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Djinn City #1
Djinn City
Indelbed is a lonely kid living in a crumbling mansion in the super dense, super chaotic third world capital of Bangladesh. When he learns that his dead mother was a djinn — more commonly known as a genie — and that his drunken loutish father is a sitting emissary to the djinns (i.e. a magician), his whole world is turned inside out. Suddenly, and for reasons that totally escape him, his father is found in a supernatural coma, and Indelbed is kidnapped by the djinn and delivered to a subterranean prison. Back in the city, his cousin Rais and his family struggle to make sense of it all, as an impending catastrophe threatens to destroy everything they know. Needless to say, everything is resting on Indelbed’s next move — and he’s got a new partner to help him: the world’s most evil djinn.
413 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 2017
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December 6, 2017An absolute barnstormer of a read, set in Bangladesh. This looks on the surface like an urban fantasy novel--boy with weird father in crumbling mansion discovers strange supernatural world of djinn, moving into adventure quest. Except a) the plot diverges wildly from anything you expect, and b) it's not only a fantasy, it's simultaneously the darkest possible satire, of Bangladesh, humanity, and the effects of wealth and power. (Author's previous book, the excellent Escape from Baghdad!, is also a multigenre war/satire/fantasy, so I should have seen that coming, but the fantasy is such a compelling story I wasn't really stopping to think.)
As a reader, editor, and writer of genre fiction, I think a lot about plots, and reader expectations, and the well trodden grooves in which stories tend to fit themselves. It isn't that often that I read a book and have literally no idea where it's going next. This was one such. The obvious arc doesn't happen in the slightest (by which I suspect I mean obvious for Western Eurocentric fantasy stories), the obvious twists and denouements don't happen, characters have entirely non standard fates, and the reader just has to hang on for the ride. I loved it.
Both dialogue and narration are very funny in an extremely dark and fairly merciless way. Well written, though with slightly shonky proofreading, and some startlingly vivid descriptions. Active female characters who aren't just there as love interests! And mostly a hugely enjoyable story if not precisely a feelgood one. Highly recommended.
As a reader, editor, and writer of genre fiction, I think a lot about plots, and reader expectations, and the well trodden grooves in which stories tend to fit themselves. It isn't that often that I read a book and have literally no idea where it's going next. This was one such. The obvious arc doesn't happen in the slightest (by which I suspect I mean obvious for Western Eurocentric fantasy stories), the obvious twists and denouements don't happen, characters have entirely non standard fates, and the reader just has to hang on for the ride. I loved it.
Both dialogue and narration are very funny in an extremely dark and fairly merciless way. Well written, though with slightly shonky proofreading, and some startlingly vivid descriptions. Active female characters who aren't just there as love interests! And mostly a hugely enjoyable story if not precisely a feelgood one. Highly recommended.
February 22, 2018
I'm confused about this. Because it started off great, and it's incredibly imaginative, well-written, and laugh-out-loud funny. It takes the largely untapped lore of djinn and weaves something incredible out of it. Politics, djinn currency, airships, giant sea monsters, dragons, enchanted vases and glasses, and a decent amount of fascinating genetic science... the world-building gives Harry Potter some competition.
But as the novel progressed, I felt like it was doing too much. Instead of remaining a concise, tight-packed tale about a young boy with a magician father, it becomes about anything but. Indelbed was a fascinating main character, but his story arc is stunted because Hossain decides to focus on other character arcs that aren't nearly half as interesting. It became an adventure story, and one that was too long, and too scattered. I skimmed the last 100 pages, reading them just enough to get a sense of where the story was generally headed.
And there's actually quite a lot of problematic language here. Not problematic concepts, but off-hand words thrown around in dialogue that don't serve a purpose in the story, but just exist for... whatever reason. The ableist 'r' slur is thrown around quite often, some anti-Semitic off-hand comments are made (that aren't characterized as good OR bad, they're just there), and a slur against Native Americans (r** I*****) is used. Like I said, they're not integrated into actual theme or plot point, but there was a lot of language that gave me pause, so I had to take off a star for that alone.
Trigger warnings apply for: Violence, torture, rape, child abuse, drug use.
But as the novel progressed, I felt like it was doing too much. Instead of remaining a concise, tight-packed tale about a young boy with a magician father, it becomes about anything but. Indelbed was a fascinating main character, but his story arc is stunted because Hossain decides to focus on other character arcs that aren't nearly half as interesting. It became an adventure story, and one that was too long, and too scattered. I skimmed the last 100 pages, reading them just enough to get a sense of where the story was generally headed.
And there's actually quite a lot of problematic language here. Not problematic concepts, but off-hand words thrown around in dialogue that don't serve a purpose in the story, but just exist for... whatever reason. The ableist 'r' slur is thrown around quite often, some anti-Semitic off-hand comments are made (that aren't characterized as good OR bad, they're just there), and a slur against Native Americans (r** I*****) is used. Like I said, they're not integrated into actual theme or plot point, but there was a lot of language that gave me pause, so I had to take off a star for that alone.
Trigger warnings apply for: Violence, torture, rape, child abuse, drug use.
February 19, 2022
Extremely Irritating. Thought this would be getting a much higher rating, but now I have to say don't waste your time.
So this is my second read from Saad Hossain after the fantastic The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday. Like Gurkha, it gets better and better as it goes. Up to a point.
Multiple cool characters, plot was very good, frequently goes in unexpected (but good!) directions, many many points to recommend it. I stalled out a bit early on as the initial character we start out with, who you will assume to be the main, ends up in a situation bordering on a phobia of mine and I avoided picking it up for a bit. Needlessly as it turns out as just after I had about reached the limits of my tolerance for that situation the narration switches to another character who feels more like the primary for the rest of the book, though it does switch back to the initial character and another now and then for brief intervals.
So why am I giving it only 3 stars? Because there's no fucking ending! It just stops. One of the best secondary characters is killed in a tragic misunderstanding. One goes off to sulk, nothing is resolved, the characters learn some stuff, a long missing character suddenly shows up again, but all the plot threads are left dangling, with no indication that this is to be continued. The author has put out multiple other books in the 4.5 years since this was released. It's like he hit his page count and just well, done with this now.
I am not pleased. It probably doesn't deserve 3 even. Soooo annoying.
So this is my second read from Saad Hossain after the fantastic The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday. Like Gurkha, it gets better and better as it goes. Up to a point.
Multiple cool characters, plot was very good, frequently goes in unexpected (but good!) directions, many many points to recommend it. I stalled out a bit early on as the initial character we start out with, who you will assume to be the main, ends up in a situation bordering on a phobia of mine and I avoided picking it up for a bit. Needlessly as it turns out as just after I had about reached the limits of my tolerance for that situation the narration switches to another character who feels more like the primary for the rest of the book, though it does switch back to the initial character and another now and then for brief intervals.
So why am I giving it only 3 stars? Because there's no fucking ending! It just stops. One of the best secondary characters is killed in a tragic misunderstanding. One goes off to sulk, nothing is resolved, the characters learn some stuff, a long missing character suddenly shows up again, but all the plot threads are left dangling, with no indication that this is to be continued. The author has put out multiple other books in the 4.5 years since this was released. It's like he hit his page count and just well, done with this now.
I am not pleased. It probably doesn't deserve 3 even. Soooo annoying.
May 31, 2018
3.5 Stars
Review:
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This has not influenced my review.*
Djinns! So many djinns! YES!
A couple years ago I read some urban fantasy books about djinns and decided they just weren't for me. But I became interested in them again lately, so I decided to give this book a try, and apparently the problem was the books themselves, not djinns, because this version was super interesting!
The author clearly put a lot of thought into the djinn aspect, and that was my favorite thing about the book. These were not the lamp-living, wish-granting kind, but they were powerful, they were able to do spells and to shapeshift over periods of time, and they were practically immortal. Even cooler was that they had their own society alongside the humans with its own factions, ways of life, values, currency, politics, and history. The author even included different types of djinns (Ifrit, Marid, Ghul).
The plot was complex and intricate as well since it included a lot of djinn politics and other surprising things I can't tell you about because spoilers. Here's a hint: it involves a dragon, but probably not in the way you're thinking. Also, the story was slow-paced and spanned roughly ten years, but I didn't mind those things. What I did mind was when I got to the end and found there were still a bunch of open threads for the story to continue. I assume this will have a sequel that wraps them up, but I didn't know that when I started. Also, the plot dragged a bit at some parts where there was a lot of explanation, but that wasn't a huge deal.
The characters were believable and interesting. I would say the book had two protagonists---Indelbed and Rais. Poor Indelbed, his life was awful, and I couldn't help but feel for him. Rais, Indelbed's cousin, was harder to like, but he eventually showed some mettle, and it made him more likeable. Perhaps the best was Juny, Rais's mother, who was organized, smart, and in control and who could make pretty much anything happen if she wanted it to. There were also the djinn characters, who were all a bit off their rockers. One of them was literally a school of fish. Not a fish. A whole school of them.
But this book wasn't so much focused on any one person's journey. It was more about the overall issue of one djinn planning to wipe out an entire country and those who were trying to stop him. I felt it was a good balance of character-driven and plot-driven, and the omniscient POV was used well.
I do want to mention, however, that there were numerous casual uses of the (offensive) words 'r*tard(ed)' and 'cr*pple'. I spoke to the publisher about my concerns, and they explained this was done on purpose to fit with the setting and characters in the book. I respect that decision, I appreciate realism in books, and I do think the author succeeded in portraying the problematic natures of the characters (which, it's my understanding, is what he was going for), but I'm still not sure how I feel about it. It just didn't seem necessary to me for so many characters and the narration to use these words.
As for the overall feel, the writing had a comical style with a bit of absurd humor (which I love), but the mood did darken at times, especially as the story went on. It made the book unpredictable, which I liked. So this book was fun at times, but not light. In fact, there were a few things that were pretty disturbing, like experimentation/intense pain inflicted upon characters and the djinn practice of killing djinn-human hybrid children they considered "defective."
Last but not least, I loved that this was an #ownvoices book set in Bangladesh, written by a Bangladeshi author. I had never read anything set there before.
So overall, despite a few issues, this was a creative and complex story with an interesting portrayal of djinns that I enjoyed!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes djinns, complex plots, and a mixture of humor and darkness.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
---------------------
Initial Thoughts:
A few issues (including that I didn't know this was seemingly the first in a series?), but overall a creative and complex story about djinns!
Review:
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This has not influenced my review.*
Djinns! So many djinns! YES!
A couple years ago I read some urban fantasy books about djinns and decided they just weren't for me. But I became interested in them again lately, so I decided to give this book a try, and apparently the problem was the books themselves, not djinns, because this version was super interesting!
The author clearly put a lot of thought into the djinn aspect, and that was my favorite thing about the book. These were not the lamp-living, wish-granting kind, but they were powerful, they were able to do spells and to shapeshift over periods of time, and they were practically immortal. Even cooler was that they had their own society alongside the humans with its own factions, ways of life, values, currency, politics, and history. The author even included different types of djinns (Ifrit, Marid, Ghul).
The plot was complex and intricate as well since it included a lot of djinn politics and other surprising things I can't tell you about because spoilers. Here's a hint: it involves a dragon, but probably not in the way you're thinking. Also, the story was slow-paced and spanned roughly ten years, but I didn't mind those things. What I did mind was when I got to the end and found there were still a bunch of open threads for the story to continue. I assume this will have a sequel that wraps them up, but I didn't know that when I started. Also, the plot dragged a bit at some parts where there was a lot of explanation, but that wasn't a huge deal.
The characters were believable and interesting. I would say the book had two protagonists---Indelbed and Rais. Poor Indelbed, his life was awful, and I couldn't help but feel for him. Rais, Indelbed's cousin, was harder to like, but he eventually showed some mettle, and it made him more likeable. Perhaps the best was Juny, Rais's mother, who was organized, smart, and in control and who could make pretty much anything happen if she wanted it to. There were also the djinn characters, who were all a bit off their rockers. One of them was literally a school of fish. Not a fish. A whole school of them.
But this book wasn't so much focused on any one person's journey. It was more about the overall issue of one djinn planning to wipe out an entire country and those who were trying to stop him. I felt it was a good balance of character-driven and plot-driven, and the omniscient POV was used well.
I do want to mention, however, that there were numerous casual uses of the (offensive) words 'r*tard(ed)' and 'cr*pple'. I spoke to the publisher about my concerns, and they explained this was done on purpose to fit with the setting and characters in the book. I respect that decision, I appreciate realism in books, and I do think the author succeeded in portraying the problematic natures of the characters (which, it's my understanding, is what he was going for), but I'm still not sure how I feel about it. It just didn't seem necessary to me for so many characters and the narration to use these words.
As for the overall feel, the writing had a comical style with a bit of absurd humor (which I love), but the mood did darken at times, especially as the story went on. It made the book unpredictable, which I liked. So this book was fun at times, but not light. In fact, there were a few things that were pretty disturbing, like experimentation/intense pain inflicted upon characters and the djinn practice of killing djinn-human hybrid children they considered "defective."
Last but not least, I loved that this was an #ownvoices book set in Bangladesh, written by a Bangladeshi author. I had never read anything set there before.
So overall, despite a few issues, this was a creative and complex story with an interesting portrayal of djinns that I enjoyed!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes djinns, complex plots, and a mixture of humor and darkness.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
---------------------
Initial Thoughts:
A few issues (including that I didn't know this was seemingly the first in a series?), but overall a creative and complex story about djinns!
January 6, 2024
The end of this book reaaaally annoyed me. For some reason I’d thought it was a standalone story. That was probably a bad assumption based on not seeing any series info associated with the book and this book having a publication date of over 6 years ago. I have no idea whether or not there will ever be any sequels, but this is not a complete story.
The premise was kind of fun. There are a couple main POV characters, but we start off with Indelbed, a young boy living in poverty with an alcoholic father. He soon learns that his life isn’t what it appears to have been. Djinn are real, and his mother was one, and his father is an emissary to the djinn. Indelbed gets imprisoned by a djinn and tries to escape. Meanwhile, his cousin and aunt, who have also just learned of the existence of the djinn, take a crash course on djinn politics.
For some reason the story really didn’t hold my attention well, even though I kept feeling like it was the sort of thing I should have enjoyed more. The writing was fine, the setting was fleshed out pretty well, I liked the characters ok, and I was interested in the story on the surface of things, I just never felt compelled to read more to find out what would happen next. It also started to go downhill for me closer to the end. I’m not convinced the main villain’s motivations made that much sense and I was very, very unhappy with the direction one of the characters took toward the end.
I was going to give this 3 stars until I read the abrupt and unsatisfying ending. That pushed it down to 2.5 stars and I was tempted to go even lower, but I’ll round up to 3 on Goodreads based on my enjoyment level for the rest of the story.
The premise was kind of fun. There are a couple main POV characters, but we start off with Indelbed, a young boy living in poverty with an alcoholic father. He soon learns that his life isn’t what it appears to have been. Djinn are real, and his mother was one, and his father is an emissary to the djinn. Indelbed gets imprisoned by a djinn and tries to escape. Meanwhile, his cousin and aunt, who have also just learned of the existence of the djinn, take a crash course on djinn politics.
For some reason the story really didn’t hold my attention well, even though I kept feeling like it was the sort of thing I should have enjoyed more. The writing was fine, the setting was fleshed out pretty well, I liked the characters ok, and I was interested in the story on the surface of things, I just never felt compelled to read more to find out what would happen next. It also started to go downhill for me closer to the end. I’m not convinced the main villain’s motivations made that much sense and I was very, very unhappy with the direction one of the characters took toward the end.
I was going to give this 3 stars until I read the abrupt and unsatisfying ending. That pushed it down to 2.5 stars and I was tempted to go even lower, but I’ll round up to 3 on Goodreads based on my enjoyment level for the rest of the story.
June 23, 2021
I try, whenever possible, to write concise an cohesive book reviews. This will not be one of them.
JFLKDJAAKJ!!!! IT. WAS. SO GOOD THO!
We open following an Indian child named Indelbed who is searching for the love of his brilliant, erratic, and emotionally detached father - a disgraced scientist. They live in a mansion that is slowly collapsing in on itself and I loved the metaphor of the decaying house for Indelbed's inner state. Through a series of unfortunate events and familial betrayals, our young protagonist finds himself trapped miles underground with a mad Djinn who uses him for increasingly volatile experiments.
If you are looking for a fantasy that regurgitates the themes, writing style, rapid pacing, plot points, and character archetypes hallmarked by white Euro-Western fantastical fiction then look elsewhere. There was a universe packed into each page of Djinn City. I cannot believe how much Hossain accomplished with his unique blend of genetic centric science, mythology and spirituality, familial storytelling, and God like characters who somehow feel more 'human' than the mortals.
Ugh. Just read it.
JFLKDJAAKJ!!!! IT. WAS. SO GOOD THO!
We open following an Indian child named Indelbed who is searching for the love of his brilliant, erratic, and emotionally detached father - a disgraced scientist. They live in a mansion that is slowly collapsing in on itself and I loved the metaphor of the decaying house for Indelbed's inner state. Through a series of unfortunate events and familial betrayals, our young protagonist finds himself trapped miles underground with a mad Djinn who uses him for increasingly volatile experiments.
If you are looking for a fantasy that regurgitates the themes, writing style, rapid pacing, plot points, and character archetypes hallmarked by white Euro-Western fantastical fiction then look elsewhere. There was a universe packed into each page of Djinn City. I cannot believe how much Hossain accomplished with his unique blend of genetic centric science, mythology and spirituality, familial storytelling, and God like characters who somehow feel more 'human' than the mortals.
Ugh. Just read it.
September 17, 2022
This novel took me a very long time to read (think; months), and while I enjoyed several aspects of it (the complexity and variety of characters, the intricate world-building, the undertone of humour despite the dark subject matter), I was left with the impression that this book could have benefitted from a few more edits. There are so many characters and plot lines to keep track of here, on top of an absolute mountain of world-building. These are not drawbacks for me in and of themselves, I often enjoy books with excessive world-building and many characters and plot lines intertwining, but this book didn't quite find the balance. It ended up feeling bloated, too long, too chaotic, and too complex.
I loved reading a story set in Bangladesh focusing on Djinn, new territory for me as a reader, and appreciated the social commentary woven throughout the story. The settings were vividly described, and I felt transported. Unfortunately, several characters are portrayed as ignorant and racist, and I can only hope this was meant as a critique and a character choice rather than a revelation of the author's own beliefs. Slurs and offensive language are present throughout, and many of the characters are very difficult to like.
This was a frustrating read for me, as I loved the protagonist and his story and didn't enjoy being torn away from him for long stretches of time with more minor characters doing less interesting things. I almost feel this book could have been split into three and been far more engaging.
Overall I'm conflicted. I enjoyed this story and am glad I read it, but I mourn its wasted potential to be something far greater than it was.
Trigger/Content Warnings: racism, classism, rape, body horror, torture, violence, murder, death, burning, blood and gore, slavery, slurs and offensive language
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I loved reading a story set in Bangladesh focusing on Djinn, new territory for me as a reader, and appreciated the social commentary woven throughout the story. The settings were vividly described, and I felt transported. Unfortunately, several characters are portrayed as ignorant and racist, and I can only hope this was meant as a critique and a character choice rather than a revelation of the author's own beliefs. Slurs and offensive language are present throughout, and many of the characters are very difficult to like.
This was a frustrating read for me, as I loved the protagonist and his story and didn't enjoy being torn away from him for long stretches of time with more minor characters doing less interesting things. I almost feel this book could have been split into three and been far more engaging.
Overall I'm conflicted. I enjoyed this story and am glad I read it, but I mourn its wasted potential to be something far greater than it was.
Trigger/Content Warnings: racism, classism, rape, body horror, torture, violence, murder, death, burning, blood and gore, slavery, slurs and offensive language
You can find me on...
Youtube | Instagram | Twitter| TikTok
You can join our book club over on Patreon...
PBB Book Club
November 29, 2018
Great fantasy book that doesn’t have a single elf dwarf goblin orc or troll in it. So refreshing. The ending however leads me to believe the author passed out and his agent sent it off for publishing without consulting the author or reading the manuscript.
December 16, 2020
One of the books I read to prepare for the SFFBC Matchmaker Mod poll. The tale of a family who gets involved in more than they knew possible, filled with betrayal, humor, genetics, magic, and lots of glimpses into the lives of the characters we follow.
CONTENT WARNING:
One of the best books I've read of the year, it was so different from anything else I've read, without trying too hard. My only qualm was that it maybe wrapped up a bit too quickly.
CONTENT WARNING:
One of the best books I've read of the year, it was so different from anything else I've read, without trying too hard. My only qualm was that it maybe wrapped up a bit too quickly.
October 27, 2018
Escape from Baghdad! was such a delight, I was so hopeful I'd like the authors second novel at least as much. There is a book buried within this one that could have been that book for me. I loved the character of Indelbed, who had such an innocent, self-deprecating nature - the perfect raw material to go through trials and become a heartfelt hero. He was the real beating heart of the book, and his story line was great. The Rais story line, on the other hand, was cartoony, with lots of action but no heart, and took up way too much space. Hossain has a wonderful voice full of satirical wit that worked to great effect for Indelbed, but it devolved into slang and yucks with Rais et al. I wish this had been a first draft, so Hossain could have carved away the excess and left me with the gem.
October 13, 2022
I loved the first three-quarters of this book, and then it lost a star and a half for the ending. Be forewarned that this book abruptly ends with a major cliffhanger (multiple major cliffhangers, really), and there doesn't appear to be a sequel in the works.
I did really like this novel, however, minus the dumpster fire of an ending. The characters were fun and I enjoyed reading about the world of the djinn. If Saad Hossian ever decides to continue the story, I'll be one of the first in line to read the next book.
I did really like this novel, however, minus the dumpster fire of an ending. The characters were fun and I enjoyed reading about the world of the djinn. If Saad Hossian ever decides to continue the story, I'll be one of the first in line to read the next book.
January 21, 2018
Love the worldbuilding and plot twists! Solid page turner of a novel. Though I enjoyed it, be warned that it ends on a major cliffhanger with no sequel in sight.
July 10, 2021
An imaginative story that explores the boundaries between human/superhuman/deity.
This book does that thing where instead of having an ending, the story just stops. Where are the book editors? Why do they allow this?
The story stops at a point where some new events are introduced. This makes it look like there's going to be a sequel where the new events are presented in full. What is annoying is that there is no indication that this is Book 1 of a series. The expectation was that this is a complete book by itself. If it's going "to be continued..." let the reader know from the very beginning.
Yes I would like to read the continuation of the story. I would have given the book a higher rating except for the "OK we're just stopping the book here for no logical reason."
This book does that thing where instead of having an ending, the story just stops. Where are the book editors? Why do they allow this?
The story stops at a point where some new events are introduced. This makes it look like there's going to be a sequel where the new events are presented in full. What is annoying is that there is no indication that this is Book 1 of a series. The expectation was that this is a complete book by itself. If it's going "to be continued..." let the reader know from the very beginning.
Yes I would like to read the continuation of the story. I would have given the book a higher rating except for the "OK we're just stopping the book here for no logical reason."
December 5, 2023
I don't know what to think about this. The djinns and their society was fascinating and well done. I wish the humans were more competent and I very much wanted a different ending for Indelbed. The banter between humans and djinn was a bit forcd but the characters and story were good. I don't know where the scales sit.
I think the ending, which explained very little and was either a massive cliff hanger or a story hitting a brick wall, pushed it from 4 to 3 stars. I would recommend this to those looking for something a bit different from the western stuff in the supply chain.
I think the ending, which explained very little and was either a massive cliff hanger or a story hitting a brick wall, pushed it from 4 to 3 stars. I would recommend this to those looking for something a bit different from the western stuff in the supply chain.
Want to read
December 23, 2021Starred and enthusiastic review:
https://www.forewordreviews.com/revie...
Appears to be set in the same fictional universe as his "The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday" which I loved. And our library has an ebook copy, sadly the Hoopla version = crappy web interface. Still, I'll get to it, in due time ....
https://www.forewordreviews.com/revie...
Appears to be set in the same fictional universe as his "The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday" which I loved. And our library has an ebook copy, sadly the Hoopla version = crappy web interface. Still, I'll get to it, in due time ....
August 28, 2020
3.5 Stars
The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday was my first book this year and it was such a nice surprise. After I finished it, I wanted to get Djinn City, since it was also set in the same world with the Djinn, although a millennium earlier. It was quest to get the book. I first when to my local bookstore to let them order it for me (I was sure it would not happen to be lying around somewhere in the bookstores in my city). They ordered for me, but when I went back and asked after it three weeks later, the order had been cancelled by the supplier. They even suggested I'd buy online from the giant booksellers.
Next, I went to London - and I hoped I could buy it there. The Forbidden Planet has a great science fiction and fantasy book store and they sell a lot of books that I had previously only seen online. But even they didn't have it. So, I ended up buying an ebook online, but I tried, I really did to find it somewhere in a brick book store.
Either way, my anticipation was very high for Djinn City at this point. Still, it took me a few months to get to it (corona and all that) and when I started at last, the expectations were very, very high and it took me quite a while to get into the story.
It's the story of Indelbed and his family as they navigate around a Djinn conflict. Indelbed is a 10yo kid from an impoverished brand of a major clan, and he struggles daily with the fact his mother died giving birth to him (they called this Death by Indelbed). When a minor hunt - some kind of Djinn ritual of passage - is organized on Indelbed's head, he and is family will be drawn into an entire different world with Djinn, distortion fields and a war which has been ongoing for 20.000 years...
This was a strange read. I cannot say it in another way. More than the Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday, I would classify this as fantasy, but it is probably unlike anything you've already read. Not only are Djinn a type of supernatural creatures which have been less massively utilized in fiction compared to certain other types, there are also a couple of plot twists that I didn't see coming. There are many different aspects to the story, and while it is a very original mix, at times I wondered whether it was not trying to do too much at the same time.
It took me a while to get into the story. There were certainly times when I could really see the same wittiness that made The Gurkha... so much fun. But overall, I felt this was the work that let up to and set up the later one.
While this was certainly a very entertaining read in the end, I am not entirely sure who to recommend this to. If you like non-standard fantasy novels in non-standard settings (Dhaka, Bangladesh) with a little raw edge, this might be perfect for you. Else, you might want to start with The Ghurka and the Lord of Tuesday.
Find this and other reviews on my blog https://www.urlphantomhive.com
The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday was my first book this year and it was such a nice surprise. After I finished it, I wanted to get Djinn City, since it was also set in the same world with the Djinn, although a millennium earlier. It was quest to get the book. I first when to my local bookstore to let them order it for me (I was sure it would not happen to be lying around somewhere in the bookstores in my city). They ordered for me, but when I went back and asked after it three weeks later, the order had been cancelled by the supplier. They even suggested I'd buy online from the giant booksellers.
Next, I went to London - and I hoped I could buy it there. The Forbidden Planet has a great science fiction and fantasy book store and they sell a lot of books that I had previously only seen online. But even they didn't have it. So, I ended up buying an ebook online, but I tried, I really did to find it somewhere in a brick book store.
Either way, my anticipation was very high for Djinn City at this point. Still, it took me a few months to get to it (corona and all that) and when I started at last, the expectations were very, very high and it took me quite a while to get into the story.
It's the story of Indelbed and his family as they navigate around a Djinn conflict. Indelbed is a 10yo kid from an impoverished brand of a major clan, and he struggles daily with the fact his mother died giving birth to him (they called this Death by Indelbed). When a minor hunt - some kind of Djinn ritual of passage - is organized on Indelbed's head, he and is family will be drawn into an entire different world with Djinn, distortion fields and a war which has been ongoing for 20.000 years...
This was a strange read. I cannot say it in another way. More than the Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday, I would classify this as fantasy, but it is probably unlike anything you've already read. Not only are Djinn a type of supernatural creatures which have been less massively utilized in fiction compared to certain other types, there are also a couple of plot twists that I didn't see coming. There are many different aspects to the story, and while it is a very original mix, at times I wondered whether it was not trying to do too much at the same time.
It took me a while to get into the story. There were certainly times when I could really see the same wittiness that made The Gurkha... so much fun. But overall, I felt this was the work that let up to and set up the later one.
While this was certainly a very entertaining read in the end, I am not entirely sure who to recommend this to. If you like non-standard fantasy novels in non-standard settings (Dhaka, Bangladesh) with a little raw edge, this might be perfect for you. Else, you might want to start with The Ghurka and the Lord of Tuesday.
Find this and other reviews on my blog https://www.urlphantomhive.com
December 17, 2023
Wait, that’s it?!? Is there going to be the second book? I have so many "what about"s, I don’t even know where to start. Or maybe there are a few chapters that got lost?
It was all coming together so well and at some point everything just went to hell.
I was really enjoying the book. It was captivating, with interesting characters, both hume and gjinn, with high enough stakes and evil baddies of different kinds. But the ending. Right now, after turning the last page, I feel like the author just went “OK, it’s gotten too complicated, I don’t know how to deal with all that stuff so it makes sense, so I’m just going to end it.”
Because Indelbed going through all those years of suffering just to let Gevaras escape and kill Juny and Barabas does not makes sense.
Because all the elder djinns being trapped in another dimension and meeting Kaikobad there and… the end - doesn’t make sense. What’s the point then in all the chapters where Kaikobad is looking for a way to get back to Indelbed? Just to give the reader the story of the First City? Well, firstly, it’s cruel.
I have an awful feeling that these characters were just used by the author to get to some point. And I feel bad for them. They didn’t deserve to be treated like that.
I feel robbed by the way things got wrapped up in the end. I’d prefer to read 100-200 more pages and see everyone’s arcs complete.
It was all coming together so well and at some point everything just went to hell.
I was really enjoying the book. It was captivating, with interesting characters, both hume and gjinn, with high enough stakes and evil baddies of different kinds. But the ending. Right now, after turning the last page, I feel like the author just went “OK, it’s gotten too complicated, I don’t know how to deal with all that stuff so it makes sense, so I’m just going to end it.”
Because Indelbed going through all those years of suffering just to let Gevaras escape and kill Juny and Barabas does not makes sense.
Because all the elder djinns being trapped in another dimension and meeting Kaikobad there and… the end - doesn’t make sense. What’s the point then in all the chapters where Kaikobad is looking for a way to get back to Indelbed? Just to give the reader the story of the First City? Well, firstly, it’s cruel.
I have an awful feeling that these characters were just used by the author to get to some point. And I feel bad for them. They didn’t deserve to be treated like that.
I feel robbed by the way things got wrapped up in the end. I’d prefer to read 100-200 more pages and see everyone’s arcs complete.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2018
Did not finish at 30% through.
I hate giving up on books and I've only done it a few other times, but it took me almost TWO WEEKS to get not even half way through, and I just decided I didn't care anymore. My problem was mainly the excess of word vomit that was the world building. Very little happened in the story to the point that I read because the characters spent all their time describing the world and the very complicated politics in the world of the djinns. It was all pretty hard to digest, and I got tired of trying.
I hate giving up on books and I've only done it a few other times, but it took me almost TWO WEEKS to get not even half way through, and I just decided I didn't care anymore. My problem was mainly the excess of word vomit that was the world building. Very little happened in the story to the point that I read because the characters spent all their time describing the world and the very complicated politics in the world of the djinns. It was all pretty hard to digest, and I got tired of trying.
December 24, 2017
Special note: I was sent this book by Unnamed Press. I'm giving an honest review.
I have read a little bit of another djinn series (The Bartimaeus trilogy) before, which I enjoyed, so I was very excited about this book. It was interesting to see the difference between these books and their presentation of djinn mythology, such as who holds the power (djinn or humans).
Djinn City was very lyrically written (which I enjoyed and am very familiar with because of my mother's writing). It read like poetry, making the story more dramatic and me more attached to the world. One thing I liked about the world was that there were groups and/or factions based upon on the djinn's beliefs. I like this because it makes them seem like their own people, since people have differing perspectives on things.
I was impressed also with the author's worldbuilding. This story is set in and around Bangladesh, and is written by a Bangladeshi author. A lot of times this area is portrayed to be 100% impoverished; this book shows a wide variety of experiences, and introduces the reader to histories, mythologies, and ancient kingdoms that we might not have known before. And finally, as a boy of color, it was calming to me to have a large amount of people of color in a book.
I have read a little bit of another djinn series (The Bartimaeus trilogy) before, which I enjoyed, so I was very excited about this book. It was interesting to see the difference between these books and their presentation of djinn mythology, such as who holds the power (djinn or humans).
Djinn City was very lyrically written (which I enjoyed and am very familiar with because of my mother's writing). It read like poetry, making the story more dramatic and me more attached to the world. One thing I liked about the world was that there were groups and/or factions based upon on the djinn's beliefs. I like this because it makes them seem like their own people, since people have differing perspectives on things.
I was impressed also with the author's worldbuilding. This story is set in and around Bangladesh, and is written by a Bangladeshi author. A lot of times this area is portrayed to be 100% impoverished; this book shows a wide variety of experiences, and introduces the reader to histories, mythologies, and ancient kingdoms that we might not have known before. And finally, as a boy of color, it was calming to me to have a large amount of people of color in a book.
January 9, 2022
A sensitivity reader could transform a fair amount. It's otherwise enveloping and droll.
February 4, 2025
"Djinn City" is a literary marvel that transcends cultural boundaries, written by the brilliant Bangladeshi author, Saad Z Hossain. This novel is a mesmerizing exploration of mysticism, fantasy, and the human condition, all intricately woven into the bustling streets and hidden realms of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Hossain's storytelling prowess is immediately evident as he introduces us to our protagonist, Indelbed, a young man who finds himself embroiled in a world far beyond his wildest dreams. A world inhabited by djinns, mythological beings with their own complex society, culture, and politics. As we follow Indelbed's journey, we're drawn into the depths of Dhaka, where modernity and tradition coexist seamlessly.
One of the most striking aspects of "Djinn City" is Hossain's ability to blend the fantastical with the everyday. His prose is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the city, its people, and the djinns that inhabit its hidden corners. Dhaka itself becomes a character in the story, pulsating with life and magic.
The characters in "Djinn City" are beautifully flawed, each with their own motivations and complexities. Indelbed's relationship with his father, the mysterious Doctor Kaikobad, forms the emotional core of the novel. It's a tale of family, love, and sacrifice that resonates deeply. Alongside them, we encounter a cast of colorful and enigmatic djinns, each with their own unique powers and personalities, further enriching the narrative tapestry.
Hossain masterfully explores themes of identity, belonging, and the clash between tradition and progress. He doesn't shy away from addressing societal issues, seamlessly weaving them into the fantastical narrative. It's a testament to his skill that these themes are seamlessly integrated without feeling didactic or preachy.
As the plot unfolds, "Djinn City" takes readers on a whirlwind adventure, filled with action, intrigue, and moments of breathtaking wonder. The intricate plot twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, and Hossain's ability to craft suspense is truly commendable.
Moreover, the novel delves into the intricate politics of the djinn world, offering a thought-provoking commentary on power, corruption, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. This layer of complexity elevates "Djinn City" beyond a mere fantasy novel, making it a profound exploration of the human condition itself.
In conclusion, "Djinn City" is a literary gem that transcends genres and cultural boundaries. Saad Z Hossain's storytelling prowess and his ability to seamlessly blend the magical with the mundane make this book a must-read. It's a mesmerizing journey through the streets of Dhaka, a thrilling adventure into the heart of a mystical realm, and a thought-provoking exploration of timeless themes. "Djinn City" is a testament to the power of imagination and a reminder that the most extraordinary stories can emerge from the most ordinary places. It is a triumph of modern fantasy literature and cements Saad Z Hossain's place as a literary visionary.
P.S: There were so many unanswered questions. Like: what happened to Indelbed? Will he be able to meet with his father, Mr. Kaikobad? Will he be able to take his revenge on Mattera and Givaras? What’s been happening in that other universe? Did Maria actually betray them, or did she have some other plans? Will there be Djinn City-2 with all these answers?
Hossain's storytelling prowess is immediately evident as he introduces us to our protagonist, Indelbed, a young man who finds himself embroiled in a world far beyond his wildest dreams. A world inhabited by djinns, mythological beings with their own complex society, culture, and politics. As we follow Indelbed's journey, we're drawn into the depths of Dhaka, where modernity and tradition coexist seamlessly.
One of the most striking aspects of "Djinn City" is Hossain's ability to blend the fantastical with the everyday. His prose is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the city, its people, and the djinns that inhabit its hidden corners. Dhaka itself becomes a character in the story, pulsating with life and magic.
The characters in "Djinn City" are beautifully flawed, each with their own motivations and complexities. Indelbed's relationship with his father, the mysterious Doctor Kaikobad, forms the emotional core of the novel. It's a tale of family, love, and sacrifice that resonates deeply. Alongside them, we encounter a cast of colorful and enigmatic djinns, each with their own unique powers and personalities, further enriching the narrative tapestry.
Hossain masterfully explores themes of identity, belonging, and the clash between tradition and progress. He doesn't shy away from addressing societal issues, seamlessly weaving them into the fantastical narrative. It's a testament to his skill that these themes are seamlessly integrated without feeling didactic or preachy.
As the plot unfolds, "Djinn City" takes readers on a whirlwind adventure, filled with action, intrigue, and moments of breathtaking wonder. The intricate plot twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, and Hossain's ability to craft suspense is truly commendable.
Moreover, the novel delves into the intricate politics of the djinn world, offering a thought-provoking commentary on power, corruption, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. This layer of complexity elevates "Djinn City" beyond a mere fantasy novel, making it a profound exploration of the human condition itself.
In conclusion, "Djinn City" is a literary gem that transcends genres and cultural boundaries. Saad Z Hossain's storytelling prowess and his ability to seamlessly blend the magical with the mundane make this book a must-read. It's a mesmerizing journey through the streets of Dhaka, a thrilling adventure into the heart of a mystical realm, and a thought-provoking exploration of timeless themes. "Djinn City" is a testament to the power of imagination and a reminder that the most extraordinary stories can emerge from the most ordinary places. It is a triumph of modern fantasy literature and cements Saad Z Hossain's place as a literary visionary.
P.S: There were so many unanswered questions. Like: what happened to Indelbed? Will he be able to meet with his father, Mr. Kaikobad? Will he be able to take his revenge on Mattera and Givaras? What’s been happening in that other universe? Did Maria actually betray them, or did she have some other plans? Will there be Djinn City-2 with all these answers?
September 9, 2023
I’m not sure how I feel about the ending, but everything else was pretty great.
Read
December 31, 2023SciFi and Fantasy Book Club Discussions:
First impressions (no spoilers)
Final thoughts (spoilers)
First impressions (no spoilers)
Final thoughts (spoilers)
June 16, 2021
What a wild, complicated, blackly funny, dark, exuberant story full of unlikeable people, dangerous djinn, and a globetrotting, world-ending plot.
Said Z. Hossain's Djinn City is inventive and frequently laugh-out-loud funny. It's not like anything I've read before, and I'm so glad I went in with minimal knowledge of the plot of overlapping schemes, and murder, and reversals, and double-, triple-crossings, and ancient secrets and violent politics. With a big cast of characters, this horror-filled and satirical narrative was really enjoyable.
Said Z. Hossain's Djinn City is inventive and frequently laugh-out-loud funny. It's not like anything I've read before, and I'm so glad I went in with minimal knowledge of the plot of overlapping schemes, and murder, and reversals, and double-, triple-crossings, and ancient secrets and violent politics. With a big cast of characters, this horror-filled and satirical narrative was really enjoyable.
June 26, 2022
I barely know how to rate this. I love the world that is built here. I appreciate how it builds from a story about a boy to saving the world. The characters are morally gray, and all interesting. The "ending" though? That's not an ending. It's a stoppage. It's as if the author just walked away. Maybe it's supposed to be dark, but it just feels incomplete.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2020
I really love Hossain's books, they have a kind of mad energy no other author matches. Having said that - what!!! A totally cliffhanger ending and I'm not sure if there's gonna be a sequel. Oof!
did-not-finish
June 2, 2020Escape from Baghdad! this ain't. I'm jumping ship to The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday.
But not before leaving you with this tidbit:
But not before leaving you with this tidbit:
“But how, you might ask, did the djinn evolve such a useful and unlikely ability? Which dread organ allows this ‘magic’? Which terrible forge was this… er, forged in?”
“I might ask,” Indelbed said, suppressing a groan. There were times of extreme boredom when he was half tempted to let loose the distortion field and have the swarm eat him, if only to enjoy a bit of peace.
“It is obvious that the djinn physically exist in two different planes of existence,” Givaras said. “The djinn are, in fact, made up of two different kinds of matter: the physical matter of this world and the dark matter of some other. The dark universe, I surmise, is one of more energy and less physical matter. Thus my body, and even your own, has some organs that are made of dark energy! Now isn’t that exciting?”
“Er, is it?” Indelbed let his creativity roam. “Do you think I have a dark penis? I mean another one?”
April 26, 2018
A thoroughly enjoyable read. It was funny, smart, and inventive. I liked the setting and the characters. I wasn't sure how a story about djinns or genies would go but I was very engaged in this story. The worldbuilding was clever and not too far-fetched or technical (ok, the section on genetics was more detailed than I would have liked so I skimmed it.)
The ending didn't go as I wanted but it was reasonable given everything that led up to it.
I would definitely read other books by this author. His dry wit and creativity are refreshing.
A quote: While his inspectors waited patiently for him to cut a deal, the director did the exact opposite. He marked it for immediate prosecution, applied the highest possible penalties, ordered an eight-year tax investigation of all related enterprises, and then promptly went on his preapproved annual leave to visit his daughter in Canada, basking in the peculiar glow of having, for once, done his job.
The ending didn't go as I wanted but it was reasonable given everything that led up to it.
I would definitely read other books by this author. His dry wit and creativity are refreshing.
A quote: While his inspectors waited patiently for him to cut a deal, the director did the exact opposite. He marked it for immediate prosecution, applied the highest possible penalties, ordered an eight-year tax investigation of all related enterprises, and then promptly went on his preapproved annual leave to visit his daughter in Canada, basking in the peculiar glow of having, for once, done his job.
May 15, 2018
I loved this book - great story, great dark comedy tone and a vividly built world without losing sight of the plot. I liked how the fantastical elements of the story are woven into mundane Dhaka life. The harshness - of the characters and the environment - felt realistic. Also, this isn't just a story about Indelbed, but a whole host of characters and it's all the better for it. I do hope the writer publishes a sequel.
I really wanted to give this 5 stars but had to hold back because of a few issues. The writing is a little lacking in some parts - the writer has a tendency to explain things a bit too much sometimes, and there were a few characters who could have used a little bit more development. And while I understand a cliffhanger ending, the one in this book is a bit too abrupt. There isn't even really an effect of creating suspense...it just feels like the writer chopped off a few chapters from the book.
I really wanted to give this 5 stars but had to hold back because of a few issues. The writing is a little lacking in some parts - the writer has a tendency to explain things a bit too much sometimes, and there were a few characters who could have used a little bit more development. And while I understand a cliffhanger ending, the one in this book is a bit too abrupt. There isn't even really an effect of creating suspense...it just feels like the writer chopped off a few chapters from the book.
June 6, 2018
Not often I give a book three stars but then put the author's other title straight on my "to read" list. The writing voice here is mostly lively, erudite and fun, there are some fascinating ideas, and the djinn and their society and history are very well worked out. At the same time, the djinn all seem rather ridiculous (which is a neat idea, but doesn't allow for much of the sense of awe that I like in fantasy), and all speak in much the same voice: the same voice as most of the humans, in fact. What seem at first to be the main characters have very restricted stories, while the real main character darts all over the place and never really develops as a character. Worst of all, it ends abruptly without warning, leaving many threads unresolved. The author has confirmed on Goodreads that there will be no sequel, which makes me think he didn't know how to finish what he started. I'm hoping Escape From Baghdad has the good qualities without the faults.
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