Shad Hadid and the Forbidden Alchemies

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 his magic 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 in this thrilling middle grade fantasy.

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 book: "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."

• Found Family: Shad can't do it alone. He'll need to rely on his best friends—Sarah, Rey, Hayati, and Donny—as they travel a dangerous path far from the safety of their school.
• Action-Packed Adventure: From shadowy assassins in hidden markets to ancient rivalries in forbidden forests, this quest across Lebanon is filled with thrilling duels and daring escapes.
• Lebanese Culture and Folklore: A magical world infused with the sights, sounds, and delicious tastes of Lebanon, where ancient alchemy meets rich cultural traditions.
• A Perilous Quest: With his mentor missing and shadowy forces closing in, Shad must follow a mysterious clue to stop the necromancers before they take their ultimate revenge.

"Full of friendship and loyalty, a good number of twists and turns, and a smattering of bathroom jokes, this sequel to Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria (2022) continues in much the same vein. More magical fun and trickery." - Kirkus Reviews