Sarwat Chadda

City of the Plague God is the first Rick Reordan Presents book I have read, and what a way to start! This new mythologically-inspired series by Sarwat Chadda revolves around Mesopotamian mythology and centers on a first generation Iraqi-American named Sik. The book has an excellent balance of Riordan-style humor and heroic recklessness placed alongside the microaggressions, overt racism, and islamophobia that a young man of Sik’s ethnicity would have to endure. I enjoyed the story, loved show more learning the new mythology, and found myself enraged on Sik’s behalf. Chadda’s world building and story building balance is incredible.

Most readers would come into City of the Plague God looking for a mythologically-driven story about a teen saving the day like heroes of yore. You absolutely get that story here, including the classic multi-part quest and multi-level bosses. Very few people are familiar with Mesopotamian mythology because it doesn’t permeate pop culture, at least not in the United States. I’ve read the epic of Gilgamesh, but it’s been over a decade, and I remember very little of the story – now I want to reread it. I adore mythology, so many of the books by either Rick Riordan or his Rick Riordan Presents label come adorned with deities I am familiar with and stories I’m ready to commentate. It was nice to be able to sit back for a change and learn about Ishtar and the other ancient gods of the Middle East. I loved the conversations between Sik and Ishtar about immortality and the nature of being a god. Definitely not the type of thing I would’ve thought about when I was the target age for these books, but as an adult, I appreciated the philosophical conversation.

Chadda does an excellent job of mimicking the Percy Jackson style. It’s a tribute to Riordan. The familiarity of the storytelling style makes it cozy and comfortable, but the new characters and situations give it a fresh face. City of the Plague God presents a modern day plague that breaks out in New York City, and although the book was finished and ready for publication before COVID-19 hit, it is somehow a stronger and more relatable story because of the enduring pandemic. In the foreword there is discussion about the decision to release the book despite coronavirus. Ultimately, they decided to publish despite the timing because everyone involved felt that the book had value despite (and maybe because of) the current situation. I absolutely agree. Although City of the Plague God is more than just details of the plague, the situation reminds us of the importance of perseverance and compassion. Because it is more relevant than the author could have imagined, it is more meaningful as well.

I absolutely recommend City of the Plague God to anybody interested in mythology or who were fans of any of Rick Riordan’s books or those of his label. Sik and Belet are excellent characters, Ishtar and Daoud are an absolute delight, and even our villain has some dialogue that hits home. It was entertaining, but it was also endearing and thought-provoking. The representation was fantastic on all levels and I appreciated that it was never a big deal, that these identities were not the center of the story but part of the characters in it. I’ve already got the next book on my TBR and I can’t wait to read it when it is published next year. show less

* I got this book for review from the publisher for my honest thoughts*

I really loved this read. It was such a fun fast pace read. I am NYC theater teacher and this book is set totally near where i really work and I loved how gods, pandemics invaded NYC. I was so captured by Sarwat writing style and loved the male lead. I also loved how this book again focused on saving the day, saving your family and grief at the death of a love one. I really loved all the new gods we leaned. This book just show more put a smile on my face and would totally read more books set in this world!! show less

I received this book via NetGalley.

Rick Riordan is doing wonderful work through his imprint that publishes middle grade books written by authors who draw from their own heritage to create fun, imaginative worlds. This book by Sarwat Chadda is another fantastic addition to the line.

Plague God is set in the modern era, following Sik, a Manhattan Muslim kid of Iraqi immigrant parents. His family was nearly shattered by the recent death of his older brother, a botanist doing good work in Iraq, show more but they get by, staying busy with their restaurant. Then late one night, a couple creeps barge in that seem genuinely demonic, and they think Sik is hiding something important. A weird ninja girl arrives and scares the rotting creeps off, but things don’t get better. Sik’s parents fall sick. So do a lot of other people. The city itself begins to rot. Sik finds the gods and beings of ancient Mesopotamia may not be mythological after all.

This book is pure fun, the sort that feels cozy even when reading it for the first time. Sik is a great kid, flawed but well-meaning. The action goes along at a fast clip. I read the book in just a few sittings and I had a hard time putting it down. I wish books like this could've been around when I was a kid to help me see behind my small town protestant world. show less

Thank you once again Edelweiss for this ARC!

What a fantastic book! I was concerned that it might be triggering as it is called City of the Plague God, but the plague in New York City is a tiny part of a larger story. (This was written in 2018 when the idea of a plague was really fantasy).
Sik. I love Sik. I love how he loves his family and loves his deli and literally runs away from every fight he's in. The hero who is a hero without being violent is something you almost never see in show more children's books and this one is a gem.
I laughed out loud several times and read a few passages to my family as it was just too good to keep to myself. I love how Chadda offers us a kid who is deeply committed to his religion and culture but still gets to have fantastical adventures. The two are not exclusive.
More than anything this is a book about dealing with grief and not being forced to fit a mold. Highly recommend! show less