erin_oriordan_is_reading_again's review against another edition
4.0
Another sophisticated, lovely fairy tale for grown-ups from Anna Kashina. It's an unusual story, about a pre-adolescent princess who inherits a djinn from her wise old grandmother. As the princess grows, her relationship with her magical servant grows and changes. They have strange adventures right up until the day the princess and heiress to the kingdom of Dhagabad is supposed to marry a prince and unite their two kingdoms. When that day comes, something shocking happens. Kashina writes in a dreamy, lyrical voice. This novel is written in the present tense, in both the third and second person depending on whether the point of view is that of the omniscient narrator or the subjective POV of the djinn, Hasan. I'm usually not a big fan of either present-tense or second-person narration, but Kashina makes it work. A good storyteller can make any literary device work. I enjoyed Kashina's [b:Ivan and Marya|8496159|Ivan and Marya|Anna Kashina|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1279050573s/8496159.jpg|13721149] so much I read almost all of it in one sitting; while I wasn't able to do so with this book, it was equally enjoyable.
kairosdreaming's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up this book for ten cents at a garage sale, and I've been putting off reading it. Not sure why, but I just didn't have the urge to actual read it until today. And I wish I hadn't have waited. This turned out to be a pretty good book.
The Princess of Dhagabad has long awaited her twelfth birthday. For it is on this day that she is allowed to have the bottle that her grandmother left to her. And she gets quite the surprise that the bottle holds a Djinn. An all-powerful being that is essentially her slave since she holds the bottle. At first indifferent, he grows to be her closest friend and when she must marry, he is there to make sure that everything can go as smooth as possible. He just doesn't account for the Princess's wishes and sense of adventure, and the belief that she can change things that have never before been changed.
The Princess is pretty inquisitive. She has a genuine love of the world around her and it frightens Hasan, her Djinn, that she too could become like him because of the knowledge that she surrounds herself with. He, himself, is somewhat mysterious, but because the history of the Djinn and himself are laid out, it gives an interesting perspective into the life of the Djinn and how he became one. The Princess's parents, and indeed many of the people at the palace, aren't as kind or supportive of her though and at many times it feels like it is the Princess and the Djinn against the world. Which is somewhat unbelievable. I'd like to think there are more redeemable people than just the two of them.
The plot meandered along. I had a sense it was more setting up the characters and the relationships before the next book. But that was ok, I thought the history and story telling behind the characters was interesting. The writing was a tad juvenile, but easy to lose yourself in. I liked when the Princess had her world view but found Hasan's point of view to be a little over flowery. It didn't detract too much from the book though. There were some mature themes that I didn't expect in this book. The Sultan and his harem were described in great detail, including some of those activities that they partake in. Not that that's a bad thing, just not what I expected from this young adult seeming fantasy story. There is a little bit of violence, but it is not nearly as descriptive as the sex scenes are.
I'll definitely be looking out for the second book in the series. I'm eager to see what happens and if Hasan and the Princess can overcome more obstacles with their friendship.
The Princess of Dhagabad
Copyright 2000
272 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2012
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
The Princess of Dhagabad has long awaited her twelfth birthday. For it is on this day that she is allowed to have the bottle that her grandmother left to her. And she gets quite the surprise that the bottle holds a Djinn. An all-powerful being that is essentially her slave since she holds the bottle. At first indifferent, he grows to be her closest friend and when she must marry, he is there to make sure that everything can go as smooth as possible. He just doesn't account for the Princess's wishes and sense of adventure, and the belief that she can change things that have never before been changed.
The Princess is pretty inquisitive. She has a genuine love of the world around her and it frightens Hasan, her Djinn, that she too could become like him because of the knowledge that she surrounds herself with. He, himself, is somewhat mysterious, but because the history of the Djinn and himself are laid out, it gives an interesting perspective into the life of the Djinn and how he became one. The Princess's parents, and indeed many of the people at the palace, aren't as kind or supportive of her though and at many times it feels like it is the Princess and the Djinn against the world. Which is somewhat unbelievable. I'd like to think there are more redeemable people than just the two of them.
The plot meandered along. I had a sense it was more setting up the characters and the relationships before the next book. But that was ok, I thought the history and story telling behind the characters was interesting. The writing was a tad juvenile, but easy to lose yourself in. I liked when the Princess had her world view but found Hasan's point of view to be a little over flowery. It didn't detract too much from the book though. There were some mature themes that I didn't expect in this book. The Sultan and his harem were described in great detail, including some of those activities that they partake in. Not that that's a bad thing, just not what I expected from this young adult seeming fantasy story. There is a little bit of violence, but it is not nearly as descriptive as the sex scenes are.
I'll definitely be looking out for the second book in the series. I'm eager to see what happens and if Hasan and the Princess can overcome more obstacles with their friendship.
The Princess of Dhagabad
Copyright 2000
272 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2012
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
jlynnelseauthor's review
3.0
An interesting read. Kashina explores a world of magic and mystery unlike other books I've read before. I was drawn into the innocence of the princess and her relationship with her role/status in the world. The princess wants to learn about her world and finds that the only one who understands her passion for learning is Hasan, a djinn slave gifted to her by her grandmother. The two build a friendship that grows as they explore stories and places from the past and present.
At times, the narrative felt long. At times, scenes flew by. Some scenes were unnecessary, especially when the sultan is spending time in his harem. I don't need those details. Other times, I got annoyed by the amount of times the characters said each others' names. "Hasan!" "Princess." "But Hasan," "Yes, Princess." "Hasan!" ad infinitum. When the princess's real name was revealed, I didn't feel any weight to it--I'd hoped when her name was revealed it would be something that would change the perspective of the story a bit. Instead, the ending felt quick and abrupt. There's a grand moment, and then its over. What about the repercussions? I don't like when books just throw general acceptance over a huge decision and calls it quits. The princess makes a hard choice, and there are going to be side effects
Overall, an interesting adventure with unique perspectives. I can't say I'd read it again or am completely drawn into another book in this series, but the book had some delightful moments.
At times, the narrative felt long. At times, scenes flew by. Some scenes were unnecessary, especially when the sultan is spending time in his harem. I don't need those details. Other times, I got annoyed by the amount of times the characters said each others' names. "Hasan!" "Princess." "But Hasan," "Yes, Princess." "Hasan!" ad infinitum. When the princess's real name was revealed, I didn't feel any weight to it--I'd hoped when her name was revealed it would be something that would change the perspective of the story a bit. Instead, the ending felt quick and abrupt. There's a grand moment, and then its over. What about the repercussions? I don't like when books just throw general acceptance over a huge decision and calls it quits. The princess makes a hard choice, and there are going to be side effects
Spoiler
for her country. What about the sultan's thoughts at the end of the story? I wanted a feeling of joy shared with mother, father, and daughter, and this book missed accepting responsibility for the princess's actions, good or bad.Overall, an interesting adventure with unique perspectives. I can't say I'd read it again or am completely drawn into another book in this series, but the book had some delightful moments.
hallowmas's review against another edition
3.0
I actually read Goddess of the Dance before I read this one. I really loved it. I truly enjoyed this one too, but not as much. I think it's because the characters are more fleshed out in Goddess. I can't wait to read the third.
sirenasfun's review
4.0
A very cute, light read. Nothing too stressful, just a nice story about a girl and her djinn, who learns to take her destiny into her own hands.
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