Amr Abdel-Hamid once again blends fantasy with psychological depth in his latest novel, Wahat Al-Yacoub (“Yacoub Oasis”). Set in an isolated desert oasis where survival hangs by a fragile thread, the story takes readers into a world where fear controls daily life. An ear, nose and throat specialist as well as an author, Abdel-Hamid gained recognition for his bestselling fantasy trilogies Land of Zikola and Laws of Jartin, both published by Aseer Al-Kotob. With Oasis of Yacoub, he continues to expand the landscape of modern Arabic literature, adding new layers of magic, horror, and suspense.
The cover of Oasis of Yacoub features a young man’s eyes obscured by a white cloth, symbolising the novel’s central danger. In the world depicted, a single blink can mean death. The muted browns and yellows convey the desert’s desolation and the high stakes of the characters’ journey. Readers found this visual metaphor especially effective, as it captures both the eerie atmosphere and the suspense that runs through the story. The idea for the novel, as it turns out, originated during a brainstorming session with Mohamed Al-Muhaiteeb, a screenwriter and friend of the author’s.
“We were thinking about a world where people couldn’t blink,” Abdel-Hamid recalled. “But then I realised it was a story I wanted to tell as a novel, not a film.” From that spark, he created an entire oasis where children are born without eyelids, and when they reach the age of ten, their eyelids form, but from that moment on, blinking becomes fatal. This striking concept generates constant tension, keeping readers hooked. Abdel-Hamid meticulously built the world for nearly a year before beginning to work on the manuscript in March 2024, completing it eight months later.
Readers were surprised by Abdel-Hamid’s ability to construct such a rich, self-contained world in a standalone fantasy novel only 304 pages long, without the need for a sequel — a testament to his storytelling skill and world-building precision. Readers familiar with Abdel-Hamid’s work also noticed a fresh twist: the fusion of fantasy with horror. “After my trilogies Land of Zikola and Laws of Jartin, I wanted to explore an idea different from the fantasy of parallel worlds,” he said. “I tried to bring this to life through ideas I’d never tackled before, such as wizards, spells, jinn, and the ghosts of the Children of the Well.”
Like many fantasy authors, Abdel-Hamid uses maps and illustrations, but only when necessary. “When I find it truly difficult for readers to visualise something, I add a map,” he explained, citing the one in Amwaj Akma (the final book of the Laws of Jartin series). “Otherwise, I prefer to leave the imagery to their imagination. But if the need arises, I won’t hesitate to include another drawing.” This encourages readers to actively engage with the story, letting each shape the oasis uniquely in their own mind.
When developing his characters, Abdel-Hamid’s foremost concern is ensuring a balance of traits that together form a cohesive whole that meets readers’ expectations. “In Oasis of Yacoub, I placed strength in Qaseem, knowledge in Nagy and wisdom in Razan, and I made Youssef both their leader and the guardian of the mission,” he explained. This careful distribution of qualities makes the team dynamic feel realistic and engaging, drawing readers into their mission and struggles.
Despite Abdel-Hamid’s precise description of each character’s features, some readers found it slightly confusing to follow, as the descriptions were presented one after another rather than separately, making it harder to distinguish each character individually. While Abdel-Hamid doesn’t have a specific favourite, if he had to choose, it would be Youssef’s father, Ayoub. “There is something about his tireless efforts to protect his family and face impossible challenges that really resonates with me.”
Specialising in fantasy was initially pure chance for the author. “When the idea for Land of Zikola came to me, I was hesitant,” he recalls. He began publishing chapters online, promising himself he’d continue only if readers responded. Positive feedback kept him going, and the story grew. Years later, new ideas sparked Amarita, the second book of the Land of Zikola trilogy, then the Laws of Jartin series. “I love these worlds and plots,” he said. “Whenever a fictional idea comes to mind, I thank God and record it for later development. What started as coincidence has become my path, which I love and feel at home in.”
Depending on the idea of a given novel, Abdel-Hamid doesn’t necessarily give direct advice. “I present the ideas and, through them, highlight positive qualities,” he noted. “Each reader can take from them whatever resonates and draw their own conclusions.”
It is noticeable that Abdel-Hamid writes without strict age boundaries, which makes his work especially appealing to younger readers. This approach reflects his genuine concern for his audience. While a few may view his writing style as somewhat simplistic, many appreciate his respectful, accessible tone that consistently meets expectations.
As an author who began his journey as a reader, Abdel-Hamid recalled, “I have always loved literature in translation, especially fantasy novels by authors like Jules Verne.” He credits these books with expanding his imagination and building his vocabulary. While fantasy remains his preferred genre, both as a reader and a writer, he also explores other types of literature to discover new ideas and plots, continually fuelling his creativity.
For years, readers have hoped to see their favourite fantasy author’s books adapted for the screen, yet no official movies are confirmed. Previously, Abdel-Hamid suggested that the first two books of the Land of Zikola trilogy could succeed as Western film adaptations due to their strong science fiction and fantasy elements. His view has since changed, however, with significant developments in the Egyptian film and drama industry. He now believes these stories could be brought to life effectively with the talent and expertise of Egyptian filmmakers.
A meticulous writer, Abdel-Hamid prefers quiet evenings in his room, often accompanied by music chosen for each chapter. He consults a trusted circle, including Mohamed Shawky, the director of Aseer Al-Kotob publishing house, Al-Muhaiteeb, his brother, and his wife, but early readers rarely influence the process, as he usually completes novels in time for the Cairo International Book Fair. Even now Abdel-Hamid is working on a new novel. “God willing, I’ll finish it soon,” he says, leaving readers in anticipation.
With Oasis of Yacoub, Abdel-Hamid offers more than just a story. He invites readers into a world where they can be momentarily lost, away from the weight of reality, where imagination takes over, fear and wonder intertwine, and every blink feels like part of the journey.
Reviewed by Rana Mohamed Hassan
* A version of this article appears in print in the 23 October, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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