Praise

Loved it! 😍
A magical land of living words, a boy’s bond with his family, and a race to save a dying world—In the Land of Mesopo enchants and inspires.

SYNOPSIS

If you were about to embark on an epic adventure where would you go?
Do you possess similar magical powers as our warlock hero does? Read this middle-grade fantasy adventure brimming with mythological creatures, wizards, magicians and stories of ancient Middle East civilizations, to find out.

Follow a 12-year old mage with powers to invent new words and create new worlds, on a high-stakes quest to save his father and beloved grandma. They are captured by a dark, word-feeding creature in the magical realm of Mesopo, a mystical land where stories are born. In this story of magic realism, time is at the essence since Mesopo’s word count is slowly diminishing as its citizens are dying. The hourglass is nearly empty.
Will our hero's converted power be sufficient to save his land and his family, or will they be lost forever?
Meet the fantastical world of Mesopo packed with heart-pounding peril, mysterious atmosphere, intriguing scribes, princes, magicians, storm-birds and creepy River People... and be sure to discover your own magical powers.
Eva Dietrich’s In the Land of Mesopo is a delightful middle-grade fantasy that blends family dynamics, rich world-building, and the transformative power of language. The story follows Ankido, a British-Iraqi boy with an uncanny love for words, as he embarks on a journey to the mystical Library of Nineveh. There, he learns of Mesopo, a land built entirely of words, now crumbling as its vocabulary is stolen. Tasked with a mission to save the realm—and perhaps his missing father—Ankido must embrace courage and self-discovery to navigate this fantastical adventure.

Dietrich’s writing is vivid and evocative, bringing to life the magic of Mesopo and the surreal, ancient charm of the Library of Nineveh. The concept of living words shaping a world is captivating, especially for readers who delight in language and creativity. Ankido’s connection with his family, particularly his wise grandmother Habubti, lends warmth and emotional resonance to the story. The bond between Ankido and his cousins, Leila and Salma, is a highlight, showcasing the strength of love and teamwork against adversity.

Readers will love In the Land of Mesopo for its imaginative premise, likable protagonist, and the unique way it explores how words carry meaning, identity, and connection. It’s a story for book lovers and daydreamers who’ve ever wondered about the worlds hidden within pages.

My only notes to Dietrich would be that the early chapters spend a lot of time setting up Ankido’s world before diving into the action, which requires a bit of patience. Also, some of the more complex aspects of the magical world-building might stump younger audiences unfamiliar with Mesopotamian references. That said, 6th graders in my school district study ancient civilizations in Social Studies, and would be thrilled to connect the dots between what they are learning and the tie-ins in Mesopo.

This book is perfect for middle-grade readers who love imaginative fantasies like The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman or Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. Adults who appreciate lyrical writing and themes of cultural heritage and storytelling will also find it compelling. Teachers and librarians might especially enjoy sharing this with young readers who have a love for words or budding writers in their care.

In the Land of Mesopo earns a well-deserved 4 stars. It’s a tale that reminds us of the power words hold—to heal, connect, and create entire worlds.

5-Stars

Mesopo by Eva Dietrich was an excellent fantasy adventure. I loved following Ankido and his cousins in this amazing tale. Ankido, a young twelve-year-old, is given the task of saving his father and the magical land of Mesopo. Mesopo is the land where all fantasy originates and it is full of amazing creatures and individuals. Ankido has an amazing ability that makes him unique for the position he is given.

I loved the detail this author used on describing every scene and character. It made it very easy to visualize as I read. The storyline was difficult for me to get into at first but I was eventually pulled in to the point that I didn’t want to put this book down. This book took me on an unforgettable adventure. I highly recommend this book and easily give it 5-Stars.

“Beautiful read”
The story starts with twelve-year-old Ankido Gulzar waking up to new words in his mind. Soon after he is confronted with the news that his father is missing and that his grandmother, Habubti needs to go in search of him. Left under the care of his cruel step-aunt, Geraldine, through a series of unfortunate incidents, Ankido lands at a place where he comes a little closer to finding his father and grandmother. When he is handed an important role that only he can fulfill, he embarks on a journey filled with wonder and fantasy.
As soon as I began to read the book, I was deeply engrossed in it. It has some of my favourite elements in it, a world of words, a magic book and a writer. The magic of writing and creating a new world with words, is the backbone of the story. The tale is whimsical and fantasy filled; it certainly has a charm to reading about the works and actions of a twelve year old who must step into a dangerous role.
The concept of the story is a unique and intriguing one. Imagine if all the words were lost and no tales survived. A brilliant execution by the author has given life to this tale and made it into a mesmerizing read.
The characters and their actions are charismatic and captivating. The narration was smooth and simple. It is the perfect book to be read to children. The illustrations have made the book even more beautiful.
The dynamic plot has indeed made this a binge worthy read. The story has a Middle-Eastern vibe, that is evident from the descriptions. Whether there is an influence of Middle Eastern folklore, is something that I would like to explore later, as I am not familiar with it. I hope readers will pick the book up and enjoy it as reminiscent of their childhood which was filled with fantastic in their hearts and minds.