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Becoming Jinn #1
Becoming Jinn
Forget everything you thought you knew about genies!
Azra has just turned sixteen, and overnight her body lengthens, her olive skin deepens, and her eyes glisten gold thanks to the brand-new silver bangle that locks around her wrist. As she always knew it would, her Jinn ancestry brings not just magical powers but the reality of a life of servitude, as her wish granting is controlled by a remote ruling class of Jinn known as the Afrit.
To the humans she lives among, she’s just the girl working at the snack bar at the beach, navigating the fryer and her first crush. But behind closed doors, she’s learning how to harness her powers and fulfill the obligations of her destiny.
Mentored by her mother and her Zar “sisters”, Azra discovers she may not be quite like the rest of her circle of female Jinn . . . and that her powers could endanger them all. As Azra uncovers the darker world of becoming Jinn, she realizes when genies and wishes are involved, there’s always a trick.
Azra has just turned sixteen, and overnight her body lengthens, her olive skin deepens, and her eyes glisten gold thanks to the brand-new silver bangle that locks around her wrist. As she always knew it would, her Jinn ancestry brings not just magical powers but the reality of a life of servitude, as her wish granting is controlled by a remote ruling class of Jinn known as the Afrit.
To the humans she lives among, she’s just the girl working at the snack bar at the beach, navigating the fryer and her first crush. But behind closed doors, she’s learning how to harness her powers and fulfill the obligations of her destiny.
Mentored by her mother and her Zar “sisters”, Azra discovers she may not be quite like the rest of her circle of female Jinn . . . and that her powers could endanger them all. As Azra uncovers the darker world of becoming Jinn, she realizes when genies and wishes are involved, there’s always a trick.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published April 21, 2015
About the author
Lori Goldstein
6 books431 followersLori Goldstein earned her BA in journalism but eventually found her true writing passion in the world of fictional people. She's never met a beach she didn't love, a book she wouldn't read, or a strange food she wouldn't try. She is the author of SOURCES SAY, which Kirkus calls "Entertaining, thought-provoking, and heartwarming"; SCREEN QUEENS, which Kirkus calls "a fun and uplifting story that celebrates female friendship and empowerment"; and the VOYA-starred young adult contemporary fantasy series BECOMING JINN.
You can visit her online at www.lorigoldsteinbooks.com and interact on Instagram at @lorigoldsteinbooks and Twitter at @loriagoldstein.
Like my author page on Facebook for fun book-related photos, tidbits, and happenings as well as news on upcoming releases.
You can visit her online at www.lorigoldsteinbooks.com and interact on Instagram at @lorigoldsteinbooks and Twitter at @loriagoldstein.
Like my author page on Facebook for fun book-related photos, tidbits, and happenings as well as news on upcoming releases.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
May 4, 2015
he deepening of my olive skin, the angling of my cheekbones, the lengthening of my torso.
I lay a finger on the bangle and push, watching it spin around my wrist. Somehow this thing stimulates my body to reach full maturity. As an inherently attractive species, this tends to make us Jinn … well, hot.
This review may be rambly and nonsensical. It's been a long week. Bear with me. I swear I'm not under the influence of alcohol, although I wish I were, given the material in this book.
Genies are one of the least-respected mythological beings. Poor things. They're rarely portrayed as anything more than flitty idiots à la I Dream of Jeannie or relegated to comic relief, however essential the role, in Aladdin. I, personally, have rarely encountered a truly respectable genie in any sort of artistic or literary work.
Evil villain. Stupid twat. Dumb moron. Truly tragic, these beings. Such a maligned reputation.
This book does not buck that trend. It can only be generously described as "eye-gougingly terrible." It makes the flighty Jeannie in the aforementioned television show seem like Hillary Clinton in comparison.
She is so fucking dumb.
This book is so fucking dumb.
Genies are powerful creatures. Granted, their background differs with just about every single retelling, but I don't know, I expect some sort of wisdom and sagacity to come with all of that. A bit much to ask, maybe, if said immortal being has spent his entire life, oh, LIVING IN A LAMP. Ok, so there are some cases in which I wouldn't expect pure omniscience and wisdom from my genie.
This book's version of a Jinn has no excuse. She's a Jinn, but she's closer to an ordinary teenaged brat than anything else. Don't expect sagacity here, because what you get is a silly, sulky, stupid teenager. Nothing more.
No in-Jinn-uity here:
There is no fucking point to these genies. I don't even know why this book was written, because there is no point to the existence of these creatures. Angels? There to protect us! Demons? There to kill us and tempt us with chocolate, bacon, and a chocolate-covered Tom Hiddleston! I get it, there are very few point to other creatures, like, for example: why do vampires exist in books? Uh, no clue. But they're dark! And they're mysterious! And without them, there would be no Team Edward and Team Jacob.
See? So there is a reason. To fuel teenaged fantasies. To give us hope that somewhere in our mundane world there are sexy, mysterious being who skulk around in the shadows, doing their best to stay under the radar (which means no sparkling! Ah Ah Ah!).
But genies? Why? What's the fucking point? There has to be a fucking point to these creatures in order to make me keep reading, and there. Is. NONE!
These fucking powerful creatures use their power to grant wishes to some random person. I don't even know why. Like what's the point of that? Do these person sell their souls for a wish? No! Why the fuck?!
For the rest of the time, these bitches (and I mean bitches, because they're all women. Men are literally just sperm donors) do nothing but use their power to...change their clothes!
I pull on the white jeans I bought for my first day. They are now cropped pants. About to lengthen them, I channel my inner Hana and fashion them into shorts.Magically make wine apparate!
Four wineglasses swoop into the room, landing underneath the bottle of wine just as the cork shoots out of the neck. The red liquid flows in an arc into the suspended stemware.
Yay underaged drinking! But that's not all! Their powers are used for such things as...manufacturing fake IDs!
In my hand is a fake ID.And do their homework. Because edumacation!
“You guys made these?” she says. “With magic?”
“I haven’t done homework since the day I turned sixteen,” Mina says with pride. She nods to me. “I can teach you if you want.”Who needs to lrean to wread or rite wehn u can magcalyi makee money out of thin air, rite?!??!?!one!
The race of the Jinn is reduced to two generations of really, really hot women. It is literally in their lineage to be hot.
I crawl out of bed and shed my pajamas, dropping them on top of the drill. Of course the black tank top I pull over my head and down my newly elongated torso is too short. As I move, the hem plays a game of peekaboo with my belly button, an unintentional homage to the midriff-baring genies of fairy tales and fantasies.I'm not fucking kidding. They're hot. They're stunning. They're breathingly gorgeous. Did I mention they're really hot?
I used to think the Afrit were huge fans of that silly old TV show and decided humans deserved their genies sexed up: lipstick-wearing, midriff-baring, cleavage-daring.It's a damned good thing they've got their looks because they're completely fucking useless otherwise without their beauty and their magic.
But the attractiveness of our species is simply genetic.
Being physically alluring is the only positive quality these fucking Jinns have, because outside of that, they're squabbling, squalling brats, no matter what their age. They are the few of their kinds left on earth. They're supposed to be in a sisterhood. Bonded to each other. Friends through thick and thin.
No. They're more like the worst scheming stereotypical sorority sisters you can imagine. They steal, they backstab. They sabotage. There is very little female friendship in this book. This book has the awful quality of making every single young female seem bitchy. Not that the main character is any better.
Really. She is a whiny little bitch about being OMG DOOMED TO BE THE MOST POWERFUL JINN EVER. WAH WAH WAH. BOO FUCKING HOO. Why is it so bad to be a Jinn? No, really. They are physically stunning. They can eat anything they want (and the MC has a raging sweet tooth that can rival my own).They have fantastic lifestyles.
Being Jinn has allowed my mother to see the world. Traveling to even the farthest reaches is only a matter of a blink and a nod for Jinn.They can power their everyday with magic. Money is not an issue.
So why the fuck is she such a stupid little disrespectful, rebellious brat determined on destroying her future and betraying the magic and secrecy of her species?
For the rest of my life, I’ll go where I’m told, perform on command, and do it all without question.Oh, honey. It's called a job. Get the fuck used to it.
My reaction upon finishing the book?
April 4, 2015
What do you do when a book's synopsis promises a mind-numbing fantasy world with dark secrets and deceptions? Obviously, you take your expectations to the next level. And when the book lets you down? You rant.
Becoming Jinn started off promisingly. Azra had just grown into her powers and was being a satisfyingly rebellious-but-not-too-rebellious teen. At least, that's how she started out. She seemed to be your average girl wanting more freedom, but not wanting it enough to be a bitch to her mom, which was great.
And then came along the rest of the characters. AND LOOK! They brought the drama llama along with them.
When we meet Azra's Zar "sisters" (her supposed tightest circle of friends), plus her two (yep, you heard me right. TWO) love interests, Azra begins to show her immature and very whiny side. See these examples:
1.) Azra hates that her Zar sisters always leave her behind and not include her in their little get-togethers, and yet she gets pissed off at her mom for forcing her to bond with them.
2.) She complains about needing to read a giant book of THINGS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO BEING A JINN and their family history. (I mean, I would too, but if I knew that it was dangerous not to read it, I would totally read it.)
3.) Oh, and the romance. At first Azra's beginning to realize that her long-time friend Henry had a crush on her, and then suddenly she's "falling" for Nate, and then she gets crazy jealous when she sees Henry with a different girl!
Let me say a bit more about the side characters. Azra's Zar sisters all felt stereotyped (we have the resident bitch, the fun ones, the softie best friend), and each had as much personality as a cardboard cutout. Her love interests weren't any better. Okay, fine, I like Henry and I love how he wants to move on because he knows he has no chance with Azra, and I liked his realistic reactions to certain events that happened in this book.
But the romance with Nate? Oh God, just no. It was one of the most rushed things ever, and it came out of nowhere! First they're hardly talking to each other, then Azra's obsessively thinking about him, then they're suddenly feeling each other up under the stars!
To be honest, I didn't feel like this book had a plot. It felt like a huge filler, or maybe some kind of build-up for the sequels. We're only given a light background about the Jinn world, and this book focused more on Azra's family history than anything. No notable events happened.
**Thank you to Feiwel and Friends for the review copy!
1.5 stars
March 17, 2015
Upon reading the synopsis: so much potential.
Upon reading the book: so many YA cliche. SO. MANY.
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Becoming Jinn by Lori Goldstein
Book One of the Becoming Jinn series
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: April 21, 2015
Rating: 1 star
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Forget everything you thought you knew about genies!
Azra has just turned sixteen, and overnight her body lengthens, her olive skin deepens, and her eyes glisten gold thanks to the brand-new silver bangle that locks around her wrist. As she always knew it would, her Jinn ancestry brings not just magical powers but the reality of a life of servitude, as her wish granting is controlled by a remote ruling class of Jinn known as the Afrit.
To the humans she lives among, she’s just the girl working at the snack bar at the beach, navigating the fryer and her first crush. But behind closed doors, she’s learning how to harness her powers and fulfill the obligations of her destiny.
Mentored by her mother and her Zar “sisters”, Azra discovers she may not be quite like the rest of her circle of female Jinn . . . and that her powers could endanger them all. As Azra uncovers the darker world of becoming Jinn, she realizes when genies and wishes are involved, there’s always a trick.
What I Liked:
The awkward moment when a book you're really excited to read totally disappoints you. One-star disappoint. I like this author, love the publisher, but the book fell flat on its face. Or cover.
What I Did Not Like:
I give up with spoiler warnings. Sometimes I say "THERE MAY BE SPOILERS" and then someone tells me, but your review was spoiler-free! And then I'll think that I didn't have any spoilers (and not put a warning), and someone will say, thanks for spoiling things! So I can't win. Read at your own risk. Apologies to anyone who thinks there are spoilers. I've through this review several times and I don't see anything that I would consider a spoiler - given the story. But I've had the advantage of reading the story already. Anyway.
From the start, I didn't get a good vibe from the book. Initially, before I opened the book, I was EXCITED. Jinn-related books fascinate me. Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios and The Fire Wish by Amber Lough are two of my recent favorites. All jinn-related novels feature a jinn that has no control over his/her magic, a jinn that must grant wishes.
This story is no different. Azra does not want to be a jinn. She wants to be human. When jinn girls are born, they are injected with something that makes them powerless. At sixteen, they get a silver bangle which allows them to access their dormant powers. Azra turns sixteen, and is officially a jinn. She will grant wishes of candidates sent by the Afrit (the ruling jinn family class thing). Azra doesn't want to be a jinn, doesn't want to get along with her Zar sisters, doesn't want her abilities. But she finds that she has more advanced abilities than just about every jinn. And she wants to use her abilities to help her neighbor, Henry, or her boy toy, Nate.
The first thing that pissed me off was Azra's personality. There were a lot of things that bothered me, but two things really stuck out: her submissiveness, and her nasty attitude. Which seems like opposite things, right? She's submissive in that she lets her mother push her around ALL THE TIME. I get it - the Afrit are really controlling, you're supposed to bond with your Zar sisters, there are rules, blah blah blah.
But let me use the birthday party example: Azra didn't want her Zar sisters (basically, her female peers, the daughters of her mother's Zar sisters) coming to her birthday party. She's not close with them like they are with each other, and she doesn't want to be. Okay, fine. Azra's mother says okay, no inviting them. Then she goes and invites them anyway. The thing is, that s*** wouldn't fly with me, jinn or human or whatever. And I thought that it wouldn't pass Azra either, because Azra was PISSED, but then she was like okay... and was furious, but relented.
Honey. Please. If you don't want people you don't like to come over for your birthday, then they're not coming, or you're not staying. Grow a d*** backbone.
That's a silly example, but a true one nonetheless. And then there was Azra complaining about EVERYTHING. She hates being a jinn. She hates granting wishes. She hates being forced to hang out with her Zar sisters. She hates her mother's Zar sisters. She hates the Afrit. She hates a girl at her job. She hates her bangle.
SHE LITERALLY HATES EVERYTHING. I think the author was trying to go for the whole rebellious-free-thinking-feisty-protagonist bit, but it came off as whiny-b****y-ungrateful-protagonist. I figured Azra would go through some character development, but honestly, from start to finish, I didn't really see any major changes in Azra's behavior. Still selfish, still petty, still annoying. So annoying. I hated Azra's inner (and outer) voice.
The thing is, if you hate your life, run away. If you hate the Afrit, start a rebellion. If you hate Yasmin (one of her Zar sisters), physically distance yourself from her. If you hate yourself, go cry about it and run away. I feel like so many problems could have been avoided if Azra thought things through or stopped moping.
That's another thing - Azra is REALLY stupid. She does silly, impulsive things all the time, without thinking things through, without thinking of the consequences. She wants to jump right into things, without learning, without doing the heavy lifting. She wants all of the flare without all of the studying. It doesn't work that way, as she finds out. This girl is so idiotic, sixteen years old or otherwise.
Let's talk romance. Ha. There IS a love triangle in this book. Henry, the neighbor who seems to "get" her, and Nate, the lifeguard (Azra works at a food place at the beach), who is hot and dorky and did I mention hot (apparently)? Lifeguards generally look good without their shirts on. Anyway. Love triangle. Messy relationships. Blurred lines. Stupid girl. So many cliches.
It started out as if Henry was the definite love interest, but then Azra is in denial and convinces herself that they're friends (meanwhile, we all know Henry is in love with her). Azra is totally in lust with Nate, and he with her (though he also really cares about her, it seems). Azra is "with" Nate, but eventually realizes that she has feelings for Henry too. I mean, she got randomly jealous when she found Henry hooking up with a girl in his backyard. Ooookay...
Hated the protagonist. Hated the romance. Hated the love interests. Well, actually, no. I really liked Nate. Henry, I did not like. Henry finds out certain things, and Henry is a five-year-old disguised as a seventeen-year-old. I kid you not, the boy has a maturity level of a five-year-old. I'm not sure he made one good decision in this book - except those pertaining to his little sister, Lisa.
I'm not impressed with the fantasy aspect of this book. Everything seems either cliche, or irritating. For example, the Afrit forces jinn to make wishes. The Afrit use science to withhold the powers of female jinn under sixteen. The Afrit use DNA mixing (or something) to create more jinn babies - so I don't think sex or finding a mate is required, if I understand correctly. Basically, the Afrit is like a modern-day dystopia government, control reproduction, creativity, abilities, free thinking, free speech, privileges... cute, but not entirely creative, or enjoyable to read, or original. If I wanted to read a dystopia, I would. Instead, I was stuck reading this book thinking, are you kidding me?! Next thing you know, we'll be discussing uprisings and rebellions.
HINT. Ahem. Dystopia, anyone? With a hint of (poorly written) fantasy.
The story isn't that interesting. In fact, it's painful to read. Azra hates everything, and most of the story revolves around her either hating everything even more, or doing stupid things because she wants to not hate everything (but it backfires a bit). Azra thinks she's good stuff because she's got even more advanced powers than most jinn, and it makes her cocky.
There are so many YA cliches in this book. The wannabe-feisty (but NOT feisty - instead, whiny) protagonist. The silly love triangle. The "chosen one" with superior abilities. The rigid, controlling government - and therefore, the rebellion (that the "chosen one" will probably join, and eventually, lead). The "choice" represented by the love triangle - one boys knows everything, one boy knows nothing. The protagonist's heritage (can't say more than that). The ending - ha. So many annoying cliches. This book is chock full of YA cliche after YA cliche.
I could go on. But I won't.
Would I Recommend It:
I mean, obviously I didn't like this one, and I can't recommend it to anyone, but I won't discourage anyone from reading it (directly, anyway. This review is an indirect non-recommendation, I suppose). Read it and make your own decision - if you were already going to read it. If you've never heard of this one or had only just heard of it - don't bother. Read one of the other two jinn-related books I mentioned earlier in the review.
Rating:
1 star. Meaning no disrespect or harsh feelings to the author, publisher, etc. but... this book wasn't a good one, and wasn't for me. I doubt I'll be reading the second one - I'm just not interested in it. Cliche story? I know how it continues, and ends.
Upon reading the book: so many YA cliche. SO. MANY.
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Becoming Jinn by Lori Goldstein
Book One of the Becoming Jinn series
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: April 21, 2015
Rating: 1 star
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Forget everything you thought you knew about genies!
Azra has just turned sixteen, and overnight her body lengthens, her olive skin deepens, and her eyes glisten gold thanks to the brand-new silver bangle that locks around her wrist. As she always knew it would, her Jinn ancestry brings not just magical powers but the reality of a life of servitude, as her wish granting is controlled by a remote ruling class of Jinn known as the Afrit.
To the humans she lives among, she’s just the girl working at the snack bar at the beach, navigating the fryer and her first crush. But behind closed doors, she’s learning how to harness her powers and fulfill the obligations of her destiny.
Mentored by her mother and her Zar “sisters”, Azra discovers she may not be quite like the rest of her circle of female Jinn . . . and that her powers could endanger them all. As Azra uncovers the darker world of becoming Jinn, she realizes when genies and wishes are involved, there’s always a trick.
What I Liked:
The awkward moment when a book you're really excited to read totally disappoints you. One-star disappoint. I like this author, love the publisher, but the book fell flat on its face. Or cover.
What I Did Not Like:
I give up with spoiler warnings. Sometimes I say "THERE MAY BE SPOILERS" and then someone tells me, but your review was spoiler-free! And then I'll think that I didn't have any spoilers (and not put a warning), and someone will say, thanks for spoiling things! So I can't win. Read at your own risk. Apologies to anyone who thinks there are spoilers. I've through this review several times and I don't see anything that I would consider a spoiler - given the story. But I've had the advantage of reading the story already. Anyway.
From the start, I didn't get a good vibe from the book. Initially, before I opened the book, I was EXCITED. Jinn-related books fascinate me. Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios and The Fire Wish by Amber Lough are two of my recent favorites. All jinn-related novels feature a jinn that has no control over his/her magic, a jinn that must grant wishes.
This story is no different. Azra does not want to be a jinn. She wants to be human. When jinn girls are born, they are injected with something that makes them powerless. At sixteen, they get a silver bangle which allows them to access their dormant powers. Azra turns sixteen, and is officially a jinn. She will grant wishes of candidates sent by the Afrit (the ruling jinn family class thing). Azra doesn't want to be a jinn, doesn't want to get along with her Zar sisters, doesn't want her abilities. But she finds that she has more advanced abilities than just about every jinn. And she wants to use her abilities to help her neighbor, Henry, or her boy toy, Nate.
The first thing that pissed me off was Azra's personality. There were a lot of things that bothered me, but two things really stuck out: her submissiveness, and her nasty attitude. Which seems like opposite things, right? She's submissive in that she lets her mother push her around ALL THE TIME. I get it - the Afrit are really controlling, you're supposed to bond with your Zar sisters, there are rules, blah blah blah.
But let me use the birthday party example: Azra didn't want her Zar sisters (basically, her female peers, the daughters of her mother's Zar sisters) coming to her birthday party. She's not close with them like they are with each other, and she doesn't want to be. Okay, fine. Azra's mother says okay, no inviting them. Then she goes and invites them anyway. The thing is, that s*** wouldn't fly with me, jinn or human or whatever. And I thought that it wouldn't pass Azra either, because Azra was PISSED, but then she was like okay... and was furious, but relented.
Honey. Please. If you don't want people you don't like to come over for your birthday, then they're not coming, or you're not staying. Grow a d*** backbone.
That's a silly example, but a true one nonetheless. And then there was Azra complaining about EVERYTHING. She hates being a jinn. She hates granting wishes. She hates being forced to hang out with her Zar sisters. She hates her mother's Zar sisters. She hates the Afrit. She hates a girl at her job. She hates her bangle.
SHE LITERALLY HATES EVERYTHING. I think the author was trying to go for the whole rebellious-free-thinking-feisty-protagonist bit, but it came off as whiny-b****y-ungrateful-protagonist. I figured Azra would go through some character development, but honestly, from start to finish, I didn't really see any major changes in Azra's behavior. Still selfish, still petty, still annoying. So annoying. I hated Azra's inner (and outer) voice.
The thing is, if you hate your life, run away. If you hate the Afrit, start a rebellion. If you hate Yasmin (one of her Zar sisters), physically distance yourself from her. If you hate yourself, go cry about it and run away. I feel like so many problems could have been avoided if Azra thought things through or stopped moping.
That's another thing - Azra is REALLY stupid. She does silly, impulsive things all the time, without thinking things through, without thinking of the consequences. She wants to jump right into things, without learning, without doing the heavy lifting. She wants all of the flare without all of the studying. It doesn't work that way, as she finds out. This girl is so idiotic, sixteen years old or otherwise.
Let's talk romance. Ha. There IS a love triangle in this book. Henry, the neighbor who seems to "get" her, and Nate, the lifeguard (Azra works at a food place at the beach), who is hot and dorky and did I mention hot (apparently)? Lifeguards generally look good without their shirts on. Anyway. Love triangle. Messy relationships. Blurred lines. Stupid girl. So many cliches.
It started out as if Henry was the definite love interest, but then Azra is in denial and convinces herself that they're friends (meanwhile, we all know Henry is in love with her). Azra is totally in lust with Nate, and he with her (though he also really cares about her, it seems). Azra is "with" Nate, but eventually realizes that she has feelings for Henry too. I mean, she got randomly jealous when she found Henry hooking up with a girl in his backyard. Ooookay...
Hated the protagonist. Hated the romance. Hated the love interests. Well, actually, no. I really liked Nate. Henry, I did not like. Henry finds out certain things, and Henry is a five-year-old disguised as a seventeen-year-old. I kid you not, the boy has a maturity level of a five-year-old. I'm not sure he made one good decision in this book - except those pertaining to his little sister, Lisa.
I'm not impressed with the fantasy aspect of this book. Everything seems either cliche, or irritating. For example, the Afrit forces jinn to make wishes. The Afrit use science to withhold the powers of female jinn under sixteen. The Afrit use DNA mixing (or something) to create more jinn babies - so I don't think sex or finding a mate is required, if I understand correctly. Basically, the Afrit is like a modern-day dystopia government, control reproduction, creativity, abilities, free thinking, free speech, privileges... cute, but not entirely creative, or enjoyable to read, or original. If I wanted to read a dystopia, I would. Instead, I was stuck reading this book thinking, are you kidding me?! Next thing you know, we'll be discussing uprisings and rebellions.
HINT. Ahem. Dystopia, anyone? With a hint of (poorly written) fantasy.
The story isn't that interesting. In fact, it's painful to read. Azra hates everything, and most of the story revolves around her either hating everything even more, or doing stupid things because she wants to not hate everything (but it backfires a bit). Azra thinks she's good stuff because she's got even more advanced powers than most jinn, and it makes her cocky.
There are so many YA cliches in this book. The wannabe-feisty (but NOT feisty - instead, whiny) protagonist. The silly love triangle. The "chosen one" with superior abilities. The rigid, controlling government - and therefore, the rebellion (that the "chosen one" will probably join, and eventually, lead). The "choice" represented by the love triangle - one boys knows everything, one boy knows nothing. The protagonist's heritage (can't say more than that). The ending - ha. So many annoying cliches. This book is chock full of YA cliche after YA cliche.
I could go on. But I won't.
Would I Recommend It:
I mean, obviously I didn't like this one, and I can't recommend it to anyone, but I won't discourage anyone from reading it (directly, anyway. This review is an indirect non-recommendation, I suppose). Read it and make your own decision - if you were already going to read it. If you've never heard of this one or had only just heard of it - don't bother. Read one of the other two jinn-related books I mentioned earlier in the review.
Rating:
1 star. Meaning no disrespect or harsh feelings to the author, publisher, etc. but... this book wasn't a good one, and wasn't for me. I doubt I'll be reading the second one - I'm just not interested in it. Cliche story? I know how it continues, and ends.
June 1, 2016
I'm SO so excited for this book to be out in the world. The premise and writing -- and just everything -- are wonderful, and readers are going to love it!
April 26, 2015
To see full review click here.
Dear Book Genie:
Your Book Genie service sucks. You told me you’d give me any sort of book I wanted. I said I wanted a jinn book full of culture,diversity, matriarchy, and you gave me…
Well, shit.
Becoming Jinn was such a devastating experience. It was like on the shallow surface it had everything I desired, but then when I actually read it.
My head exploded and not in a good way.
I get that you should be careful about what you wish for, but come on Book Genie did you really have to butcher it up so much. Let’s look at the following things I wished for and what you freaking gave me:
1) A strong female heroine who fights against her faith.
Azra seems strong from the blurb-right.
Whiney is actually a better word to describe her Book Genie. An annoying and whiney brat.
She doesn’t do anything to fight her faith other than whine. Even after her mom commits a big no no of ignoring her wishes of inviting people she specifically asked to NOT be invited to her birthday party, she just shrugs it off with little to no action.
Seriously? Book Genie.
I had hopes at the beginning when she was trying to use power tools to get off that bangle that was pretty cool. I was like, maybe I could like this character.
But as the book progressed she did nothing to change her faith. Other than being sort of silent and bitchy towards her Zar sisters she did nothing.
Oh, but moan about her dead bestie and moon over a boy whose personality was like sandpaper and get courted by another sandpaper-ish boy.
But apparently she’s really talented with magic and that’s suppose to make the book.
It doesn’t.
2) A unique mythology not exploited to death in YA.
Jinns haven’t been totally exploited in YA. Actually, compared to most paranormal/mythological creatures they’ve hardly been explored at all. And for the most part, I have really enjoyed the jinn books that I’ve read. Save for Fire Wish, but this book made Fire Wish look like a freaking masterpiece.
I couldn’t even stomach it enough to finish this thing because nothing of interest was happening. The set up seemed interesting enough and if it would’ve gone through the ideas that it pitched it would’ve been interesting. But as it was it was a lot of nothing with an over the top ridiculous magical makeover consisting of a new hot bod and butt length hair.
Why did you make me lose my dinner, Book Genie?
You suck so much.
3) A matriarchal based society.
This is probably what attracted me to this book more than anything else. I like books that focus on storng female friendships and relationships, I was hoping to see a bit of this with the Zar sisterhood. But instead, most of the Zar sisters are just annoying with pretty much blah personalities. Save for the obligatory nice one and the bitchy one that’s just jealous of Azra’s awesomeness-rolls eyes.
This is not what a matriarchal society/sisterhood is, Book Genie. You took the most cliche elements of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Wonder Woman and tried to put them together. It didnt’ work. If there were bonds between these girls, I didn’t see them. Instead, the only thing they have in common is that on their sixteenth birthday they become Xena Warrior Princess look alikes without the bad ass-ness.
Lame.
4) Interesting Plotting:
Where was my plot, Book Genie? Nothing was happening and I got through a good hundred and thirty and some odd pages of the book.
Surely, something had to happen than not so supple nods that Azra is a super special powerful genie.
Oh, and becoming hot.
Instead of making me want to read this book, it made me want to quit this book.
5) An intriguing love interest:
Ha! Ha! Ha!
Book Genie, you gave me the epitome of boring. And a love triangle that was even more pointless than the one in Twilight. I really could care less. I am Team Neither of these boys because they were just equally boring and bland (again, like sandpaper).
I couldn’t honestly tell you what the difference between the two of them was other than one was a neighbor and one was a lifeguard-who is automatically suppose to be hot because he’s a lifeguard.
Conclusion:
So thank you, Book Genie. NOT. I hope you are happy. You didn’t fulfill my wish the way you wanted. Some lousy genie you are. I guess I should’ve just used mesh up of various media like most blurbs do when I asked for my request. Because you failed-big time. And just for the record the perfect jinn book for me would consist of a Buffy-ish main character with Harry Potter action and Ken Burns accuracy to detail.
Regards,
MJ
Book Blogger
Dear Book Genie:
Your Book Genie service sucks. You told me you’d give me any sort of book I wanted. I said I wanted a jinn book full of culture,diversity, matriarchy, and you gave me…
Well, shit.
Becoming Jinn was such a devastating experience. It was like on the shallow surface it had everything I desired, but then when I actually read it.
My head exploded and not in a good way.
I get that you should be careful about what you wish for, but come on Book Genie did you really have to butcher it up so much. Let’s look at the following things I wished for and what you freaking gave me:
1) A strong female heroine who fights against her faith.
Azra seems strong from the blurb-right.
Whiney is actually a better word to describe her Book Genie. An annoying and whiney brat.
She doesn’t do anything to fight her faith other than whine. Even after her mom commits a big no no of ignoring her wishes of inviting people she specifically asked to NOT be invited to her birthday party, she just shrugs it off with little to no action.
Seriously? Book Genie.
I had hopes at the beginning when she was trying to use power tools to get off that bangle that was pretty cool. I was like, maybe I could like this character.
But as the book progressed she did nothing to change her faith. Other than being sort of silent and bitchy towards her Zar sisters she did nothing.
Oh, but moan about her dead bestie and moon over a boy whose personality was like sandpaper and get courted by another sandpaper-ish boy.
But apparently she’s really talented with magic and that’s suppose to make the book.
It doesn’t.
2) A unique mythology not exploited to death in YA.
Jinns haven’t been totally exploited in YA. Actually, compared to most paranormal/mythological creatures they’ve hardly been explored at all. And for the most part, I have really enjoyed the jinn books that I’ve read. Save for Fire Wish, but this book made Fire Wish look like a freaking masterpiece.
I couldn’t even stomach it enough to finish this thing because nothing of interest was happening. The set up seemed interesting enough and if it would’ve gone through the ideas that it pitched it would’ve been interesting. But as it was it was a lot of nothing with an over the top ridiculous magical makeover consisting of a new hot bod and butt length hair.
Why did you make me lose my dinner, Book Genie?
You suck so much.
3) A matriarchal based society.
This is probably what attracted me to this book more than anything else. I like books that focus on storng female friendships and relationships, I was hoping to see a bit of this with the Zar sisterhood. But instead, most of the Zar sisters are just annoying with pretty much blah personalities. Save for the obligatory nice one and the bitchy one that’s just jealous of Azra’s awesomeness-rolls eyes.
This is not what a matriarchal society/sisterhood is, Book Genie. You took the most cliche elements of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Wonder Woman and tried to put them together. It didnt’ work. If there were bonds between these girls, I didn’t see them. Instead, the only thing they have in common is that on their sixteenth birthday they become Xena Warrior Princess look alikes without the bad ass-ness.
Lame.
4) Interesting Plotting:
Where was my plot, Book Genie? Nothing was happening and I got through a good hundred and thirty and some odd pages of the book.
Surely, something had to happen than not so supple nods that Azra is a super special powerful genie.
Oh, and becoming hot.
Instead of making me want to read this book, it made me want to quit this book.
5) An intriguing love interest:
Ha! Ha! Ha!
Book Genie, you gave me the epitome of boring. And a love triangle that was even more pointless than the one in Twilight. I really could care less. I am Team Neither of these boys because they were just equally boring and bland (again, like sandpaper).
I couldn’t honestly tell you what the difference between the two of them was other than one was a neighbor and one was a lifeguard-who is automatically suppose to be hot because he’s a lifeguard.
Conclusion:
So thank you, Book Genie. NOT. I hope you are happy. You didn’t fulfill my wish the way you wanted. Some lousy genie you are. I guess I should’ve just used mesh up of various media like most blurbs do when I asked for my request. Because you failed-big time. And just for the record the perfect jinn book for me would consist of a Buffy-ish main character with Harry Potter action and Ken Burns accuracy to detail.
Regards,
MJ
Book Blogger
March 21, 2015
Becoming Jinn by Lori Goldstein is a book I was looking forward to when I read the summary but I have to admit, I was a bit underwhelmed with this book. It has a lot to do with the characters of this book more than anything as I thought the story was solid, it just didn’t progress as I was hoping.
It is the morning of Azra’s 16th birthday and things are more different for her today than ever. She has definitely changed and it all has to do with the bracelet that is now locked onto her wrist. As a Jinn, Azra is required to help the people that the Afrit tell her she is assigned to. Lucky for Azra, her first three wishes get to be for people she and her mom choose so they can test out her powers. Unfortunately one of her tests goes wrong and things change quickly for Azra.
Once she completes her test challenges, Azra begins to get assignments but they are people that are tied to her everyday life and that isn't supposed to happen. Now she needs to figure out not only how to grant their wishes but also how not influence things the wrong way. As she starts to dig into her mom’s past, Azra finds out more than she thought she would and it explains why the Afrit have been watching her so closely.
A lot of the story focuses on Azra’s relationships. She has a group of girls (daughters of her mother’s Zar) that make up her own Zar and she is supposed to be growing closer to them as they all evolve into Jinn but Azra is finding it difficult to connect to them due to the fact that she doesn’t really want to be a Jinn. In addition to that group, the boy she has had a crush on is finally noticing her and the brother of her childhood best friend has found out about her secret and Azra doesn’t want to worry about it.
I thought that Goldstein did a good job of showing Azra’s frustration with the life she has been given. I wished we would have gotten more information about Azra’s mother and father and I hope that the next book gives us more detail on that. I also want to know more about the Afrit and why they have forced the Jinn to be separated from everything. They aren’t supposed to be close to humans and they can’t have their own families, I need to know more about everything!
Overall I thought this story was interesting and I am very curious around the information I mentioned above so I will keep the next book on my radar. This series has some potential and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Thank you to Macmillan and Netgalley for the review copy!
It is the morning of Azra’s 16th birthday and things are more different for her today than ever. She has definitely changed and it all has to do with the bracelet that is now locked onto her wrist. As a Jinn, Azra is required to help the people that the Afrit tell her she is assigned to. Lucky for Azra, her first three wishes get to be for people she and her mom choose so they can test out her powers. Unfortunately one of her tests goes wrong and things change quickly for Azra.
Once she completes her test challenges, Azra begins to get assignments but they are people that are tied to her everyday life and that isn't supposed to happen. Now she needs to figure out not only how to grant their wishes but also how not influence things the wrong way. As she starts to dig into her mom’s past, Azra finds out more than she thought she would and it explains why the Afrit have been watching her so closely.
A lot of the story focuses on Azra’s relationships. She has a group of girls (daughters of her mother’s Zar) that make up her own Zar and she is supposed to be growing closer to them as they all evolve into Jinn but Azra is finding it difficult to connect to them due to the fact that she doesn’t really want to be a Jinn. In addition to that group, the boy she has had a crush on is finally noticing her and the brother of her childhood best friend has found out about her secret and Azra doesn’t want to worry about it.
I thought that Goldstein did a good job of showing Azra’s frustration with the life she has been given. I wished we would have gotten more information about Azra’s mother and father and I hope that the next book gives us more detail on that. I also want to know more about the Afrit and why they have forced the Jinn to be separated from everything. They aren’t supposed to be close to humans and they can’t have their own families, I need to know more about everything!
Overall I thought this story was interesting and I am very curious around the information I mentioned above so I will keep the next book on my radar. This series has some potential and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Thank you to Macmillan and Netgalley for the review copy!
April 3, 2018
This is more of a contemporary book where one of her problems happens to be magic than a fantasy book. There were hints of fighting back against the evil Afrits, but most of the conflict was with Azra’s relationships.
The Good:
I enjoyed the culture and idiosyncrasies of the Jinn. (Like how they ate sweets constantly and didn’t like the cold.) These were cute touches.
There is a love triangle! (I wish the one boy only liked her as a friend and she didn’t go into the jealousy thing,) But it wasn’t a totally obnoxious triangle. Both of her love interests were good, sweet guys. Her friend was my favorite character, but then again I have a thing for geeky guys. ;)
Most of the fun parts of this book were between her and her geeky friend. I also liked the relationship between her Zar sisters. (Like when three of them wore mismatched bikinis but they all went together)
The Bad:
Jinn magic is pretty unlimited and Azra learns everything really quickly. Any problem she had with magic she created by acting stupidly.
Though I liked Azra in this book I didn’t like her past self. (Her actions before the story takes place.) How she’d separated herself from everyone. That was part of the theme of this book though.
Becoming Jinn has a strong theme concerning death and acceptance. (And it was obvious there was a theme.)
This is sort of a spoiler (but I had to mention it) I don’t agree with the message of the ending,
Point of View: First (Azra)
Predictability: 4 out of 5 (Where 1 is totally unpredictable and 5 is I knew what was going to happen way ahead of time.)
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 6/10 Stars
The Good:
I enjoyed the culture and idiosyncrasies of the Jinn. (Like how they ate sweets constantly and didn’t like the cold.) These were cute touches.
There is a love triangle! (I wish the one boy only liked her as a friend and she didn’t go into the jealousy thing,) But it wasn’t a totally obnoxious triangle. Both of her love interests were good, sweet guys. Her friend was my favorite character, but then again I have a thing for geeky guys. ;)
Most of the fun parts of this book were between her and her geeky friend. I also liked the relationship between her Zar sisters. (Like when three of them wore mismatched bikinis but they all went together)
The Bad:
Jinn magic is pretty unlimited and Azra learns everything really quickly. Any problem she had with magic she created by acting stupidly.
Though I liked Azra in this book I didn’t like her past self. (Her actions before the story takes place.) How she’d separated herself from everyone. That was part of the theme of this book though.
Becoming Jinn has a strong theme concerning death and acceptance. (And it was obvious there was a theme.)
This is sort of a spoiler (but I had to mention it) I don’t agree with the message of the ending,
Point of View: First (Azra)
Predictability: 4 out of 5 (Where 1 is totally unpredictable and 5 is I knew what was going to happen way ahead of time.)
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 6/10 Stars
September 18, 2014
I read an early version of this book as a member of the Freshman Fifteens. Azra Nadira wakes up on her sixteenth birthday having become the very thing she’s dreaded all her life—a full-fledged Jinn, finally able to use her powers, but controlled by the Afrit and forced to grant wishes to humans. Her five Zar sisters—most of whom have already come into their powers—could be her greatest source of support, but she has been slowly alienating them for years because, unlike Azra, they fully embrace their Jinn nature. To top it all off, a shocking secret has been kept from her—one that will alter Azra’s destiny. As the Jinn world increasingly complicates her life, Azra’s kind, understanding, childhood friend Henry becomes a force in her life, as does the sweet, gorgeous lifeguard Nate. Azra navigates all of these relationships with grace, humor, and a few mistakes that had me furiously turning pages to see what it would mean for her, in the end, to truly become Jinn. I loved Azra, loved the boys, loved her Zar sisters, loved the humor and the poignant moments, loved everything about this book! Readers of contemporary, fantasy, and romance (and Jinn!) will love it too!
May 5, 2020
Started our good but went down hill...may try another time.
April 20, 2015
Lori Goldstein’s debut, BECOMING JINN, is a perfect mix of sweet, sad, funny, heartwarming, captivating and intriguing. It’s one of those stories that draws you in at the outset with an opening sentence that will pique your curiosity, and keeps you hooked with its entertaining characters, fascinating lore, engaging plot and great writing.
It introduces a main character who is likable, relatable, well-meaning, impulsive, stubborn, and at times selfish, but who is sure to make you laugh, roll your eyes, shake your head at some of the decisions she makes and situations she finds herself in, and sympathize with her for the lack of control she has over her own life.
Azra knew that the day she turned sixteen her entire life would change. Not that she had much freedom before, but now she’d be losing most of what little she did have.Try as she might, she could not alter the changes to her appearance that came with becoming jinn. She could not stop the bangle from being locked on her wrist that would allow her to use her powers to grant wishes. She could not refuse the assignments she was given without dire consequences.
But she would not hide herself away from the human world, having only her “sisters” as friends. She would not give up her friendship with Henry or forget about her crush on Nate or quit her job at the beach. She would not fall in line and become the model Jinn her mother was just because it was easier or safer or because her family wanted her to.
The Afrit may have the ability to take away everything from her, but if she could keep them from finding out who she was friends with, what she was doing, the rules she was breaking, the secrets she was keeping, maybe she wouldn’t have to completely lose herself. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but she would not give up without trying to have it all. She just wished she knew what the consequences would be from the start.
Author Lori Goldstein has created an enchanting and incredibly addictive first book in her series that teases a world that is magical and dangerous and oppressive and beautiful. She introduces a people who have incredible gifts and can do amazing things but are kept on a short leash, are separated from their families, and are faced with terrible punishment if they step out of line. She gives readers a story that is exciting and humorous and heartbreaking and she presents it from the point of view of an endearing main character who is far from perfect but one worth rooting for.
BECOMING JINN is a positively delightful and spellbinding read that highlights the risks of having too much power, the danger of keeping secrets, and the importance of friends and family. It’s a story that will entertain from start to finish and one that will leave readers anxious for the sequel.
It introduces a main character who is likable, relatable, well-meaning, impulsive, stubborn, and at times selfish, but who is sure to make you laugh, roll your eyes, shake your head at some of the decisions she makes and situations she finds herself in, and sympathize with her for the lack of control she has over her own life.
Azra knew that the day she turned sixteen her entire life would change. Not that she had much freedom before, but now she’d be losing most of what little she did have.Try as she might, she could not alter the changes to her appearance that came with becoming jinn. She could not stop the bangle from being locked on her wrist that would allow her to use her powers to grant wishes. She could not refuse the assignments she was given without dire consequences.
But she would not hide herself away from the human world, having only her “sisters” as friends. She would not give up her friendship with Henry or forget about her crush on Nate or quit her job at the beach. She would not fall in line and become the model Jinn her mother was just because it was easier or safer or because her family wanted her to.
The Afrit may have the ability to take away everything from her, but if she could keep them from finding out who she was friends with, what she was doing, the rules she was breaking, the secrets she was keeping, maybe she wouldn’t have to completely lose herself. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but she would not give up without trying to have it all. She just wished she knew what the consequences would be from the start.
Author Lori Goldstein has created an enchanting and incredibly addictive first book in her series that teases a world that is magical and dangerous and oppressive and beautiful. She introduces a people who have incredible gifts and can do amazing things but are kept on a short leash, are separated from their families, and are faced with terrible punishment if they step out of line. She gives readers a story that is exciting and humorous and heartbreaking and she presents it from the point of view of an endearing main character who is far from perfect but one worth rooting for.
BECOMING JINN is a positively delightful and spellbinding read that highlights the risks of having too much power, the danger of keeping secrets, and the importance of friends and family. It’s a story that will entertain from start to finish and one that will leave readers anxious for the sequel.
April 17, 2015
Becoming Jinn is a beautifully crafted, carefully written tale of 16-year-old Azra who has what we all think we want -- the power to grant wishes (and I say this as a completely biased husband of the author but I assure you, every word is true). Azra is a smart, funny, caustic, bedeviling, and one-of-a-kind character rarely seen in YA.
When the silver bangle is clasped around her wrist that provides this power, it's the final straw in a lifetime fighting the inevitable servitude that this precious gift will truly entail. Azra descends from a long line of Jinn -- what we refer to as genies -- and a strong incident in her past has turned her away from magic, her Jinn heritage, and her Zar sisters. Finally unable to escape, Azra is faced with the dilemma of becoming Jinn in a world of humans who she must hide her powers from and yet live among, including the terrific and self-depreciating Henry across the street and her lifeguard crush Nate. Azra must navigate the increasingly complicated world she now inhabits, learning magic, hiding her true self from her friends, and avoiding the Afrit, who rule over the Jinn and keep the wish-granting Jinn and their mothers separated from the males. As Azra's first-person tale unfurls, the author is able to demonstrate the frustration, fear, and confusion we all faced as teenagers and journeyed toward adulthood, jockeying for position, affections, and our rightful place, all with Azra's wry sense of humor and wit, which punctuates the book throughout. The book builds momentum to an unstoppable pace, beginning with Azra's birthday, through her wish-granting, and ultimately to the incidents that bring her full circle in her journey of accepting being Jinn. Barreling to the end, you will finish demanding that book 2 be released much sooner than April 2016!
This is a triumphant debut by an author with a particular talent for creating believable and relatable characters, accurate dialog, and terrific turns of phrase. Even if the author wasn't my wife, I would recommend the book to anyone who loves good characters, humor, and a well-executed tale.
When the silver bangle is clasped around her wrist that provides this power, it's the final straw in a lifetime fighting the inevitable servitude that this precious gift will truly entail. Azra descends from a long line of Jinn -- what we refer to as genies -- and a strong incident in her past has turned her away from magic, her Jinn heritage, and her Zar sisters. Finally unable to escape, Azra is faced with the dilemma of becoming Jinn in a world of humans who she must hide her powers from and yet live among, including the terrific and self-depreciating Henry across the street and her lifeguard crush Nate. Azra must navigate the increasingly complicated world she now inhabits, learning magic, hiding her true self from her friends, and avoiding the Afrit, who rule over the Jinn and keep the wish-granting Jinn and their mothers separated from the males. As Azra's first-person tale unfurls, the author is able to demonstrate the frustration, fear, and confusion we all faced as teenagers and journeyed toward adulthood, jockeying for position, affections, and our rightful place, all with Azra's wry sense of humor and wit, which punctuates the book throughout. The book builds momentum to an unstoppable pace, beginning with Azra's birthday, through her wish-granting, and ultimately to the incidents that bring her full circle in her journey of accepting being Jinn. Barreling to the end, you will finish demanding that book 2 be released much sooner than April 2016!
This is a triumphant debut by an author with a particular talent for creating believable and relatable characters, accurate dialog, and terrific turns of phrase. Even if the author wasn't my wife, I would recommend the book to anyone who loves good characters, humor, and a well-executed tale.
July 12, 2016
A brilliant twist on jinn mythology, Becoming Jinn fleshes out your typical genie - exploring the emotions, trials & sacrifices that make up their lives.
April 16, 2015
Forget everything you thought you knew about genies!
Yeah, just add in every cliché you've come across in the YA genre!
This includes: bitchy popular girls, boy-driven/hormone-crazed girls, rendered speechless as a crush KNOWS YOUR NAME!, and so much more!
I love genie stories. I haven't read much because there aren't that many that I know of. And all the ones I've read this far—which I believe are three—have been contemporary, which is my least favourite genre.
But I still love genie stories. So I was expecting something amazing, dazzling, beautiful. I was expecting not perfection, because that would be impossible, but something more than tolerable and enjoyable in the least—not this thing as it turned out to be.
You can't have tolerable when the main character is a bitchy and bratty girl, who is constantly moody and practically hates everything, is the downer—you know, brings the good mood to an end—and is momentarily stunned when the boy she's lusting over knows her fucking name. In addition, she can't even use her powers without fucking the fuck up—.
For the special snowflake that has powers beyond the normal jinn, it sure as hell doesn't seem like it. She's another typical, angst filled, stereotypical girl you don't want to read about.
If Azra were a better narrater, then the story would most likely be more interesting. I'll admit, a few of the characters are actually likeable, such as Kalyssa (Azra's mother) and Samara (Laila's mother). But that's about it. Everyone else was either too popular or annoying for her. Not worth her time. Ugh.
And can I just say... For a book that wants to get across the importance of jinn sisterhoods, you might wanna make sure they actually get along! Yes, I know it's difficult to like everyone in the group, but why go out of your way to make one horrible? Why make one such a recluse? WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO PROVE?
Anyway.
Would I recommend this? Nope. Absolutely not.
Unless you want to build up tolerance to such characters—because in that case, kudos to you buddy—carry on. I praise your bravery.
Yeah, just add in every cliché you've come across in the YA genre!
This includes: bitchy popular girls, boy-driven/hormone-crazed girls, rendered speechless as a crush KNOWS YOUR NAME!, and so much more!
I love genie stories. I haven't read much because there aren't that many that I know of. And all the ones I've read this far—which I believe are three—have been contemporary, which is my least favourite genre.
But I still love genie stories. So I was expecting something amazing, dazzling, beautiful. I was expecting not perfection, because that would be impossible, but something more than tolerable and enjoyable in the least—not this thing as it turned out to be.
You can't have tolerable when the main character is a bitchy and bratty girl, who is constantly moody and practically hates everything, is the downer—you know, brings the good mood to an end—and is momentarily stunned when the boy she's lusting over knows her fucking name. In addition, she can't even use her powers without fucking the fuck up—.
For the special snowflake that has powers beyond the normal jinn, it sure as hell doesn't seem like it. She's another typical, angst filled, stereotypical girl you don't want to read about.
If Azra were a better narrater, then the story would most likely be more interesting. I'll admit, a few of the characters are actually likeable, such as Kalyssa (Azra's mother) and Samara (Laila's mother). But that's about it. Everyone else was either too popular or annoying for her. Not worth her time. Ugh.
And can I just say... For a book that wants to get across the importance of jinn sisterhoods, you might wanna make sure they actually get along! Yes, I know it's difficult to like everyone in the group, but why go out of your way to make one horrible? Why make one such a recluse? WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO PROVE?
Anyway.
Would I recommend this? Nope. Absolutely not.
Unless you want to build up tolerance to such characters—because in that case, kudos to you buddy—carry on. I praise your bravery.
Want to read
December 23, 2014When I saw this book over at Twitter (thanks to Anna Banks!), I was like,"WOW." The cover caught my attention. Oh, my God. It looks absolutely gorgeous! I cannot stop staring at it.
I haven't read any good fantasy novels in a while. I'm really, really looking forward to read this book. It sounds promising and intriguing, as well.
I'm super excited for this book! AMAZING COVER + AMAZING SYNOPSIS + AMAZING (and friendly) AUTHOR = ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND WORTH A TRY!
2015, BE HERE ALREADY!
I haven't read any good fantasy novels in a while. I'm really, really looking forward to read this book. It sounds promising and intriguing, as well.
I'm super excited for this book! AMAZING COVER + AMAZING SYNOPSIS + AMAZING (and friendly) AUTHOR = ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND WORTH A TRY!
2015, BE HERE ALREADY!
Want to read
October 7, 201410-7-14
Aaaaaand the cover is here! Personally, it's not really what I expected it to be. But alas, I STILL HAVE FAITH.
__________________________________
So I have three wishes to be granted.
1) This book has great potential. Genies. IT MUST NOT SUCK.
2) Love triangle. I want it to be good as the Infernal Devices triangle. Don't fail me. ROMANCE MUST BE WELL EXECUTED.
3) I want our MC to be radiating badassery. AZRA MUST NOT BE DULL.
Now, don't go and put words in mouth, Miss Goldstein. And don't go all 'Aladdin' on me.
Aaaaaand the cover is here! Personally, it's not really what I expected it to be. But alas, I STILL HAVE FAITH.
__________________________________
So I have three wishes to be granted.
1) This book has great potential. Genies. IT MUST NOT SUCK.
2) Love triangle. I want it to be good as the Infernal Devices triangle. Don't fail me. ROMANCE MUST BE WELL EXECUTED.
3) I want our MC to be radiating badassery. AZRA MUST NOT BE DULL.
Now, don't go and put words in mouth, Miss Goldstein. And don't go all 'Aladdin' on me.
March 3, 2021
Full Review on The Candid Cover
Becoming Jinn, the first book in Lori Goldstein’s Zar Sisterhood series, is such an imaginative young adult fantasy. Azra, the main character, is a genie-in-training and has such an entertaining voice that is so captivating to read. The plot is so incredible with its many twists and turns. You will never be able to guess what will happen next! Another endearing quality to Becoming Jinn is the love triangle that occurs. This adds an extra layer to the novel that pulls the reader in. If you are looking for a new fast-paced fantasy series, consider preordering a copy of Becoming Jinn. The next book in the Zar Sisterhood series is due to be released in 2016!
Becoming Jinn, the first book in Lori Goldstein’s Zar Sisterhood series, is such an imaginative young adult fantasy. Azra, the main character, is a genie-in-training and has such an entertaining voice that is so captivating to read. The plot is so incredible with its many twists and turns. You will never be able to guess what will happen next! Another endearing quality to Becoming Jinn is the love triangle that occurs. This adds an extra layer to the novel that pulls the reader in. If you are looking for a new fast-paced fantasy series, consider preordering a copy of Becoming Jinn. The next book in the Zar Sisterhood series is due to be released in 2016!
February 4, 2016
Pre:
Jinn. Jinn.
Well, now I'm probably going to have to read this. Only problem is that disgusting love triangle. It's hurting my soul from here.
But this is really threatening to put me off,
"Nate, the lifeguard with the underwear model exterior and sweet, shy interior.
*gags* That whole sentence makes me want to run far away. That doesn't bode well.
After: To come. But yikes.
The characters in this book are so shallow they make kiddie pools look deep.
Jinn. Jinn.
Well, now I'm probably going to have to read this. Only problem is that disgusting love triangle. It's hurting my soul from here.
But this is really threatening to put me off,
"Nate, the lifeguard with the underwear model exterior and sweet, shy interior.
*gags* That whole sentence makes me want to run far away. That doesn't bode well.
After: To come. But yikes.
The characters in this book are so shallow they make kiddie pools look deep.
April 15, 2015
I so badly wanted to like this one. I did! Come on, genies? Who doesn't like genies!? (The answer: anyone who encounters Azra.) And the concept itself is actually pretty fun: a family of Jinn who, at sixteen, come into their powers and have to serve this pretty vile Jinn council. On that note,
let's talk about the things I liked:
Jinn culture is pretty intense! I did enjoy the Jinn background and worldbuilding, and I am pretty sure that the next book is going to offer up a lot in the way of Jinn politics and such. (At least, this book definitely paved the way for it to do so.)
Henry was a good character, even though I had to roll my eyes at him every so often. Azra's closest Zar (Zar= close circle of jinn, basically) "sister" person and her mom's best Zar friend were also pretty interesting (mostly because they were as fed up with Azra's shenanigans as I was, really).
Toward the end of the book, I did get caught up in the story a bit more. Things started picking up, and I found myself more curious about the wish granting and the council and such. There were some developments toward the end of the book that really had me intrigued (of course, I can't mention them, because of spoilers, but know that it did pick up for me quite a bit in the end), and I am really hoping that the next book will delve into the whole Jinn culture and wish-granting stuff more.
But there were things I did not care for so much. Things like:
Azra. Girl, please. I understand you're not exactly tickled at the thought of this Jinn stuff. But that's akin to me waking up tomorrow morning, really pissed off that I have blue eyes. Even though I have known I would be a blue eyed person for my whole life. And then, being a real piece of work to every person around me, because damn it, I have blue eyes and I am pissed. That's basically how Azra rolls. She doesn't want to be a Jinn so.... she is snippy with everyone else? That doesn't make any sense. And this group of Jinn who are her age, her Zar, all of whom are supposed to be her besties for life or whatever, have tried to reach out to her a lot. But what does Azra do? Bitch about them, ignore them, snark about them... you get the idea. I mean, if she stopped whining for five minutes, maybe she could, oh, I don't know, try to improve her life?
She does develop a bit more of a likable streak toward the end of the book, so you know, she may end up being decent by the end of the series? But she has a lot of work to do, and she should start with taking the selfishness down a notch.
The rest of the Zar just confused me. Honestly, there are twelve women, all of whom are Jinn, and I am sorry, I cannot remember their names or who they're supposed to be. In my mind, they ended up as "that one chick's mom" or "that kind of snobby one". Then add in romantic interests, friends, people getting wishes granted... my brain was done handling names.
Speaking of characters and such... let's talk about the relationships.
Problem #1: Nate. You can kindly leave the story now, Nate. You served exactly zero purpose, except to foster an eventual love triangle and infuriate me with some weird insta-relationship (not quite insta-love, but like, not normal progression either). Also, you were boring.
Problem #2: Too many cooks in the kitchen. Henry clearly likes Azra. Azra likes Nate. Then some girl comes around, and I think she also likes Nate, but when Nate and Azra get together after five seconds of interaction, she starts being interested in Henry. So... we have a ridiculous love square situation that didn't add anything of value to the story. It kind of seemed like a bit of filler, if I am being honest.
Problem #3: I know that physical appearance does play a part in relationships, I am not being naive and ridiculous here, but the vanity was just too much at times. For instance, Henry comments that all the boys in school just looooved Azra, but were either intimidated by her beauty, or "half choosing not to talk to you because you're so freaking pretty, they figured you must be a total bitch." Um what!? Are those the only choices? No no no.
Bottom Line: This is a really hard book for me to rate, honestly. I thought it had a ton of potential, and the idea is fantastic. And , there is room for it to grow, and I think it is a real possibility that it could end up being a pretty good series. That said, I had too many problems with it to rate it very high, and I can't exactly rate a book on what could happen. But while this book didn't work for me, the idea did, and I will likely pick up the sequel and give it another chance (but really, just one more chance).
**Copy provided for review**
This review was originally posted on It Starts at Midnight
Jinn culture is pretty intense! I did enjoy the Jinn background and worldbuilding, and I am pretty sure that the next book is going to offer up a lot in the way of Jinn politics and such. (At least, this book definitely paved the way for it to do so.)
Henry was a good character, even though I had to roll my eyes at him every so often. Azra's closest Zar (Zar= close circle of jinn, basically) "sister" person and her mom's best Zar friend were also pretty interesting (mostly because they were as fed up with Azra's shenanigans as I was, really).
Toward the end of the book, I did get caught up in the story a bit more. Things started picking up, and I found myself more curious about the wish granting and the council and such. There were some developments toward the end of the book that really had me intrigued (of course, I can't mention them, because of spoilers, but know that it did pick up for me quite a bit in the end), and I am really hoping that the next book will delve into the whole Jinn culture and wish-granting stuff more.
But there were things I did not care for so much. Things like:
Azra. Girl, please. I understand you're not exactly tickled at the thought of this Jinn stuff. But that's akin to me waking up tomorrow morning, really pissed off that I have blue eyes. Even though I have known I would be a blue eyed person for my whole life. And then, being a real piece of work to every person around me, because damn it, I have blue eyes and I am pissed. That's basically how Azra rolls. She doesn't want to be a Jinn so.... she is snippy with everyone else? That doesn't make any sense. And this group of Jinn who are her age, her Zar, all of whom are supposed to be her besties for life or whatever, have tried to reach out to her a lot. But what does Azra do? Bitch about them, ignore them, snark about them... you get the idea. I mean, if she stopped whining for five minutes, maybe she could, oh, I don't know, try to improve her life?
She does develop a bit more of a likable streak toward the end of the book, so you know, she may end up being decent by the end of the series? But she has a lot of work to do, and she should start with taking the selfishness down a notch. The rest of the Zar just confused me. Honestly, there are twelve women, all of whom are Jinn, and I am sorry, I cannot remember their names or who they're supposed to be. In my mind, they ended up as "that one chick's mom" or "that kind of snobby one". Then add in romantic interests, friends, people getting wishes granted... my brain was done handling names.
Speaking of characters and such... let's talk about the relationships.
Problem #1: Nate. You can kindly leave the story now, Nate. You served exactly zero purpose, except to foster an eventual love triangle and infuriate me with some weird insta-relationship (not quite insta-love, but like, not normal progression either). Also, you were boring.
Problem #2: Too many cooks in the kitchen. Henry clearly likes Azra. Azra likes Nate. Then some girl comes around, and I think she also likes Nate, but when Nate and Azra get together after five seconds of interaction, she starts being interested in Henry. So... we have a ridiculous love square situation that didn't add anything of value to the story. It kind of seemed like a bit of filler, if I am being honest.
Problem #3: I know that physical appearance does play a part in relationships, I am not being naive and ridiculous here, but the vanity was just too much at times. For instance, Henry comments that all the boys in school just looooved Azra, but were either intimidated by her beauty, or "half choosing not to talk to you because you're so freaking pretty, they figured you must be a total bitch." Um what!? Are those the only choices? No no no.
Bottom Line: This is a really hard book for me to rate, honestly. I thought it had a ton of potential, and the idea is fantastic. And , there is room for it to grow, and I think it is a real possibility that it could end up being a pretty good series. That said, I had too many problems with it to rate it very high, and I can't exactly rate a book on what could happen. But while this book didn't work for me, the idea did, and I will likely pick up the sequel and give it another chance (but really, just one more chance).
**Copy provided for review**
This review was originally posted on It Starts at Midnight
May 3, 2015
Can we just hang on for a sec to stare incredulously at the summary? It's three paragraphs literally yelling in your face that it's a stereotypically trashy YA novel for teenage girl fantasies.
MC is an ultra super duper special girl who turns stunning overnight and has a unique (but dangerous! oh no!) power that may change the world. I'm also guessing that there's probably a hot but forbidden boy and they "fall in love- sorry, lust" at first sight?
Why does the YA market lack originality? Why do people write this formulaic shit? Why are they even published?
I'm probably just asking all the wrong questions.
DNF-ed 10%, would donate if not for the fear of it mentally scarring other people.
MC is an ultra super duper special girl who turns stunning overnight and has a unique (but dangerous! oh no!) power that may change the world. I'm also guessing that there's probably a hot but forbidden boy and they "fall in love- sorry, lust" at first sight?
Why does the YA market lack originality? Why do people write this formulaic shit? Why are they even published?
I'm probably just asking all the wrong questions.
DNF-ed 10%, would donate if not for the fear of it mentally scarring other people.
September 8, 2018
Honest Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
I think a younger me would've absolutely loved this book, but unfortunately I didn't love it. I think that this was a fun story and I enjoyed the characters enough.
I really liked the Jinn aspect of this story. I haven't had much exposure to stories with "genie" influences. I really enjoyed Goldstein's approach to this theme. The author did a great job creating her world and made it believable in it's design.
I enjoyed Azra as our main character, I love a good rebellious teen. I also, liked both male love interests. Though I love Nate, I completely and wholeheartedly ship Azra with Henry.
I think a younger me would've absolutely loved this book, but unfortunately I didn't love it. I think that this was a fun story and I enjoyed the characters enough.
I really liked the Jinn aspect of this story. I haven't had much exposure to stories with "genie" influences. I really enjoyed Goldstein's approach to this theme. The author did a great job creating her world and made it believable in it's design.
I enjoyed Azra as our main character, I love a good rebellious teen. I also, liked both male love interests. Though I love Nate, I completely and wholeheartedly ship Azra with Henry.
February 2, 2016
Love this book! The world-building is beautiful and Goldstein really knows how to write characters. This kept me up reading, not wanting to put it down to see what happened next. I was pulled into Azra's life and her relationships. It's full of drama, humor, and action. Becoming a Jinn isn't easy and I admired how Azra handled the struggles she faces after turning into one. Such a cool read and I can't wait to read the next in the series!!
May 19, 2015
I just finished this and I want the sequel to be here immediately! Becoming Jinn was a fun, intriguing story featuring a sassy but sweet MC who has to navigate between her wonderful family of Jinn women and the complexities of high school and neighborhood life. If you love fantasy grounded in a contemporary world, you'll love this one!
March 17, 2015
Look for my review on 3/19 @ Winterhaven Books
December 21, 2015
I loved Becoming Jinn! I finished it in TWO days because I couldn't put it down! I'm so sorry I didn't read it sooner! The world of the Jinn, the magic and the rules - the way there are serious consequences to wish granting - are all intriguing. The characters are awesome and the life lessons are relatable. Lori Goldstein is a great writer and she really sucked me into her story. I had some minor issues with it, but overall, it was a wonderful read!
Azra is a bit tough to like in the beginning. Though I loved having an MC who refusec to sit back and accept their "destiny" (Because, really, not EVERYONE wants to be a vampire slayer, a chosen one, or the only one who can save the world); however, at times her attitude was awful and she could be really mean and dismissive to those who were close to her (her mom, her Zar "aunts" and her Zar "sisters"). I was really torn between feeling bad for her, for this destiny that was forced on her, this destiny that she doesn't want and really just hating her attitude. I definitely think she grows a LOT by the end of the book. I was incredibly intrigued by the revelations about her and her family and I can't wait to see what it means for her in the sequel.
I really couldn't stand Yasmin for the majority of the book. She was so terrible to Azra - but then again, Azra wasn't exactly nice to her or the other Zar sisters, either. But the more I read, the more I felt for Yasmin and her situation, especially by the very end. I understood where she was coming from and why she did the things she did. I really liked Laila, though, from beginning to end. She was one of my favorite characters! I felt very bad for her at one point and I hope she and Azra can reconcile!
As for the other three Zar sisters, - Hana, Mina and Farrah - well, they kind of faded into the background. I couldn't really tell them apart from each other and I don't really have much to say about them. The same can be said for the mothers: While I have many thoughts on Kalyssa, Samara and Raina (the mothers of Azra, Laila and Yasmin, in that order), I don't really have much to say about the other three. They sort of faded into the background and weren't as integral to the story. As for Kalyssa, Samara and Raina, they were so frustrating! I hated how cryptic and secretive they were. If they'd just TOLD their daughters the truth, maybe things would have turned out differently.
I really liked both Henry and Nate. Henry definitely had some odd moments, though, where he seemed a bit immature. I definitely felt for him and his family situation though. I definitely got the friend vibe from him and I hope he and Azra remain friends because I really enjoyed their friendship (And YA could use more female/male friendships). I liked Nate and Azra together, though, and I really hope things can work out for them! Poor Nate dealt with a LOT in this book and I'm (morbidly) curious to see what happens next for him.
Also, I really can't stand the Afrit. Like, not at all! And we haven't even officially met them. but they make me REALLY angry!!!! :(
Something really interesting about this book: Though it was about Jinn, it had a major contemporary feel to it. I really, really liked that because it made it more relatable. It's not a book about a Jinn who also happens to be a teenage girl - it's about a teenage girl who also happens to be a Jinn. It's Azra trying to live her normal life while dealing with this huge family obligation - something many teens can relate to.
The ending was really crazy, with a ton of revelations and intriguing things. It was also sad and heartbreaking. But it sets things up nicely for the next book - which I just read the synopsis for and it's also the conclusion!!! For some reason, I thought this was a trilogy and it's actually a duology and that makes me sad panda :( But that also means the next book will be epic and intense and I can't wait!!!
Overall, this book was really an amazing read. Though I had some minor issues with certain characters, as well as some pacing issues near the end, I really enjoyed the majority of it. I'm really happy with the character development and growth and, as I mentioned, the world and the Jinn magic and rules were really epic! If you love stories about Jinn, Genies and magic, I definitely recommend this one! And if you aren't a huge fan of Jinn/Genie stories (which I wasn't, really), then I also definitely recommend this book because, as I said, it really has a contemporary feel to it and the lessons learned are really relatable! Lori Goldstein is a great writer and I can't wait to see what she does next!
You can also find more from me on my blog: Pandora's Books
Azra is a bit tough to like in the beginning. Though I loved having an MC who refusec to sit back and accept their "destiny" (Because, really, not EVERYONE wants to be a vampire slayer, a chosen one, or the only one who can save the world); however, at times her attitude was awful and she could be really mean and dismissive to those who were close to her (her mom, her Zar "aunts" and her Zar "sisters"). I was really torn between feeling bad for her, for this destiny that was forced on her, this destiny that she doesn't want and really just hating her attitude. I definitely think she grows a LOT by the end of the book. I was incredibly intrigued by the revelations about her and her family and I can't wait to see what it means for her in the sequel.
I really couldn't stand Yasmin for the majority of the book. She was so terrible to Azra - but then again, Azra wasn't exactly nice to her or the other Zar sisters, either. But the more I read, the more I felt for Yasmin and her situation, especially by the very end. I understood where she was coming from and why she did the things she did. I really liked Laila, though, from beginning to end. She was one of my favorite characters! I felt very bad for her at one point and I hope she and Azra can reconcile!
As for the other three Zar sisters, - Hana, Mina and Farrah - well, they kind of faded into the background. I couldn't really tell them apart from each other and I don't really have much to say about them. The same can be said for the mothers: While I have many thoughts on Kalyssa, Samara and Raina (the mothers of Azra, Laila and Yasmin, in that order), I don't really have much to say about the other three. They sort of faded into the background and weren't as integral to the story. As for Kalyssa, Samara and Raina, they were so frustrating! I hated how cryptic and secretive they were. If they'd just TOLD their daughters the truth, maybe things would have turned out differently.
I really liked both Henry and Nate. Henry definitely had some odd moments, though, where he seemed a bit immature. I definitely felt for him and his family situation though. I definitely got the friend vibe from him and I hope he and Azra remain friends because I really enjoyed their friendship (And YA could use more female/male friendships). I liked Nate and Azra together, though, and I really hope things can work out for them! Poor Nate dealt with a LOT in this book and I'm (morbidly) curious to see what happens next for him.
Also, I really can't stand the Afrit. Like, not at all! And we haven't even officially met them. but they make me REALLY angry!!!! :(
Something really interesting about this book: Though it was about Jinn, it had a major contemporary feel to it. I really, really liked that because it made it more relatable. It's not a book about a Jinn who also happens to be a teenage girl - it's about a teenage girl who also happens to be a Jinn. It's Azra trying to live her normal life while dealing with this huge family obligation - something many teens can relate to.
The ending was really crazy, with a ton of revelations and intriguing things. It was also sad and heartbreaking. But it sets things up nicely for the next book - which I just read the synopsis for and it's also the conclusion!!! For some reason, I thought this was a trilogy and it's actually a duology and that makes me sad panda :( But that also means the next book will be epic and intense and I can't wait!!!
Overall, this book was really an amazing read. Though I had some minor issues with certain characters, as well as some pacing issues near the end, I really enjoyed the majority of it. I'm really happy with the character development and growth and, as I mentioned, the world and the Jinn magic and rules were really epic! If you love stories about Jinn, Genies and magic, I definitely recommend this one! And if you aren't a huge fan of Jinn/Genie stories (which I wasn't, really), then I also definitely recommend this book because, as I said, it really has a contemporary feel to it and the lessons learned are really relatable! Lori Goldstein is a great writer and I can't wait to see what she does next!
You can also find more from me on my blog: Pandora's Books
Shelved as 'abandoned'
February 12, 2021See more of my reviews on The YA Kitten! My copy was an ARC I got from the publisher.
Oh, Becoming Jinn. It has some of the ideas and a fun premise and yet goes nowhere with it. Novels about jinn are rather rare in YA and thus it’s a subject with plenty of territory left to explore. The Art of Wishing by Lindsay Ribar and Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios are two recent novels to play with that mythology and they did it fairly well, though the former did a better job than the latter in my opinion. Becoming Jinn wishes it could be one of those novels. Really, I should have known better once we got the old “almond-shaped eyes” description for a woman of color here (because that’s how WOC are exoticized in one way when white people are really the only ones with almond-shaped eyes).
Despite all the griping that’s about to happen, I appreciate what Becoming Jinn does right: focusing on the powerful relationships between women. With no male jinn on Earth because the Afrit decided all of the men must remain in Janna, jinn women only have each other and develop sisterhoods that stick for generations. Just as Azra’s mom has her Zar, Azra’s own Zar of jinn sisters is made up of the children of her mom’s Zar’s daughters. Azra has no bond at all with most of her Zar because she doesn’t want to be jinn at all, though. I assume that gets better once Azra’s character development hits, but I found myself unable to stick around for that.
Azra is a realistic enough character, what with not wanting to come into her powers (aka become an adult because being an adult sucks), but her personality isn’t strong enough to carry a book this plotless. There’s a wee bit of plot that arrives at the end according to the peek I made, but for the 170 pages I read, there’s no plot whatsoever. It’s simply Azra coming into her powers and showing signs of being a Chosen One because of how easily she masters abilities it took other jinn longer to get a grip on. I’ll take a fully realized yet flawed character working their way to the top over stories of the Chosen One mastering everything with a snap of their covers every time.
There’s a lot of missed potential in this novel. There are strong themes of sisterhood, yes, but based on what I read and what other reviews have to say, the women of the novel are more like character sketches than full characters and it’s hard to keep track of all these names when there’s not enough to them for any of them to be memorable. I wanted some exploration of why only women can grant wishes–and women who are from Middle Eastern descent at that because that’s a way we’ve explored race in fiction since Star Trek–and got nothing. Reviews say we never really get anything.
For me, the finishing blow was this quote, which read badly to me as a white boy questioning the girlhood of a girl of color by comparing her to animals:
Yeah. no.
Paranormal novels are little more than extended metaphors. Vampires are sex or rape, for instance, depending on what kind of vampire novel you’re reading. The metaphor Becoming Jinn wants to set up just doesn’t work. Anyone who wants a great set of novels about jinn should reach for The Art of Wishing and The Fourth Wish by Lindsay Ribar instead. You’ve got bisexuality, gender fluidity, and all sorts of other fun there that Becoming Jinn doesn’t have.
Oh, Becoming Jinn. It has some of the ideas and a fun premise and yet goes nowhere with it. Novels about jinn are rather rare in YA and thus it’s a subject with plenty of territory left to explore. The Art of Wishing by Lindsay Ribar and Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios are two recent novels to play with that mythology and they did it fairly well, though the former did a better job than the latter in my opinion. Becoming Jinn wishes it could be one of those novels. Really, I should have known better once we got the old “almond-shaped eyes” description for a woman of color here (because that’s how WOC are exoticized in one way when white people are really the only ones with almond-shaped eyes).
Despite all the griping that’s about to happen, I appreciate what Becoming Jinn does right: focusing on the powerful relationships between women. With no male jinn on Earth because the Afrit decided all of the men must remain in Janna, jinn women only have each other and develop sisterhoods that stick for generations. Just as Azra’s mom has her Zar, Azra’s own Zar of jinn sisters is made up of the children of her mom’s Zar’s daughters. Azra has no bond at all with most of her Zar because she doesn’t want to be jinn at all, though. I assume that gets better once Azra’s character development hits, but I found myself unable to stick around for that.
Azra is a realistic enough character, what with not wanting to come into her powers (aka become an adult because being an adult sucks), but her personality isn’t strong enough to carry a book this plotless. There’s a wee bit of plot that arrives at the end according to the peek I made, but for the 170 pages I read, there’s no plot whatsoever. It’s simply Azra coming into her powers and showing signs of being a Chosen One because of how easily she masters abilities it took other jinn longer to get a grip on. I’ll take a fully realized yet flawed character working their way to the top over stories of the Chosen One mastering everything with a snap of their covers every time.
There’s a lot of missed potential in this novel. There are strong themes of sisterhood, yes, but based on what I read and what other reviews have to say, the women of the novel are more like character sketches than full characters and it’s hard to keep track of all these names when there’s not enough to them for any of them to be memorable. I wanted some exploration of why only women can grant wishes–and women who are from Middle Eastern descent at that because that’s a way we’ve explored race in fiction since Star Trek–and got nothing. Reviews say we never really get anything.
For me, the finishing blow was this quote, which read badly to me as a white boy questioning the girlhood of a girl of color by comparing her to animals:
He groans. “Don’t tell me vampires exist.”
“Not as far as I know. But what’s wrong with vampires?”
Henry squints and issues a decent brooding stare. “They’re leeches. I’ll never understand what you girls see in them.” He widens his eyes. “Wait, you are a girl, aren’t you?”
“A Jinn girl.”
“Which means?”
“Same but not. Different species.”
“Really?” He shakes his head and chlorinated water flies at my nose. “Like snakes or baboons? Cool.” (p. 169)
Yeah. no.
Paranormal novels are little more than extended metaphors. Vampires are sex or rape, for instance, depending on what kind of vampire novel you’re reading. The metaphor Becoming Jinn wants to set up just doesn’t work. Anyone who wants a great set of novels about jinn should reach for The Art of Wishing and The Fourth Wish by Lindsay Ribar instead. You’ve got bisexuality, gender fluidity, and all sorts of other fun there that Becoming Jinn doesn’t have.
September 12, 2015
Whelp, I didn't finish this one. I gave it the 50 page trial and then some, but nothing was still happening
There are three reasons for me not to finish a book:
1) The book is honestly painful to read, whether it's due to a smattering of grammar mistakes or baaaad characters.
2) Nothing. Nothing is happening.
3) I'm scared. I STILL haven't finished Clockwork Princess because of what happens in the epilogue. I refuse to acknowledge that.
Becoming Jinn falls into number 2. Genies are such an interesting concept to read about, but this lacked originality. They all had powers, sure, but they all seemed like humans. Now, I wasn't expecting our main character to be a blue genie that floats out of a lamp, but some culture instead of Azra's WHINING. There was loads of why me, i don't want this, wah wah wah me me me.
As far as I got, the plot still hadn't developed. So I'm not entirely sure what the book was about. The writing seemed a bit shaky at times. It didn't always flow well and there were superfluous descriptions. For example, I honestly didn't need to know what everyone was wearing or what Azra was changing into everyday.
Not much more to say about this, it was just pretty boring in the beginning and I had no desire to read any more. Definitely a disappointment, it had sounded really good.
Happy Reading
There are three reasons for me not to finish a book:
1) The book is honestly painful to read, whether it's due to a smattering of grammar mistakes or baaaad characters.
2) Nothing. Nothing is happening.
3) I'm scared. I STILL haven't finished Clockwork Princess because of what happens in the epilogue. I refuse to acknowledge that.
Becoming Jinn falls into number 2. Genies are such an interesting concept to read about, but this lacked originality. They all had powers, sure, but they all seemed like humans. Now, I wasn't expecting our main character to be a blue genie that floats out of a lamp, but some culture instead of Azra's WHINING. There was loads of why me, i don't want this, wah wah wah me me me.
As far as I got, the plot still hadn't developed. So I'm not entirely sure what the book was about. The writing seemed a bit shaky at times. It didn't always flow well and there were superfluous descriptions. For example, I honestly didn't need to know what everyone was wearing or what Azra was changing into everyday.
Not much more to say about this, it was just pretty boring in the beginning and I had no desire to read any more. Definitely a disappointment, it had sounded really good.
Happy Reading
April 17, 2015
My thanks to Feiwel & Friends
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Point of View: Single (Azra)
Writing: First Person | Present Tense
Setting: New England
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
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Not sure what to say, but I just didn't feel anything for this book. At all. Right from the start, everything was a mess. It was hard for me to concentrate on the story when I just didn't have a clue what the frig was going on. It was too much effort to follow the story, so I guess the writing wasn't for me.
The main character wasn't my favorite either. All she did was complaining, complaining and more complaining. Still she did all she was told to do, like if you hate it so much, why don't you just say something about it?! I generally find her character pretty dull.
The romance wasn't for me either. I didn't try to enjoy it, but it just didn't work out. The love triangle was just too much for me to handle at the time.
In short, I just didn't like anything about this book. Not enough to continue the series anyway.
October 7, 2015
So I got to read this book as an advanced reader. I thought it was great. The characters were believable, and interesting, I felt like I could walk around the settings, and the relationships between characters were great. The main character is named Azra, a 16 year old girl, who is a jinn, better known as a genie. She only gains full access to her powers on her 16th birthday, and the book follows her, as she grows accustomed to her new life, new friends, and new interests. With a nice love triangle (Team Henry BTW) and a lot of sarcasm, this book is a lovely read.
It comes out April 21st, so if you are looking for something to read around that time I highly recommend this book. I read it within 4 days, (so I guess you could say that it’s a page turner) and hopefully it will keep you up at night as well. If you are interested in buying and reading this book, it would be really helpful for the author, Lori Goldstein, if you could pre-order it. So have fun reading this, when it comes out, because I hope that you will.
It comes out April 21st, so if you are looking for something to read around that time I highly recommend this book. I read it within 4 days, (so I guess you could say that it’s a page turner) and hopefully it will keep you up at night as well. If you are interested in buying and reading this book, it would be really helpful for the author, Lori Goldstein, if you could pre-order it. So have fun reading this, when it comes out, because I hope that you will.
October 13, 2015
**I received this book for free from (Publisher) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3-3.5
*My Thoughts*
Becoming Jinn is apparently part one of a two part duology by author Lori Goldstein. Goldstein's story is a contemporary take on what it is like to be a Jinn in the modern world. In Azra Nadira's world, she is responsible for granting wishes just like her mother, her grandmother, and great-grandmother before her. Azra has been hoping to put off her ascension into the ranks of Jinn for awhile longer. But, when her Sixteenth birthday comes around, she wakes up to find she's wearing a silver bracelet that releases her magic, and has been transformed overnight into the adult version of her self.
*Full Review Posted @ Talk Supe Blog*
http://www.talksupeblog.com/2015/09/s...
Expected publication: April 21st 2015 by Feiwel & Friends
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3-3.5
*My Thoughts*
Becoming Jinn is apparently part one of a two part duology by author Lori Goldstein. Goldstein's story is a contemporary take on what it is like to be a Jinn in the modern world. In Azra Nadira's world, she is responsible for granting wishes just like her mother, her grandmother, and great-grandmother before her. Azra has been hoping to put off her ascension into the ranks of Jinn for awhile longer. But, when her Sixteenth birthday comes around, she wakes up to find she's wearing a silver bracelet that releases her magic, and has been transformed overnight into the adult version of her self.
*Full Review Posted @ Talk Supe Blog*
http://www.talksupeblog.com/2015/09/s...
Expected publication: April 21st 2015 by Feiwel & Friends
October 23, 2015
There's so much to love about this book, but I'll choose a few: the empowering and powerful female relationships, the sisterhood, swoon-worthy boys, magic (!) a fun, beachy setting. This is a quick read that has a lot of heart.
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