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notesonbookmarks's review against another edition
3.75
I didn't actually know what to expect with this one, but I loved the child protagonists solving this mystery, and it got way darker than I anticipated!
laura_corsi's review against another edition
3.0
Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line is like an Indian Harry Potter except that the only magic is stories of helpful spirits and evil is a lot more elusive than one guy with a powerful wand. There is the spirited Jai who is convinced he can be the next great Indian detective like he watches on tv and bright Pari who knows everything. Then there is Faiz from a Muslim family for whom the stakes become much higher once anti-Muslim sentiment rises in their Basti. These 9 year olds are in a race against the clock to find the evil Djinn who are snatching children before they become victims themselves!
Told from a 9 year old perspective this book sometimes feels like a middle reader, however the themes and reality are very adult. Great debut novel!
Told from a 9 year old perspective this book sometimes feels like a middle reader, however the themes and reality are very adult. Great debut novel!
cartogram's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
bookph1le's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
There's a lot I admired about this book. It has such a strong sense of place that I felt like I was walking alongside Jai, smelling what he smelled and seeing what he saw. I also thought the characterizations were phenomenal, particularly when it came to Jai, Faiz, and Pari. This book also incorporates a lot of meaty issues in an organic way, such as the rising Hindu nationalism sweeping India and how it's leading to hate crimes against Muslims, the problems with child snatching and trafficking, the enormous disparity between the haves and have-nots, and gender issues. This is one of those books you'll chew over long after you've finished it.
However, what held me back from giving it a higher rating was a pace that felt too sluggish for me at times. There were diversions that felt unnecessary, pulling me from the main arc and leaving me impatient to get back to it. Had this book been trimmed down a bit, it would have had more impact on me.
There's a lot I admired about this book. It has such a strong sense of place that I felt like I was walking alongside Jai, smelling what he smelled and seeing what he saw. I also thought the characterizations were phenomenal, particularly when it came to Jai, Faiz, and Pari. This book also incorporates a lot of meaty issues in an organic way, such as the rising Hindu nationalism sweeping India and how it's leading to hate crimes against Muslims, the problems with child snatching and trafficking, the enormous disparity between the haves and have-nots, and gender issues. This is one of those books you'll chew over long after you've finished it.
However, what held me back from giving it a higher rating was a pace that felt too sluggish for me at times. There were diversions that felt unnecessary, pulling me from the main arc and leaving me impatient to get back to it. Had this book been trimmed down a bit, it would have had more impact on me.
dawnjohnson's review
challenging
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
5.0
heathere19's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 Although I know this is more about the real situations going on in India, and I feel for these children, it just did not keep my attention. I thought it would be more of a mystery based on the synopsis.
kdawn999's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book about kid detective friends in India. The story is told from a 9-year-old’s perspective. The narrator was convincing, and the book descriptions are creative, lyrical, and comic. The subject matter is pretty serious, and I’m not sure how I feel about the ending. If only there had been more mystical play toward the end like there was at the book’s opening. This is an author I’m happy to have read and want to read again!
mjk20a's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5