Middle grade isn’t usually my thing, but I guess this one was good enough. I do really like the overall message of the story and it did remind me a lot of Spirited Away. The author makes a point of shedding light on forced child labor, which is nice. However at the end of the day, I was mostly bored. Nothing really stood out to me; the writing is pretty basic, the plot is nothing that exciting nor surprising. Nura’s character annoyed me rather often. She kept treating her friend Faisal like garbage, and for what? That’s not being badass, that’s just being rude. I think the author was trying to paint Nura as a reckless, rebellious little girl but it felt off more often than not. Anyway, this book didn’t blow me away but it’s not bad either.

Thank you so much Netgalley and @lonelypagesbooktours for the e-copy❤️

🪄 Title: Nura and the Immortal Palace.
🪄 Author: M.T.Khan.
🪄 Genres: Juvenile Fiction, Fantasy & Magic.
🪄 Personal Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫/ 5.

🌿 My Thoughts 🌿 :

It's impossible to stop gushing about what a perfect book 'Nura and The Immortal Palace' is! How in the world is it her debut novel? Where was she all this time?! Also the fact that she is both an engineer and a very capable writer? I can't help being a fan❤️ The blurb was highly captivating. Despite my very busy schedule, I managed to devour the book in two sittings. You can't just start reading and then not keep waiting to see what happens next. The characters are intriguing, warm and fun while the world building is absolutely magical. It was so refreshing to read about a Muslim protagonist and being able to relate to the cravings of Gulab Jamun, Laddu and Hawai Mithai! Not to mention the breathtaking cover❤️ Maeeda tackles the topic of child labour in such a understandable and empathic way that it will 100% tug at your heartstrings. Nura and Faisal have my heart! Highly recommended. I can't wait to read what she writes next.

Thanks for the earc of this children's fiction to netgalley ,littlebrownyoungreaders and lonelypagesbooktours .
Synopsis:
Twelve year old Nura has only one aim in life, dig hard at the mica taverns so that her mother doesn't have to work too hard to meet their family s needs. One fine day, she is transported into the world of Djinn where wealth and treachery awaits her. What if she gets trapped in the djinn realm forever?
Review:
This debut middle grade fiction is a breeze of fresh air dealing with important yet sensitive topics . The characterisation of Nura , the naive hardworking kid is quite a great reflection of the oppressed childhood . This portal fantasy has spirited away vibes and the world building is a treat to read. Friendship , importance of education and evils of child labor are highlighted well. Finding happiness in the simplest of things in childhood is something the adults fail to enjoy and this book transports us into those good old days. @maeedakhan 's creativity and writing is beautiful and is a gift to readers around the world.
I felt the hardship of Nura's mother was glorified to some extent in the book, which I feel should be given a more mature take. We see women around us who toil day and night for their family , but doesn't have time for themselves ; it's time women find atleast bare minimum time for themselves.
Rating: 4/5

THANKS TO TBR AND BEYOND TOURS AND NETGALLEY FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOST THIS TOUR.

Nura, along with other kids, works in mica mines so her family can survive. Education is not an option for these kids, they spent their day in a struggle to collect the most mica to earn more. Nura's father lost his life working in mines. Nura's mother wants her kids to get an education but it seems luxury when it is hard to meet their basic needs. Nura grew up listening to demon tongue's myth- a hidden treasure, somewhere in mines, that can change her days. The efforts to find this treasure led her to a new world.

Nura and the Immortal Palace made it on my tbr list from the day I saw it on the author's Twitter account and I am more than glad that it was everything it promised to be. Nura as a character sometimes came a bit arrogant but she is a lovely daughter and sister, her efforts toward friendship with Faisal were also a new element that I've rarely read in any middle grade. I love that Nura was unapologetically Muslim and showed it with her actions. I was pleasantly surprised to read direct Islamic and Quranic references as the majority of the Muslim books are white-washed for sake of the majority of readers. 

The story was so beautiful and sad at the time. I wasn't expecting a middle grade to touch on so many sensitive and important topics. This book advocates the importance of education at every chance it gets along with the opposition to child labor. The world-building of the palace was magical and can easily transport a reader, on the other hand, the way Meera bagh was portrayed transported me to a calm and small village in Pakistan. It made me think that sometimes simple is enough if done brilliantly. 

It is definitely that kind of book I'll like my niece and nephews to read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 4 stars
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book via TBR and Beyond Tours in exchange for an honest review!

Nura and the Immortal Palace is a middle grade Fantasy book with Pakistani and Muslim rep. It follows Nura, a mica child miner, who dug to deep and caused a mine to collapse. When this happened her friend Faisal got trapped and she was determined to get him out, only to fall into the realm of the Jinn.

Warning content: child labor

“Educating people, eliminating their ignorance… I believe that’s the best way to keep chaos in check.”

I believe middle grade books are often overlooked because of the rating, but some of them are truly hidden gems! Yes, they aren’t always as deep or complex as YA of NA, but still the story in itself can be amazing with an amazing message, just as this book.

The plot for this book is relatively simple, but very impactful to read. While in the beginning, the impact isn’t really as potent as later on, it does grab your attention from the very first page. The way the heavier topics are tackled is really well done. It isn’t sugarcoated with its dangers or how wrong it is. I really appreciated that.

The writing was really well done as well. It truly brought forth the Studio Ghibli vibes it was said this book had. The book has really vivid and colorful descriptions of the places, clothing, food and everything in between and it made this book so easy to picture! I did struggle a bit with the world. I was confused about the “real world”, as it was confusing if it was in an alternate reality or in our world. The rules etc. of the Jinn realm aren’t also really mentioned, so I didn’t really have an idea what was happening unit it happened. On the other hand, some parts were really predictable as well.

Nura is a wonderful courageous character, but childlike as well. She fluctuates in feeling childlike and mature depending on the situation. While seeing the wonder in the Jinn realm, you really notice she is so young. On the other hand, when working or thinking of her family she shows a really mature sign. It is almost sad she has this side, because the hard circumstances that created it. All characters have depth to them, even the “bad” ones which makes them quite likable and you sympathize more with them.

Another thing that really got to me in this book was the topic of education. Nura believing it isn’t for her, because she needs to work to help her family broke my heart. But her wanting to sent her younger siblings was heartwarming at the same time. It also really ties in with the growth of her as a character, which is subtle but powerful.

A lot of events did seem a bit rushed to me and thus didn’t really gave me the full impact they could’ve had, such as the eating competition, the casino and the ending. That was a pity, I would’ve liked those to be a bit more fleshed out and maybe be given a bit more attention.

Overall, it was a fun and whimsical story with a really strong message about education and child labor, that I enjoyed.

I immediately loved Nura's character. She is ambitious and compassionate even if her desires sometimes lead her in the wrong direction. Growing up in child labor working in the mines, she just wants to steal slivers of happiness. Moments where she has the agency over her own life. A hand in her own fate. Even more than that, she wishes for things to be easier for her family, for her siblings to go to school, for security. While she can act first, and think about the consequences afterwards, Nura is a middle grade heroine I would have loved as a child.

Beginning with immediate action, Nura and the Immortal Palace is sure to sweep readers off their feet. It balances adventures and riddles to be solved with real conversations about child labor and about poverty. Of not wanting to fall into another trap of servitude which preys on children, their naivety, their hope, and their love. At the same time, Nura and the Immortal Palace examines generalizations. How we can believe we know everything there is about people and really know nothing at all.

**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley for a blog tour with Lonely Pages Book Tours in exchange for an honest review**

An enchanting portal fantasy full of hope but one that also brings to light the harsh realities of poverty that are present around the world.

Nura and the Immortal Palace follows Nura, a 12 year old girl who is one of countless children working in the mica mines of Meera Bagh to help her single mother support their family. Whispers of the Demon’s Tongue, a priceless treasure that would solve anyone’s money problems have been circulating for some time and when Nura’s mother tells her to stop working, it only heightens her ambitions to find it.

However, a mining accident that buries some of the children including Nura’s best friend Faisal shifts her desperation into finding him. What she finds as she digs deep into the mines though, are a pink sea, a purple sky and the realm of the jinn. In awe of all the desires and luxuries this magical world has to offer she goes in search of Faisal however, she must remember to heed the warnings from her mother stories of the jinn and their trickery.

Pairing Islamic mythology with endearing characters and beautifully vivid settings, M. T. Khan’s middle grade debut is equally delightful and enlightening. Despite being for a younger audience I found myself absolutely captivated by this adventure that not only transports you to a world rich in South Asian culture but also imparts significant commentary on child labour and the cycle of exploitation that many families face in the real world.

Nura is fiercely protective of her loved ones and would do anything to get her hands on some gulab jamun and I absolutely loved her. Khan has done a brilliant job in capturing both her boldness and the naivety she has about the world and I really valued the subtler message on the importance of education that is brought into the narrative as we follow her on her journey in this story too.

The two things that I appreciated on a more personal level with this book though were the big sister figure that Nura embodied because as an eldest child myself I saw my younger self in her, and also the depiction of day to day life in a Muslim community. From the prep and excitement for Eid, to the jinn stories told by families and the mention of stories from the Quran and praying Ayat al-Kursi for protection, it just warmed my heart seeing such wholesome representation.

If I could travel back in time right now this is the book that I would immediately hand to younger me. However, this is a book that I believe will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
Final Rating – 4.5/5 Stars

Having read this book I can vouch that the Spirited Away comparison is so apt! Nura and the Immortal Palace is a middle grade fantasy about 12 year old Nura, who works in the mica mines to support her family but when the mine collapses and her friends disappear, she finds herself whisked away into a secret world ruled by the jinn. What follows next is Nura’s race to get herself out of the jinn hotel before it’s too late.

magically written
One of the best things about Nura and the Immortal Palace is how vividly the setting has been described. My South Asian heart absolutely adores the Islam religion and Pakistani culture influences in the book, be it about festivals, the mouth watering food, the dances, the faith or the sense of family among the characters. I love how unapologetically Muslim it is and how the culture blends with the magical elements.

Even when Nura winds up in another realm, the beauty of the descriptions remains the equally imaginative. We’re introduced to the world of the jinn and the hotel Nura and other kids are stuck in and the magical nature is brought to life by M.T. Khan—be it the food competitions, the glamour or the liveliness through which Nura is lured into the faux sense of security. The atmosphere is bright and colourful but the realistic undertones are not to be missed among the glitters.

tackles themes of child labour and importance of education
I really admire how a Middle Grade fantasy manages to include important topics of the vicious cycle of exploitation as well as prevalent child labour practices in parts of the world. Without is seeming heavy on the readers. It shows how carefully crafted this story is! There’s a smooth blend of the shining world in the story with insights into how mere kids are exploited and how the rich turn the poor against each other for their benefit. So while we’re lost in an adventurous tale, it doesn’t fail to shatter the truth about the illusions.

By the end, Nura and the Immortal Palace also makes the readers realise why being educated is important. From revolting against going to school to acknowledging the benefits of being a capable literate, Nura’s growth arc develops subtly but strongly.

engaging characters
Nura is such a delightful voice to read through the book! I was impressed with how determined she was to earn for her family even if it meant grappling with the mica mining. And later on, I appreciated how she absorbed the lessons from different encounters, she always has her family as her priority. She’s a protective elder sister and daughter but also a caring friend.

Faisal, a side character and Nura’s closest friend shines throughout the story too, despite being a side character. He’s anxious and cautious but his bond with Nura is heartwarming, supporting each other through thick and thin.

If all of that hasn’t convinced you yet, this book is for the gulab jamun lovers. Be sure to check out this book for a determined protagonist, her soft boy companion, their adventure into a jinn world and a glimpse into workings of the real world!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I didn’t really know what to expect going into Nura and the Immortal Palace, but I was drawn in by the cover and blurb. Upon reading it, I was enraptured by the story that unfolded, but also deeply moved. Through the juxtaposition of reality and fantasy, there’s a poignant message about child labor.
I love how steeped in Pakistani-Muslim culture the book is, and how it does so without talking down to the reader. The primary audience is kids and their families who grew up with these stories, but it’s equally enticing for those who don’t have the same background.
Nura is an incredibly relatable protagonist. She sees her mother working hard in an exploitative situation to support her and the rest of the family, and she also has to do her bit to contribute as the oldest. She strikes a great balance of being a good sister, wanting to look after all her siblings, yet also having her own desires that get the better of her as she’s tempted. But even as she dreams about more, it’s always with her family in mind.
This is a really beautiful book that touches on difficult real-world issues delicately for a younger audience. If you enjoy multicultural middle grade adventures, I recommend picking this one up.

Our main character Nura is a child-worker in the mica mines of a Pakistani village in order to help her mother with supporting their family. Working in the mines is a dangerous job as Nura discovers when her friends get trapped and are presumed dead. Strong-willed Nura decides to go back in to the collapsed tunnel to find her friends. She ends up crossing into the world of the Jinn and despite her mother’s warning, she makes the mistake of attending a wild party at the Jinn hotel .

I loved the inner-workings of the genie culture, the heavy focus on family and friendships, and I especially loved to see Nura grow and mature as a character. ‘Nura and Immortal Palace’ is an “own voices” book - as the author is Pakistani Muslim - which lends so much credibility and culture it to the story, as is evident by her description of the food and specialty mouth-watering desserts!

I will absolutely recommend it to kids to read as a solid, captivating middle grade tale.

Thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this ARC.

I loved this!!! The best thing about this is the Muslim rep, it is SOO GOOD and very realistic. I got Narnia vibes, where the dig a hole instead of open a wardrobe and find a whole other world.

I loved the concept, and the way Jinn were protested. I really liked Nura, I thought she was very brave and a daring character. I also liked that she had someone with her, who was the opposite and could ground her.

I did feel that there was depth missing. There were a few good story lines and a main plot but it was quite surface level? Still enjoyable though.

Also THIS COVER oh my gosh, beautiful.

This book has been compared to Studio Ghibli movies, and in my opinion that is the PERFECT comparison for this debut middle grade fantasy about Nura, a Pakistani girl who works in the mica mines instead of going to school in order to support her family. After a cave-in at the mines, Nura and her best friend Faisal, along with a few other child workers, find themselves trapped as workers in a magical hotel full of jinn in an alternate dimension. Through Nura's fiery spirit, stubborn determination, and immense courage, she and her friends manage to find their way out of the hotel and free all the child workers tricked into eternal labor.

I gave this book five out of five stars for multiple reasons! First of all, it offers a type of representation I haven't seen much if at all in middle grade fantasy before, and I know Nura will mean so much to so many kids who will be able to see themselves in this book for possibly the first time. Second of all, the DESCRIPTIONS! This book made me *so* ravenously hungry, with all its descriptions of feasts and banquets, complete with deserts like Nura's favorite—gulab jamun. The visual scenery was also gorgeously described, which made me feel immersed in the colorful, magical, jinn-filled world the author built. And finally—Faisal, my favorite anxious overly-cautious side character/deuteragonist with the soul of a poet. As best friends, Faisal and Nura complemented each other SO WELL, acting almost as foils while still showing their close bond and deep platonic (and maybe romantic in the future???) love for each other.

Overall—five out of five stars to Nura and the Immortal Palace by M. T. Khan. I can't wait to read more about Nura and Faisal's adventures!

This novel had gorgeous imagery and taught me lots about a culture that is not my own. It was a quick, enjoyable read that gave me spirited away vibes. However, some plot lines could be a little hard to follow with the quick pacing, and I think it could have been a little longer to flesh out some of those points. I would definitely recommend this, though!

Thank you to NetGalley for my digital ARC

This is a 5-star read for me! I'll be expanding on this in a longer review, but here are my favorite reasons to read this book:

1. The characters are so well-written, dynamic, and alive. Nura's headstrong attitude is developed through exploring her ties with her family and with her fellow miners. I can't help but cheer for her as she blazes through every obstacle in her way and her boldness to keep asking "Why can't I do this?"

2. The pacing of this book is fantastic. It can't be put down, it doesn't have dead weight, and it is tightly woven. Middle school graders would really see this as something worthy of a lunch period or a secret midnight binge read.

3. I like how the issue of child labor in mica mining is highlighted and made central in the story, so much so that no one can deny or sweep under the rug the suffering of children like Nura. Since it isn't widely talked about in circles that kids have access to (I often hear it in makeup discussion groups), I love that the author maximizes her platform for this.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I absolutely loved this book! I can't say much because I'm speechless but what I can say is Nura And The Immortal Palace is a book with a powerful message and it is at times sad but also full of so much hope💖

4 stars!

Trigger Warning: child labor, death, grief, mine collapse

Grief presents itself in many ways, even portals to other worlds.

Nura and the Immortal Palace by M. T. Khan was a story of dealing with grief and sadness at its core. This was deep. Nura is a determined and spunky 12 yr old girl who is working hard to make money for her family. Nura, her friends as well as other kids, are working in a mine because the adults are too big to fit. One day at the mining site, there’s an accident and four people die including her best friend. She doesn’t believe it and can’t wrap her head around it at all. She goes to the site to prove everyone wrong and ends up in another world.

There were so many tough real life experiences that tend to be hush hush in society. I’m glad that it was mentioned in this middle grade book. Children having the opportunity to see what others experience will help them grow as well. With the story being about a young Pakistani girl, it all focused on her tough experiences, like child labor, her culture and even language. Let’s not forget the theme of rich vs poor and dealing with death and grief. It is always amazing to see a culture’s lore mixed into a story, it exposes us to something we may have never known and can be inspiring. This was a needed story and I’m glad it was created!

As this book covers some really deep, dark, even controversial topics, it would be better for older middle grade students. They’d be able to process what’s happening a bit easier than the lower leveled readers. Additionally, it’d be a great opportunity for open discussion, whether it’s with family or educators of another form. Excluding the themes, it’s still an interesting story and many readers will love it!

I’ll be looking out for the next book!

NURA AND THE IMMORTAL PALACE isn't just a magical adventure, it's one that spotlights child exploitation and the desperation of poverty. Nura and other children work in dangerous mines where lives are regularly lost because they have no other choice; their families need the money just to survive. When there's another mine collapse, Nura looks for her friend Faisal and ends up transported to the Sijj Palace, a magical place where jinn trick humans into servitude. There's so much going on here - a very compelling read.

5 Stars

Once again, Nura and the Immortal Palace is the kind of book I wish I had when I was younger. Nura and the Immortal Palace is an endearing adventure story filled with loveable characters at its core that emphasizes the cycle of exploitation.

“History repeats itself. Once again, we fall to chaos. But we’ll rise again. And again. And once more.”

Our story follows Nura who works in the mines in a small Pakistani town to give her family a better life. Through the eyes of Nura, we see that even when she makes mistakes that come with terrible consequences, she does everything in her power to make it right. Along the way she learns key lessons that guide her as she travels through her journey. Her motives and the importance she places on materialism are questioned directly causing her to rethink her previous ideals when problems start to confront her. The growth that Nura goes through is written beautifully and you can see a clear progression of her character from start to finish.

M.T Khan smoothly combines the commentary on child labor and the continual cycle of exploitation into the world of the Jinn. The juxtaposition between the bright, colorful world of the Jinn while hinting at the darker undertones of child labor was done in such a brilliant way. Small details like this demonstrate how much time and effort the author spent crafting this story meticulously. The lyrical writing brings this fantasy world to life and the descriptions jump right off the page.

The time and effort the author spent are directly reflected within the world. Throughout the world, there is Desi culture sprinkled in through the clothing, food, and childhood stories of the Jinn. It’s a celebration of M.T Khan’s culture and allows those who aren’t of the same to feel a connection to it. It creates a truly memorizing world for the reader to engross themselves in.

“But sometimes,” he sighs, ruffling my hair, “if you dig hard enough, you can find sparkles in the dirt, can’t you?“

The author does a remarkable job of handling the various tonal shifts balancing the lighthearted moments with the darker serious moments. M.T Khan handles these topics in such an appropriate way allowing young readers to pick up on the message woven into the story seamlessly.

Nura and the Immortal Palace is perfect for readers looking for a thought-provoking middle-grade fantasy that celebrates Desi Culture while having darker topics woven in seamlessly.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Publishing for this eARC!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. I will definitely purchase this for my classroom library. I think older elementary and middle schoolers would enjoy this fantasy novel. While the characters are Muslim, it is not a religious book. I appreciated the cultural foods, clothing, and descriptions of Pakistan in the story. The themes of child labor, education, and family ring true. I appreciate that this is a perfectly clean book with a strong female character. The tales of trickster Jinn are memorable, but not too scary for younger readers. Thanks for a happy ending!

Nura and the Immortal Palace by M. T. Khan

I requested this arc because it’s described as Aru Sha meets Spirited Away and that could not have been more accurate! The plot follows hardworking Nura who can’t go to school because she must work in the mines, that is of course until she falls into the world of jinn. A large part of the book focuses on the atrocities of child labor and how to help which is something I’ve never seen done in a middle grade book but is so very important.

The best word I can describe this book with, is colorful. It not only has a significant message, but the writing style is absolute magic and the settings described are bright and vivid. I fell into the world of djinn as fast as Nura did with its strange creatures and hotel of wonders. There’s trickery, impossible games, and improbable escapes. Not to mention the Desi, Muslim, and stuttering representation. What more could you ask for?

I can’t believe this is a debut and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for an ARC!