In the Palace of the Khans by Peter Dickinson is a children’s story about Nigel, the son of the British ambassador to a backward Asian mountain country. He has heard stories about the brutality of the Khan of Dirzhan who is said to have had his own brother killed and also that he once shot two cabinet ministers to death at a meeting where they disagreed with him. He also hears that the Khan is very protective of his daughter so when Nigel is asked to go to the palace to help the her practice her English, he is very nervous but he and Taeela form a friendship. When the enemies of the Khan make their move on the Khan, Taeela finds herself being hunted. Nigel helps her escape and together they flee across the countryside, picking up a small group of refugees as they go.

Politics form a strong backdrop for this story. The British are there to get a foothold in this emerging country that had been under Russian control for some years. A large dam is being planned by the Khan which could help his country step into the 21st century, but there are many against the dam and the changes to the landscape that it would bring also who would do the building is also a major issue as both Britain and Russia were vying for the job.

The story was exciting but being a children’s story, the issues brought up were simplified and resolved rather too quickly. Other important factors that are mentioned in passing but rather glossed over are the country’s strong tribal affiliations and it’s Muslim religion. Peter Dickinson is a well known children’s author who has won many awards and although The Palace of the Khans is not one of his absolute best stories, it is nonetheless a very fine story that blends contemporary themes with an old fashioned adventure story. ( )