* 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 put a smile on my face and would totally read more books set in this world!! ( )

* 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 put a smile on my face and would totally read more books set in this world!! ( )

Heartwarming and action packed. I had to dig out my Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology to read up on various Mesopotamian gods and heroes. I haven't done that since reading Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I loved all the characters and they all had distinct personalities. Nergal was a great baddie. He was gross and scary. The ending was satisfactory, but open enough where it could become a series. ( )

I’ve read several of the Rick Riordan presents books and this one is my favorite so far. Sik is a 13-year-old Iraqi kid who just wants to help his parents in the family deli. Then one day, he is attacked by Nergal, a Mesopotamian god, who believes Sik has the secret to eternal life. Once he gets over his shock that the gods and goddesses of the stories he grew up with are real, he teams up with Belet, the adopted daughter of the goddess Ishtar, and Gilgamesh (yes, that Gilgamesh) to find the flower of immortality before the bad guys destroy his city.

What I liked: the writing reminds me a lot of the original Percy Jackson series (my all-time favorite series). I love learning about the Mesopotamian gods and goddesses, and the Muslim culture. It was fun seeing words (like cuneiform) I haven’t seen since 9th grade World History (and I’m 53, so it’s been a while!). The characters were unique and fun, and the action moved quickly.

What I didn’t like: not much. There were a couple scenes that I thought were too long, but they took nothing away from the joy of reading the book.

A truly fun and interesting read.

5 out of 5 stars ( )

Sik is dedicated to keeping his immigrant parent’s American Dream alive. He feels like he is all they have to help them run their small deli. His brother Mo loved Iraq and told Sik about all of the legends and mythology. As young boys, they even role played being the greatest heroes of all time. Then one day, all of the role playing became painfully real and Sik had to battle monsters and demons to help save the people he loves.
This book is the twelfth book in the “Rick Riordan Presents” series. The books are all stand alone stories written by different authors. They also offer both fantasy and science fiction. City of the Plague Gods is a fantasy adventure steeped in Mesopotamian mythology. While these books are not connected to the Percy Jackson series, they offer similar reads to fans of these types of stories. This book is recommended for readers in grades 4-7 who love fantasy, action, adventure and the true spirit of the underdog. ( )