Cameron and his friends are transported to Chidani- the fabled kingdom he used to read about - until his parents disappeared and his grandmother locked the Book of Chidani away. The trio finds themselves in danger and tasked with essentially saving two worlds.

West African and Igbo history and mythology are infused throughout this story. It is a wonderful read for anyone who is a fan of mythological stories like those found in the Rick Riordan Presents stories.

I really wanted to like this one but it just didn’t hit me right. A lot of difficult (though amazing) names to keep track of (listened via audio) and not much change in the characters.

I got 60% through and realized I didn’t really care about what was going to happen so I stopped.

I think it could be confusing for a middle grade reader but it does have a lot of interesting history, just wasn’t for me.

My rating: no rating

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Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me access to the advanced copy of this book to read.

Cameron Battle is a good friend and a good hero but it takes him a while to learn what is within him and how to use it to save himself and others.

Think of books that transport readers into adventures like <i>The Neverending Story</i> or <i>The Pagemaster</i>. Now add a dash of Percy Jackson; you know, a young boy learns he has a family history that gives him abilities he hasn't realized were possible. Go ahead and toss in a couple of close friends for support (you can't really have a great adventure without friends). And then mix it all with a large measure of African mythology. Voila! Now you have the basic recipe for Cameron Battle and his incredible journey to the Hidden Kingdoms.

Jamar J. Perry has written a story that features a well-loved Black boy being raised by his grandmother after the death of his parents. When he has a sleepover with a couple of friends they wind up confronting monsters in the backyard and then being swept away into a kingdom magically sealed off from the rest of the world. This hidden land is in the midst of a power struggle between two sisters who disagree on what is best for their people. The argument dates back to the time of slave traders snatching people from the Igbo tribes and sending them away from Africa. Although those raids are over, the sisters still disagree about the future of their people and Cameron and his friends are pulled into the conflict.

The setting is full of details to appeal to readers' senses. The vegetation, the clothing, the weather, the foods all offer colors, scents, and tastes that make the scenes come alive. Training in martial arts, riding gryphons, battles with evil undead spirits, and flashbacks to past events keep the pace moving quickly. And there are emotional scenes as Cameron learns the true story of his parents' deaths and deals with his grief, as well as the feeling of responsibility for the safety of his friends.

If you know middle grade readers who like the type of stories in Rick Riordan presents and similar series, then have them try out Cameron Battle. Just published in February, it is something new to add to wish-lists and TBR piles.

“I cannot allow my ancestors’ memories to be tarnished because I didn’t want to fight back, to prove myself. I have to fight back because they have fought for me.”
Jamar Perry’s debut novel Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms follows the story of Cameron Battle, who is growing up under the watchful eye of his grandmother, following the death of his parents two years prior. Though his mom and dad have been gone for two years, Cameron still feels a connection to them through his memories; the most vivid being his family heirloom: The Book of Chidani. The book tells the stories of the legendary kingdom Chidani, that separated and hid itself from the world to save the Igbo people. After his parents’ disappearance, Cameron’s grandmother stored the book in the attic because it held such painful memories for her. One rainy day in Atlanta, Cameron and his two best friends Zion and Aliyah read the book and get transported into Chidani. When he arrives, Cameron finds a realm in trouble; the corrupt Princess Amina is attempting to open a barrier between their worlds and make herself Queen. As a Descendant of the Book, magical heritage passed down through his mother, Cameron has the ability to pull down the passage between worlds. Equipped with newfound magic and fighting abilities , Cameron, Aliyah, and Zion go on an adventure among spirit demons, flying warriors and powerful Igbo gods in order to save Chidani and their home.

Jamar J. Perry’s Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms is a book full of authenticity and heartfelt emotions. Cameron is everything a middle-grade protagonist should be: he’s courageous, caring, and loyal. Cameron is impossible not to fall in love with as he searches to find his place in life and to understand his identity. Perry’s worldbuilding also deserves applause, Chidani dazzles on the page. The magical realm is full of not only West African mythology and Igbo legend, but family heritage and hidden secrets the Cameron spends the book uncovering. Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms is perfect for any reader interested in an action-packed adventure with magic, friendship and joy.

(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

PRR Editor and Writer Frances Drye

Cameron Battle is a fast paced story full of magic, danger, and a quest to save Chinadri and Earth. I loved the friendship between Cameron, Zion, and Aaliyah. Middle Grade kids who love fantasy will love this book!

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Books can be portals to the soul, other worlds and a means of escape. This book follows Cameron, his family and friends as they search for the hidden kingdoms. West African lore at it's finest! Lovers of mythology, action, life lessons within books and persons of all descents will LOVE this book. A must have for any professional and personal library.

What I liked:
📖The relationship between Cameron and his friends that grows stronger over the course of the book
📖The colorful details of Chidani; food, clothes, people
📖The mythology that is integrated into the story; gods, goddeses, and all kinds of creatures
📖The lessons (both literal and figurative) that Cameron learns
📖The quests and puzzles that must be solved
📖The prominence of the book, both as a portal to another world, a container of knowledge and history, and a piece of Cameron's ancestry

Fans of the Tristan Strong series may enjoy this one. To me the shorter length and less complex storyline make it also a great choice for slightly younger readers.

A great Middle Grade read and debut by this author inspired by Igbo and West-African Mythology and it's compared to Percy Jackson and doesn't disappoint. It's about family and learning and Cameron figuring things out about himself. I love reading and seeing other parts of the world and cultures in books like the West-African Mythology and such in this one. It's always refreshing to get a unique perspective and view on things told and viewed through a different lens. The magic is also great and this story has it all with the action, adventure, fantasy, magic, friendship, family, and more. It does have a few things to be aware of like death and violence. I'm glad I got to read this and am excited to see what happens in the next book. Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books/Bloomsbury Children's Books for letting me read and review this fantastic MG story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cameron Battle is a fast-paced fantasy adventure that celebrates friendship and honoring one’s culture. Rooted in Igbo mythology, there are twists, turns, and dangerous paths ahead for our threesome throughout the story. it is the start of a series that every library for middle graders needs, perfect for any lover of Percy Jackson, Aru Shah, or similar tales.

This was just a fun read! I liked everything about it- but I will say that Cameron’s whining was annoying after a few too many instances of it. Overall, a fun debut that I can’t wait to read more from

Cameron Battle's parents died when he was younger and it seemed to be around the same time his grandmother locked their family book up in the attic and told him not to go up there.

Cameron and his friend Zion remember things about the book but their newer friend Aliyah has no clue about any of it. They were all staying over at Cameron's for the weekend and the book was mentioned and Aliyah was curious about it and finally talks Cameron in to showing it to her and so they sneak upstair where the book comes alive and sends them through a portal to Chidani a hidden kingdom.

Cameron learns that he is a decendant from this kingdom and that the book is a part of his ancestory and it's his duty to protect them from Queen Ramala's sister who has stolen her three gifts, these gifts from the gods are what keeps her immortal and she is dying. He also learns that this is where his parent's died trying to protect this place.

Cameron and his friends must train in Dambe a fighting style and become warriors so that they can go and find the three gifts. It's a lot for three twelve year olds to take in.

One of the things I liked about this is that Cameron didn't just become good at everything because he is now the Decendent. Actually his friends learned Dambe better than he did and faster. He was never this over the top brave kid, he was scared, his friends were scared and that felt more realistic for kids to be scared at being put into danger. I enjoyed learning a little about West African folklore.

I did have some problems with a few things but they were mainly personal preferences and so I know it won't bother others and it didn't really make me not enjoy the story. It was a very good first book. I am not sure if it's a duology or trilogy but it feels more like a duology type to me and I will probably check out the next book.

I would recommend it to those who enjoy middle grade fantasy.

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book! It had so much of what I love about middle grade: magic, best friend trio and adventure! It has it's heartbreaking moments, especially when he spoke about his parents, but also uplifting ones. Aliyah reminded me a bit of Hermoine but we know she is definitely Black! I think the backstory is amazing and I ate this book quickly! I can't wait to bring it to my Magical Black Kids Book Club!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury publishing for the advance Kindle copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this fantasy adventure. Cameron grew up listening to the stories in The Book of Chidani with his parents and grandmother. Since his parents’ disappearance and death though, his grandmother has locked it away. When he and his friends sneak to the attic to read it, they open a portal to another world, where Cameron discovers that he is the Descendant - the only one who can save Chidani. It reads a little young for middle school, so I would say it’s best for grades 4-6. It is out 2.1.22.

I really enjoyed the way the story and mythology weaved together in this story. The magic of the book was really well written and compelling. The characters are also well done and I particularly enjoyed the strong friendship between the main characters, Their journey depended a lot on their bond but they also had different strengths that they brought to their mission. I enjoyed their meeting the different Gods and look forward to seeing more of them in the next book and learning more of their history. The plot was well done and while the ending was a satisfying place to stop, I am really looking forward to seeing what happens next and how their journey continues. All around this is a great book.

Fun and exciting middle grade fantasy, perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers as well as other immersive, second-world fantasy. Perry does a fantastic job of weaving in mythology and lore, providing much needed representation to the MG fantasy genre. Highly recommended.

This book delivers. Fantasy, adventure, friendship, history, mythology - it’s all here. Perry’s compelling story starts in present day Atlanta, Georgia. It’s cold and rainy as the school year ends for our friends, Cameron, Zion, and Aliyah. As the descendant, Cameron accidently opens the door to the mythological land of Chidani which is tied to our world through a magical book cared for by Cameron’s family.

Jamar Perry brings us into both the present-day world and families of these adventurers as he layers in history, Igbo mythology, and other African legends. The friends learn about themselves and both worlds as they battle to save Chidani and our world. It’s a fun read. I won’t say more about the plot so you can enjoy it on your own.

What I will say is how impressed I have been with Bloomsbury Children’s Book catalog. They consistently publish books that are engaging and relevant to all children. Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms will join that list and will be available for purchase in February of 2021.

Lots of good ideas, adventure, and potential here, but the pacing was too fast for me to really enjoy it. I would have liked more time spent in the world building in particular, as there were ideas I really wanted to know more about instead of being quickly shuffled to the next chapter. I'd totally give another book in this series(?) a chance though