Only got to 40% of the story, I've decided that I can't really get into
alot of middlegrades now... getting older sucks. So I am Dnfing this
today!

Definitely not a light read for kids or adults. This book hits hard on tough subjects and really pulls at your heartstrings while it does. It explores exploitation of both the environment and of people in two different worlds and shows how the rich take advantage wherever they can to further enrich themselves with little thought for those they hurt to get there. The MC Amir is quite unlikeable at times but grows and learns as the book develops. The magical world MT Khan has developed is wonderful and awe inspiring. I enjoyed this one quite a bit but would warn parents to read this one with your kids to make sure you can discuss some of the themes in it that could be upsetting or distressing to younger readers.

I received a digital reader copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

3.5

An enjoyable story about a human boy traveling to the jinn world to find his mother and help a jinn princess become heir to her kingdom. I enjoyed Shamsa's hope for bettering her kingdom and that she was not easy to get down. Amir thankfully started to understand his privilege and became more tolerable as the book went on.

I greatly appreciate that this is a standalone. So many fantasy books are the start of a series now, so it's refreshing that one isn't.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Twelve-year-old Amir is one of the heirs to the Rafiq Bricks Company, and lives a life of luxury and privilege. He's also bored, unmotivated, and greatly misses his mother, who went missing a year ago. When his father announces he's remarrying, Amir is unhappy, and decides that he will find his mother, who was the only family member who treated him as a person, instead of as a pampered princeling.

When a young shapeshifting jinn named Shamsa comes into his life, he decides that as his mother seems to be nowhere in his land, maybe she was in the world of the jinn. The two agree to help each other out -- she'll help him look for his mother, and he'll help her navigate the mysterious and capricious demands of her position so she can win a tournament of heirs, and win the throne.

This was a wonderfully told tale with vivid characters, and some genuine pathos. Despite Amir's unthinking privilege and indolence, he is forced to grow up a lot during his adventure when he uses his smarts to help Shamsa, but also receives an education from a boy who was forced to work in poor conditions at Amir's family's company.

The plot fairly zipped along, and there's plenty of humour and fish out of water moments for Amir, but also moments when he begins to realize that he has things to contribute. Author M.T. Khan also makes good points about how the wealthy can take unfair advantage of others and resources, without consequences, and has her main character come to a realization about how he wants to change, for the better, how he thinks and behaves towards others. Amir's journey is well worth a read.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for this ARC in exchange for my review.

This 304 page middle grade fantasy book is a quick fun read.  There is no religion in this Muslim authored book, jinn are not portrayed as creatures from Islamic doctrine, and with the exception of Quranic decorations hanging in a room and Zam Zam water being mentioned, once each, in passing, there is nothing hinting or signaling religion.  Even the jinn come across as characters who just happen to be jinn, who have control over fire and live in an alternate world, the book uses their fantasy elements to create an added layer, but the heart of the story is making choices, doing what's right, being a good friend, and changing injustice when you can. This is a companion book to Nura and the Immortal Palace, and even with the lacking religion, I think I enjoyed this book more.  The plot is clearer, the characters are relatable, the thread of the missing mother is emotional, and the commentary on corporations and labor practices are awesome to see in a middle grade book.  

SYNOPSIS:
Amir is wealthy, really wealthy, and arrogant, and unlikeable, and yet, the over the top framing of him being all these things, makes even the target audience reader realize, that he is also a 12-year-old little boy who is grieving his missing mother, longing for friends, wanting to be seen in his competitive family, and ultimately smarter and more emotionally intelligent than he will ever force himself to admit.  Until, a cat, or rather a jinn princess in the shape of a cat, shakes up his world, by convincing him to come to hers.

Shamsa strikes a deal with Amir, she will help him look for his mother, if he helps her battle against her siblings to be the next heir of the Kagra Kingdom.  Amir knows she is a trickster, it is her nature, but he wants, no needs, to find his mother, so he is willing to pose as her slave and do her bidding.  There are three tasks to test the future heirs physicality, artistry, and diplomacy, and the irony that Amir does not want to be heir to his own fortune, while helping Shamsa claim hers, is not lost on him and will in fact force him to make choices about who he wants to be and what he wants to stand for.

WHY I LIKE IT:
I like that the book discusses monopolies and business and corporations and systemic gatekeeping.  It stays on level and articulates the points it wants the reader to explore with Amir, but does so without taking away from the story.  Also the ability to see all that Amir has, because he is wealthy, also allows the reader to see what he is also missing, and this is done with a little more subtly, some self-awareness, and some quality writing which results in making Amir a little more relatable.

I do wish there was some Islam, jinn are Islamic based and to not have any signaling seems a bit lacking.  Perhaps it kept it so that accuracy or rep was not a factor, I don't know, but when Amir says that he thought only the uneducated believe in such creatures, it rubbed me the wrong way, just like when he makes a comment that, "those are the kinds of games God like to play with me." The lines are minor, but when that is the only religion mentioned and it is done in a negative trivial, dismissive way, they carry more weight than perhaps intended.

I like that the characters and plot are solid.  It doesn't feel like Amir is free-falling through a crazy chaotic world, there is direction and purpose.  There really isn't a lot of world building or even Pakistani culture, it really is about the characters and their arc of growth and coming in to their own.

FLAGS:

Fantasy, jinn, lying, sneaking, death, abuse, manipulation, plotting, casinos, fears of water, abandonment, abuse.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
Probably wouldn't do it as a book club, there are teachable moments and concepts that would be fun to discuss perhaps with economic or business tie-ins, but I don't know that there is that much to discuss outside of what the book offers.  I do plan to shelve this though, so my own kids have easy access to pick it up and read and hope teachers, librarians, and parents will as well.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Amir and the Jinn Princess is another immersive middle grade fantasy from M.T. Khan. Set in the same world as her debut novel, I once again enjoyed the Pakistani and Islamic cultural and mythological influences to the world building, woven into a fast-paced adventure story.
Amir is a sympathetic protagonist. While he’s lived a fairly privileged life, he’s struggling with his mother’s disappearance and the fact that his father has given up on looking for her, choosing to remarry. I loved the way his recollections of his relationship with his mother were conveyed, motivating his arc throughout. And while he’s always felt some apathy toward the family business, I really enjoyed how his journey led him to recognize there was something not quite right going on within his father’s company.
Amir ends up teaming up with the jinn princess, Shamsa, who is trying to win a competition to become heir to the throne against her sister. Amir and Shamsa team up to help each other accomplish their respective goals, and it was great to see them working together and helping each other.
This was another solid read from M.T. Khan, and I’d recommend it to readers interested in a Middle Grade multicultural fantasy-adventure.

M. T. Khan has done it again—if not better. I loved NURA and let me tell you, I *ADORED* AMIR. Seriously, I inhaled this magical, heartfelt story within a few hours & I was genuinely disappointed to be finished.

This is everything I adore about middle grade. It's quirky, thrilling, and full of magical, colourful settings. But it also has a beautiful emotional depth, dealing with everything from grief to wealth inequality and exploitation—all of which were handled beautifully. Amir & Shamsa have the bestest character arcs and they'll both live in my heart for a long, long time.

What can I say? Read this, no matter if you're an adult or an MG'er. Whatever M. T. Khan comes up with next (more jinn stories!! please!!) I will be happily seated.

**Review of "Amir and the Jinn Princess" by M. T. Khan**

Rating: 5/5

"Amir and the Jinn Princess" is a captivating blend of magic, adventure, and heartfelt emotion that transports readers into a world where the ordinary meets the extraordinary.

Amir, a young heir to a wealthy business in Pakistan, is not your typical protagonist. Despite his privileged upbringing, he longs for a sense of normalcy and above all, to reunite with his missing mother. This longing sets him on a daring quest where he teams up with Shamsa, a spirited jinn princess with her own agenda. Their alliance is forged amidst a backdrop of a high-stakes tournament of heirs, where Amir must navigate the intrigues of both human and jinn worlds.

M. T. Khan masterfully weaves together elements of Pakistani culture, folklore, and fantasy, creating a rich tapestry that enchants from the first page. The characters leap off the page with their depth and complexity, from Amir's determination and vulnerability to Shamsa's fiery spirit and hidden vulnerabilities. Their evolving partnership forms the heart of the story, blending moments of humor, adventure, and deep emotional resonance.

The world-building in "Amir and the Jinn Princess" is both intricate and immersive, vividly depicting the realms of jinn with its silver-tongued tricksters and magical competitions. Khan effortlessly balances action-packed sequences with quieter, introspective moments that explore themes of family, identity, and the power of friendship.

This novel is a testament to Khan's storytelling prowess, offering readers a journey that is as enchanting as it is profound. It's a tale that will appeal not only to fans of fantasy and adventure but also those who appreciate stories rooted in cultural authenticity and universal themes of courage and resilience.

In summary, "Amir and the Jinn Princess" is a must-read for anyone seeking a magical escape into a world where bravery, loyalty, and the search for belonging collide in the most unexpected ways.

i was SO happy to receive this book!! i loved everything from the cover to the synopsis to the overall vibe! it was beautiful! and then i read it and?!?! I cannot get over it! it’s an absolute masterpiece!

What a beautiful companion novel to NURA by this same author!!

Synopsis: Amir’s mom went missing a year ago at the brick kiln his family owns. And ever since then, Amir feels abandoned.
But behind her disappearance lie many mysteries, and with the help of Jinni princess Shamsa, Amir finds his own inner power and purpose.

Khan has a talent at weaving Desi fantasies that have important themes and strong character arcs. I loved Amir and felt teary eyed at many moments- and I cheered on his transformation.

The setting is stunning as always, layered with delicious south asian food and sweets, as well as vivid descriptions of landscape and flowers.

Similar to Nura, the fantasy is grounded in the real world with an entry into an alternate dimension of Jinn living. It also contains a competition as well- and was full of twists and turns.

The plot is fast paced and the story an easy read- perfect and fun for middle grade readers.

The theme of living I a world where the poor always pay the price when the wealthy run capitalist enterprises that take advantage of land resources was very valuable to read- the book gives middle grade readers insight into how young people can make powerful change and use empathy to lead.

Get yourself a copy!

tl;dr
Two perfectly paired leads take on a series of creative challenges for a read that's super fun.

Thoughts
I love a middle grade book with a clever lead who relies on their wits. It's such a treat that this one has two. Amir is a manipulative genius with a morally gray worldview, and Shamsa is a capricious trickster with a heart of gold. They fit together perfectly as they work together to overcome a series of increasingly tricky tests. I really love the fact that the nature of the tests is varied - everything from physical prowess to poetic nuance shows up, and it was great to see their creativity as they worked together. Amir's personal journey is also a really strong through-line, as he grows from disaffected teen to being fully invested in being involved in the world and its people. The writing is super clean and flows easily, and the character voices all come across as distinct. Overall and incredibly fun read with some great characters.

Amir is the son of a wealthy Pakistan business owner, raised to be above others and given every opportunity to do so. Shamsa is the Jinn Princess overshadowed by her many talented siblings. When they meet by chance they must embark on an adventure together: Amir to find his missing mother before his grandmother forces his father to remarry, and Shamsa to set herself above her siblings and become the heir to the throne.

Amir is such a wonderful main character. He deals with the loss and grief surrounding his mother’s disappearance in such a realistic way. At first he doubts, then he is angry; he wants to pretend it doesn’t bother him, but then he slowly starts to think “was it something I did?” We get to go along this emotional journey with him and see how he not only accepts these emotions but learns to move past them as well.

He is pitted against his siblings in a competition none of them seem to want to be in but are nonetheless expected to. Fortunately this gives him an edge in his quest to help Shamsa. Along the way they bolster each other and give each other the courage to show the world their real selves.

Shamsa is such an underdog character but she has a ton of compassion and a big heart. She wants to be heir for the recognition at first (poor girl has 30 siblings!) but as the competition progresses and her eyes are opened to the plights of her people she realizes she wants to make her home a better place for everyone, not just the wealthy. The best lesson she learned was the one thing she hated about herself—not having fire powers like the rest of her siblings—allowed her to be the one to save the kingdom and make herself heir (along with cool water powers instead!).

Overall this was a fun ride for readers of all ages, but I especially believe that younger readers will see a lot of themselves in both Amir and Shamsa, and the story will help them to learn some great life lessons about grief and familial expectation.

Thank you NetGalley, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and M. T. Khan!

This was a very good middle grade read. It deals with so many things loss, grief, loneliness, ect, and does so greatly with young readers in mind. I loved how Amir and Shamsa grew into new ways of thinking through the book. I will definitely be recommending it to my children when it releases.