When I originally requested an eARC of Shubeik Lubeik, it didn't say it was just a sample, that update came to the description after I had already received the sample. I don't read samples because I find them to be too teasing when I'm already interested in reading the book (and on the rare occasion I do read a sample, I don't review them, I only review a complete work). I waited until my local library got a copy of the book and read it then. It was definitely worth the wait though, and I'm still grateful to have received the sample as it helped give me the push to actually grab the copy from the library.

***

Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed might be, without exaggeration, one of the best graphic novels I've ever read.

It's set in a world like our own, only wishes are bottled and sold. The graphic novel is quite lengthy which leaves a great deal of time for world building that sets up legal, cultural, and religious rules that surround the manufacture, trade, and use of wishes in a way that feels completely believable. The book is broken into three main sections (which were published as individual books in Arabic). A man in Cairo has three first class wishes for sale, and each interconnected section is about one of those wishes. The first is about a woman who purchases the wish after doing backtracking labour for years to buy it after the death of her husband, but ends up spending years fighting bureaucratic brutality when they accuse her of stealing the wish in order to keep it for the government. The second section is about a privileged college student with clinical depression who has to reckon with whether a wish could really help them. The final section is about the man selling the wishes who wants to use the final wish to help a friend who is completely uninterested in the help of a wish.

The book feels like a thought experiment in the best way. It's filled with massive emotional impact, thought-provoking social commentary, and impressively detailed worldbuilding. I can't recommend this highly enough. Honestly, I read this through the library, but I need to set aside the cash to buy my own copy because this is phenomenal.

Absolutely loved this one and have been recommending it to people. It's not often that a translated graphic novel from the middle east hits it this big, and I'm so pleased it did.

Beautiful artwork and an interesting original story make this a read that people of many ages will enjoy.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC. This was only a sample but from what I saw, I was intrigued and wanted to read the full book. Rich illustrations that bring the story elements to life. The story itself seems fascinating - the sample ended too soon.

This book is fantastic. The writing does a really great job of setting up the universe as both fantastical and mundane by tying something as magical as wishes into conversations about bureaucracy, class privilege and religious morality. The stories were woven together quite cleverly. I really appreciated how the book highlighted that people from different backgrounds can be suffering in different ways. All the main characters were very likable and I was fascinated by their various thought processes. I believe this is the first comic I’ve ever read focusing on Egyptians, and, as an American reader, I found the cultural depictions quite fascinating.

Thank you to Knopf Doubleday and NetGalley for the Reader's Copy!

If you had one wish, what would you wish for? For the characters in Deena Mohamed's graphic novel, Shubeik Lubeik, this question is not hypothetical. Living in an alternate reality Cairo, Aziza, Nour and Shokry each grapple with their deepest desires as they each get offered one First Class wish. Along the way, we see how wealth inequity, colonialism, and beaurcracy shape this world. The illustrations are breathtaking and I love the level of thought and detail went into imagining this reality. One of the my favorite books this year, hands down!

Shubeik Lubeik is easily one of the best books I've read this year. It's gorgeous, highly creative and original, emotionally arresting, and tackles societal problems in the world (like systemic inequality, mental illness, imperialist history, and others) through incredible world- and character-building. Deena Mohamed uses the story of an alternate Cairo where wishes are produced and sold to tell a story that reflects deeply on the world we live in.

A beautiful graphic novel set in Egypt and ripe with magical realism. I loved every moment.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I loved how the different classes of wishes was set up. And the genie designs! The art in general! Soooo good! Loved the art, I hope Deena Mohamed produces more graphic novels. The plot was also great, darkly humorous at times.

Cannot wait to purchase this!! From the snippet I was kindly sent I was hooked!
It's beautifully illustrated and I love the story. Graphic novels are not my go to normally but I definitely will be giving them a go going forward.
Shubeik Lubeik - a fairy tale rhyme that means "your wish is my command" in Arabic is a great concept and I am excited to read more.

I will be updating this review once I have purchased and read the entire book. I will post my review on Instagram and update on Goodreads.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60465407-shubeik-lubeik" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Shubeik Lubeik" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1650494137l/60465407._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60465407-shubeik-lubeik">Shubeik Lubeik</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17206329.Deena_Mohamed">Deena Mohamed</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5331985732">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Cannot wait to purchase this! I was kindly sent the e-arc by Netgalley which was a snippet of the book. <br />I can honestly say from the section I viewed I am intrigued to read the rest! It’s beautifully illustrated and I love the story! <br />Graphic novels are not normally my go to but I will definitely be giving them a go going forward. <br />Shubeik Lubeik - a fairy tale rhyme that means “your wish is my command” in Arabic is about three wishes that are sold at a kiosk I’m Cairo. Aziza, Nour and Shokry purchase these wishes.. I cannot wait to follow their journeys. Deena Mohamed has done a brilliant job putting this masterpiece together.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/144301498-deadly-nightshade-x">View all my reviews</a>

'Shubeik Lubeik' with story and art by Deena Mohamed is a graphic novel about a place where wishes come true. Be careful what you wish for.

The title is a fairy tale rhyme that means "your wish is my command" in Arabic. This book tells the story of three wishers and danger that comes with literal wishing.

My review copy followed the first story and a woman named Aziza. The story was compelling as was the art. I'd like to find this in full and finish the three stories.

My Thoughts:

I read this as an excerpt only, but this graphic is dark irony, struggle and humor at the same time. The little except was the kind of dark irony that makes me laugh, and then feel guilty that I laughed. There is a very old short story that I used to bring into my English classroom, "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs. Like this graphic novel which is translated as the genie's phrase "your wish is my command," the Jacobs short story also takes the premise of three wishes. The way these wishes are granted are both horrific and act as a cautionary tale.

The moral of both tales, be careful what you wish for.

Deena Mohamedʻs art is bold and strong. It is stunning in its fluid way of creating its own pacing for the stories. I am not familiar with Arabic female cartoonists, but her work is very strong, saturated by vibrant colors and beautiful Arabic calligraphy.

From the Publisher:

Three wishes that are sold at an unassuming kiosk in Cairo link Aziza, Nour, and Shokry, changing their perspectives as well as their lives. Aziza learned early that life can be hard, but when she loses her husband and manages to procure a wish, she finds herself fighting bureau­cracy and inequality for the right to have—and make—that wish. Nour is a privileged college student who secretly struggles with depression and must decide whether or not to use their wish to try to “fix” this depression, and then figure out how to do it. And, finally, Shokry must grapple with his religious convictions as he decides how to help a friend who doesn’t want to use their wish. Deena Mohamed brings to life a cast of characters whose struggles and triumphs are heartbreaking, inspiring, and deeply resonant.

Although their stories are fantastical—featuring talking donkeys, dragons, and cars that can magically avoid traffic—each of these people grapples with the very real challenge of trying to make their most deeply held desires come true.
Publication information:
Author/Illustrator: Deena Mohamed

Publisher: Pantheon (January 10, 2023)

I cannot wait to purchase this graphic novel! I loved the excerpt. The artwork is beautiful and the synopsis sounds so interesting!

I was only able to download a short excerpt of this item, but what I was able to read was very intriguing, and I very much intend to obtain a full copy. The excerpt showcased a government advertisement that outlines the dangers of what they identify as "third class wishes." The story is set in a society where wishes are real and are sold in shops, but the wishes themselves range in quality (and in price). I can't wait to see how different characters interact with the concept of wishes, and the methods by which they will go through to make sure their wishes come true. Also, I really liked the art!

Loved this excerpt though I wish it was longer! I am quite interested now in reading the whole thing and will be looking to see if I can procure one.

A fantastic graphic novel! I loved the storyline and graphics, especially the middle sections that talk about the history and politics of the wishes. Every library should have this title.

Just a sample book and would love to read the full book as soon as its out! Looks very interesting, can't say much since I only read the first 20 pages.

A quick snapshot of what looks to be a beautiful, interesting graphic novel. I enjoyed variety of ways it was presented both framed and, other times, taking up the page. The story grabbed my attention immediately- I look forward to reading the entire work. Thanks to Knopf for the copy.

Unfortunately this excerpt is very short- but the art and story are fascinating, so I will be happy to find a copy once it's published. The concept of purchasing wishes (and what can go wrong with that!) is inventive, and these are gorgeously colored and drawn comics.

I look forward to reading more of it!

This was so intriguing, but honestly 26 pages is such a tease, and its hard to fully get interested in the story! I will be reading the full thing when it comes out