lolajoan's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Like all story collections, it's a bit hit and miss with some real standouts and some more forgettable entries but on the whole quite a satisfying and fascinating set of tales.
renwolf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
3.75
daynpitseleh's review
5.0
I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a collection of stories about djinn (jinn/genie/etc), a concept that can be found in a variety of cultures. The stories run the gamut in terms of genre and culture, with each author being allowed to write (and spell) djinn as they prefer (thank you editors for not homogenizing the spelling, it was appreciated!). While Neil Gaiman is probably the most popular author in the collection, I actually skipped that story (it's an excerpt from American Gods, which I have already read and didn't particularly care for). This left me with a bunch of other stories, a few authors I had heard of, but most whom were completely unknown to me - and this is the kind of short story collection I like, something that introduces me to different authors that are amazing and multicultural and leads me down a rabbit hole of finding their other works to read.
So, I ended up being completely blown away by this collection. The stories were great, and while there were a few I didn't quite like as much as others (there are always some in a short story collection), there were so so many that I loved.
I was going to list a few of my favorite stories in this collection, but I ended up listing almost all of the stories, so instead I will just list my absolute favorite - "Reap" by Sami Shah. This story is amazing, and I've been coming back to it days later.
Overall, I can't recommend this book enough.
This is a collection of stories about djinn (jinn/genie/etc), a concept that can be found in a variety of cultures. The stories run the gamut in terms of genre and culture, with each author being allowed to write (and spell) djinn as they prefer (thank you editors for not homogenizing the spelling, it was appreciated!). While Neil Gaiman is probably the most popular author in the collection, I actually skipped that story (it's an excerpt from American Gods, which I have already read and didn't particularly care for). This left me with a bunch of other stories, a few authors I had heard of, but most whom were completely unknown to me - and this is the kind of short story collection I like, something that introduces me to different authors that are amazing and multicultural and leads me down a rabbit hole of finding their other works to read.
So, I ended up being completely blown away by this collection. The stories were great, and while there were a few I didn't quite like as much as others (there are always some in a short story collection), there were so so many that I loved.
I was going to list a few of my favorite stories in this collection, but I ended up listing almost all of the stories, so instead I will just list my absolute favorite - "Reap" by Sami Shah. This story is amazing, and I've been coming back to it days later.
Overall, I can't recommend this book enough.
annarella's review
5.0
I was attracted by the name of some of the authors and discovered plenty of new to me authors. As most of the anthologies it's a mixed bag but the level is always very high.
There's a lot of different genres and different type of djinns. I was fascinated by the difference and the variety.
It's an intriguing and fascinating anthology, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
There's a lot of different genres and different type of djinns. I was fascinated by the difference and the variety.
It's an intriguing and fascinating anthology, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
jennderqueer's review
4.0
This was good! As with any anthology, the quality went up and down; overall, I was quite captivated by most of the stories and I enjoyed them a lot.
amysutton's review
3.0
This is such an interesting collection of stories all centered around the topic of djinn (aka genie) folklore. Some of these are retellings of ancient myths, others have multicultural influences, some are high fantasy and others are literary. Some stories are set in Africa, some in Arab counties, some in America, and even one on Mars. This is a great eclectic set that was very entertaining and thought provoking.
I was provided a free Ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've rated and reviewed each story individually below for my own recollection. Spoilers may appear.
The Congregation
A man goes to pray one night and learns a secret about his identity that turns into an obsession. 3/5
How We Remember You
A group of friends reminisces about their time spent with one friend who was more than he appeared. This one was a bit more lyrical and conceptual. 2/5
Hurrem and the Djinn
The sultan's favorite consort is accused of being a witch who consults with djinn. The counselmen go to great lengths to prove her corruption. "Success or failure, a woman of power is always prey to suspicion." I love the way the story is framed and the narrator speaks directly to the reader. 4/5
Glass Lights
Mena is a young woman navigating the different aspects of herself: outsider, loner, and possible descendant of a djinn. 2/5
Authenticity
A film student who is studying in a far off city gets entangled with the locals and winds up on the set of an adult film. Then everything gets a bit hazy and paranormal and she realizes the locals may be more than she first realized. 3/5
Majnun
A sorcerer has come to exorcise a djinn from a young boy. It is then revealed that the sorcerer was the djinn's companion in times past. An interesting look at morality and love. 3/5
Black Powder
A history of the djinn is viewed through its connections with a black powder gun and the gun's owners: a huntress with tattooed eyelids, a pawn shop owner, and The Kid. The story telling in this is incredible. I almost wish this one was a full length novel. 5/5
A Tale of Ash in Seven Birds
I honestly don't really understand this one. Small vignettes that talk about birds through second person narration... 1/5
Sand in the Glass is Right
I had to read this one twice to halfway piece together what was happening and I'm still not sure if I'm missing something or if the author accidentally (or intentionally?) left gaps in the time hopping. 2/5
REAP
A man is part of an army drone surveillance team keeping track of villages in Pakistan. One of the young children in the village disappears and strange things begin to happen. This one was like a modern horror story complete with hallucinations and supernatural interventions. 5/5
Queen of Sheba
A young girl learns the history of her family and begins to see the story in the tablecloth. 3/5
The Jinn Hunter's Apprentice
As humans colonize Mars, jinn colonize humans. 3/5
Message in a Bottle
An ancient book and an ancient bottle are protected by guards and may contain either the cure for the current plague sweeping the nation or an even deadlier strain that could kill the rest of civilization. 2/5
Bring Your Own Spoon
In a sci-fi world where the Cardless drifters live on the fringe of society and there's a vast gap between wealthy and poor, Hanu and a recently awakened djinn, Imbi, set out to create a restaurant. The only problem is that all organic material runs the risk of being contaminated and the wealthy don't like the idea of the poor congregating. Really interesting world of the future. 4/5
Somewhere in America
Salim has been in America for one week unsuccessfully selling copper trinkets to American tourist companies. Then he meets an unusual taxi driver and his life shifts. 4/5
Duende 2077
A murder investigator tries to explain how and why an assassination occurred then begins to uncover a matter of militant and political intrigue. 3/5
The Righteous Guide of Arabsat
A young man suspects his new bride may be possessed. 2/5
The Spite House
"Spite houses are buildings constructed or modified to antagonize neighbours or landowners, usually by blocking access or light." A local half-djinn meets one of her neighbors. 4/5
Emperors of Jinn
Several teenagers experiment with a powerful spell book. More of a vignette into a family than a satisfying story. 2/5
History
A mix of African sorcery with Arabic magic - this was a really fun high fantasy story of a famous performer named History. Sometimes gifts can be curses. 4/5
Average rating: 3.05
I was provided a free Ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've rated and reviewed each story individually below for my own recollection. Spoilers may appear.
Spoiler
The Congregation
A man goes to pray one night and learns a secret about his identity that turns into an obsession. 3/5
How We Remember You
A group of friends reminisces about their time spent with one friend who was more than he appeared. This one was a bit more lyrical and conceptual. 2/5
Hurrem and the Djinn
The sultan's favorite consort is accused of being a witch who consults with djinn. The counselmen go to great lengths to prove her corruption. "Success or failure, a woman of power is always prey to suspicion." I love the way the story is framed and the narrator speaks directly to the reader. 4/5
Glass Lights
Mena is a young woman navigating the different aspects of herself: outsider, loner, and possible descendant of a djinn. 2/5
Authenticity
A film student who is studying in a far off city gets entangled with the locals and winds up on the set of an adult film. Then everything gets a bit hazy and paranormal and she realizes the locals may be more than she first realized. 3/5
Majnun
A sorcerer has come to exorcise a djinn from a young boy. It is then revealed that the sorcerer was the djinn's companion in times past. An interesting look at morality and love. 3/5
Black Powder
A history of the djinn is viewed through its connections with a black powder gun and the gun's owners: a huntress with tattooed eyelids, a pawn shop owner, and The Kid. The story telling in this is incredible. I almost wish this one was a full length novel. 5/5
A Tale of Ash in Seven Birds
I honestly don't really understand this one. Small vignettes that talk about birds through second person narration... 1/5
Sand in the Glass is Right
I had to read this one twice to halfway piece together what was happening and I'm still not sure if I'm missing something or if the author accidentally (or intentionally?) left gaps in the time hopping. 2/5
REAP
A man is part of an army drone surveillance team keeping track of villages in Pakistan. One of the young children in the village disappears and strange things begin to happen. This one was like a modern horror story complete with hallucinations and supernatural interventions. 5/5
Queen of Sheba
A young girl learns the history of her family and begins to see the story in the tablecloth. 3/5
The Jinn Hunter's Apprentice
As humans colonize Mars, jinn colonize humans. 3/5
Message in a Bottle
An ancient book and an ancient bottle are protected by guards and may contain either the cure for the current plague sweeping the nation or an even deadlier strain that could kill the rest of civilization. 2/5
Bring Your Own Spoon
In a sci-fi world where the Cardless drifters live on the fringe of society and there's a vast gap between wealthy and poor, Hanu and a recently awakened djinn, Imbi, set out to create a restaurant. The only problem is that all organic material runs the risk of being contaminated and the wealthy don't like the idea of the poor congregating. Really interesting world of the future. 4/5
Somewhere in America
Salim has been in America for one week unsuccessfully selling copper trinkets to American tourist companies. Then he meets an unusual taxi driver and his life shifts. 4/5
Duende 2077
A murder investigator tries to explain how and why an assassination occurred then begins to uncover a matter of militant and political intrigue. 3/5
The Righteous Guide of Arabsat
A young man suspects his new bride may be possessed. 2/5
The Spite House
"Spite houses are buildings constructed or modified to antagonize neighbours or landowners, usually by blocking access or light." A local half-djinn meets one of her neighbors. 4/5
Emperors of Jinn
Several teenagers experiment with a powerful spell book. More of a vignette into a family than a satisfying story. 2/5
History
A mix of African sorcery with Arabic magic - this was a really fun high fantasy story of a famous performer named History. Sometimes gifts can be curses. 4/5
Average rating: 3.05
mssarahmorgan's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rickstadt's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
radinkaj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lamusadelils's review
5.0
Waaaa.
Si me conocen y presenciaron mi fiebre de djinns hace unos años (Recuerdan a Alif y The Golem and the Djinni?) saben que éste es uno de mis temas favoritos. Cuando vi este libro de reojo en mis recomendaciones pensé que era una sola historia y no me llamó tanto la atención, pero cuando vi que era una colección y a los autores involucrados, me enamoré.
Mi parte favorita fue la diversidad en la caracterización y las distintas perspectivas, cada una explorando diferentes elementos de estos seres desde estilos y culturas variados. Además conocí a muchos autores nuevos que me encantaron.
Auguro una nueva fiebre de djinn en el futuro próximo, sólo para que estén preparados.
Si me conocen y presenciaron mi fiebre de djinns hace unos años (Recuerdan a Alif y The Golem and the Djinni?) saben que éste es uno de mis temas favoritos. Cuando vi este libro de reojo en mis recomendaciones pensé que era una sola historia y no me llamó tanto la atención, pero cuando vi que era una colección y a los autores involucrados, me enamoré.
Mi parte favorita fue la diversidad en la caracterización y las distintas perspectivas, cada una explorando diferentes elementos de estos seres desde estilos y culturas variados. Además conocí a muchos autores nuevos que me encantaron.
Auguro una nueva fiebre de djinn en el futuro próximo, sólo para que estén preparados.