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Shad Hadid #2
Shad Hadid and the Forbidden Alchemies: An Action-Packed School Fantasy About Magic, Evil, and a Perilous Quest for Children
George Jrejie delivers another thrilling and action-packed middle grade fantasy adventure in this sequel to Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria.
After defeating the necromancers and bringing alchemy back to the Alexandria Academy, Shad Hadid is ready for an exciting second term at school. It doesn't hurt that he's being called a hero, but the new lessons are harder than he expected and his mentor, Kahem, is nowhere to be found.
When Shad intercepts a letter from an informant with a possible clue for thwarting the necromancers' evil plans once and for all, he's determined to help. Joined by his friends, Shad embarks on a perilous journey across Lebanon to track down this secretive stranger.
But shadowy forces lurk around every corner, eager to take revenge on the Alexandria Academy's young heroes--and not everyone is as they seem. Unable to tell who they can trust, will Shad and his friends be able to find what they seek and save their school?
As Soman Chainani (The School for Good and Evil) noted of the first "Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria is a heart-warming, mouth-watering tale packed to the brim with humor, action, and culinary delights. Alchemizing the magic school trope with traditional Lebanese culture, author George Jreije creates a rich one-of-a-kind world that readers won't want to leave. Like a delicious home-cooked meal, this book is straight from the heart, a touching tale about family and friendship that is sure to resonate with children and parents alike."
After defeating the necromancers and bringing alchemy back to the Alexandria Academy, Shad Hadid is ready for an exciting second term at school. It doesn't hurt that he's being called a hero, but the new lessons are harder than he expected and his mentor, Kahem, is nowhere to be found.
When Shad intercepts a letter from an informant with a possible clue for thwarting the necromancers' evil plans once and for all, he's determined to help. Joined by his friends, Shad embarks on a perilous journey across Lebanon to track down this secretive stranger.
But shadowy forces lurk around every corner, eager to take revenge on the Alexandria Academy's young heroes--and not everyone is as they seem. Unable to tell who they can trust, will Shad and his friends be able to find what they seek and save their school?
As Soman Chainani (The School for Good and Evil) noted of the first "Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria is a heart-warming, mouth-watering tale packed to the brim with humor, action, and culinary delights. Alchemizing the magic school trope with traditional Lebanese culture, author George Jreije creates a rich one-of-a-kind world that readers won't want to leave. Like a delicious home-cooked meal, this book is straight from the heart, a touching tale about family and friendship that is sure to resonate with children and parents alike."
- GenresFantasy
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2023
6 people are currently reading
1966 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 11, 2024
give me book 3 NOW
November 22, 2023
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Shad Hadid and the Forbidden Alchemies is an excellent sequel that proves George Jreije is here to stay as a strong voice and cultural presence in MG Fantasy. Following on from Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria, alchemy is back on the curriculum at the Alexandria Academy... and Shad is in danger of failing. Despite saving the school, his teachers, and his fellow students, it seems not everyone is thrilled about Shad's love of breaking the rules and improvising his recipes. His personal studies with mentor Kahem aren't going great, either, and all his friends are about to abandon him for spring break. Discovering a secret note that may lead to the necromancers -- and, more importantly, Shad's mother -- Shad decides to ignore Kahem's orders and sneak off for a secret spring break of his own.
Pacing
Tone, character and setting are laid down immediately, as with book one. Less rocketing to the pace this time, building slow and steady in the beginning as the changes since last book are laid out, overlapped with new problems for Shad and his friends. Despite assisting him in saving the Academy, none of his friends received the same accolades -- and Sarah has only received a bad reputation for destruction, to her frustration.
The journey for spring break starts wonderfully. So many new locations, inventions and set-pieces to dazzle a reader and immerse them in Arabic culture. As with book one, there's a steady stream of danger and battles, though unlike last book (where the necromancers had taken over the school) there's less reason for such frequent attacks while on the move... Unless...? Unfortunately the obvious reason for so many "coincidences" never once occurs to anyone in the book, which is a bit frustrating, even for 11-to-13 year olds.
One or two excellent twists at the end have me very excited for the next book in the series!
Characters
Shad remains Shad. Everything you loved from the first book and all the parts you didn't love, too. He's a realistic character: stubborn and with flaws, loves his friends but is also selfish at times and puts them at risk. He overestimates himself, he gets scared, he fights with his friends, and he's the late bloomer who doesn't understand people around him wanting/feeling romance. An excellent MG protagonist. Shad felt a little static for a lot of the novel, but underwent significant personal growth by the end, so it was worth the wait.
Shad's friends are always a highlight. Sarah, Hayati and Donny are engaging. For myself, I had a hard time remembering who Rey was or what he was interested in, how he differentiated from Shad or Donny in terms of interests and personality. But even Rey learns some new skills this book, so maybe we'll see a stronger showing of his personality in later books. The group interactions are great and I had more fun when the kids were all together by the middle of the novel.
There are several new characters this novel, including one who is a little too obviously suspicious, if I may say. Some new villains join, not exactly working with the returning ones from last novel, but certainly not on Shad's side. Their attempts to target the kids were smart and varied, especially . The split among the villains was believable, though the motivation of the new villains revealed at the end felt like a bit of a rehash of things we'd seen and dealt with in book one.
Adult/mentor characters weave in and out of the journey, always with good reasons for their removal. I enjoyed these new adults/mentors a lot, along with the chance for Shad's friends to learn some new skills and for readers to see more ways that alchemy can be used or focused apart from Shad and Kahem's strain. Hopefully several of these new adults will appear in later books, too.
Setting
Forbidden Alchemies expands on existing setting/technologies like the Instant Oasis' from book one, to a greater degree. Shad travels to Lebanon, his home country, and we get lovely descriptions of places, food, and culture that are dear to Shad (and the author) without being a repeat of anything from book one. Add magic into Lebanese culture and we have wonderful setpieces that will spark the imagination -- cosy, cluttered, colourful, fantastical settings that will appeal to fans of Harry Potter and Ghibli movies. Part of my brain remains in the train market as we first saw it. Another part in the stormy seaside castle, which gave me such The Last Unicorn vibes.
The plot device of spring break AND a quest means we also get to see many different settings this time around. Markets and deserts and forests and seasides; major towns and tiny villages and shacks in the woods. There's so much to see this novel, and every new location is unique from the ones before and after.
It was a genius decision to have Shad return to his home country of Lebanon alongside his best friend, Sarah, who has only been exposed to Arabic culture for less than a year. We get the immediacy of someone familiar with the language, food and customs, but also the tentative gestures of someone just learning the language and customs, and Shad's pride in Sarah for learning what she has. It gives a wonderful depth to the culture and setting, to drop readers in without over-explaining but also have a lifejacket in Sarah's unfamiliarity to keep yourself afloat.
Overall
Slower than Book One in the series, but allows for more personal quests and growth that were very much needed. Complex, realistic kids dealing with not only realistic kid problems but magical issues way above their heads. More time to shine for all of the kids, and some interesting new adult characters to keep things interesting (and somewhat realistic, that five kids can take on two major groups of villains).
Rating: 5 stars -- almost 4.5 (which then rounds down to 4), but the twists at the end really excited me for this novel and the series going forward.
Shad Hadid and the Forbidden Alchemies is an excellent sequel that proves George Jreije is here to stay as a strong voice and cultural presence in MG Fantasy. Following on from Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria, alchemy is back on the curriculum at the Alexandria Academy... and Shad is in danger of failing. Despite saving the school, his teachers, and his fellow students, it seems not everyone is thrilled about Shad's love of breaking the rules and improvising his recipes. His personal studies with mentor Kahem aren't going great, either, and all his friends are about to abandon him for spring break. Discovering a secret note that may lead to the necromancers -- and, more importantly, Shad's mother -- Shad decides to ignore Kahem's orders and sneak off for a secret spring break of his own.
Pacing
Tone, character and setting are laid down immediately, as with book one. Less rocketing to the pace this time, building slow and steady in the beginning as the changes since last book are laid out, overlapped with new problems for Shad and his friends. Despite assisting him in saving the Academy, none of his friends received the same accolades -- and Sarah has only received a bad reputation for destruction, to her frustration.
The journey for spring break starts wonderfully. So many new locations, inventions and set-pieces to dazzle a reader and immerse them in Arabic culture. As with book one, there's a steady stream of danger and battles, though unlike last book (where the necromancers had taken over the school) there's less reason for such frequent attacks while on the move... Unless...? Unfortunately the obvious reason for so many "coincidences" never once occurs to anyone in the book, which is a bit frustrating, even for 11-to-13 year olds.
One or two excellent twists at the end have me very excited for the next book in the series!
Characters
Shad remains Shad. Everything you loved from the first book and all the parts you didn't love, too. He's a realistic character: stubborn and with flaws, loves his friends but is also selfish at times and puts them at risk. He overestimates himself, he gets scared, he fights with his friends, and he's the late bloomer who doesn't understand people around him wanting/feeling romance. An excellent MG protagonist. Shad felt a little static for a lot of the novel, but underwent significant personal growth by the end, so it was worth the wait.
Shad's friends are always a highlight. Sarah, Hayati and Donny are engaging. For myself, I had a hard time remembering who Rey was or what he was interested in, how he differentiated from Shad or Donny in terms of interests and personality. But even Rey learns some new skills this book, so maybe we'll see a stronger showing of his personality in later books. The group interactions are great and I had more fun when the kids were all together by the middle of the novel.
There are several new characters this novel, including one who is a little too obviously suspicious, if I may say. Some new villains join, not exactly working with the returning ones from last novel, but certainly not on Shad's side. Their attempts to target the kids were smart and varied, especially . The split among the villains was believable, though the motivation of the new villains revealed at the end felt like a bit of a rehash of things we'd seen and dealt with in book one.
Adult/mentor characters weave in and out of the journey, always with good reasons for their removal. I enjoyed these new adults/mentors a lot, along with the chance for Shad's friends to learn some new skills and for readers to see more ways that alchemy can be used or focused apart from Shad and Kahem's strain. Hopefully several of these new adults will appear in later books, too.
Setting
Forbidden Alchemies expands on existing setting/technologies like the Instant Oasis' from book one, to a greater degree. Shad travels to Lebanon, his home country, and we get lovely descriptions of places, food, and culture that are dear to Shad (and the author) without being a repeat of anything from book one. Add magic into Lebanese culture and we have wonderful setpieces that will spark the imagination -- cosy, cluttered, colourful, fantastical settings that will appeal to fans of Harry Potter and Ghibli movies. Part of my brain remains in the train market as we first saw it. Another part in the stormy seaside castle, which gave me such The Last Unicorn vibes.
The plot device of spring break AND a quest means we also get to see many different settings this time around. Markets and deserts and forests and seasides; major towns and tiny villages and shacks in the woods. There's so much to see this novel, and every new location is unique from the ones before and after.
It was a genius decision to have Shad return to his home country of Lebanon alongside his best friend, Sarah, who has only been exposed to Arabic culture for less than a year. We get the immediacy of someone familiar with the language, food and customs, but also the tentative gestures of someone just learning the language and customs, and Shad's pride in Sarah for learning what she has. It gives a wonderful depth to the culture and setting, to drop readers in without over-explaining but also have a lifejacket in Sarah's unfamiliarity to keep yourself afloat.
Overall
Slower than Book One in the series, but allows for more personal quests and growth that were very much needed. Complex, realistic kids dealing with not only realistic kid problems but magical issues way above their heads. More time to shine for all of the kids, and some interesting new adult characters to keep things interesting (and somewhat realistic, that five kids can take on two major groups of villains).
Rating: 5 stars -- almost 4.5 (which then rounds down to 4), but the twists at the end really excited me for this novel and the series going forward.
April 25, 2025
As I really enjoyed the first book in this series, I was quite excited to start reading the sequel. It turned out to be quite a disappointment however. The first 80 or so pages were slow and tedious to read. While the first book also had a relatively slow start, the beginning of this book was unbearable to the point that I almost quit and didn't finish it (something that I never do.) Throughout the book, I really didn't care what was happening to the characters, with them getting poisoned, or Salim presumably dying, etc. I found most plot twists predictable, although that fact could have been forgiven if the rest of the book was any good, since it is aimed at a younger audience than me. Certain parts of the book were very difficult for me to read, in the sense that they just didn't make sense to me. Such as when Shad asks the bear guy "Did you eat the animals?" (page 110)… Where did that come from? Why did he ask that? What did I miss? ?????
Throughout the book, the author also had the tendency to spout contradicting statements, some immediately after and some a while after, which also made the story very hard to picture in my head. One example of these contradicting statements was regarding the cover of the Alchemist's Hand. On page 131, it is stated that the cover is made of cedarwood from the forest, while on page 342 is is stated that the cover is made of green leather. Both of which give me a very different idea of what the book looks like. Another example is on page 261, where it is implied that Sarah (disguised as a necromancer) is holding on to Hayati, but on page 262, it is implied that Shad is the one holding on to Hayati : "Either Hayati was trembling or I was."
I could go on for a while about the sections that I struggled to read through, but I think the examples that I provided give enough of an idea of what I mean.
The one good thing that I found about this book was the alchemy specialty thing going on. Such as how Samira specialized in healing alchemy. It was an interesting concept that hadn't already been explored.
TLDR, the book was quite difficult to read in more ways than one, it did not live up to expectations after the first book, and I just didn't care about what was happening. If there is ever a third book, I will most likely not read it.
Throughout the book, the author also had the tendency to spout contradicting statements, some immediately after and some a while after, which also made the story very hard to picture in my head. One example of these contradicting statements was regarding the cover of the Alchemist's Hand. On page 131, it is stated that the cover is made of cedarwood from the forest, while on page 342 is is stated that the cover is made of green leather. Both of which give me a very different idea of what the book looks like. Another example is on page 261, where it is implied that Sarah (disguised as a necromancer) is holding on to Hayati, but on page 262, it is implied that Shad is the one holding on to Hayati : "Either Hayati was trembling or I was."
I could go on for a while about the sections that I struggled to read through, but I think the examples that I provided give enough of an idea of what I mean.
The one good thing that I found about this book was the alchemy specialty thing going on. Such as how Samira specialized in healing alchemy. It was an interesting concept that hadn't already been explored.
TLDR, the book was quite difficult to read in more ways than one, it did not live up to expectations after the first book, and I just didn't care about what was happening. If there is ever a third book, I will most likely not read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2023
Love this book. It is a fantastic and scary and marvelous sequel to Book 1. Shad is a kid who loves his family and friends and has his heart in a beautiful, stable, strong space. Did I mention he can bake? We did this as a read aloud, thus the longer duration, and there were so many parts of the book that had us laughing. Adored the property by the sea. And Salim. Samira and her offer are the BEST. The twists and turns had us guessing. Things wrapped up tightly and in a satisfying way. Highly recommend. And manifesting there will be book three!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2023
This book is amazing!!
February 11, 2024
🌟 Unveiling the Magic of Shad Hadid's World: ANOTHER Glorious 5-Star Adventure! 🌟
Hold onto your seats, folks! Shad Hadid has done it again, and I can't contain my excitement!
Shad Hadid Never Stops Making Me Visible! This second installment in the series deserves all the praise, and I'm here to shout it from the ROOFTOPS!
No spoilers here, just an enthusiastic recommendation!
🚀 A Whirlwind of Laughter:
Prepare yourself for ANOTHER journey where the humor never takes a backseat! The witty fart jokes and comedic brilliance will have you laughing out loud as it did in the first book. It's a rare gem to find a book that not only captivates but also tickles your funny bone with finesse.
🇱🇧 Lebanon Rep:
Finally, a fantasy book that showcases Lebanon in all its authentic glory! As a proud Lebanese reader, I felt seen, connected, and oh-so-proud. George, the mastermind behind this literary marvel, paints Lebanon through Shad's lens, revealing its beauty in a way I've never experienced before. This is more than a book; it's a celebration of SWANA stories told by SWANA authors.
📚 Magical Alchemy Galore:
Dive into a world where alchemy takes center stage, with different types of enchanting magic woven into the narrative. Watching Shad and friends grow up, each specializing in their unique form of alchemy, is a magical journey that fantasy lovers like me crave. George has created a tapestry of diverse and powerful alchemy abilities, making the story a spellbinding delight.
Finally, dive into the Shad Hadid series, and I promise you won't be disappointed. George, thank you for this wonderful series that not only entertained but also celebrated the richness of SWANA stories. To readers out there, grab a copy, buckle up, and get ready for a rollercoaster of magic, humor, and cultural pride. Shad Hadid is a literary hero, and his adventures are a must-read for anyone seeking a delightful escape into a world where visibility and magic go hand in hand. 🌟✨
Hold onto your seats, folks! Shad Hadid has done it again, and I can't contain my excitement!
Shad Hadid Never Stops Making Me Visible! This second installment in the series deserves all the praise, and I'm here to shout it from the ROOFTOPS!
No spoilers here, just an enthusiastic recommendation!
🚀 A Whirlwind of Laughter:
Prepare yourself for ANOTHER journey where the humor never takes a backseat! The witty fart jokes and comedic brilliance will have you laughing out loud as it did in the first book. It's a rare gem to find a book that not only captivates but also tickles your funny bone with finesse.
🇱🇧 Lebanon Rep:
Finally, a fantasy book that showcases Lebanon in all its authentic glory! As a proud Lebanese reader, I felt seen, connected, and oh-so-proud. George, the mastermind behind this literary marvel, paints Lebanon through Shad's lens, revealing its beauty in a way I've never experienced before. This is more than a book; it's a celebration of SWANA stories told by SWANA authors.
📚 Magical Alchemy Galore:
Dive into a world where alchemy takes center stage, with different types of enchanting magic woven into the narrative. Watching Shad and friends grow up, each specializing in their unique form of alchemy, is a magical journey that fantasy lovers like me crave. George has created a tapestry of diverse and powerful alchemy abilities, making the story a spellbinding delight.
Finally, dive into the Shad Hadid series, and I promise you won't be disappointed. George, thank you for this wonderful series that not only entertained but also celebrated the richness of SWANA stories. To readers out there, grab a copy, buckle up, and get ready for a rollercoaster of magic, humor, and cultural pride. Shad Hadid is a literary hero, and his adventures are a must-read for anyone seeking a delightful escape into a world where visibility and magic go hand in hand. 🌟✨
January 29, 2024
Hey everyone! I just finished this super exciting book called "Shad Hadid and the Forbidden Alchemies," and let me tell you, it's like a magical rollercoaster of awesomeness! Get ready for the scoop.
So, our hero, Shad Hadid, has already done some super cool stuff. He defeated necromancers and brought alchemy back to the Alexandria Academy. Now, he's all set for a second term at school. But, uh-oh, it's not as easy as it sounds. Lessons are getting trickier, and his mentor, Kahem, is nowhere to be found. School can be tough, even for heroes!
But wait, there's more adventure! Shad intercepts a letter with a clue about stopping those sneaky necromancers once and for all. Our hero is on a mission, and this time, it's a perilous journey across Lebanon! Joined by his awesome friends, Shad is determined to unravel the mysteries and save the day.
But guess what? Shadowy forces and surprises are lurking around every corner. Not everyone is as friendly as they seem, and trust becomes a tricky game. Can Shad and his pals figure out who's who and save their beloved school?
The author, George Jreije, weaves a magical tale filled with humor, action, and culinary delights. It's like a recipe for a heartwarming adventure! And the best part? The story is sprinkled with traditional Lebanese culture, making it a unique and one-of-a-kind world.
As Soman Chainani said about the first book, this one is also packed with "heart, a touching tale about family and friendship." It's not just a story; it's a delicious home-cooked meal straight from the heart.
So, if you love magic, mystery, and heartwarming tales, "Shad Hadid and the Forbidden Alchemies" is the book for you. Grab it, dive into the magical journey, and get ready for a taste of heroism and friendship! 🌟📖✨
So, our hero, Shad Hadid, has already done some super cool stuff. He defeated necromancers and brought alchemy back to the Alexandria Academy. Now, he's all set for a second term at school. But, uh-oh, it's not as easy as it sounds. Lessons are getting trickier, and his mentor, Kahem, is nowhere to be found. School can be tough, even for heroes!
But wait, there's more adventure! Shad intercepts a letter with a clue about stopping those sneaky necromancers once and for all. Our hero is on a mission, and this time, it's a perilous journey across Lebanon! Joined by his awesome friends, Shad is determined to unravel the mysteries and save the day.
But guess what? Shadowy forces and surprises are lurking around every corner. Not everyone is as friendly as they seem, and trust becomes a tricky game. Can Shad and his pals figure out who's who and save their beloved school?
The author, George Jreije, weaves a magical tale filled with humor, action, and culinary delights. It's like a recipe for a heartwarming adventure! And the best part? The story is sprinkled with traditional Lebanese culture, making it a unique and one-of-a-kind world.
As Soman Chainani said about the first book, this one is also packed with "heart, a touching tale about family and friendship." It's not just a story; it's a delicious home-cooked meal straight from the heart.
So, if you love magic, mystery, and heartwarming tales, "Shad Hadid and the Forbidden Alchemies" is the book for you. Grab it, dive into the magical journey, and get ready for a taste of heroism and friendship! 🌟📖✨
November 6, 2023
Holy figs—this stunning sequel to the first Shad Hadid book doesn’t disappoint. So, you’re Shad and about to fail Beginner’s Alchemy at the Academy . . . what better time than to ditch the books and go on spring break! But lounging on the beach isn’t in the cards for him and his trusty circle of classmates (Sarah, Rey, Hayati, and Donny). Instead, his goal is to head toward Lebanon to find his Mama, who may be under a Forgetting Charm spell. Shad and his friends encounter train calamities, Detection Dust, a Lebanese Bear, a robo-rooster, and countless other people, places, and alchemy. And as for his goal, when your sworn enemy is your stepfather, do you believe him or dear Mama, who may not really want to be saved? It’s not too late for Shad to discover who his real friends and family are.
Author Jreije skillfully weaves an adventuresome plot infused with Lebanese culture (including mouth-watering food) and the ever omnipresent necromancers. Surprise! At the end of the story, Shad’s proud mentor, Kahem, introduces him to yet another mystery among its ancient walkways. I’m eager to stay tuned!
Author Jreije skillfully weaves an adventuresome plot infused with Lebanese culture (including mouth-watering food) and the ever omnipresent necromancers. Surprise! At the end of the story, Shad’s proud mentor, Kahem, introduces him to yet another mystery among its ancient walkways. I’m eager to stay tuned!
January 7, 2024
The second novel in the Shad Hadid series finds our hero in his second semester at Alexandria Academy studying his passion, alchemy. When his mentor, Kahem, gets sick and Shad finds a secret letter about necromancers stirring up trouble again, Shad and his best friend Sarah sneak off to Lebanon over spring break hoping to save Shad’s Mama from his evil stepfather. Jreije’s follow-up to The Alchemists of Alexandria is a magical romp through modern-day Lebanon with bustling alchemy markets and rich Lebanese delicacies, all while dangerous animal alchemists and sinister necromancers lurk around every corner. Even though he’s surrounded by his endearing friends from school and intriguing new characters, Shad shines bright as the sweets-loving, passionate heart of this fantastical Middle Eastern adventure.
Read
August 12, 2024didn’t finish, this is the 2nd book in the series and although i didn’t really enjoy the 1st i thought i’d give this one a chance cause the ratings were pretty good. this series was on a list of hp adjacent/jk rowling replacement books so i was like sure! i’ll bite! but what makes hp consumable for both adults n kids is that it’s written in the 3rd person. ur not getting all of the excruciating inner thoughts of going through preteen/teenage yrs. this series is written in 1st person n i really couldn’t put myself in that headspace of a 12 yr old not only going through the middle school growing pains but also the trauma of going to a magical boarding school w irresponsible adults that r not doing their jobs to protect n communicate w the children in their care.
December 4, 2024
I really liked the first book in this series. But I found myself bored with the plot of this book. I didn't care what happened next to read on, and sadly this was a DNF for me. Part of the story sends Shad and friends off to collect an herb to help heal a character who was recently introduced that we didn't get enough time with, and taking advice from someone who again, is newly introduced and seems shady. I just don't care to stick around and see what the new character is about.
I had a hard time imagining scenes at points, especially the fight in the market where they are attacked by necromancers.
I don't know if it was just me, but i had a hard time staying engaged with the sequel. Again, it's probably a me thing.
I had a hard time imagining scenes at points, especially the fight in the market where they are attacked by necromancers.
I don't know if it was just me, but i had a hard time staying engaged with the sequel. Again, it's probably a me thing.
November 10, 2023
Friendship and found family sing at the center of this magical middle grade adventure. Shad's heartbreaking journey to rescue his mother and stop the necromancers from resurrecting their leader is full of difficult decisions, perilous action, and just the right amount of light-hearted humor. I really enjoyed following Shad as he battled not only with magic, but with himself, learning to put others before himself while also learning how to value himself, all amidst a rich cast of characters and mouth-watering food descriptions.
Come for the cat, stay for the fart jokes.
Come for the cat, stay for the fart jokes.
May 3, 2025
Shad really grew on me in this one. He's ultimately a good kid with a strong friend group. They make some *bold* decisions as tweens that baffle me as an adult. But my 9yo kind of loves this series and finds Shad very funny. We see more of the magic system at work here and everyone starts finding their places within it by the end. We'd love to read a third book, but this also wraps up enough that it's not a total cliffhanger.
May 22, 2025
While I enjoyed Book #1 where Shad and his friends defended their school against dark forces, this one was a bit too unrealistic, where he sneaks off to Lebanon and other places to make sure these same dark forces do not gather again. It was boring at the beginning, and I found that I cared less and less about the characters as the story progressed. And really, even fart jokes (like farts themselves) lose their potency after awhile.
September 23, 2025
I picked this up because it was on a must-read list. But I didn't realize it was book #2 of a series...I went ahead and read several pages to see if it would be something I'd be interested in enough to go back and read the 1st one. I think not -- seems like it's trying to hard to be harry potter-esqe, but with a Mediterranean twist. So dnf for this one and I'll skip book #1.
January 1, 2024
I loved this book! It was packed with good development of the characters we are getting to know and love, more exciting adventures, and so many snacks I was hungry the whole time I was reading. A great follow up to the first book, can’t wait for the third!
November 21, 2023
I really enjoyed the narration of this audio book by Ali Nasser!
October 15, 2024
Fun read. Shad and his friends foil the necromancers plans again. Introduced to new types of alchemy plus interesting characters.
December 18, 2024
This book was a fantastic sequel to book 1. The action and mystery kept me guessing and I honestly didn't see a huge twist coming. I absolutely love Shad as a character because I feel like he is super relatable to kids. Highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to relive the magic of book 1, but be taken on a new spring break adventure.
December 14, 2023
The second book in the Shad Hadid series does not disappoint! This time, the kids are off to Lebanon to foil the plans of necromancers--and to save Shad's mom from danger. From the Instant Oasis submarine trip to vibrant markets and crumbling castles, every step is filled with magic, danger, and lots of humor. Lebanese culture and foods are sprinkled throughout as the kids cleverly mix new potions and battle evil. Betrayals and secrets lurk in the shadows, but ultimately the heart-warming found family of the kids from Alexandria Academy are the beating heart of this MG fantasy.
October 31, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded up
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews