hylianyan's review against another edition
4.0
Very easy to read story of a very determined and headstrong main character, the story is about real world issues and (according to many reviewers and some friends of mine) full of great representation of the Pakistani culture + Islamic religion! (if I said any of that wrong please let me know so I can educate myself). Definitely pick this up!
bibliophil_leah's review against another edition
4.0
A really interesting story. I quite enjoyed the characters and the storyline of Indian/Pakistani mythology. I really like mythology so it was very fun to discover a new one. I also appreciate that this book tackled difficult topics like poverty and child labour.
welcometomynirvana's review
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
girlreading's review against another edition
4.0
There's truly nothing better than when a Studio Ghibli comparison checks out and I'm happy to say, M.T. Khan 1000% came through with the Ghibli vibes.
With her brilliantly vivid descriptions - be it food, Jinn or the hotel itself - M.T. Khan whisks her readers to the dark and magical world of a luxury Jinn hotel in a cinematic and captivating way. It's a world that's vibrant and daunting, endearing and dangerous. I came away with such a vivid image of every room and every piece of drool enticing food Khan described in a way that left me feeling like I'd watched a movie.
This was snappy and action packed right from the first page until the last. I also think the way M.K. Khan tackled the topic of child labour/exploitation with a sensitivity and honesty that perfectly matches its middle grade market without sugar coating its dangers and wrongness. Nura was a courageous, fierce and determined character to follow and I absolutely adored her sass.
All in all, this was a truly magical adventure with a fantastic message and one I have no doubt will capture the imagination and hearts of readers both young and old.
With her brilliantly vivid descriptions - be it food, Jinn or the hotel itself - M.T. Khan whisks her readers to the dark and magical world of a luxury Jinn hotel in a cinematic and captivating way. It's a world that's vibrant and daunting, endearing and dangerous. I came away with such a vivid image of every room and every piece of drool enticing food Khan described in a way that left me feeling like I'd watched a movie.
This was snappy and action packed right from the first page until the last. I also think the way M.K. Khan tackled the topic of child labour/exploitation with a sensitivity and honesty that perfectly matches its middle grade market without sugar coating its dangers and wrongness. Nura was a courageous, fierce and determined character to follow and I absolutely adored her sass.
All in all, this was a truly magical adventure with a fantastic message and one I have no doubt will capture the imagination and hearts of readers both young and old.
jurgitasir's review against another edition
3.0
For me personally it felt a lot like "paint by numbers" unfortunately. As if author had a check list and they were trying to tick every box off. And I think I need to reread the ending to figure out if there's a point to it besides *spoiler alert* the key just being bejeweled. 3 stars are more like 2.5.
moonchildshine's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
"Do you trust me?" . "More than myself."
I swear Nura and Faisal's friendship is everything here!!! Nura is such a good protagonist. I love her and Faisal.
Okay, born and grew up as Muslim, the tale about Jinn, Qareen and their trickery is a familiar thing for me. I always associate them with horror and fear tho. I always find 'Fighting Jinn with Ayat Al-Kursi' in a type of exorcism horror, you know. Never I imagine reciting Ayat Al-Kursi can be happen in this isekai/portal fantasy type of story: A protagonist in her journey to find her lost bestfriend ended up stuck in a Jinn realm and tricked to hard-labor in a luxury Jinn Hotel. That screams doom. But Nura is no ordinary girl, alright? She's quick-witted and so smart (snarky, sassy and hilariously rude is a bonus). With her bestfriend, Faisal, and other human who's been stuck there before her, they fought to have their freedom and back to human realm.
I love this. And I love how this book talk about important things. Child labor and structural poverty are serious problem in this world and reading this books is like a slap to reality.
Okay, born and grew up as Muslim, the tale about Jinn, Qareen and their trickery is a familiar thing for me. I always associate them with horror and fear tho. I always find 'Fighting Jinn with Ayat Al-Kursi' in a type of exorcism horror, you know. Never I imagine reciting Ayat Al-Kursi can be happen in this isekai/portal fantasy type of story: A protagonist in her journey to find her lost bestfriend ended up stuck in a Jinn realm and tricked to hard-labor in a luxury Jinn Hotel. That screams doom. But Nura is no ordinary girl, alright? She's quick-witted and so smart (snarky, sassy and hilariously rude is a bonus). With her bestfriend, Faisal, and other human who's been stuck there before her, they fought to have their freedom and back to human realm.
I love this. And I love how this book talk about important things. Child labor and structural poverty are serious problem in this world and reading this books is like a slap to reality.
elizajaquays's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
stone_stupas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
skylarkblue1's review
5.0
Content warnings: child slavery/labor, loss of a loved one, manipulation
A spellbinding tale of magic, friendship, poverty and knowing the true meaning of education.
12 year old Nura works in the Mica mines in Pakistan, scrapping together what money she can make to help support her mother and siblings. Digging too deep one day, she causes the mine to collapse, trapping many of the children inside. Desperate to find her friend, Nura digs and digs until she eventually falls into a magical world of Muslim mythology - The Jinn realm.
I'll be honest, I don't know too much about Muslim tales and stories, so this book was extra interesting to me! I loved to hear the tales about the Jinn and seeing M. T. Khan's visualisation of a super ghibli (for a rare occasion the "x meets y" was actually super accurate!!) and hotel magnifique mash up that still is dripping with so much charm and uniqueness.
I loved Nura and Faisal's relationship. Nura's stubbornness mixed with Faisal's quiet shyness contrasted wonderfully and the dynamic of them playing off of each other was fun to read.
The other characters, honestly most of the other children were.. Not as well fleshed out? Aroofa and her sister, Sadia, are the other main 2 children I feel had any character development, but even then its very little I feel. Most of the Jinn introduced though are quite nicely developed which I feel balances that out. Going through the realisation of the rich pitching the poor against each other and growing from that. The contrast of those born into money, and those who didn't.
I would honestly love to see this be turned into a series! I want to see how Nura does after that ending, what everyone does and such :3
A spellbinding tale of magic, friendship, poverty and knowing the true meaning of education.
12 year old Nura works in the Mica mines in Pakistan, scrapping together what money she can make to help support her mother and siblings. Digging too deep one day, she causes the mine to collapse, trapping many of the children inside. Desperate to find her friend, Nura digs and digs until she eventually falls into a magical world of Muslim mythology - The Jinn realm.
I'll be honest, I don't know too much about Muslim tales and stories, so this book was extra interesting to me! I loved to hear the tales about the Jinn and seeing M. T. Khan's visualisation of a super ghibli (for a rare occasion the "x meets y" was actually super accurate!!) and hotel magnifique mash up that still is dripping with so much charm and uniqueness.
I loved Nura and Faisal's relationship. Nura's stubbornness mixed with Faisal's quiet shyness contrasted wonderfully and the dynamic of them playing off of each other was fun to read.
The other characters, honestly most of the other children were.. Not as well fleshed out? Aroofa and her sister, Sadia, are the other main 2 children I feel had any character development, but even then its very little I feel. Most of the Jinn introduced though are quite nicely developed which I feel balances that out. Going through the realisation of the rich pitching the poor against each other and growing from that. The contrast of those born into money, and those who didn't.
I would honestly love to see this be turned into a series! I want to see how Nura does after that ending, what everyone does and such :3