Amira and Hamza: The War to Save the Worlds by Samira Ahmed Review

 Title: Amira and Hamza: The War to Save the Worlds

Author: Samira Ahmed

Age Group: Middle Grade

Genre: Fantasy

Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

I was given an advanced reader’s’ copy to read and review.

I’ve never read Samira Ahmed’s work before, so I was intrigued by the premise of this book. I love diverse books, especially if they’re adventure stories! This book was a fantastical adventure, rife with monsters, mythology, and daring feats. I love Desi books, too. Every child should be represented in media, and this especially holds true in the fantasy genre. I laughed, I cried, I was kicking my feet in joy. This book was thrilling, funny, and exciting. I really enjoyed Amira and Hamza’s story, and if I could, I would happily read what comes next. I’m going to be passing this on so someone else can experience this lovely book! What a triumph!

Amira and Hamza are ordinary kids living in Chicago. Amira loves science and math, and Hamza loves superhero movies and corny jokes. But their lives change forever when Hamza stumbles across a medieval Islamic artifact, The Box of the Moon, and breaks it. Within moments, their lives are thrown askew; all the adults go to sleep and the moon is literally splitting into pieces. So begins a rip-rolling adventure, with jinn, monsters, and mysterious magic. When the jinn reveal that Amira and Hamza are part of an ancient prophecy and that they must work together to set things right, they are forced to face this challenge head on. Otherwise, a myriad of jinn, devs, and ghuls will be unleashed and the world will be doomed. Can they use their wits and smarts to prevent the end of the world?

I really loved this book! I couldn’t put it down. The pacing was fast but smooth, and I loved Amira and Hamza. They were funny, sweet, and so smart! I was immediately drawn into the story. The action happened immediately, and it was honestly so fun. I loved the banter, the mythology, especially since I was not familiar; it was very well explained and I really appreciated that. I laughed a lot too. This book also reminded me pleasantly of my own siblings, and how we would bicker as young children. This book was unique and different, and I really loved it! If I could, I would snatch up the sequel! Such a lovely and warm series starter that I will never forget! The bottom line: Funny, fantastic, and full of heart and soul, I loved Amira and Hamza! Next on deck: Finding Freedom by Erin French!