Relic Hamilton: Genie Hunter by Joseph Coelho

Today's read is the first in a middle grade series, which centers around genies...but not nice ones. This story should thrust the main character into a circle of genie hunters, and I do like the idea of saving the world from evil genies. It's an original take, and I'm hoping it's well done.

Let's dive in and see how much action this one holds.

GENIE HUNTER

RELIC HAMILTON, #1

by Joseph Coelho

Illustrated by Hyun Song We

Candlewick Press

Middle Grade Fantasy

289 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING FEBRUARY 3rd!!!

Genies grant wishes! But everyone forgets they’re imprisoned in those lamps for a reason . . . A gripping new adventure series from a Carnegie Medalist and former UK Children’s Laureate.

Relic Hamilton is just your average twelve-year-old, living a quiet life with his grandfather above their old antique shop in Chinatown in London. Until, that is, the day he’s polishing some mysterious brass lamps in the basement and something extraordinary happens. He feels spine-chillingly cold. Breathless. Scared. And there it is—a real live genie standing before him. But this is no kind, benevolent genie. This one is evil . . . and it feeds on hope.

Ghostbusters meets Raiders of the Lost Ark meets Pokémon (with a genie twist) as award-winning author Joseph Coelho follows Relic to the heart of a fast-paced underground community of dedicated genie hunters. Led by the excitable Professor Latimer and the über-cool Doctor Raphaela, they will travel together in their one-of-a-kind jet, the Aladdin, on a secret mission to chase down rogue genies before they wreak havoc on the world. Vividly and imaginatively written, with a humorous cast of cool characters, this first in a trilogy is brought to life in twenty black-and-white illustrations by Korean artist Hyun Song We.

GOODREADS   /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Action fans are going to enjoy the dangerous scenes, and the evil genie adds a lovely twist.

Relic enjoys life and lives with his grandfather above their antique shop in London. He has some usual 12-year-old problems (like bullying) but nothing which causes huge waves. He also doesn't mind helping his grandfather out in the shop, which leads to him accidentally running across a genie bottle. Instead of three wishes, this genie drains people of their hopes and dreams. When Relic is attacked, his grandfather is seriously injured and both wake-up to find themselves in the hands of a band of architects with the secret mission to stop the evil genies. 

This is a quick-paced read with quite a few unexpected twists, family goodness, and friendship, too. Relic has a lot to learn as he grows into his role as a genie hunter, especially when it comes to his new found powers. He has a hero's heart and is fun to root for the entire way through. But he's not the only highlight in this story as the sub-characters offer personality, unique twists, and more. The group is one of a kind, and their mission is fresh, too. Action is key, which keeps this tale rolling until the end. There are lovely illustrations dabbled in to give that extra touch. The text and story depth and writing fits nicely to the middle and lower end of the middle grade age group and makes a nice beginning to what is sure to be an exciting series.

And here he is...

Joseph Coelho, an award-winning poet, playwright, and author of picture books and nonfiction, was the UK Children’s Laureate from 2022 to 2024. The Relic Hamilton trilogy was inspired by his time studying archaeology in college. His books include The Boy Lost in the Maze, which won the Yoto Carnegie Medal; Werewolf Club Rules; Overheard in a Tower Block; The Girl Who Became a Tree: A Story Told in Poems, which was short-listed for a Carnegie Medal; Ten-Word Tiny Tales to Inspire and Unsettle; and Ten-Word Tiny Tales of Love. Joseph Coelho works regularly as a performance poet, and his plays for young people have been performed by various British theater groups. Originally from London, he now lives in Edinburgh.