Relic Hamilton, Genie Hunter

Relic Hamilton

by Joseph Coelho, Hyun Song We (Illustrator)

Genies grant wishes! But everyone forgets they’re imprisoned in those lamps for a reason . . . A gripping new adventure series from a Carnegie Medalist and former UK Children’s Laureate.

Relic Hamilton is just your average twelve-year-old, living a quiet life with his grandfather above their old antique shop in Chinatown in London. Until, that is, the day he’s polishing some mysterious brass lamps in the basement and something extraordinary happens. He feels spine-chillingly cold. Breathless. Scared. And there it is—a real live genie standing before him. But this is no kind, benevolent genie. This one is evil . . . and it feeds on hope.

Ghostbusters meets Raiders of the Lost Ark meets Pokémon (with a genie twist) as award-winning author Joseph Coelho follows Relic to the heart of a fast-paced underground community of dedicated genie hunters. Led by the excitable Professor Latimer and the über-cool Doctor Raphaela, they will travel together in their one-of-a-kind jet, the Aladdin, on a secret mission to chase down rogue genies before they wreak havoc on the world. Vividly and imaginatively written, with a humorous cast of cool characters, this first in a trilogy is brought to life in twenty black-and-white illustrations by Korean artist Hyun Song We.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens

288 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 3, 2026

About the author

Joseph Coelho is a British poet and children's book author who was elected Children's Laureate in 2022.

Reviews

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would you like to find a magic lamp, rub it, and have a genie pop out and grant you three wishes? Well, think again as not all genie’s are nice and kind, some suck the hope out of your body. Plus, what happens to other people and the world when you make your wish?

Twelve-year-old Relic Hamilton is just discovering that not only are genies real but they are not all lovely either when he opens a box hidden in his grandfather’s antiques shop that contains numerous lamps and a genie pops out of one. He is only saved from the bad genie by his grandfather who takes the brunt of the genie’s anger and is now in a coma.

It’s not the only thing Relic learns, though, as he is whisked away to the headquarters of a top-secret group called The Genie Hunters, which it turns out his grandfather was a member of.

Relic Hamilton, Genie Hunter is a fast-paced middle-grade action book that is very clever and imaginative. I can’t say I’ve ever given genie’s a second thought or what happens when someone makes a wish but armed with the knowledge from this book I’ll think I’ll pass if I ever come across one!!

The story is shrouded in mystery and has plenty of twists. It is such good fun and will keep children engaged the whole way through. Relic is an easily likeable character, and you can fully get behind him in his quest. The other characters, including wacky Professor Latimer and half-genie Doctor Raphaela, are amazing, too.

Overall, this is a book any middle-grade adventure reader would love. It is hard to put down once you begin and with more books to follow, this is one series not to be missed.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

Relic Hamilton enjoys hanging out with his grandfather in his London, England antique shop, Anansi's Antiques, and "mudlarking" in the Thames with him, picking up small treasures. When he is organizing some of the inventory, he finds a case of lamps, and causes an explosion that releases a shadowy figure after rubbing one of them. He ends up with Raphaela and the Professor on a jet. The two explain that they need to get his grandfather to the secure facility of the Hermetic Sodality of Genie Hunters to make sure he is well. Relic didn't know that his grandfather was part of this secret group, and is alarmed to discover that genies don't just grant wishes; they feed off the hope of people. That's why Relic was knocked out, and his grandfather is in a coma. We also meet Taya, who find the lamp while she is on a field trip from school. The two intersect and have to work with the Sodality to make sure the genies are not unleashing harm on the world.

This felt particularly British, which I enjoy but which has been increasing unpopular with my students, who now (rightly) feel that Harry Potter is an "old" book. Genies are an even harder sell, although I still love Kerr's The Ahkenaten Adventure and Whitesides' The Wishmakers. I know that Coelho is a very highly regarded children's author in the UK, so this is a fast paced fantasy novel that would be great for readers who enjoyed Crowl's Eden's Wish and Eden's Escape, Lough's Fire Wish, or Speakman and Galvin's Rebels of the Lamp are popular.

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading all books by this wonderful author

Relic Hamilton lives with his grandfather above their antique shop in Soho London. Relic’s grandfather’s health is falling, and his grandfather is adamant he won’t sell their antique shop as it’s their home. Relic Hamilton’s mother’s used to own the shop, now Relic’s grandfather wants their antique shop to remain in the family for generations to come. one day Relic will run the antique shop. In the basement Relic unlocks a wooden box, he finds a lamp, that looks like a genie lamp, when he touches, the lamp, strange things start to happen to Relic. Genies grant wishes don’t they? This is the reason why genies are magically hiding inside. But are the genies good in Relic Hamilton’s world? Relic Hamilton Genie Hunter by Joseph Coelho, is the best fantasy novel for 9-12 year olds. Hope there are more Relic Hamilton books!

About

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun middle grade read, in which a 12 year old boy discovers unexpected adventures when he accidentally stumbles across a magical artifact.

Relic is an engaging MC, supported by an interesting cast of quirky characters in the form of the secret society of genie hunters he is comes into contact with after his own encounter with an evil genie.

I especially liked the multicultural aspect of this story, and I think it will have great appeal for readers of the target age group. It gets 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Bex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, adventurous, exciting read for children. I think they would enjoy the sense of mystery and excitement the genies create.

I enjoyed the diverse and engaging characters. Relic is a strong MC and the other characters complimented him with their quirks.

It was fast paced, engaging and easy to follow despite descriptions of genie worlds and time travel.

I look forward to finding out what the next steps are for Relic and the genie hunters in the sequel.

I think children in KS2 would find this an enjoyable action packed read.

[Emm Woodworth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't vibe with this at all. I thought the concept with the evil genies and a genie hunter group was great but it just didn't really go anywhere. I know the plan for this is for a sequel but the ending was just so abrupt, as was any action in the story. "oh no there's many dangerous genies on the loose...oh no its ok we got them..."
I also really wasn't into the weird poetry type bits at the beginning of each chapter.
Disappointed with this one

[Mrs Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had so many moments that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved how we got introduced to the genie world. I loved how it became more apparent how important relic really is. I enjoyed going back in time and seeing the connections to how the future will unfold. I just found that when he returned it was just rushed and not what I expected. Still interested to see how the second one goes.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather disappointed with this book. Given it’s by Joseph Coelho, it didn’t flow like his poetry does. I didn’t connect with the characters or the settings. It was very much told and not shown. Sorry.