Rostam Wrecks the Realm

By: Olivia Abtahi

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026-06-09

The Last Dragon on Mars meets Persian mythology in this action-packed sci-fi fantasy space adventure about a boy fighting to save his planet after making a pact with an ancient demon that snuffs out their sun.

After leaving Earth, Rostam Zamini had just gotten used to life on Enceladus—one of Saturn’s many moons—only to once again have to move when one of his moms gets a fancy new job on dusty and dull Pars-1.

Rostam had worked hard and managed to make friends on Enceladus, but none of the Pars-1 kids seem to be impressed with Rostam’s big-city background. In desperate need of some space cred, Rostam makes a deal with Zahhak—a centuries-old demon prince—for popularity in exchange for the golden mace described in The Persian Book of Kings.

But when Rostam hands the mace over, he unknowingly plunges the planet into darkness by accidentally killing their ancient sun, a red giant. Now he must right his wrongs and save his new home before it’s too late.