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ki4eva's review
3.0
An interesting book. I found the ending a little anticlimactic compared to the build up throughout the book.
cakt1991's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nightwing's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Great representation! Definitely should be on the “Similar to Percy Jackson” lists.
I thought the book could use more world building in general but it was still pretty good.
I couldn’t stand the brother at all though.
I thought the book could use more world building in general but it was still pretty good.
I couldn’t stand the brother at all though.
emthom's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
emilysbookishlife's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
library_kb's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I read this via audiobook via Libro.fm's ALC program for educators.
While this book was not my favorite, I do think that it will really work for other people! I thought that the pacing was a little episodic--with each challenge coming one after another and not a ton of build up to the final climax--so it felt underwhelming for me. However, I really loved the sibling relationship, Amira's love of science (and how she deals with magic within her science-loving worldview), and the ways that historical facts are interspersed throughout--so I learned a lot about Middle Eastern and South Asian history throughout! I think that middle schoolers (5th-8th) who would enjoy any of the Riordan Presents books will also enjoy this book!
While this book was not my favorite, I do think that it will really work for other people! I thought that the pacing was a little episodic--with each challenge coming one after another and not a ton of build up to the final climax--so it felt underwhelming for me. However, I really loved the sibling relationship, Amira's love of science (and how she deals with magic within her science-loving worldview), and the ways that historical facts are interspersed throughout--so I learned a lot about Middle Eastern and South Asian history throughout! I think that middle schoolers (5th-8th) who would enjoy any of the Riordan Presents books will also enjoy this book!
kateteaching7and8's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to #NetGalley and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for allowing me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of Amira and Hamza: The War to Save the Worlds by Samira Ahmed. This middle grade novel will be published on September 21, 2021. All opinions are my own.
Amira loves science and is incredibly excited to witness a rare super blue blood moon eclipse. At the event, Amira can't stop arguing with her little brother, Hamza. Amira is awed by the exhibit on medieval Islamic astronomy, but Hamza gets bored and wanders off. Amira finds him just as he's opening an exhibit case and removing the forbidden Box of the Moon. The box springs to life under Hamza's touch and sets off a series of events that could end the world. Time freezes and everyone but Amira and Hamza falls into a deep sleep. The siblings are approached by two jinn and learn that they are part of an ancient prophecy. The two must travel to the mystical land of Qaf, face a series of challenges to show their worth, and defeat a great evil all before a piece of the moons hurtles into the Earth ending life as they know it.
This book is steeped in Islamic legends and history. I love a good mythology/legend based book and this one did not disappoint. It's perfect for fans of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. I loved Amira's love of science and the incorporation of science and logic into the story. Amira and Hamza are the chosen ones but rather than having magical powers, they rely on the prior knowledge and each other to complete their tasks. The two have a strong sibling relationship even if they do fight sometimes. This was a great mixture of legend, science, history, adventure, and humor. There honestly wasn't a dull moment in the book. I also very much enjoyed the illustrations at the beginning of the chapters.
Amira loves science and is incredibly excited to witness a rare super blue blood moon eclipse. At the event, Amira can't stop arguing with her little brother, Hamza. Amira is awed by the exhibit on medieval Islamic astronomy, but Hamza gets bored and wanders off. Amira finds him just as he's opening an exhibit case and removing the forbidden Box of the Moon. The box springs to life under Hamza's touch and sets off a series of events that could end the world. Time freezes and everyone but Amira and Hamza falls into a deep sleep. The siblings are approached by two jinn and learn that they are part of an ancient prophecy. The two must travel to the mystical land of Qaf, face a series of challenges to show their worth, and defeat a great evil all before a piece of the moons hurtles into the Earth ending life as they know it.
This book is steeped in Islamic legends and history. I love a good mythology/legend based book and this one did not disappoint. It's perfect for fans of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. I loved Amira's love of science and the incorporation of science and logic into the story. Amira and Hamza are the chosen ones but rather than having magical powers, they rely on the prior knowledge and each other to complete their tasks. The two have a strong sibling relationship even if they do fight sometimes. This was a great mixture of legend, science, history, adventure, and humor. There honestly wasn't a dull moment in the book. I also very much enjoyed the illustrations at the beginning of the chapters.
alenka's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was fun! Amira and Hamza (12 and 10 year old siblings, respectively) are attending a viewing of the very unique blue blood moon eclipse at their local Islamic Center. Hamza, always rambunctious, is drawn to a strange ancient box. Amira is as well, although she doesn't want to admit it, and while she's fighting with him to get him to put it back in its case, the box - which no one has been able to figure out how to work in hundreds of years - suddenly starts moving. When the kids run to get their parents, they find all the adults seemingly in the world have fallen into a soft sleep. Scared and confused, the kids run outside, right into a Jinn Army that claims they are chosen ones who will stop the evil Ifrit from breaking apart the moon and letting his armies overrun the human world.
The structure of this story will be familiar to any Rick Riordan presents fan (or mythology fans in general) and is a good recommendation for any such readers. Amira and Hamza have a fun, familiar sibling dynamic, full of both fighting and aggressive support of each other. The book is all written in Amira's perspective, and despite their issues she feels fiercely protective of her younger brother and takes the older sibling role very seriously, even when it lands her in danger. Amira's also battling feelings of inadequacy after failing her orange belt testing at Karate AGAIN. Hamza is generally fearless, except when it comes to heights, and his optimism overpowers all negativity. This can annoy Amira, but proves to be a bit of a superpower as prospects of winning the fight start to look bad. There is a good arc in the last third,involving the jinn Vizier who never wears his reading glasses realizing the siblings aren't supposed to have been the chosen ones. As a jinn, he doesn't have a strong understanding of linear human time, and picked up the wrong people. However, Amira and Hamza choose themselves as heroes, and forge on anyway. It's very well done, and the siblings see each other's strengths in a way that feels very right. It's not saccharine, just respectful and full of their regular banter.
A very solid, action-filled story with a small hint at a possible sequel. The emotional arc of it will appeal to readers who liked The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes.
The structure of this story will be familiar to any Rick Riordan presents fan (or mythology fans in general) and is a good recommendation for any such readers. Amira and Hamza have a fun, familiar sibling dynamic, full of both fighting and aggressive support of each other. The book is all written in Amira's perspective, and despite their issues she feels fiercely protective of her younger brother and takes the older sibling role very seriously, even when it lands her in danger. Amira's also battling feelings of inadequacy after failing her orange belt testing at Karate AGAIN. Hamza is generally fearless, except when it comes to heights, and his optimism overpowers all negativity. This can annoy Amira, but proves to be a bit of a superpower as prospects of winning the fight start to look bad. There is a good arc in the last third,
A very solid, action-filled story with a small hint at a possible sequel. The emotional arc of it will appeal to readers who liked The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes.
kromeklia's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
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