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klaartjesmits's review
4.0
A gripping, philosophical and beautifully written YA historical mystery novella set in Baghdad in the Abbasid period. The Djinn's Apple follows Nardeen, a young girl seeking revenge for the brutal murder of her family after her father had been accused of killing the caliph's cousin.
Many different themes are explored in this relatively short book: medicine and magic, grief, justice and revenge, politics, the position of women, religious persecution, love and more. Morani has a very lyrical and philosophical writing style which often encouraged me to stand still and reflect on the different meanings behind a sentence.
I was especially captivated by the very three-dimensional protagonist and how she changes throughout the story. Because the book is less than 150 pages some other characters didn't feel fleshed out enough for me, Al-Aasefi and Suhaib in particular. I think I would have loved the story even more if it was a bit longer.
However, the shocking conclusion to the murder mystery had me at the edge of my seat and will stay with me for a long time!
Thank you to the author, to Neem Tree Press and to Edelweiss for the eARC.
Content warnings: blood, death of a sibling, death of a parent, medical procedures, misogyny, murder, physical illness, physical injury, physical violence, poisoning, religious persecution, slavery, suicidal ideation
Many different themes are explored in this relatively short book: medicine and magic, grief, justice and revenge, politics, the position of women, religious persecution, love and more. Morani has a very lyrical and philosophical writing style which often encouraged me to stand still and reflect on the different meanings behind a sentence.
I was especially captivated by the very three-dimensional protagonist and how she changes throughout the story. Because the book is less than 150 pages some other characters didn't feel fleshed out enough for me, Al-Aasefi and Suhaib in particular. I think I would have loved the story even more if it was a bit longer.
However, the shocking conclusion to the murder mystery had me at the edge of my seat and will stay with me for a long time!
Thank you to the author, to Neem Tree Press and to Edelweiss for the eARC.
Content warnings: blood, death of a sibling, death of a parent, medical procedures, misogyny, murder, physical illness, physical injury, physical violence, poisoning, religious persecution, slavery, suicidal ideation
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Slavery, Blood, and Murder
tinyelfarcanist's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Sexism, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Child death, and Misogyny
Minor: Slavery, Animal death, Blood, Violence, and Medical content
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