Ms. Marvel: Remnants of the Past by Saadia Faruqi is a light, heartfelt, and surprisingly thoughtful addition to the Ms. Marvel canon that balances superhero adventures with cultural exploration and self-discovery. The novel follows Kamala Khan, a Jersey City teenager, Avengers-level fangirl, and neighborhood superhero, when she accidentally comes into possession of a powerful ancient artifact. What begins as a familiar superhero chase quickly turns into a globe-spanning mystery, pulling Kamala from Jersey City to the markets of Lahore, Pakistan, all while dangerous forces, including the Kingpin and a new adversary, race to claim the treasure for themselves.

At its core, this is very much a Kamala Khan story. Kamala worries about grades, navigating her friendship with Bruno, and struggling with the responsibility of protecting others while staying true to herself and her values. Faruqi captures Kamala’s voice with warmth and humor, making the book an excellent choice for old and new fans. While there are fun nods to the comics, such as iconic visual moments fans would recognize, the novel stands firmly on its own and doesn’t require prior knowledge of Ms. Marvel to enjoy.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its cultural depths. Faruqi paints Lahore and Jersey City for the readers, creating a clear image in your head and a more immersive reading experience. Readers are introduced to Pakistani culture, family dynamics, and history, including elements of the Mughal empire as well as the lasting impacts of colonialism in today’s world. The artifact that Kamala discovers becomes a center point of the plot, opening up meaningful conversations about colonial loot, ownership, and inherited history. These themes elevated the story, making it more than a standard superhero adventure story.

The supporting cast is particularly well written. Kamala’s father is written with nuance, moving beyond the trope of the strict immigrant parent and instead showing vulnerability, nostalgia, and emotional depth tied to Lahore. New characters like Maleah and Asraar are compelling and thoughtful, especially in how they reflect different responses to history, anger, and injustice.

Ultimately, Ms. Marvel: Remnants of the Past is a fun, educational, and emotionally rich read. It captures what makes Kamala Khan special. Her desire to save the world while still trying to discover who she is, where she comes from, and what it truly means to do the right thing. Full of heart and humor, the novel is an excellent read recommended for old and new fans of the Ms. Marvel character.