Safiyyah Ar-Raheem’s The Beginning: An August in Savannah is a short story featuring Symone’s move to Savannah, Georgia. Symone learns there is to be a dance at the school on the Saturday before classes were to start. At the dance, she notices an attractive boy dressed all in black. He sees her across the room and asks her to dance. She tells him her family moved to Savannah because it was safer than Boston. Arius responds with a cynical story about Savannah’s demons. The next day, Symone goes for a walk along River Street. She follows a set of stairs but feels as if someone is following her. She runs away from her pursuer but gets yanked behind a dumpster with a rag against her face. Oddly, Arius rescues her from a dark concrete room. How did he know where she was and what is he not telling her?

Safiyyah Ar-Raheem builds suspense with Arius and his mysterious persona. I would not be open to Arius’ strange explanation about immortal races. Symone’s perspective is typical of a sophomore in high school. It is enlightening to hear how Arius spoke formally with words such as "thee" and "Miss, it is my pleasure." He appears to be a lot older than Symone, who speaks more casually. The change from one event to the next was easy to follow. It was effortless for me to picture thanks to the vivid depictions of the surroundings. The discussion at the dance hooked me with its intrigue. I was stunned by the ending of the book. It was abrupt, and I am eager to read the sequel. I would recommend The Beginning to readers who enjoy fantasy stories involving forces of light and dark.

The Beginning: An August in Savannah Novel is a fantasy romance by Safiyyah Ar-Raheem. Symone and her family have just moved from their home in Boston to the seemingly tranquil pastures of Savannah in Georgia. Although she misses her friends back in Boston, Symone is eager to make the best of her situation and enrolls in St. Patrick's Academy as a sophomore, where at a school dance, she meets Arius. Feeling an instant mutual connection, Symone and Arius soon take long walks, with Arius even introducing himself to her father. However, when Arius reveals that Savannah may not be as safe as it seems and that he is one of the Ageless, Symone can't decide if she can trust him. Meanwhile, during one of her walks in the city, she is kidnapped, needing Arius to rescue her. Can she trust him?

Fans of stories like Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series will find a lot to love about The Beginning. Safiyyah Ar-Raheem's novella features a fascinating blend of romance, intrigue, and mystery that hints at something far more than it first appears to be. This feels like an introductory book where the author has set up the characters and the world for the story to grow. Ar-Raheem keeps the plot moving at an even pace, and the easygoing narrative makes for a smooth and relaxing reading experience. Symone and Arius' teen romance is the heartbeat of the story. Their chemistry feels genuine, and each scene featuring them together is a joy to read. I will recommend this book to young adult readers who love paranormal romances with mystery and intrigue.