The main character, Sik, is a 13 year old who helps his family run their restaurant in New York. Then their restaurant has a break in and the robbers tear it apart looking for something. Sik doesn’t have any idea what they are looking for. A girl named Belet shows up and helps him out. They fend off the thugs, but soon a plague travels across the city. Fear and mayhem ensue. (Gosh, that sounds familiar!) Sik meets a series of gods, goddesses, and ancient heroes including Ishtar, Nergal, and Gilgamesh. He and Belet search for the item to prevent Nergal from getting his hands on it and, of course, rule the world.

I always enjoy Rick Riordan Presents books because I love learning about the mythology of other cultures. Also, one of the things I love most about this book specifically is that Sik learns more about his brother who died and wrestles with his feelings of love and jealousy. He is not just trying to solve they mystery of what Nergal wants and then finding it. He has wrestled with his jealousy for awhile and since his brother apparently sent Sik the thing they are looking for, Sik is constantly reminded of all the adventures his brother must have had on his travels back to their home country. Belet also had conflicting emotions about her adoptive mother, Ishtar.

This book began with a bang and didn’t stop very often. I read it in two sittings. The pacing was very quick, but also had depth and excellent character growth as Sik and Belet wrestled and overcame their emotions to find peace within themselves. Peace is something we all need right now. Am I right?

I love mythology and there aren’t enough books that have Mesopotamian Gods in them. And there’s a huge lack of Muslim/middle eastern heroes in books too.

This book was great in helping to fill that gap (though we need more!) and I can’t wait/hope there will be more about Sik and his friends especially if they’re as adventurous and imaginative as this book. And man do I really want some middle eastern food now!

This is a great book for young kids and adults alike, and wonderful for representation and teaching kids about heroes from other parts of the world and cultures.

I had never even thought about Mesopotamian mythology before stumbling onto this book. It was really fascinating getting to know different gods and demons, their roles and tales, and see the similarities to myth figures I have read about before.

Sik was a likeable character; he had rage within him that made him behave not always in the right way. Mostly due to the loss of his hero, his big brother. The pain of loss was so clear in Sik I was so sad everytime he had his "talks" with Mo. The memories were keeping him down. He just needed a distraction and what better one that a plague god infecting the whole city??

Great side characters such as badass Belet and actor wannabe Daoud! And so many cats!! I would've loved to live in Belet's house surrounded by all the kitties!!

Action packed, full of emotions and love for a culture many decides to hate doing what we call in Italian "making a bouquet of a single flower" but instead of flower is grass. I was charmed by everything Sik and other characters said about Iraq and its culture. Loved reading the various interjections and greetings. It's going to feel like a home far from home for many muslim american kids and also adults when reading the adventures of Sik!

Will there be more?? I hope so!!

Sikander Aziz is closing up his parents’ diner, Mo’s, when he’s attacked by demons and almost killed, and before he knows it, he has met two gods and a sword-wielding girl, and discovers that his parents are gravely ill with some unknown illness.
Sik is still grieving over the death of his openhearted, fun-loving, adventurous and kind brother Mohammed, and has let many of his friendships wither. Also, Sik feels a mix of deep sadness and anger over his brother, and inferiority about his place in his family.
And that’s just the start of his problems. He meets some very interesting cats, chats with a sword, and along with Belet, daughter of the goddess Ishtar, must figure out a way to save New York City from a fast-acting plague.

This story was a hoot! Lots of action in a fast-paced plot with great hero and villain interactions, lots of well-placed humour, and believable behaviour and dialogue between Sik and Belet, both carrying grief and anger in them, but dealing with it in their own ways.
The melding of Mesopotamian myth and Muslim influences in Sikander’s life was well done and welcome. Also, gross as some of the imagery was, I liked how Nergal made his powers felt in the city, with the proliferation of misshapen creatures, plagues, chaos, decay and disasters overtaking everything.
I’ve been pleased with each of the stories I’ve read under the <i>Rick Riordan Presents</i> series, and this story by Sarwat Chadda had everything I’ve come to enjoy in this series: myths, monsters, and terrific characters who learn to find strength within themselves, and display integrity, kindness and decency. I can’t wait to read more in the RRP series, as well as more Sikander stories.

*I requested this from Net Galley*

TW: Death, Islamophobia

4.5*

I was so excited when I saw this book announced as I love the Rick Riordan Presents imprint and how it allows authors to tell stories from their own cultures! Besides the incredible importance of having stories from diverse backgrounds, these books are just incredibly educational and entertaining. I find that with books about Greek/Roman mythology I tend to have an idea about how the characters will act-- with books depicting myths from other cultures I have no idea (which makes reading so very exciting)!

Naturally, "City of the Plague God" coming out in the middle of a pandemic means it will have a different impact than it does at other times-- it does feel a bit more serious and a bit more real. However, this does not take away from the sheer beauty of Sarwat Chadda's story. "City of the Plague God" revolves around Sik, a boy that is thrust into the world of Mesopotamian mythology when the minions to Nergal (god of plagues and war and also makes me think of Nermal the cat from Garfield) come searching for something that Mo, Sik's deceased older brother, has allegedly taken.

The other main character is Belet who is a personal favourite of mine. She is the adopted daughter of Ishtar (goddess of love and war) and is considered by other characters to be a bit standoffish but, frankly, she is an utter delight with her calling out a teacher that is teaching history incorrectly and telling Sik that ballet is a martial art the way Ishtar teaches it.

The two of them (plus some truly magnificent carnivorous magical cats) seek to find the Flower of Immortality to save Manhattan which is slowly being overrun with disease (this bit may mean some may wish to read this after COVID). The journey is an utter delight and the importance of culture and family is depicted so well-- with particular emphasis on the struggles of being the child of immigrants.

"City of the Plague God" is a middle-grade book but can certainly be enjoyed by all ages. I am a 26-year old student finishing a Master's degree in English (so not the intended audience for the publisher) but I was so incredibly gripped by the story, the characters, and the bits of mythology I learned along the way. I have read bits of the "Epic of Gilgamesh" and it was so interesting to see how those myths were both used as a background to the story and also used within it.

On Goodreads Sarwat Chadda mentioned that technically it is a stand-alone but we could have more stories if it does well, SO EVERYONE NEEDS TO BUY THIS BOOK SO THAT I CAN SEE MORE OF BELET'S SNARK AND THE CATS!

A plague takes over the city of Manhattan and Sik has to take down the evil God Nergal to save the world. If only someone could do that to save us from Covid because I am starting to lose my mind ya’ll. I digress.

Reading City of Plague God unlocked a memory of me back in 6th or 7th grade learning about the history of Mesopotamia. We didn’t learn too much about the mythology so I found it super interesting to get some background on it. Chadda definitely did his research!

I love the characters and thought that it was funny, I actually laughed out loud a few times. Sik is charming and witty, which is always appreciated in a main character. My only complaint is that there are a lot of broken sentences and I’m not sure if it’s because it’s targeted to middle grade readers but it drove me crazy. It does jump around a bit in the plot as well but I think it’s because this might be a standalone? There are a lot of unanswered questions so I would definitely pick up the second book if that comes out. Also, I loved the authors note. I am looking forward to reading future Rick Riordan Presents books!

Thank you to Rick Riordan Presents for sending me an ARC via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
4/5 stars.
This was a really fun story! I know very little about Mesopotamian myths, so this was a super interesting story for me. It was easy to follow, and the writing style reminded me of Rick Riordan's which I like.
Sik was a great character! I really felt for him as the book was progressing because he had to keep dealing with so much, and yet he didn't seem to "hero material", but he refused to give up. Belet was a really interesting character, and I thought she and Daoud were good supporting characters to help Sik along.
The story moved at a good pace, and I felt like the action was well-balanced with the information about the myths. It never felt overwhelming.
If you like fast-paced fantasy stories with gods, myths, heroes, talking swords, and awesome characters, you'll probably enjoy this book!

I have yet to be disappointed by a book from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, and this is no exception.

Part of what I love so much about these books is that while they're all so different - and they truly are, both in content and authorial voice - they're also comfortably predictable. A kid learns of their connection to the myths or legends of their ancestors and culture, chaos ensues (during which we, the reader, learn even more about these cultures), and the kid - with their always-excellent companions - manages to save the day. This predictability offers so much to young readers, and particularly to reluctant readers.

In this particular story, the combination of Mesopotamian mythology and Sik's Muslim faith is perfectly done. I love Sik's view on the difference between the ancient gods and his monotheistic faith. I love everything about Sik's relationship to and with his late brother, I love Belet and Daoud, I love Sik's devotion to his family.

A definite must-read for fans of Rick Riordan - if you've liked any of Riordan's novels, you'll likely enjoy this one, too.

Another different book by Rick Riordan presents, that includes more mythology this time from Mesopotamia . Sik a boy who just wants the slow life working in the family deli in the evenings going to school during the day. But that all ends when Nergal comes to town and blows up the deli, and Sik is saved by the daughter of Ishtar.

This was a wonderful book that showcases another wonderful, diverse, culture. This book is full of action and suspense with a few surprises thrown in for good measure. Author Sarwat Chadda is definitely a author to watch, and I really hope we see Sik and Belet come back in another book.

Review will appear on my blog 1/12/2021

City of the Plague God reminds me of the Percy Jackson series, but with an Iraqi Muslim main character, and instead of pulling from Greek mythology, it draws from Mesopotamian mythology. This is an area that I don’t know much about, but my interest is piqued and I’m definitely going to be looking into more of this.

Sik is the son of refugees who have settled in Manhattan and opened a thriving deli. His older brother has passed away, and Sik has taken on a lot of responsibility helping his parents at their deli after school. My heart broke seeing him deal with his grief while also struggling with his unresolved emotions about his brother. I think this was really well portrayed — a sudden death often leaves people with conflicting emotions, and Sik isn’t quite sure how to deal with these.

Sik is unapologetically Muslim, and I love that about him. He is sweet, funny, and kind, and has no idea how to fight demons or Nergal, the plague god who comes to find him. I love seeing the way that a kid like Sik is portrayed in this story, and placing characters like him front and center as a hero makes him relatable to young people who see themselves in him. Even as he believes in him faith so strongly, he readily accepts the existence of the Mesopotamian gods and goddesses. I loved seeing his character arc, and he experiences such a great change throughout the story.

Belet is the trusty sidekick in this story. As Ishtar’s adopted daughter, she fills in the gaps in Sik’s skills — where he is a smart-aleck that relies on his brains to get him out of tough spots, she’s the brawn that leans on her fighting skills and her awareness of mythology. She complements Sik very well, and they work great as a team. She’s not as in touch with her emotions, and she undergoes a major transformation during the book.

The story is full of action, and moved quickly. I enjoyed reading this way more than I expected to, and there were parts that made me laugh as well. It definitely brought back Percy Jackson vibes. There were some simple Arabic words interspersed into the text (and a glossary to explain the words at the end), and I loved how it changed the perspective around some commonly vilified words associated with Muslims. Several times in the story, Sik relates his quest to a jihad, which is explained as a righteous cause. In this case, it is saving Manhattan from the ravages of the plague god. I loved how that word was reclaimed from how it has come to be viewed. This isn’t a book to be missed!

This book is saved by its ending and the note from the author. Almost the entire book is dark and filled with such hopelessness that I had to make myself keep reading.
Nergal spreads decay and sickness. Sikander is a normal boy who runs from danger but is supposed to be the hero of the story. There is so much sadness about the loss of Sikander’s brother Mo. There is the complete bewilderment regarding what Nergal wants.
I had never heard of Mesopotamian gods and I’m not sure I want to know what I learned about them in this book.
I kept reading because I’d been given the opportunity to review through Netgalley. This is my first Rick Riordan Presents and I hope they are not all like this. It is just so dark and depressing. It ends with a city and a deli in recovery. There were lessons learned along the way about learning to live with losses, which is a good thing.
Overall, this is way too depressing for the current events of 2020 and 2021. I’ll admit I’d much rather read something more light filled.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book prior to publication. I’m not sure who I recommend this to. It is a middle grade book but I’d read some reviews before I’d just take the stamp of Rick Riordan Presents as proof this is a good read bro your child.

Thank you to Netgalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a review. I was really excited to read this book because I am a HUGE fan of all the Rick Riordan Presents imprint books that come out. I love that this imprint and Rick Riordan celebrate all cultures, diversities, folklore and mythologies. When I found out this would be a book about Mesopotamian mythology I couldn't wait to read it because the is one branch of mythology I knew very little about going into this book. City of the Plague God included a lot of information about Mesopotamian mythology. It talked about all the basics of the myths which I really enjoyed. It was really slow in some places which I feel like would lose it's intended middle grade audience. There were some big battle scenes though which were very exciting but a touch chaotic to follow. Overall I had to give this book a two out of 5 for great historical info, but not a lot of action.

Finally one of the earliest recorded mythologies is getting the recognition it deserves! Sikander Aziz is minding his own business when his understanding of reality is ripped apart by the appearance of ancient Babylonian demons who want his secret to immortality. The ancient god of plagues will even afflict all of NYC in order to force Sik to surrender the secret. Of course, Sik has no idea what they are taking about. But people are starting fall ill. Fortunately, Ishtar and her teenage adopted daughter, Belet (especially Belet) are there to clue him In. The teens have to get past their assumptions about each other’s lives in order to tolerate one another long enough to save the world.! A great read with epic twists!

The book opens with Sikander Aziz, a 13 year old boy who works at his parents’ deli and shoves himself into work to avoid dealing with accepting the death of his brother, Mo, who died two years ago. Since then, Mo’s best friend, Daoud has moved into Mo’s room and annoys Sik just like Mo used to.

On one particular night, he hears noises outside so he goes outside of the deli to investigate, armed with a wok (this is important because he only fights with food for the rest of the book). He goes outside to see two ugly alien creatures that are intently discussing how to take Sik out of his home, for unknown reasons. Soon after the creatures get violent, a ninja shows up to save Sik by fighting off Toady and Ratty (the nicknames Sik gives to the monsters).

The next day at school, Sik is covered in hives, courtesy of Sidana and Idiptu (aka Toady and Ratty). Almost immediately, he’s thrown in detention for being snarky in class, along with his classmate, Belet, who’s a snooty, rich, possibly British, student who’s supposedly gotten kicked out of every school she’s been in so far. When they encounter some bullies on their way to detention, Belet beats them up, just like Sik’s mysterious ninja savior from the night before. Wanting answers, he’s brought to Belet’s house, where her adopted mother, Ishtar, explains that Nergal wants something from Sik.

Sik still has no idea what Nergal wants.

belet
Belet, as Sik observes, pushes everyone away, is cold, and also an amazing fighter than continues to save his butt throughout the novel. They go from grudging aquaintances to kind-of friends, and I really really hope there’s a sequel so we can see Belet grow as a person.

mo
It’s been two years since Mo (aka Mohammad) died. He loved botany and on his frequent summer trips back to Iraq, he would mail back flowers and seeds for Sik to grow, which he did, though usually unsuccessful. Sik loves Mo but he’s also bitter because while Mo spent his summers vacationing in the motherland, Sik stayed home helping at the deli, which he felt was his duty, overshadowed by his brother.

Mo’s also the reason Sik knows the story of Gilgamesh and other Mesopotamian mythology.

daoud
It’s apparent that Sik doesn’t hold Daoud, his brother’s best friend, in the same regard he does to Mo. Daoud is an aspiring actor, but he’s only been cast in stereotypical Middle Eastern roles so far. He cares about his physical appearance more than anything else, and even endangers himself running back into a dangerous building to grab his portfolio.

However, at the end of the day, it’s clear that Daoud loves Sik like a brother and would do anything for him. (Trying to stay spoiler free, but you’ll see!)

kasusu
Kasusu is a talking sword. Kasusu is the first sword, and claims to have been the sword in many famous myths, such as King Arthur’s sword, Excalibur.

Also, a funny Percy Jackson reference, at one point in the novel, Sik suggests that Belet disguise Kasusu like a pen or something, for when they go out in public.

religion
Sik’s Muslim, and at first is shocked when he finds out that the gods from Mesopotamian mythology are real, seeing as he’s always been pretty devout. Ishtar corrects him, she’s not a god, and that Allah is the only god, which confuses him even further. She explains that when humanity first discovered her, they thought she was a god, and she was called a god back then, but she’s not all powerful since she can die. It’s a little detail, but it was much appreciated by Sik I’m sure.

overall
I loved this book. I really really hope there’s more. Sarwat Chadda is a fantastic writer and this is the best book I’ve read in over a year, no doubt. 5/5.

I had a lot of fun with this one! I’ve been wanting to read some of the books from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, and I’m very grateful to have received an e-ARC of this one.

I really liked the way this was written - I immediately found myself immersed in the story and hooked on what was happening! I also feel like for a middle grade, this really transcends age well. I enjoyed learning about the different aspects of Mesopotamian mythology and how the author wove those elements into the story. I feel like people are going to really enjoy going on this adventure with Sik and Belet!

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a free e-ARC via NetGalley!

Any book coming from Rick Riordan Presents needs little help to make it appealing, and this one is no exception. Sikander Aziz is a very believable kid. He loves his parents and feels obliged to help them run their deli, especially since the loss of his older brother. He's a little less tolerant of his brother's friend Daoud, who helps at the deli but dreams of making it big in Hollywood. Then everyday life goes out the window as ancient deities come to town.

There are encounters with Ishtar, Gilgamesh, ancient swords, rhyming demons, and even beings in the underworld as Sik tries to save his parents from the plague devastating New York. Along the way he discovers some surprising facts about himself, his brother, and Daoud. He also makes a new friend, Betel, who has been trained in warfare and is not afraid to use her skills.

Within the adventure there are also some real-life truths. For instance, Daoud's desire to become a movie star has so far resulted in only a couple of TV appearances as "Head Terrorist Henchman." When Sik asks him when he will be playing a hero, Daoud answers, "Guys like us don't get to be heroes. You know that." Readers will have to see whether Sik is able to defy that expectation.

As the author explains in his note, "Growing up Muslim in Great Britain, I knew I couldn't be the good guy. It was more than just not finding heroes like me...I was actively presented with the belief that...people like me are...the villains." The invitation to join Rick Riordan Presents gave him the opportunity to "bring kids the type of heroes still sorely lacking in children's fiction."

I think readers will have a grand time with Sik's story and end it while hoping to have another of his adventures soon. Insha'Allah.

I love the old-school mythology in this one, unfortunately, some of the story-telling wasn't as smooth as I was hoping for in this. I am super grateful to call this one of my first myth-ish books of the year.

I'm a huge fan of mythology and was so excited for the chance to read this book. This book provides some fresh perspective and has really good potential! City of the Plague God is a story that takes place in Mesopotamian mythology book immersive in Arabic cultures. I had such a wonderful time learning more about Sik and his adventures. I loved learning about the new gods and taking a deeper dive into Mesopotamian mythology. I think this deserves a place on everyone's reading list!

This is an incredible magical adventure for all fantasy lovers. Set in New York City, Sikander Aziz discovers there is more to the stories his family has been telling him his whole childhood. Spending his days split between school and his family’s deli, Sik wants more out of life, but his brother’s accidental discovery of an ancient flower leads to his brother’s even more accidental immortality. Now, ancient gods have waged war between each other and Sik, along with all of NYC, is caught up in the middle. With an uncontrollable plague taking over the city. Sik and his new ally Belet must discover a way to bring back peace and stop the plague.
This is a fast paced adventure full of action that will keep younger readers riveted. Sik is not only smart and quick-witted, but he’s also a bit mouthy and tells it like it is. He misses his older brother fiercely and young readers will easily relate to his expressions of grief, especially with the current events taking place. I really liked Belet and her ability to be so loyal to her cause but also so prickly! She doesn’t take any nonsense from anyone and when paired with Sik and the talking sword, Kasusu, the three have a great dynamic.
This story is centered around a plague god that spreads a horrible and disgusting disease around the city and that may be a bit too on the nose for some readers right now, however, I think the theme of protecting and fighting for family and our community will win over reluctant readers. Knowing that Sik will overcome and defeat a plague god, when we are currently living through our own pandemic and watching scientists and medical professionals fight to overcome this virus, keeps the tone hopeful.
I’m very glad that a novel based on ancient Mesopotamian myth is now out in the world and you can feel the author's love for the story and characters. This book is full of interesting historical and mythological facts and characters that will grab the reader's attention and keep them enthralled until the very end. This will be great for readers that have loved other books in the Rick Riordan Presents series and for the readers just getting into the fantasy genre.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

I really wanted to love this one. It's a story featuring a Muslim boy and Mesopotamian mythology. The former usually does not receive positive media representation often and the latter not talked about often at all. So, naturally, the premise intrigued me and I requested and received this book from netgalley and was unfortunately disappointed. The plot was very tropey and I really didn't connect to the characters at all. Their relationships didn't inspire much feeling on my part and that prevented me from being fully invested. That aside, I do understand I'm not the target audience, hence the higher rating. However, it was easy to get through and could be a fun read for anyone who is interested in these topics and is of the target age range