Hamra and the Jungle of Memories

I don’t have the cultural knowledge to speak to the Malaysian elements of this tale, but I can say that it was a thoroughly enjoyable adventure across islands and through jungles. I found Hamra to be a great protagonist to see the story through, and her struggles with her own insecurities and anger were well-executed, in my opinion. I found her relatable and her journey emotionally engaging. I had a few quibbles with the story, but they were minor. Most prominently, I’m not sure if I enjoyed the message that in order to earn redemption, the tiger deserves first to suffer and be in pain. I think the same events and requirements could have been presented in a slightly different way (and perhaps this was just my own perception of the events) but it felt a bit cruel to state that, rather than just sometimes journeys can be painful, that he deserves to be in pain for what he’s done, and he deserves to suffer before he can return to his humanity. I think I understand what the intention was, but that conclusion left me slightly sour. Overall, it was a delightful and suspenseful middle grade adventure with a fun cast, a good bit of humor, and lots of magical creatures, talking animals, and making friends along the way. A very enjoyable read.