Thank you to the publisher for providing me for an advance copy of the book to read and review.

In New Kings of the World, Bhutto takes us on a tour of the three cultural phenomena that are poised to overthrow the US's worldwide intellectual dominance. Although US music and fashion still maintain a large share of the market, youth populations in other areas of the world struggle to reconcile the disconnect between popular culture and their own cultures. K-pop, dizis (Turkish dramas) and Bollywood provide a solution to the problem by allowing people to consume media with themes and values more similar to their own. From Shah Rukh Khan fan clubs in South America to dizi viewing parties among the Syrian refugee population in Lebanon these "New Kings of the World" are a solid middle ground, and in many cases, they're an example of how other countries can create entertainment industries without abandoning their traditions.

Bhutto's book was well-written and informative. She includes interviews not only from those making the media but also from those consuming it. Because the situation is not black and white, Bhutto explains the politics surrounding the different forms of media, debunking the notion that "west is best" while also listing reasons some people might still believe that it is.

I would like to give New Kings of the World a higher rating, but while illustrating the relationship between culture and religion, Bhutto writes that Muslims talk to God /through/ the Prophet or other intermediaries such as saints. This is not only incorrect, it's a grave sin in Islam. I'm not the person who believes in one particular version of Islam, but there are certain things that are expressly forbidden and talking "through" someone is one of them. This passage made me doubt the validity of the research, but enough of the information lined up with my own research that I trust the book overall and I even recommend it to others.