. Braswell does a good job at setting everything right. So the ending is still close-ish to how the movie ends, with way more character’s deaths. A Whole New World by Liz Braswell was published on September 1, 2015.

Plot Summary: Aladdin is a thief known as a street rat. He steals only what he needs never anymore. Jasmine is the Princess of Agrabah who has never left the palace. One day Jasmine has had enough and escapes beyond the palace walls in disguise. Jafar has tried to break into the Cave of Wonders to retrieve a magic lamp. The Genie is trapped inside, but Jafar has not found anyone worthy. Jafar using dark magic reveals Aladdin is the one worthy. Jasmine walks the streets and finds two small kids who are hungry near a fruit stand. She plucks some fruit off the cart and gives it to them. This is something Aladdin notices but also the fruit merchant who shouts, thief! And grabs her. Aladdin saves Jasmine with quick wit but ends up being caught and imprisoned. Jasmine is told Aladdin has been executed, but Aladdin is in prison. Aladdin is with another prisoner who breaks free. The prisoner reveals a secret passage to Aladdin. He will show it to Aladdin if he retrieves a lamp in the Cave of Wonders. Aladdin agrees. The other prisoner explains the rule that he can not touch anything other than the lamp. Aladdin with Abu his pet monkey tucked in his shirt enter the cave. They find a lot of treasure and a flying carpet, which they befriend. The carpet takes them to the lamp. Aladdin grabs the lamp as Abu grabs a huge diamond. Lava bursts through the Cave of Wonders as it starts to implode. Aladdin asks the carpet to bring him to the entrance. They shoot through the cave and make it to the other prisoner. He grabs Aladdin and asks for the lamp. Aladdin gives him the lamp as the prisoner kicks Aladdin down with his foot, into the closing Cave of Wonders. The prisoner throws off his disguise to reveal Jafar who cackles as he rubs the lamp summoning the Genie inside. He makes two wishes to become sultan and the most powerful sorcerer in the world. Find out what his last wish will be.

What I Liked: Conversations in different classes. I did enjoy both of the classes coming together to defeat Jafar in the end. I liked that the gang of thieves was called the Street Rats. Jasmine’s character had a lot to do way more than the Aladdin film. I enjoyed how much strength Braswell gave her. I liked the flashback with young Aladdin and his mother. The end battle was long and intense. I liked that the last battle had consequences. I liked what Jafar had to sacrifice for the blood magic to work. I like Raja the tiger was used and the paw print was used as a symbol for the revolution. The slave background for Genie was used even though I had issues with how the character was used. I liked and was terrified by how Jafar used the magic carpet for a dark spell.

What I Disliked: The Genie did so much extra for Jafar all he had to say is that your wish. He did 15 mini-wishes. The book did explain why he let Jafar run all over him. He was a slave and used to getting ordered around. I could have gone with the little details the book gave. Iago the parrot is constantly crapping on Jafar’s shoulder. This detail made Jafar have a nefarious rank smell. The story took way too long to reveal Jafar’s master plan. I felt the story was more mature but it did not need to go as extreme as it did.

Recommendation: This is my second Twisted Tales book. I like the story more for A Whole New World than Once Upon A Dream (the Sleeping Beauty story). I grew up reading Marvel Comics What If stories. I enjoy reading the What If stories. I feel both stories have had moments of cleverness but the overall story did not work. I can not recommend A Whole New World to my followers.

Rating: I rated A Whole New World by Liz Braswell 2.8 out of 5 stars.