Adel BinTamim’s Before the Emergence follows Jasmine Wallace, the president of the United States, after a diplomatic trip to Baghdad brings an ancient clay statue into the White House. The artifact was discovered near remains linked to Neanderthal man, but its blank face, bound hands, carved inscriptions, and single formed eye point toward something older than archaeology can explain. After Jasmine touches it at the Iraqi National Museum, visions begin to follow her home. Her family sees changes that cannot be explained away, while doctors find seven patterns inside her mind. When scholars from several faiths are brought to Washington, Jasmine’s illness becomes a warning written through sacred language, political power, and an imprisoned presence waiting behind the statue.

Adel BinTamim’s Before the Emergence is ambitious supernatural fiction, and the author gives the spiritual battle a massive historical foundation. I found the ancient material to be even better than the contemporary thrills, and linking Dhalma, a child born after his mother is led into the cursed valley by the Fallen King, and his rise in Halaf to be almost poetic. The author uses this as a metaphor for healing becoming the doorway to worship, and mercy becoming the mask for domination. I love Sharara, the child saved by a supernatural figure who opposes the Fallen King, because his hidden work against forbidden magic gives the book a second power, moving against the dark. It's like a plot within a plot, the best part being what seven sorcerers bind to the actual statue. Through this, the artifact in the White House crisis feels like part of a much older war, and linking it all together makes BinTamim's skill clear. Well written and haunting, readers who enjoy supernatural fiction rooted in ancient prophecy will adore this book.

Jasmine Wallace does her best to balance her priorities as the most powerful woman on earth with those of a loving mother and wife to her family. Her family gives her strength, and the people give her hope that peace is possible. Just as she stands on the precipice of a decisive moment, a strange statue calls out to her, and one touch changes the world as she knows it. President Jasmine Wallace has no powers, no primordial bloodlines. Still, somehow, she finds herself having to face an ancient entity whose elaborate, wicked plans span twelve thousand years in the making. Old prophecies come into realization as devastation looms over them in the form of a dark shadow biding its time. The real war is about to begin. Read Before the Emergence by Adel BinTamim for an unforgettable, fantastical war across the ages!

Before the Emergence by Adel BinTamim combines mythology, politics, ancient history, and supernatural forces, creating a truly unique and enthralling tale. Jasmine Wallace was no ordinary woman. Her strong leadership and her capability to love fiercely were both abilities that could make the world a more peaceful place. Her role as the leader of the free world and as someone with the unique ability to also detect a darkness most people could not sense has given her the responsibility to lead humanity to survival against an unexpected yet terrifying enemy. Truly, she was one of the main reasons I thoroughly enjoyed reading this epic tale. BinTamim knows how to keep readers in suspense, from the steady pace of the story to the uniquely tailored characters. The author navigated the balance between politics and the fantasy elements just as well as President Jasmine navigated political hurdles. The unexpected plot and fantastical twist enhanced the story’s overall appeal and narrative flow, and the plot stands out for its originality and heart-gripping tension. Truly, this story is one I will be unable to forget any time soon!

Before the Emergence by Adel BinTamim is an epic fantasy that examines the proverbial struggle of good vs evil. President Jasmine Wallace is briefed about what to expect in the day: a strategic meeting with the Secretary of State, the full briefing of the two-day trip to Baghdad to sign a cultural accord, and the transfer of select artifacts from the Iraqi Museum to Washington. But while she listens, something feels off in the corner of the room where the morning light should have been the brightest: a patch of darkness, too concentrated and too deep to be ignored. She is pulled into a world where supernatural forces that have waged war against each other for ages are at it again. This time, the Fallen King’s master plan is the President, a woman with no supernatural abilities, but one filled with light, human strength, and sheer will. What chances of winning does she have against an evil that has waited for thousands of years?

Adel BinTamim writes in descriptive prose that brilliantly captures details in the story, allowing the feelings of dread to be seen clearly through movements and the emotional expressions of the characters. The horror is handled skillfully, putting you on the edge of your seat, while ensuring you keep reading. The conflict is the book’s forte. While it is portrayed as something that has existed in the background of human civilization, the full weight of the conflict is seen and felt within the White House and in the present moment, where darkness chooses to manifest. Premonition is abundant in Before the Emergence. This spellbinding fantasy has everything readers want: conflict, action, a deeply flawed heroine facing impossible odds, magic, and worldbuilding that is elaborately designed and expertly executed.

Before the Emergence by Adel BinTamim follows Jasmine Wallace, the President of the United States, as an ancient evil that has been waiting since 10,666 BC targets her. Jasmine has no powers and no special bloodline, just a mother's love and a strong will. Things take a terrible turn when strange shadows creep into the White House, and a haunting melody starts following her everywhere. To help her, seven scholars from seven different faiths come together to save her from a fallen king who has been playing a very long game. But just when they think they've won, they realize the real threat was never the one they were fighting. Jasmine has to figure out how she can fight off a being too old and too powerful by herself. The threat is real, and Jasmine is in its way.

Author Adel BinTamim created a fascinating story with strong themes and even stronger characters. Jasmine was an easy character to root for. I loved that she wasn't some chosen one with secret powers. She was just a mother who could shoot hoops with her son one minute and stare down world leaders the next. The scene where the seven scholars stand together, each one praying in their own language, reminded me a bit of the final battle in a fantasy epic where all the good forces finally unite. The interfaith exorcism scene was genuinely the highlight of the story for me. I got a rush when seven traditions united against one evil and created a bold, hopeful image. The descriptions were somewhat lengthy, but they created images to take readers right next to Jasmine. The twist ending had me going back pages just to make sure I read it right. If you like your thrillers with a heavy dose of the supernatural and don't mind jumping timelines, Before the Emergence is the perfect novel for you.