13-year old Sikander is a rare Muslim hero in this urban fantasy that brings Mesopotamian mythology to modern-day New York.
From the very beginning, Sik is pulled into danger by demons serving the plague god Nergal, who believes Sik has a treasure that he desperately wants. The action is non-stop from there, and Sik finds himself moving from one amazing circumstance to another, encountering gods, goddesses, heroes and fantastic creatures from Mesopotamian myths.
The over-arching theme of this story is death and loss, which I wasn't expecting for a book geared toward middle-grade. Sik is struggling with the loss of his brother and he encounters death in various forms throughout his trials.
The author's writing style is engaging, and the pages flew. The side characters had distinct personalities, although I would have liked a little more insight to their motives a bit more.
I really enjoyed this action-packed adventure, and especially appreciated the representation of a non-traditional hero. Also, this was the first story I've read featuring Mesopotamian mythology, and this book has gotten me intrigued enough to seek out more.
Thanks to NetGalley and Disney Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
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