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septi's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
barefootmegz's review against another edition
4.0
I've just read a sneak peek of this book and I AM DESPERATE FOR MORE!
For everybody freaking out about how incredible this book sounds: it does NOT disappoint.
From the opening sentence, Khoury weaves magic with her words. You BECOME the Jinnni, and her frustrations and loneliness become yours, as do her hope.
I adore Aladdin - so fallible, and so tangible.
I read the first chapter to my boyfriend (who does NOT read) and he was spellbound. He, too, couldn't wait for the next chapter!
"Wishes are born in the will of men and women, and it is the true and pure source of power all humans hold."
For everybody freaking out about how incredible this book sounds: it does NOT disappoint.
From the opening sentence, Khoury weaves magic with her words. You BECOME the Jinnni, and her frustrations and loneliness become yours, as do her hope.
I adore Aladdin - so fallible, and so tangible.
I read the first chapter to my boyfriend (who does NOT read) and he was spellbound. He, too, couldn't wait for the next chapter!
"Wishes are born in the will of men and women, and it is the true and pure source of power all humans hold."
kanejim57's review against another edition
5.0
This was a sampler version of the book but I liked it. A deeper and darker take on Aladdin. Hope to read the full book.
simonaisbooked's review against another edition
5.0
Toto bolo celkom prekvapenie. O knihe som vedela len toľko, že je to prerozprávanie Aladdina a po tom, čo tu bola Snehulienka, Popoluška a neviem ešte kto som bola rada, že konečne prišlo aj na niečo exotickejšie.
Aladdin bol perfektný mix drzého zlodeja, ktorý sa vie pretĺcť životom, ale zároveň aj emočne vyspelým a jednoducho bol dokonalý. Aj keď možno trochu nereálny, pretože bol zlodej, to všetci dobre vieme, ale v knihe má pekáč buchet a vypracované svaly a trochu mi vŕta v hlave, že z čoho ich má? To je až taký dobrý zlodej, že nemá núdzu o jedlo?
Zahra, uväznený džin, ktorý má neskutočne geniálne meno, kam sa na ňu berie Jazmína, bola výborným oponentom Aladdinovi. Obaja boli urobení z rovnakého cesta a dobre sa dopĺňali a poštuchovali sa a Aladdin jej vytvoril tú najlepšiu prezývku, akú som v knihe videla - Smoky. No nie je to zlaté? :3
Samozrejme, nie je to len o nich dvoch. Prekvapilo ma, ako veľmi dobre mala autorka premyslenú históriu kráľovstiev a na to, že je kniha len jednou časťou to bolo naozaj dobre rozvinuté. Nemala som pocit, že by bol dej urýchlený kvôli rozsahu a nebolo tam toho málo. Všetky elementy boli istým spôsobom prepojené a bola som z toho unesená. Navyše, zbožňovala som ten detail, kedy Zahra osloví priamo čitateľa, pretože sa akoby rozpráva so svojou dávnou priateľkou a osloví ju v druhej osobe a vy sa cítite členom príbehu. Máte dojem, že to Zahra rozpráva vám a že sa s ňou poznáte.
Celkovo to bola veľmi dobrá kniha a ja sa neviem dočkať, kedy ju budem mať doma v knižnici.
Aladdin bol perfektný mix drzého zlodeja, ktorý sa vie pretĺcť životom, ale zároveň aj emočne vyspelým a jednoducho bol dokonalý. Aj keď možno trochu nereálny, pretože bol zlodej, to všetci dobre vieme, ale v knihe má pekáč buchet a vypracované svaly a trochu mi vŕta v hlave, že z čoho ich má? To je až taký dobrý zlodej, že nemá núdzu o jedlo?
Zahra, uväznený džin, ktorý má neskutočne geniálne meno, kam sa na ňu berie Jazmína, bola výborným oponentom Aladdinovi. Obaja boli urobení z rovnakého cesta a dobre sa dopĺňali a poštuchovali sa a Aladdin jej vytvoril tú najlepšiu prezývku, akú som v knihe videla - Smoky. No nie je to zlaté? :3
Samozrejme, nie je to len o nich dvoch. Prekvapilo ma, ako veľmi dobre mala autorka premyslenú históriu kráľovstiev a na to, že je kniha len jednou časťou to bolo naozaj dobre rozvinuté. Nemala som pocit, že by bol dej urýchlený kvôli rozsahu a nebolo tam toho málo. Všetky elementy boli istým spôsobom prepojené a bola som z toho unesená. Navyše, zbožňovala som ten detail, kedy Zahra osloví priamo čitateľa, pretože sa akoby rozpráva so svojou dávnou priateľkou a osloví ju v druhej osobe a vy sa cítite členom príbehu. Máte dojem, že to Zahra rozpráva vám a že sa s ňou poznáte.
Celkovo to bola veľmi dobrá kniha a ja sa neviem dočkať, kedy ju budem mať doma v knižnici.
oksnariel's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
labwa_0712's review against another edition
3.0
The writing was really amazing and very captivating. I was really excited because I love any fantasy book that has a middle eastern setting.
However, despite the beautiful writing, I was unable to keep my interest in the book at some points. The beginning was strong, but it dragged in the middle and the ending did not feel very exciting to me.
Aladdin was....mediocre. At first, he seemed to be the charming and handsome guy but that was basically his only role. Be the poster boy and do nothing else.
Zahra was the only character who was completely fleshed out.
The relationship between Aladdin and Zahra was cute, I didn't get the feels.
The ending was kinda crazy, too many villains together and the forbidden wish? I wish that was elaborated more.
Overall, it was an enjoyable book. I did expect it to blow my mind somehow but its okay.
However, despite the beautiful writing, I was unable to keep my interest in the book at some points. The beginning was strong, but it dragged in the middle and the ending did not feel very exciting to me.
Aladdin was....mediocre. At first, he seemed to be the charming and handsome guy but that was basically his only role. Be the poster boy and do nothing else.
Zahra was the only character who was completely fleshed out.
The relationship between Aladdin and Zahra was cute, I didn't get the feels.
The ending was kinda crazy, too many villains together and the forbidden wish? I wish that was elaborated more.
Overall, it was an enjoyable book. I did expect it to blow my mind somehow but its okay.
nicholeb84's review against another edition
4.0
I have been hearing a lot of amazing things about this novel, so naturally I was excited to read it. I'm a huge fan of fairy tale retellings, the reimagining of the Jinni was interesting, and who doesn't love the story of Aladdin? While this novel didn't blow me away - I really enjoyed it.
The novel was (as several other people have stated) written beautifully. Our leading lady is someone you root for from the very beginning. And the relationships in this novel? While the romance between the Jinni and Aladdin didn't knock my socks off, it was enjoyable. The real high-light of the novel was the friendship between the ladies. Let me be frank: the greatest part of this novel is the Jinni, Zahra. Zahra makes this novel what it is and I totally adore her. Aladdin is playing second fiddle here, and that works out beautifully.
My biggest issue with the novel (and its one I've been seeing a lot of lately in YA novels. Maybe because they are stretching things out to make series?) is that the story started off rather slow. It took me a while to really get into the story.
Overall, I really liked this one and am awaiting the second novel in the series.
The novel was (as several other people have stated) written beautifully. Our leading lady is someone you root for from the very beginning. And the relationships in this novel? While the romance between the Jinni and Aladdin didn't knock my socks off, it was enjoyable. The real high-light of the novel was the friendship between the ladies. Let me be frank: the greatest part of this novel is the Jinni, Zahra. Zahra makes this novel what it is and I totally adore her. Aladdin is playing second fiddle here, and that works out beautifully.
My biggest issue with the novel (and its one I've been seeing a lot of lately in YA novels. Maybe because they are stretching things out to make series?) is that the story started off rather slow. It took me a while to really get into the story.
Overall, I really liked this one and am awaiting the second novel in the series.
theowlerybooks's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely beautiful but I did find some faults in Aladdin aa a character and the plot overall a very satisfying read!
classiestcass's review against another edition
2.0
So I bought this book while during a buying spree on Book Outlet. The title looked cool and after reading the description, it totally caught my eye. A retelling of Aladdin but the genie is a woman and there's more backstory? It sounded amazing! It started off okay, but then never really launched off from there.
***Spoilers Ahead***
I was never really hooked in past the description. I liked the characters, but it was way too cliche and predictable. Zahra quickly falls for Aladdin and it seems like it's unrequited love until he randomly tells her he loves her in the latter half of the book? It might be just me, but it really seemed out of nowhere. Sure, they shared many long, wistful looks with one another, but that was really the extent of it. And sure enough, the girl gets the guy at the end of the book. Despite this, however, I do like how Zahra saved herself from the curse instead of having a "master" like Aladdin do it. Instead, she was able to save not only herself, but Aladdin and everyone else that she had grown to care for and love.
Overall, I think the book was just okay. It's not the worst book I've ever read. I enjoyed the characters, but I really feel like it was way too predictable for its own good. The ending had a small plot twist that I liked, but I feel like for some people, that could totally be predictable in and of itself. Not to mention that this book literally took me months to read, when a book that really pulls me into it will only take a few days.
***Spoilers Ahead***
I was never really hooked in past the description. I liked the characters, but it was way too cliche and predictable. Zahra quickly falls for Aladdin and it seems like it's unrequited love until he randomly tells her he loves her in the latter half of the book? It might be just me, but it really seemed out of nowhere. Sure, they shared many long, wistful looks with one another, but that was really the extent of it. And sure enough, the girl gets the guy at the end of the book. Despite this, however, I do like how Zahra saved herself from the curse instead of having a "master" like Aladdin do it. Instead, she was able to save not only herself, but Aladdin and everyone else that she had grown to care for and love.
Overall, I think the book was just okay. It's not the worst book I've ever read. I enjoyed the characters, but I really feel like it was way too predictable for its own good. The ending had a small plot twist that I liked, but I feel like for some people, that could totally be predictable in and of itself. Not to mention that this book literally took me months to read, when a book that really pulls me into it will only take a few days.