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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
Following the death of his brother, Mo, Sik deals with his grief by helping his refugee parents’ deli. But when Mesopotamian god Nergal attacks the business in an attempt to find a stolen treasure, a chain reaction spreads a plague infecting the city, Sik’s parents included.
As the story explodes from here, Sik and his best friend, Daoud, an aspiring actor, team up with the goddess Ishtar and her combat-ready adopted daughter, Belet. The result is an adventure worthy of the superhero Sik and his friends most admire, Gilgamesh — who, not unexpectedly, makes an appearance in the story.
This is a fun fantasy adventure for the middle-grade audience, introducing to the readers all the Seriously Cool Bits about Mesopotamian mythology. Chadda juggles a lively story, appealing characters, and deftly deals with stereotypes and weighty topics such as Islamophobia, terrorism and anti-Arabism.
Another nifty, highly readable entry in the Rick Riordan Presents series.
Copy provided by NetGalley
As the story explodes from here, Sik and his best friend, Daoud, an aspiring actor, team up with the goddess Ishtar and her combat-ready adopted daughter, Belet. The result is an adventure worthy of the superhero Sik and his friends most admire, Gilgamesh — who, not unexpectedly, makes an appearance in the story.
This is a fun fantasy adventure for the middle-grade audience, introducing to the readers all the Seriously Cool Bits about Mesopotamian mythology. Chadda juggles a lively story, appealing characters, and deftly deals with stereotypes and weighty topics such as Islamophobia, terrorism and anti-Arabism.
Another nifty, highly readable entry in the Rick Riordan Presents series.
Copy provided by NetGalley
Yesssss! I loved how Sarwat Chadda managed to combine his Muslim beliefs and the Mesopotamian mythology. I've gotta say, I've read a lot of books with gods or fantasy and I really liked his interpretation of the two together. Imho, the descriptions and the demons and plague and stuff were kinda gross, but I guess it's kinda my fault (the book IS called City of the PLAUGE God). But overall, really good!
I have never been more excited to have been approved for an arc, oh my gosh. I knew little to nothing about Mesopotamian mythology before I picked this up and it was fascinating! Our MC, Sik, is quickly becoming one of my favorite narrators. He’s witty and real, and I burst out laughing on more than one occasion. His navigation of the events plaguing (*ba dum tiss*) his city is admirable and I spent the entire book rooting for him. The way Sik feels so deeply about his family is gut wrenching and I cried. A lot. Hearing him discuss the loss of his brother made me bawl.
The other characters in the book are just as complex and deep. Belet is a fierce warrior, who still managed to tug at my heartstrings with her relationship with her mother. She made for an excellent contrast to Sik. And her SWORD. Like who doesn't want a talking sword? Gilgamesh was a fascinating addition to the journey and I thoroughly enjoyed his presence.
This book has excellent Muslim rep! I’ve never seen a middle grade Muslim hero and I was rendered speechless multiple times. Seeing the words I grew up saying in a modern, mainstream book was amazing. I was originally nervous on how mythology would work with a monotheistic religion, but it was navigated with grace and respect and I loved every second of it. Muslim rep is so important and to see it in a Rick Riordan Presents book was amazing. I can’t wait to hand a copy of this book to my 13 year old brother and tell him that he’ll see himself in it.
This book comes out on January 12th and you NEED to pick it up! If you like mythology, humor, and 13 year olds saving the world, this book is for you.
I received an ARC of this title from NetGallley in exchange for an honest review.
The other characters in the book are just as complex and deep. Belet is a fierce warrior, who still managed to tug at my heartstrings with her relationship with her mother. She made for an excellent contrast to Sik.
Spoiler
Allow me to emphasize how much I loved that Belet was the trained warrior and Sik was sort of helpless when it came to fighting.This book has excellent Muslim rep! I’ve never seen a middle grade Muslim hero and I was rendered speechless multiple times. Seeing the words I grew up saying in a modern, mainstream book was amazing. I was originally nervous on how mythology would work with a monotheistic religion, but it was navigated with grace and respect and I loved every second of it. Muslim rep is so important and to see it in a Rick Riordan Presents book was amazing. I can’t wait to hand a copy of this book to my 13 year old brother and tell him that he’ll see himself in it.
This book comes out on January 12th and you NEED to pick it up! If you like mythology, humor, and 13 year olds saving the world, this book is for you.
I received an ARC of this title from NetGallley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an eARC courtesy of Rick Riordan Presents/ Disney Publishing Worldwide via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Mesopotamian mythology? Gilgamesh? Yes, please!
To say I was excited to read this would be a massive understatement. And, thankfully, this book did not disappoint. If Chadda does not make this a series, I will be devastated. Everything from the story to the characters to the settings was fantastic. This was the kind of epic tale that I did not know that I was missing and I will book talk the dickens out of this book to get into the hands of kids.
For Libraries: Buy it! Read it! And love it!
Mesopotamian mythology? Gilgamesh? Yes, please!
To say I was excited to read this would be a massive understatement. And, thankfully, this book did not disappoint. If Chadda does not make this a series, I will be devastated. Everything from the story to the characters to the settings was fantastic. This was the kind of epic tale that I did not know that I was missing and I will book talk the dickens out of this book to get into the hands of kids.
For Libraries: Buy it! Read it! And love it!
**Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review**
*Trigger Warnings: Death of a sibling that happens offscreen; plague, pandemic, diseases, sickness, etc. *
5 stars to City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda. I’d give it a million stars if I could. I loved getting to learn about Ancient Mesopotamian mythology and the religion of Islam simultaneously. But my favorite part of this novel was how Sik kept his faith in Allah while being constantly confronted by other gods and mythological creatures. Sarwat's explanation for how these ancient gods could exist while Sik could still believe in Allah is remarkable. In the words of Ishtar "People worshiped up, and we drew power from that. But there are mysteries, wonders far greater that even I don't understand. I am not omniscient, nor omnipotent. Those are attributes of this greater power. After all, someone created me." Sarwat did a wonderful job at combining “existing religion with what is now called mythology” as he stated in the author’s note. City of the Plague God is a perfect addition to the Rick Riordan Presents imprint as Sik has the same courage, sarcasm, and compassion as Percy has.
**Any quotes are currently from the Advance Reader Copy and will be updated when I receive my physical copy. **
*Trigger Warnings: Death of a sibling that happens offscreen; plague, pandemic, diseases, sickness, etc. *
5 stars to City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda. I’d give it a million stars if I could. I loved getting to learn about Ancient Mesopotamian mythology and the religion of Islam simultaneously. But my favorite part of this novel was how Sik kept his faith in Allah while being constantly confronted by other gods and mythological creatures. Sarwat's explanation for how these ancient gods could exist while Sik could still believe in Allah is remarkable. In the words of Ishtar "People worshiped up, and we drew power from that. But there are mysteries, wonders far greater that even I don't understand. I am not omniscient, nor omnipotent. Those are attributes of this greater power. After all, someone created me." Sarwat did a wonderful job at combining “existing religion with what is now called mythology” as he stated in the author’s note. City of the Plague God is a perfect addition to the Rick Riordan Presents imprint as Sik has the same courage, sarcasm, and compassion as Percy has.
**Any quotes are currently from the Advance Reader Copy and will be updated when I receive my physical copy. **
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eArc of this book.
“City of the Plague God” was what I spent the last two days reading. Perhaps it wasn’t the best thing to read during a pandemic, but also quite appropriate. It is the story about Sikander who suddenly finds himself in a war against Negal, the ancient Mesopotamian God of War and Pestilence as he tries to regain his immortality. With Ishtar, her daughter and some human and inhuman help, Sikander does what he can to save Manhattan from the Plague God.
I really liked this book. It fits brilliantly into the Rick Riordan imprint and it does an amazing job portraying Islam and ancient Mesopotamia in a very positive light... which is something that we need right now.
“City of the Plague God” was what I spent the last two days reading. Perhaps it wasn’t the best thing to read during a pandemic, but also quite appropriate. It is the story about Sikander who suddenly finds himself in a war against Negal, the ancient Mesopotamian God of War and Pestilence as he tries to regain his immortality. With Ishtar, her daughter and some human and inhuman help, Sikander does what he can to save Manhattan from the Plague God.
I really liked this book. It fits brilliantly into the Rick Riordan imprint and it does an amazing job portraying Islam and ancient Mesopotamia in a very positive light... which is something that we need right now.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
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:
Complicated
Sik has a busy life; helping his parents run their Manhattan deli and cope with the traumatic loss of his older brother with the help of his brother's best friend, Daud. Mo was killed in a recent trip to the Middle East. Everywhere they look Mo has left memories, and it's hard to go on without him. Late after closing up the deli one night, the deli is attacked by strange creatures. They destroy the deli searching for a stolen treasure, and Sik is terrified and bewildered at the same time, but receives help from a stranger to fight them off.
Sik is taken to a hospital to treat the wounds a blisters from his fight, but is declared patient zero in a plague and kept in isolation. When he is attacked again by the same creatures in his hospital room, Belet, the stranger comes to his rescue again and takes him to her adopted mother, a goddess. Ishtar reveals the true reason for the attacks: a search for the Flower of Immortality.
With the help of Ishtar, Daud, and Belet, Sik battles, gods, demons, and fights to save his parents and his city from a deadly plague.
Sik is taken to a hospital to treat the wounds a blisters from his fight, but is declared patient zero in a plague and kept in isolation. When he is attacked again by the same creatures in his hospital room, Belet, the stranger comes to his rescue again and takes him to her adopted mother, a goddess. Ishtar reveals the true reason for the attacks: a search for the Flower of Immortality.
With the help of Ishtar, Daud, and Belet, Sik battles, gods, demons, and fights to save his parents and his city from a deadly plague.