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A review by abookandchai
Nura and the Immortal Palace by M.T. Khan
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Having read this book I can vouch that the Spirited Away comparison is so apt! Nura and the Immortal Palace is a middle grade fantasy about 12 year old Nura, who works in the mica mines to support her family but when the mine collapses and her friends disappear, she finds herself whisked away into a secret world ruled by the jinn. What follows next is Nura’s race to get herself out of the jinn hotel before it’s too late.
magically written
One of the best things about Nura and the Immortal Palace is how vividly the setting has been described. My South Asian heart absolutely adores the Islam religion and Pakistani culture influences in the book, be it about festivals, the mouth watering food, the dances, the faith or the sense of family among the characters. I love how unapologetically Muslim it is and how the culture blends with the magical elements.
Even when Nura winds up in another realm, the beauty of the descriptions remains the equally imaginative. We’re introduced to the world of the jinn and the hotel Nura and other kids are stuck in and the magical nature is brought to life by M.T. Khan—be it the food competitions, the glamour or the liveliness through which Nura is lured into the faux sense of security. The atmosphere is bright and colourful but the realistic undertones are not to be missed among the glitters.
tackles themes of child labour and importance of education
I really admire how a Middle Grade fantasy manages to include important topics of the vicious cycle of exploitation as well as prevalent child labour practices in parts of the world. Without is seeming heavy on the readers. It shows how carefully crafted this story is! There’s a smooth blend of the shining world in the story with insights into how mere kids are exploited and how the rich turn the poor against each other for their benefit. So while we’re lost in an adventurous tale, it doesn’t fail to shatter the truth about the illusions.
By the end, Nura and the Immortal Palace also makes the readers realise why being educated is important. From revolting against going to school to acknowledging the benefits of being a capable literate, Nura’s growth arc develops subtly but strongly.
engaging characters
Nura is such a delightful voice to read through the book! I was impressed with how determined she was to earn for her family even if it meant grappling with the mica mining. And later on, I appreciated how she absorbed the lessons from different encounters, she always has her family as her priority. She’s a protective elder sister and daughter but also a caring friend.
Faisal, a side character and Nura’s closest friend shines throughout the story too, despite being a side character. He’s anxious and cautious but his bond with Nura is heartwarming, supporting each other through thick and thin.
If all of that hasn’t convinced you yet, this book is for the gulab jamun lovers. Be sure to check out this book for a determined protagonist, her soft boy companion, their adventure into a jinn world and a glimpse into workings of the real world!
thank you netgalley and little brown books for the ARC!
magically written
One of the best things about Nura and the Immortal Palace is how vividly the setting has been described. My South Asian heart absolutely adores the Islam religion and Pakistani culture influences in the book, be it about festivals, the mouth watering food, the dances, the faith or the sense of family among the characters. I love how unapologetically Muslim it is and how the culture blends with the magical elements.
Even when Nura winds up in another realm, the beauty of the descriptions remains the equally imaginative. We’re introduced to the world of the jinn and the hotel Nura and other kids are stuck in and the magical nature is brought to life by M.T. Khan—be it the food competitions, the glamour or the liveliness through which Nura is lured into the faux sense of security. The atmosphere is bright and colourful but the realistic undertones are not to be missed among the glitters.
tackles themes of child labour and importance of education
I really admire how a Middle Grade fantasy manages to include important topics of the vicious cycle of exploitation as well as prevalent child labour practices in parts of the world. Without is seeming heavy on the readers. It shows how carefully crafted this story is! There’s a smooth blend of the shining world in the story with insights into how mere kids are exploited and how the rich turn the poor against each other for their benefit. So while we’re lost in an adventurous tale, it doesn’t fail to shatter the truth about the illusions.
By the end, Nura and the Immortal Palace also makes the readers realise why being educated is important. From revolting against going to school to acknowledging the benefits of being a capable literate, Nura’s growth arc develops subtly but strongly.
engaging characters
Nura is such a delightful voice to read through the book! I was impressed with how determined she was to earn for her family even if it meant grappling with the mica mining. And later on, I appreciated how she absorbed the lessons from different encounters, she always has her family as her priority. She’s a protective elder sister and daughter but also a caring friend.
Faisal, a side character and Nura’s closest friend shines throughout the story too, despite being a side character. He’s anxious and cautious but his bond with Nura is heartwarming, supporting each other through thick and thin.
If all of that hasn’t convinced you yet, this book is for the gulab jamun lovers. Be sure to check out this book for a determined protagonist, her soft boy companion, their adventure into a jinn world and a glimpse into workings of the real world!
thank you netgalley and little brown books for the ARC!