'Circus of the Greats' by Ali al-Naama launched

Writer Ali al-Naama has launched his first novel, 'Circus of the Greats', at the 32nd Doha International Book Fair (DIBF).Published by Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press (HBKU Press), the novel is a mystical tale full of magic and intrigue. 'Circus of the Greats' introduces readers to al-Naama’s talent with an impressively expansive new universe to immerse themselves in.With a long roster of considerably well-developed characters, 'Circus of the Greats' is a masterclass in novel writing, creating numerous plotlines that run in parallel while seamlessly overlapping.Al-Naama’s writing is fuelled by a passion for storytelling and his unique imagination where he creates worlds of interest and intrigue.In a nutshell, the novel is about the circus travelling around the continent of Eiliron, entertaining people of the seven kingdoms. But beloved ringmaster and head puppeteer Master Jeskil is soon manipulating more than just puppet strings when he is drawn into a wicked plot of greed and desire in the kingdom of Corraçao.After years of marriage, the King and Queen of Hearts have no heir: a fact not lost on the king’s first counsellor, Vikar Revin, who hears the court’s gossips whispering in the shadows, forming factions of allegiance, and plotting treasonous schemes.At the heart of these conspiracies is the charming and ambitious Roxanna Talian of Feracia who has set her sights on replacing the Queen. In spite of the mounting evidence of malign influences from outside as well as within, Revin is determined to protect Corraçao.With the help of his cousin Jeskil, and some wholly unexpected allies, Revin must find a way to thwart the enemies of the state and preserve whatever he can of the crippled Corraçian monarchy.The novel is written in an elegant style and full of the magic, love, death and intrigue that beset the kingdom – the effects of which ripple through the generations to come.Al-Naama is an author who grew up in Qatar and the United Kingdom. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Abdulla Hussain al-Naama –founder of Qatar’s first magazine, 'Al Ouroba', and its first newspaper, 'Al Arab' – he began writing at a young age and is a role model who can inspire young Qatari writers.