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Amira & Hamza #2
Amira Hamza: The Quest for the Ring of Power
Amira and Hamza are back in this epic sequel, which takes readers on a thrilling magical adventure as the siblings face their most terrifying and formidable opponent yet.
All human and jinn kind shall bow down to me. Control the Ring, control the worlds.
Amira and Hamza have returned from Qaf, the magical Jinn world, as triumphant heroes—and life has been pleasantly quiet. Too quiet. Hamza is determined to have one last monumental, epic adventure before summer ends. But when sneaking off to explore an old, abandoned castle goes from life-changing adventure to potentially deadly, Amira and Hamza find themselves in the middle of another dangerous quest to save the worlds. One they didn’t bargain for.
The siblings are brought face to face with the evil dev, Ahriman, angry and out for revenge. And if Amira and Hamza thought Ifrit was bad, his dad Ahriman, the last in an ancient line of fire spirits, is far worse. Ahriman kidnaps Hamza and forces him to help locate the lost Ring of Power, an ancient and mysterious artifact that will allow him to rule the universe. Desperate to save her brother, Amira must outsmart perilous traps and confounding puzzles in a race against time to retrieve the artifact before Ahriman does or say goodbye to Hamza and their world forever.
All human and jinn kind shall bow down to me. Control the Ring, control the worlds.
Amira and Hamza have returned from Qaf, the magical Jinn world, as triumphant heroes—and life has been pleasantly quiet. Too quiet. Hamza is determined to have one last monumental, epic adventure before summer ends. But when sneaking off to explore an old, abandoned castle goes from life-changing adventure to potentially deadly, Amira and Hamza find themselves in the middle of another dangerous quest to save the worlds. One they didn’t bargain for.
The siblings are brought face to face with the evil dev, Ahriman, angry and out for revenge. And if Amira and Hamza thought Ifrit was bad, his dad Ahriman, the last in an ancient line of fire spirits, is far worse. Ahriman kidnaps Hamza and forces him to help locate the lost Ring of Power, an ancient and mysterious artifact that will allow him to rule the universe. Desperate to save her brother, Amira must outsmart perilous traps and confounding puzzles in a race against time to retrieve the artifact before Ahriman does or say goodbye to Hamza and their world forever.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published September 20, 2022
About the author
Samira Ahmed
26 books1,477 followersSAMIRA AHMED was born in Bombay, India, and grew up in Batavia, Illinois, in a house that smelled like fried onions, spices, and potpourri. She currently resides in the Midwest. She’s lived in Vermont, New York City, and Kauai, where she spent a year searching for the perfect mango.
A graduate of the University of Chicago, she taught high school English for seven years, worked to create over 70 small high schools in New York City, and fought to secure billions of additional dollars to fairly fund public schools throughout New York State. She’s appeared in the New York Times, New York Daily News, Fox News, NBC, NY1, NPR, and on BBC Radio. Her creative non-fiction and poetry has appeared in Jaggery Lit, Entropy, the Fem, and Claudius Speaks.
Her writing is represented by Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary, Inc.
A graduate of the University of Chicago, she taught high school English for seven years, worked to create over 70 small high schools in New York City, and fought to secure billions of additional dollars to fairly fund public schools throughout New York State. She’s appeared in the New York Times, New York Daily News, Fox News, NBC, NY1, NPR, and on BBC Radio. Her creative non-fiction and poetry has appeared in Jaggery Lit, Entropy, the Fem, and Claudius Speaks.
Her writing is represented by Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary, Inc.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 27, 2022
Review originally posted on my blog. For a list of warnings, tropes, and representation for these book, check out BookTriggerWarnings.com.
Thank you so much to TBR and Beyond Tours and Samira Ahmed for allowing me to be part of this experience and also providing me with complimentary ARCs and media kit!
In book one of the series, Amira & Hamza discover that they are fated to save the world by defeating a monster named Ifrit. In the second book, Ifrit’s dad (Ahriman) attempts to enact revenge by finding the Ring of Power which will enable him to control a massive jinn army and allow him to rule the world. It’s up to Amira and Hamza to stop him.
I’m not much of a fantasy reader (of any age category), but I can definitely see why people enjoy these types of books. They’re full of creatures of lore and legend, and manage to be very educational, even for adults like me. The books include a glossary at the end which not only explains who each character is, but also which mythological beings/stories these characters are based off of. I would highly recommend using this glossary as you read if you’re not familiar with these stories because it might get a bit complicated and confusing otherwise.
As characters, both Amira and Hamza are extremely likable in their own ways. Amira is a nerd who loves science and technology. Hamza is a geek who is obsessed with comic books and super heroes. The two of them make the perfect duo for this type of story because their personalities compliment each other so well. I was very happy to discover that Samira Ahmed chose to make book two a dual POV because it really shows the reader how these siblings are very different but also very similar. Hamza’s chapters were definitely my favorite. They are chock full of bad puns and hilarious moments, including a healthy amount of jokes about pooping/peeing.
If you’re a fan of Percy Jackson or Amari, you are sure to enjoy the Amira & Hamza series as well.
Thank you so much to TBR and Beyond Tours and Samira Ahmed for allowing me to be part of this experience and also providing me with complimentary ARCs and media kit!
In book one of the series, Amira & Hamza discover that they are fated to save the world by defeating a monster named Ifrit. In the second book, Ifrit’s dad (Ahriman) attempts to enact revenge by finding the Ring of Power which will enable him to control a massive jinn army and allow him to rule the world. It’s up to Amira and Hamza to stop him.
I’m not much of a fantasy reader (of any age category), but I can definitely see why people enjoy these types of books. They’re full of creatures of lore and legend, and manage to be very educational, even for adults like me. The books include a glossary at the end which not only explains who each character is, but also which mythological beings/stories these characters are based off of. I would highly recommend using this glossary as you read if you’re not familiar with these stories because it might get a bit complicated and confusing otherwise.
As characters, both Amira and Hamza are extremely likable in their own ways. Amira is a nerd who loves science and technology. Hamza is a geek who is obsessed with comic books and super heroes. The two of them make the perfect duo for this type of story because their personalities compliment each other so well. I was very happy to discover that Samira Ahmed chose to make book two a dual POV because it really shows the reader how these siblings are very different but also very similar. Hamza’s chapters were definitely my favorite. They are chock full of bad puns and hilarious moments, including a healthy amount of jokes about pooping/peeing.
If you’re a fan of Percy Jackson or Amari, you are sure to enjoy the Amira & Hamza series as well.
August 22, 2022
This second book in the sequel maintains the high energy, comical pop culture induced banter, and jinn fantasy that the first book established so well. There was some concern with the first book because of how "religious" based parts felt and the arc not having those reference pages causing me to question if readers would take the book as based on religious truths or understand that it is simply taking religious concepts and developing them in a fictitious way. This book toned down the desi culture, and removed most Islamic references. Once again the arc had blank backmatter pages, so I'm not sure what is "sourced" and what is attributed to creativity from the author's perspective. There are jinn, Suleiman the wise and his ring to control jinn, animals, and people, (no mention that he is a Prophet), characters saying "peace be upon you," mention of Zamzam water (not explained), and famous past Muslims introduced as ghosts (Ibn Sina, Abu Sa'id Ahmed ibn Muhammed ibn Abd al-Jalil al-Sijzi, and the Banu Musa brothers) making up the plot of the story. A major piece of the narrative is a statue named Lamassu, a Sumerian goddess that curses a character, so the framework from a literary perspective, is much less Islamic from the very foundation when compared to the first in the series.
Over 400 pages this middle grade novel focuses on the two siblings, the two chosen ones, trying to keep the ring of power from Ifrit's father, Ahriman. Whereas in the first book the siblings were mostly together throughout the adventure, in this one they are separate and working to get reunited. I enjoyed the story, it wasn't as problem solving focused as the first, but getting to know the characters and relishing in the comedy, pop culture and desi culture Easter eggs, kept the book entertaining and hard to put down. The world building is more minimalized as it is set on earth, and the line between the seen and unseen was largely established in the first book.
At face value, just reading the words on the pages of the story. I would recommend this cultural fantasy book as a fun, action packed, sibling love, female power, exciting read. I will wait until my ordered copy arrives to see what references, author's notes, and sourcing is offered up as making the book more or less than what it is. There are ghosts, talk of crushes, almost swearing, stealing (she feels awful about it), death, destruction, and re-imagining Islamic truths in a fictionalized way.
Over 400 pages this middle grade novel focuses on the two siblings, the two chosen ones, trying to keep the ring of power from Ifrit's father, Ahriman. Whereas in the first book the siblings were mostly together throughout the adventure, in this one they are separate and working to get reunited. I enjoyed the story, it wasn't as problem solving focused as the first, but getting to know the characters and relishing in the comedy, pop culture and desi culture Easter eggs, kept the book entertaining and hard to put down. The world building is more minimalized as it is set on earth, and the line between the seen and unseen was largely established in the first book.
At face value, just reading the words on the pages of the story. I would recommend this cultural fantasy book as a fun, action packed, sibling love, female power, exciting read. I will wait until my ordered copy arrives to see what references, author's notes, and sourcing is offered up as making the book more or less than what it is. There are ghosts, talk of crushes, almost swearing, stealing (she feels awful about it), death, destruction, and re-imagining Islamic truths in a fictionalized way.
September 25, 2022
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
I am all about these diverse middle grade adventures that seem to be booming right now. So when I saw one based on Islamic folklore and legend, I was 100% going to jump on that. It’s something I haven’t seen before and something I don’t know as much about, so heck yes! Plus, not gonna lie, I read the first two pages and really enjoyed the slightly snarky narrative style.
The Amira & Hamza series blends science with Islamic legend and folklore in a fast-paced adventure filled with relatable characters, humor, sibling bonds (and rivalry), and lots of exciting creatures and places.
I had a lot of fun with these books! The folklore is intriguing, as are the creatures, and like nothing I’ve ever seen. I absolutely love jinn in books, and this was no exception. This makes for a nice middle-of-the-road middle grade book. The writing and conflict is a bit more simplistic, with large font, even though the page length is a bit longer. Some of the conflicts were resolved kind of easy, but that’s not unexpected. I sure hope there will be more in this series, because I’ve enjoyed adventuring with Amira and Hamza!
My Thoughts
- This sequel is told from two perspectives, both Amira’s and Hamza’s, and it’s about 1,000% funnier than the first because Hamza is a typical 10-year-old and his perspective absolutely cracks me up. I could see how Hamza’s point of view might frustrate some readers, especially older readers, because he’s immature. I mean, he’s 10, so . . . duh. However, he’s still got that weird self-assurance of kids that age, and he’s also easily distract (which I can relate to). So I absolutely loved to addition of his narrative. He’s snarky, but not in a mean-hearted manner. It’s just how he copes with the extremely stressful situation he finds himself in. You know, being kidnapped by a jinn bent on revenge would raise anyone’s blood pressure. Especially since, this time, Hamza doesn’t have his sister there to encourage him.
- As much as the siblings learned to get along better in the first book, they’re still . . . well . . . siblings. They have their squabbles, but at the end of the day, they also have each other’s backs. I absolutely love sibling bonds in books, and this is no exception! When things heat up, of course Amira and Hanza are there for each other and support each other. But the rest of the time? Well, they behave just like siblings, with their small squabbles and disagreements and arguments. It cracked me up and reminded me of how I used to act with my siblings!
- If you thought the moon crashing to Earth wasn’t a big enough threat, how about an even bigger, badder jinn bent on destroying the world? By which I mean, the Big Bad in this book is the father of the Big Bad in the last book. Which makes him the OG Big Bad, Bigger and Badder. He’s not beating around bushes or messing around. In case you don’t remember, he was imprisoned in the moon, and they don’t do that for just anyone. Actually, he’s the only one that received that sentence, so you know he’s not a team player.
While the threat is greater than the last book (arguably, at least), the tension was much lower. I think a lot of this was to do with Hamza’s funny, often flippant, perspective, which sometimes made it hard to take the villain seriously. Which is not a bad thing at all! I’ve noticed a lot of our most popular books at the library doing this, and I think it works well in middle grade.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
I am all about these diverse middle grade adventures that seem to be booming right now. So when I saw one based on Islamic folklore and legend, I was 100% going to jump on that. It’s something I haven’t seen before and something I don’t know as much about, so heck yes! Plus, not gonna lie, I read the first two pages and really enjoyed the slightly snarky narrative style.
The Amira & Hamza series blends science with Islamic legend and folklore in a fast-paced adventure filled with relatable characters, humor, sibling bonds (and rivalry), and lots of exciting creatures and places.
I had a lot of fun with these books! The folklore is intriguing, as are the creatures, and like nothing I’ve ever seen. I absolutely love jinn in books, and this was no exception. This makes for a nice middle-of-the-road middle grade book. The writing and conflict is a bit more simplistic, with large font, even though the page length is a bit longer. Some of the conflicts were resolved kind of easy, but that’s not unexpected. I sure hope there will be more in this series, because I’ve enjoyed adventuring with Amira and Hamza!
My Thoughts
- This sequel is told from two perspectives, both Amira’s and Hamza’s, and it’s about 1,000% funnier than the first because Hamza is a typical 10-year-old and his perspective absolutely cracks me up. I could see how Hamza’s point of view might frustrate some readers, especially older readers, because he’s immature. I mean, he’s 10, so . . . duh. However, he’s still got that weird self-assurance of kids that age, and he’s also easily distract (which I can relate to). So I absolutely loved to addition of his narrative. He’s snarky, but not in a mean-hearted manner. It’s just how he copes with the extremely stressful situation he finds himself in. You know, being kidnapped by a jinn bent on revenge would raise anyone’s blood pressure. Especially since, this time, Hamza doesn’t have his sister there to encourage him.
- As much as the siblings learned to get along better in the first book, they’re still . . . well . . . siblings. They have their squabbles, but at the end of the day, they also have each other’s backs. I absolutely love sibling bonds in books, and this is no exception! When things heat up, of course Amira and Hanza are there for each other and support each other. But the rest of the time? Well, they behave just like siblings, with their small squabbles and disagreements and arguments. It cracked me up and reminded me of how I used to act with my siblings!
- If you thought the moon crashing to Earth wasn’t a big enough threat, how about an even bigger, badder jinn bent on destroying the world? By which I mean, the Big Bad in this book is the father of the Big Bad in the last book. Which makes him the OG Big Bad, Bigger and Badder. He’s not beating around bushes or messing around. In case you don’t remember, he was imprisoned in the moon, and they don’t do that for just anyone. Actually, he’s the only one that received that sentence, so you know he’s not a team player.
While the threat is greater than the last book (arguably, at least), the tension was much lower. I think a lot of this was to do with Hamza’s funny, often flippant, perspective, which sometimes made it hard to take the villain seriously. Which is not a bad thing at all! I’ve noticed a lot of our most popular books at the library doing this, and I think it works well in middle grade.
July 7, 2022
What worked:
The adventure is chocked full of humor, as Amira and her younger brother alternate recounting the story. They are the Chosen Ones to save the world from an ancient fire spirit named Ahriman, but the kids are partnered with contrasting characters on opposing sides of the conflict. Amira is paired with Aasman Peri, and the jinn never misses a chance to point out Amira’s lack of talents. Actually, she often puts down the entire human race and our quirky lives. Hamza is taken by a dev called Ahriman, since only a Chosen One can touch pieces of the Oculus, to form a tool to locate the Ring of Power. Hamza contributes most of the funny banter, as his mind wanders to strange, random thoughts when he’s nervous, which happens frequently. Not to mention, he’s constantly nagging his captor about his need to eat and use the restroom. The author sprinkles in choose-your-own-adventure-like segments when Hamza daydreams about possible, terrifying scenarios, and Hamza is forced to answer sphinxlike riddles. Hamza is clearly the highlight of the book.
Despite the typical sibling bickering, Amira and Hamza display a deep love for one another. Amira is determined to rescue her brother even as she risks her life to survive dangerous obstacles. Hamza reluctantly remembers Amira’s advice to solve puzzles and escape his own dilemmas. It’s hard to admit his sister might be more logical and make better choices than himself. He’s especially intimidated by the riddles he’s presented since Amira and their father are the ones who enjoy solving puzzles. Nevertheless, Hamza is always confident his sister will save him, and Amira will not let him down.
The dual stories following the adventures of Amira and Hamza effectively share the plot from their two points of view. Their problems are related but separate. Much of Hamza’s narrative is within his mind since his relationship with the antagonist doesn’t lend itself to much talking. Ahriman treats him as a tool being used to collect the Oculus, and Hamza’s dialogue is often used to stall for time or as a way to cope with stress. Amira’s problem is finding her brother, so she’s forced to do more detective work by examining the clues Hamza leaves behind. The story includes Islamic folklore, so elements of the culture are sprinkled in.
What didn’t work as well:
The publisher indicates this book can be read independently from the first, but the jinn world isn’t clear. I’m not sure why the non-magical siblings are the Chosen Ones, but all of the characters are aware of it. The kids don’t have any apparent special abilities and their companions make snide comments about them being useless humans. Readers will still be able to easily understand the plot, and most of the disparaging comments only add to the humor.
The Final Verdict:
The power of sibling love. The author presents an exciting escapade of jinn and a hidden ring that transports the characters around the world. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy humor and adventure, and I recommend you give it a shot.
The adventure is chocked full of humor, as Amira and her younger brother alternate recounting the story. They are the Chosen Ones to save the world from an ancient fire spirit named Ahriman, but the kids are partnered with contrasting characters on opposing sides of the conflict. Amira is paired with Aasman Peri, and the jinn never misses a chance to point out Amira’s lack of talents. Actually, she often puts down the entire human race and our quirky lives. Hamza is taken by a dev called Ahriman, since only a Chosen One can touch pieces of the Oculus, to form a tool to locate the Ring of Power. Hamza contributes most of the funny banter, as his mind wanders to strange, random thoughts when he’s nervous, which happens frequently. Not to mention, he’s constantly nagging his captor about his need to eat and use the restroom. The author sprinkles in choose-your-own-adventure-like segments when Hamza daydreams about possible, terrifying scenarios, and Hamza is forced to answer sphinxlike riddles. Hamza is clearly the highlight of the book.
Despite the typical sibling bickering, Amira and Hamza display a deep love for one another. Amira is determined to rescue her brother even as she risks her life to survive dangerous obstacles. Hamza reluctantly remembers Amira’s advice to solve puzzles and escape his own dilemmas. It’s hard to admit his sister might be more logical and make better choices than himself. He’s especially intimidated by the riddles he’s presented since Amira and their father are the ones who enjoy solving puzzles. Nevertheless, Hamza is always confident his sister will save him, and Amira will not let him down.
The dual stories following the adventures of Amira and Hamza effectively share the plot from their two points of view. Their problems are related but separate. Much of Hamza’s narrative is within his mind since his relationship with the antagonist doesn’t lend itself to much talking. Ahriman treats him as a tool being used to collect the Oculus, and Hamza’s dialogue is often used to stall for time or as a way to cope with stress. Amira’s problem is finding her brother, so she’s forced to do more detective work by examining the clues Hamza leaves behind. The story includes Islamic folklore, so elements of the culture are sprinkled in.
What didn’t work as well:
The publisher indicates this book can be read independently from the first, but the jinn world isn’t clear. I’m not sure why the non-magical siblings are the Chosen Ones, but all of the characters are aware of it. The kids don’t have any apparent special abilities and their companions make snide comments about them being useless humans. Readers will still be able to easily understand the plot, and most of the disparaging comments only add to the humor.
The Final Verdict:
The power of sibling love. The author presents an exciting escapade of jinn and a hidden ring that transports the characters around the world. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy humor and adventure, and I recommend you give it a shot.
October 6, 2022
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Amira and Hazma: The Quest for the Ring of Power
Author: Samira Ahmed
Book Series: Amira & Hazma Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Desi American MC and characters and Desi characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy, mythology, Desi mythology, science fiction, Percy Jackson like, HP replacement
Publication Date: September 20, 2022
Genre: MG Fantasy
Age Relevance: 10+ (violence, kidnapping)
Explanation of Above: There are mentions of violence. There is some shown kidnapping.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 400
Synopsis: All human and jinn kind shall bow down to me. Control the Ring, control the worlds.
Amira and Hamza have returned from Qaf, the magical Jinn world, as triumphant heroes—and life has been pleasantly quiet. Too quiet. Hamza is determined to have one last monumental, epic adventure before summer ends. But when sneaking off to explore an old, abandoned castle goes from life-changing adventure to potentially deadly, Amira and Hamza find themselves in the middle of another dangerous quest to save the worlds. One they didn’t bargain for.
The siblings are brought face to face with the evil dev, Ahriman, angry and out for revenge. And if Amira and Hamza thought Ifrit was bad, his dad Ahriman, the last in an ancient line of fire spirits, is far worse. Ahriman kidnaps Hamza and forces him to help locate the lost Ring of Power, an ancient and mysterious artifact that will allow him to rule the universe. Desperate to save her brother, Amira must outsmart perilous traps and confounding puzzles in a race against time to retrieve the artifact before Ahriman does or say goodbye to Hamza and their world forever.
Review: I loved this sequel so much! The action continues in this book, where sneaking off to a castle might prove to be life-changing for our protagonists. The book had a lot of the same Percy Jackson vibes and I would still recommend this series as a great HP replacement. The book still put science at the forefront, this time with it mostly being focused on astrology and astronomy. The book is still multi-POV and I loved that Hazma has more of a presence in this book.
The only issue I had with the book is the fast pacing in places again, but overall I loved it!
Verdict: I loved it! Highly recommend!
Book: Amira and Hazma: The Quest for the Ring of Power
Author: Samira Ahmed
Book Series: Amira & Hazma Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Desi American MC and characters and Desi characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy, mythology, Desi mythology, science fiction, Percy Jackson like, HP replacement
Publication Date: September 20, 2022
Genre: MG Fantasy
Age Relevance: 10+ (violence, kidnapping)
Explanation of Above: There are mentions of violence. There is some shown kidnapping.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 400
Synopsis: All human and jinn kind shall bow down to me. Control the Ring, control the worlds.
Amira and Hamza have returned from Qaf, the magical Jinn world, as triumphant heroes—and life has been pleasantly quiet. Too quiet. Hamza is determined to have one last monumental, epic adventure before summer ends. But when sneaking off to explore an old, abandoned castle goes from life-changing adventure to potentially deadly, Amira and Hamza find themselves in the middle of another dangerous quest to save the worlds. One they didn’t bargain for.
The siblings are brought face to face with the evil dev, Ahriman, angry and out for revenge. And if Amira and Hamza thought Ifrit was bad, his dad Ahriman, the last in an ancient line of fire spirits, is far worse. Ahriman kidnaps Hamza and forces him to help locate the lost Ring of Power, an ancient and mysterious artifact that will allow him to rule the universe. Desperate to save her brother, Amira must outsmart perilous traps and confounding puzzles in a race against time to retrieve the artifact before Ahriman does or say goodbye to Hamza and their world forever.
Review: I loved this sequel so much! The action continues in this book, where sneaking off to a castle might prove to be life-changing for our protagonists. The book had a lot of the same Percy Jackson vibes and I would still recommend this series as a great HP replacement. The book still put science at the forefront, this time with it mostly being focused on astrology and astronomy. The book is still multi-POV and I loved that Hazma has more of a presence in this book.
The only issue I had with the book is the fast pacing in places again, but overall I loved it!
Verdict: I loved it! Highly recommend!
October 4, 2023
Have you ever heard about Amir Hamza and his adventures?
Hamzanama?
Dastan-e-Amir Hamza?
.
I'm sure my Desi friends might have read somewhere in their childhood.
Amira and Hamza is the retold version with lots of western and as author @sam_aye_ahm says her own imagination.
.
Note: Halloween, New Year Eve, magic, birthdays are mentioned.
.
Have you ever seen a fairy in embroided Kurta Pajama and Jinn as well? No? Well, I didn't and this is my 1st time seeing this series.
.
Desi siblings, despite having siblings' revelry, they're there to help support each other especially against Jinn's world.
.
If you're looking for a middle grade book to discuss:
👉Muslim scientists from the past
👉Jinn story
👉Visiting Museums from US, to UK in a day
👉learning science facts
👉Choori Bazar of Hyderabad
👉Amar Akbar Anthony all 3 of them as name of one Jinn (if you know then you know. Any 80s kids here?)
👉Even Shahrukh as Jinn. Please don't tell him.
👉lots of references from Star Wars (am I the only one who never watched Star Wars?)
👉Solving riddles
.
I really liked the writing style keeps reader hooked and laughing 😃
.
Sulaiman the wise is actually Sulaiman A.S, his ring is being discussed throughout this book (of course Jinn wants to get their control back). I just want to see A.S written with his name for respect as a Prophet of Allah.
.
The author's note at the end is worth reading. Do read it as it's full of references and resources that talks about Muslim scientists etc.
.
Design! Your! Destiny!
"Do humans truly learn nothing in school" Ahriman shakes his head. Lol
Hamzanama?
Dastan-e-Amir Hamza?
.
I'm sure my Desi friends might have read somewhere in their childhood.
Amira and Hamza is the retold version with lots of western and as author @sam_aye_ahm says her own imagination.
.
Note: Halloween, New Year Eve, magic, birthdays are mentioned.
.
Have you ever seen a fairy in embroided Kurta Pajama and Jinn as well? No? Well, I didn't and this is my 1st time seeing this series.
.
Desi siblings, despite having siblings' revelry, they're there to help support each other especially against Jinn's world.
.
If you're looking for a middle grade book to discuss:
👉Muslim scientists from the past
👉Jinn story
👉Visiting Museums from US, to UK in a day
👉learning science facts
👉Choori Bazar of Hyderabad
👉Amar Akbar Anthony all 3 of them as name of one Jinn (if you know then you know. Any 80s kids here?)
👉Even Shahrukh as Jinn. Please don't tell him.
👉lots of references from Star Wars (am I the only one who never watched Star Wars?)
👉Solving riddles
.
I really liked the writing style keeps reader hooked and laughing 😃
.
Sulaiman the wise is actually Sulaiman A.S, his ring is being discussed throughout this book (of course Jinn wants to get their control back). I just want to see A.S written with his name for respect as a Prophet of Allah.
.
The author's note at the end is worth reading. Do read it as it's full of references and resources that talks about Muslim scientists etc.
.
Design! Your! Destiny!
"Do humans truly learn nothing in school" Ahriman shakes his head. Lol
September 13, 2022
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Amira & Hamza: The Quest for the Ring of Power is the second book in Samira Ahmed’s Amira & Hamza series. I have read the first, but didn’t publicly review it at the time. However, I do recommend reading that one first to get a good feel for what to expect going into this one.
It has a somewhat similar feel to the Rick Riordan Presents template, despite not being part of that imprint. There’s a blend of Indian mythology and history with modern pop culture. The titular “Ring of Power” conjured a connection to Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings, and I love how the narrative discusses the possible historical and mythical inspirations for the Ring.
While a lot of similar titles will focus on a single protagonist, sometimes with a supporting group of friends, Amira and Hamza are co-leads and both serve in the “Chosen One” role. I love how each of them contributes something cool to the narrative. Amira is smart and logical, and is good at puzzle-solving. She also is a great sister, who always has her brother’s back. Hamza is often getting into trouble, which can lead to some comically perilous situations, especially as he can foresee some terrifying scenarios playing out before him, however, throughout the book, Amira’s logic begins to rub off as he navigates the obstacles he faces.
This is a charming installment in a fun series centering the power of sibling love. It’s perfect for fans of middle grade fantasy in the vein of Percy Jackson.
Amira & Hamza: The Quest for the Ring of Power is the second book in Samira Ahmed’s Amira & Hamza series. I have read the first, but didn’t publicly review it at the time. However, I do recommend reading that one first to get a good feel for what to expect going into this one.
It has a somewhat similar feel to the Rick Riordan Presents template, despite not being part of that imprint. There’s a blend of Indian mythology and history with modern pop culture. The titular “Ring of Power” conjured a connection to Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings, and I love how the narrative discusses the possible historical and mythical inspirations for the Ring.
While a lot of similar titles will focus on a single protagonist, sometimes with a supporting group of friends, Amira and Hamza are co-leads and both serve in the “Chosen One” role. I love how each of them contributes something cool to the narrative. Amira is smart and logical, and is good at puzzle-solving. She also is a great sister, who always has her brother’s back. Hamza is often getting into trouble, which can lead to some comically perilous situations, especially as he can foresee some terrifying scenarios playing out before him, however, throughout the book, Amira’s logic begins to rub off as he navigates the obstacles he faces.
This is a charming installment in a fun series centering the power of sibling love. It’s perfect for fans of middle grade fantasy in the vein of Percy Jackson.
September 25, 2022
I first heard of Amira & Hamza when I go the first book in the series Amira & Hamza The War to save the Worlds in an Owlcrate Jr Box and so I knew this series would good. Amira & Hamza The Quest for the Ring of Power follows immediately after the first book ends so you really need to read the first book.
I am not going to go into full spoilery territory but I will say this book if chock full of action, comedy mainly from Hamza, Maths, Science and Astronomy. I honestly learnt a lot by reading this book. You will also which I found very interesting were their thoughts on what it was like to have their colour of skin.
Lastly I had no idea that Samira also wrote Middle Grade as I only knew her YA work and oh man she can write in both age groups really well.
For all these reasons I am giving Amira & Hamza The Quest For The Ring 4 Stars
I am not going to go into full spoilery territory but I will say this book if chock full of action, comedy mainly from Hamza, Maths, Science and Astronomy. I honestly learnt a lot by reading this book. You will also which I found very interesting were their thoughts on what it was like to have their colour of skin.
Lastly I had no idea that Samira also wrote Middle Grade as I only knew her YA work and oh man she can write in both age groups really well.
For all these reasons I am giving Amira & Hamza The Quest For The Ring 4 Stars
October 27, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. It’s been a while since I read the prequel, and sadly I didn’t remember as much as I thought I would. The reader really needs to read it beforehand and get a refresher since there are not many reminders in this book. I enjoyed the famous Muslim inventors featured as they came back in ghost form. The STEM discussions actually make sense to the educated reader. The cultural and modern remarks are funny and engaging. Themes of family, bravery, and girl power can all be discussed. Thank you for a happy ending and yet another clean novel I can add to my classroom shelf.
November 12, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
There are so many good, new culturally based fantasies that I didn't buy the first book in the series, The War to Save the Worlds, even though I have lots of students named Amira and Hamza! You'll want to read the first book in the series to get a better feel for E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus Tweens saving the world, this time with an Arabic background of jinn, Peris, devs and ghuls. Great for fans of Rick Riordan Presents titles. Liked the inclusion of historical figures like Ibn Sina, Suleiman, and astrologer Abu Said Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Sijzi mixed in with the ones like Ahriman who have more supernatural backgrounds.
There are so many good, new culturally based fantasies that I didn't buy the first book in the series, The War to Save the Worlds, even though I have lots of students named Amira and Hamza! You'll want to read the first book in the series to get a better feel for E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus Tweens saving the world, this time with an Arabic background of jinn, Peris, devs and ghuls. Great for fans of Rick Riordan Presents titles. Liked the inclusion of historical figures like Ibn Sina, Suleiman, and astrologer Abu Said Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Sijzi mixed in with the ones like Ahriman who have more supernatural backgrounds.
August 10, 2022
Amira and her brother, Hamza, just returned to Chicago from their quest in the magical realm of Qaf. When Hamza explores an old castle and disappears, it’s up to Amira and her magical friends to save him. I really enjoyed this book and found the siblings to be very likeable and reliable. I loved that it a type of magic embedded in desi culture and loved learning about all of the magical beings within it. Great for kids looking for something other than Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. This is the second in the series, but reading the first is not required.
September 19, 2022
This is the second book in the series and it's full of humor and adventure. Amira and Hamza are fun characters. They have the typical sibling rivalry going on but deep down they truly care for one another. I liked the types of magic and learning about the different magical creatures. It's a fun series so far with plenty of adventure and humor to keep the kids reading! Thank you TBR and Beyond Tours and Samira Ahmed for sharing this book with me!
November 15, 2022
Book 2 continues Amira and Hamza's story as a new evil jinn arrives. Hamza ignores Amira's advice and heads off on his own to an old haunted home. There, he is kidnapped by Ahriman, the father of the last jinn they defeated. Amira follows Hamza across several countries to rescue him and to keep Ahriman from getting the Ring of Power and ruling the universes.
Plenty of action and humor for middle grade readers. All resolves in the end but the journey is filled with fun and suspense.
Plenty of action and humor for middle grade readers. All resolves in the end but the journey is filled with fun and suspense.
June 7, 2024
While this middle grade story was a breeze to read as an adult, I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book in the series. This story took place on Earth and didn’t have much to add to the jinn and dev lore, so I often felt like the story could’ve been tightened up more. All the same, it’s an enjoyable read.
March 16, 2023
I liked this one better than the first one, but it still didn't really catch my attention enough for five stars.
March 4, 2023
My son and I were both looking forward to this sequel since reading the first book which we loved. I love the dynamic between Amira and Hamza. It feels believable and relatable. I love Hamza’s goofy humour and spunk and I also love Amira’s smarts and bravery. The Design! Your! Destiny! Angle was cute and added a laugh for sure. I enjoyed how this book took us travelling across the world and learning about museums and sights. Gave us some things to look up and learn more about which I always appreciate in a middle grade book. Hoping Amira and Hamza get to have more adventures soon that we get to share with them and travel back to Qaf.
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