Hamou Badi is born in a village in the Anti-Atlas Mountains with the markings of the zouhry on his hands, which mark him as connected to humans and djinns. In Morocco, he finds the body of a murdered woman, and the path his life will take is forever altered. He is haunted by this murder, and ends up in Casablanca as an officer of the law where he finds himself caught between the culture he grew up in and the culture of his adulthood, a choice between his Moroccan heritage and the French law he has sworn to observe.

Unfortunately, I had high hopes for this title that did not come to fruition. I think that the writing style was good, I just struggled to engage with the plot. I found that I was unsure of the direction the story was going, and struggled to connect with any of the characters. I really wanted to understand more about the uprising and Morocco's fight for independence but found myself skim reading throughout the story. I think that I expected more magical realism and slightly less history, and so it struggled to hold my attention. I am intrigued however, by the strength of the writing and the uniqueness of the story and would definitely read more by this author!

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon Buddy Books for my copy in exchange for an honest review!

I don’t think the book’s official synopsis matched the actual events that took place, which meant there was a gap between my expectations and the plot. The synopsis led me to believe there was more magical realism, mystery, and possibly espionage in this book than there was (there was effectively none of the former and very little of the latter two). While I found the historical context and setting of the book interesting (post-war Morocco is something I know almost nothing about), the plot was often too slow to hold my attention. Even though this book wasn’t for me, Hamou Badi’s story was still powerful and heartbreaking. I appreciated learning more about Morocco’s fight for independence through the eyes of Hamou– a decent man stuck in the middle of the conflict.

Set in 1950's Casablanca during the French Occupation of Morocco, and the revolution of it's people that followed.

We follow out main character Hamou Badi, he grew up in the mountains, with his mother and sisters. From a young age he was told he has the markings of the zouhry on his hands. A figure of legend said to be able to find treasure and lost objects. The only thing he finds as a kid is the body of a forgotten woman, that shapes his life forever.

Hamou's experience as a child influenced him to join the police force in Casablanca, the French Protectorate. And just as he is proving himself to be a fair a true officer, the sulan is exiled, and the people of Morocco begin to rebel against the French. He finds himself caught between duty, and teh responsibility to his family, community, and roots.

This novel felt so well researched, the culture felt so rich throughout the story. This novel felt especially poignant now with it's themes of anti-colonialism, considering what is going on in Gaza. I have never been to Morocco, nor was I even aware of it's history, but this story did such a wonderful job of fully painting the picture for me. The characterization of Hamou was so masterfully done. Watching him be stuck between what his superiors are telling him to do at work, and staying true to himself and his people was complex but the author navigated it so well. There was so much intrigue, and I never felt like I was just reading a history lesson. I just wish there was a little bit more of the djinn and zouhry lore.

The Black Crescent is a captivating historical novel that transports readers to post-war Casablanca. This is a city simmering with intrigue, magic, and political upheaval. Jane Johnson weaves a tale of secrets, divided loyalties, and the blurred lines between past and future.

Meet Hamou Badi. Born in a remote village in the Anti-Atlas Mountains, bears the mystical markings of the zouhry on his hands. In Moroccan folklore, the zouhry is a child of both humans and djinns, possessing the ability to find treasure, lost objects, and even water during droughts. When Hamou discovers the body of a murdered woman, his life takes an unexpected turn. Driven by a desire to do good, he leaves his village for Casablanca, hoping to become an officer of the law under the French Protectorate.

But Casablanca isn't the modern paradise he envisioned. The forcible exile of Morocco's sultan by the French ignites a nationalist uprising led by the fearsome Black Crescent—a group determined to reclaim their country. Caught between his heritage and his loyalty to his employers, Hamou faces a perilous choice. The magical lines on his palms blur as danger looms, forcing him to decide between all he knows and all he loves.

The concept of the zouhry—a mystical figure straddling the human and djinn worlds—is intriguing. Johnson skillfully integrates Moroccan folklore into a historical context, immersing readers in a world where magic and politics collide.

Hamou Badi is a compelling protagonist. His struggle to reconcile tradition with the tumultuous present resonates. His links with the zouhry add depth, and we witness his internal conflict as he navigates treacherous waters. The ensemble cast, including the enigmatic Black Crescent, adds layers to the narrative.

Johnson's prose evokes the sights, sounds, and scents of Casablanca. She captures the city's vibrancy, from bustling markets to dimly lit alleys. The tension between tradition and progress permeates every page, creating an atmospheric backdrop.

The Black Crescent explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the clash between old and new. Hamou's journey mirrors Morocco's struggle for independence, and the novel invites readers to question allegiances and the cost of change.

While the magical elements remain subtle, Johnson introduces political intrigue. The Black Crescent's shadowy activities keep readers guessing, and the shifting alliances add suspense. However, some twists lack the impact I anticipated.

Hamou's emotional turmoil is palpable. His love for family, his connection to the zouhry, and his loyalty to conflicting forces create a rich emotional tapestry. The unresolved tension between Hamou and the Black Crescent fuels the narrative.

The pacing occasionally falters, especially during exposition-heavy moments. Some secondary characters lack development, leaving their motivations unclear. Additionally, the magical aspects could have been explored further.

The Black Crescent is a blend of historical fiction and subtle fantasy. While it doesn't fully exploit its magical premise, it offers a glimpse into a pivotal period in Moroccan history. Johnson's vivid prose and Hamou's internal struggle make this a worthwhile read for fans of evocative storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed that this book was set in Morocco during its 1950a civil unrest. Not knowing much about this time, I enjoyed all the factual details. This book was advertised as having a fantastical element which I found primarily absent. Pacing throughout the middle was also slow.

Thank you @simonandschuster and @netgalley for this complimentary arc.

The Black Crescent is the perfect book for those readers looking to read a different kind of historical fiction.

I was completely captivated by the story and its characters. The Black Crescent is perfect for bookworms looking to read historical fiction that is different from what is usually published (which is books set during World War II). Jane takes her readers to Morocco during the end of the French occupation. This was a turbulent time for the country. The French occupiers were often hostile and cruel to the Moroccans. The country was very divided during this time. I loved this story; it was interesting, heart-wrenching, and sometimes kind of funny. The Black Crescent is rich in detail; you can tell Jane has done her research and put a lot of thought into this book. I have to admit I know very little about this country and its history, which made its story more fascinating. You really become immersed in Moroccan culture when you read this book. The city of Casablanca just comes to life on the pages of this book. I loved that Jane wove magic throughout the story. I wouldn’t classify this book as a fantasy novel, but this story has a bit of magic. Its presence isn’t front and centred. Instead, it weaves itself into the plot in such a way that gives this story an extra layer of richness. It was just so wonderfully done.

Hamou was an interesting character. I enjoyed spending time with him, and you can really feel his struggles throughout this book. He is a good, kind man who values honour. Hamou is torn. He moved to Casablanca to become a policeman and worked for the French Surete. But he doesn’t feel comfortable working for the French and witnessing the horrors that are taking place in this city. There is this real internal struggle going on in Hamou’s head around being complicit in the horrible action of the French Surete. He is loyal to his fellow countrymen but also doesn’t want to go against the French. It was an interesting battle going on in his head, and it really showed how complicated it was for those who lived in Morocco during the occupation.

The Black Crescent is a breathtaking and fascinating novel set in Morocco during the French occupation.

I found this a really slow read. Although it felt like a very personal and important story to the author, it seemed that the incidents in the story weren't connected to Hamou, or somehow didn't cause growth and a character arc. There was so much room for tension and mystery. Hamou find that body at the beginning, apparently driving him to become a police officer in Casablanca, but that incident is barely mentioned again. Hamou isn't using spare time to poke into the mystery and try to find out who she might have been so I completely forgot about it.

Zina is another of the storylines that is really important when right in front of Hamou, but barely brought up again once Hamou goes back to Tiziane. And once he is back, his time in Casablanca is barely brought up. So each of these things that occur don't seem connected to one another, on to Hamou because they either happen to him, or he is present when something happens.

Because this story meant so much personally to the author, it disappointed me. The pieces in the story about the political unrest and the cost to the Morrocans were by far the best bits in the story. Those felt real and deep. They just felt disconnected from one another and the overall story of Hamou.

Thank you netgalley for sending me this book in advance copy of this book. I really enjoyed this concept and the characters. The world was very immersive and well written.

This was beautiful well written historical fiction. I didn’t know much about Morocco but I learned a lot. I was completely immersed in the culture.The Black Crescent is very well-researched, and it shows. the writing is beautiful and absorbing. I loved the descriptions of Morocco, I felt like I was there enjoying the food and the smells.

I was expecting more magic realism, but I still enjoyed it none the less. I definitely recommend this book and I can’t wait to see what else the author comes out with.

The Black Crescent showcases extensive research, particularly in its vivid portrayal of Morocco's scents, food, and culture. The glossary proves beneficial, but the absence of expected religious and mythological elements, as emphasized in the synopsis, is disappointing. While the writing and character development, especially the flawed main character, are commendable, the book could benefit from additional editing to enhance the overall reading experience. The predictable ending somewhat dampens the impact of an otherwise engaging story. My rating is 3 stars!

The Black Crescent's biggest hurdle is the incongruity between its content and its marketing. Though the cover, title, description, and author biography may lead you to believe it is a fantasy novel, it is not. This book is a work of historical fiction, taking place in Morocco at the tail end of the French occupation.

It is too bad that there is such a large gap between the marketing and that reality, because that is the best part! Coming into this novel, I had very little pre-existing knowledge of Morocco's history with French colonization and the ultimately successful resistance to it, and I would have read that book enthusiastically. Because I thought this would be a fantasy novel, however, the reality felt disappointing (I kept waiting for magic to appear!).

The Black Crescent follow our lead character, Hamou Badi, through three key eras of his life - 1) His childhood growing up in a small village in the mountains. 2) His experience serving in the French-led police force in Casablanca and struggling with the tension of having one foot in each world - reporting to French leadership and maintaining French order while also belonging culturally to the Moroccans he is policing and 3) Eventually returning back to that small village to take up a new government position that still relies on him being a liaison, but no longer being a member of the police force.

The best parts of the book are the rich historical details and Hamou's interesting position as being simultaneously too French and too Moroccan and also not enough of either. This duality is explored extensively through how others relate to him, but I wish we had a bit more insight into his internal conflict around it. The book struggled with pacing (I was shocked when I was three chapters from the end and a major plot point was introduced! At another point, a major character is presumed dead in a fire and then not mentioned again for several chapters) and many of the characters were not fully fleshed out. For example, we meet Hamou's primary love interest early on, but Hamou initially claims to not be interested. Without much transition, he then takes on significant risk to protect her only a few chapters later.

I am ultimately glad I read this novel, since I learned a lot (and I was very impressed with the bibliography in the Author's Note), but the plot itself often felt like a vehicle for the historic facts rather than the driving factor.

I first came across this book on Twitter (or X, whatever it's going by these days) a few months ago and it looked intriguing. So, I was excited to see that I was able to get a copy through Netgalley and give it a try. But, a few chapters in, I came to realize that this book felt like it was more of a character driven story, and I tend to prefer books that have a more plot driven story. And since I haven't been in much of a mood for a character driven story, I've decided to not finish this book at this time. I would, however, recommend this story to anyone looking for a new historical fiction story set in the mid-twentieth century Morrocco.

My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for an ARC of this novel.

If your country is wrested away from you by force, your leaders exiled, your culture denigrated and your people oppressed, is violence justified to take it back? This is the constant moral dilemma that torments Hamou Badi, the novel’s central character. The setting is Morocco between 1952 and 1955, the years of its struggle for independence from the French, who had exploited its rich resources, and its people, for half a century.

Badi is honourable, kind, compassionate, and determined to do good in the world collapsing around him. He is a newly-minted police officer in Casablanca as the story begins, torn between his own aversion to violence, even against its perpetrators, and his need to stay on the good side of the colonizers who employ him. He is a dutiful son who sends most of his wages to his widowed mother and younger sisters in Tiziane, the rural mountain village where he was born. But he sees, endures, and feels too much as a number of increasingly violent rebel sects, most notably the notorious Black Crescent, use terrorist tactics to oust the French. The racist insults, the arbitrary police crackdowns against unarmed protestors and non-political civilians, and the mounting threats he faces from both sides of a widening divide, force him to choose a side. His passivity becomes dangerous, then untenable.

Although he rails against what he sees as superstition and old village myths, Hamou Badi was born bearing the physical marks of the zouhry. The zouhry is empowered to ward against the curses of the djinn, mythic beings of air and fire, and to bear and bring good luck, to divine water, and find treasure. Interspersed with episodes of physical and emotional suffering, especially fear for his family and the woman he loves, there are moments when something beyond his understanding brings deliverance to him and to those who reach out for his help. Whether magic or just happenstance, the outcomes are generally satisfying.

Johnson draws a rich historical picture of Morocco that speaks also to the many other anti-colonial movements of the early post Second World War years. Juxtaposing the modem mid-century ambience of a literally made-over Casablanca with the centuries old culture of the mountain villages, where the tribal leaders refuse to relinquish their right to handle law and justice, she captures the collapse of the old imperial order, and the fight for a new one both authentic to indigenous culture but also part of modernity. This isn’t a simple matter, as the characters also acknowledge. Hamou is admirable but at times remarkably naive in thinking he can remain neutral; some of the French officials try to do right by the Moroccans, but give in to their overriding ambition and historic racism. There is a fascinating mix of characters on both sides. The story is suspenseful even if the outcome is historical fact, but some of the plot twists, such as those of the American diplomat and Hamou’s deceased father, don’t really go anywhere. Ultimately I found this to be a fascinating fictionalized history that tells a story I knew little about and am glad to have learned.

I’ll admit I requested this ARC on the assumption that the story was historical fiction mixed with Islamic mythology. It sounded right up my alley! The book description, unfortunately, does it a bit of injustice. There is such an emphasis placed on the djinn angle, when this doesn’t feature into the story much at all. In fact, the main character denounces being a zouhry every time it comes up. I think this book would be better served in finding the right audience if the zouhry and magical lines on palms weren’t mentioned at all in the blurb.

The Black Crescent is a historical fiction novel set in Morocco during French Colonial rule, known as the French protectorate. We follow Hamou Badi, a young man who grew up in the Anti-Atlas mountains. He moves in with family in Casablanca for eduction and employment opportunities, sending most of his money back home to his family.

In the first half of the book, Hamou is employed as a Surete, a French police officer. It’s a position he is proud of, as he has a drive to help people, and a very noble heart. As tensions mount between the French and the Nationalists, Hamou is pulled between performing his duties and keeping the people he loves safe.

The second half sees Hamou return home. This part is much less tense, yet I found it more enjoyable. There is something about a slice-of-life story that really draws me in. Getting to know the main character more is a huge bonus to this type of story telling.

Overall I found Hamou to be very well written. He felt real, a person with flaws, who makes mistakes but tries his best. It was the secondary characters that were a little flat for me. Even important side characters, like Moha and Zina, did not feel particularly fleshed out. I honestly found Sofiane the most engaging, and he has a very small part in the book. Oh, and the cat, Madani!

The Black Crescent is very well-researched, and it shows. I loved the descriptions of Morocco, the scents and food and Moroccan life and culture. The glossary at the back was a huge help. I’d almost suggest adding footnotes as well to keep reader flow going.

While the writing is descriptive and absorbing, I feel like this book could do with more editing. There was more than one time I ran into a sentence so long, and filled with so much information, that I had forgotten the beginning by the time I got to the end, and had to re-read. There are also instances of over-descriptiveness that add nothing to the story or the picture being painted. For example, at one point Hamou walks into an office and we get a count of the number of people present, including number standing and seating, with no other description.

This is just a me thing, but I found the ending was a bit predictable and trite. People who like romance will probably love the ending. It was satisfying to see everything come together and be wrapped up, while still left on a very hopeful note for the future.

Overall the Black Crescent was a very interesting historical fiction read. Rating 3.5/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for providing the ARC of this book. This review is my honest and voluntary opinion.

"A captivating historical novel set in post-war Casablanca about a young man marked by djinns who must decide where his loyalties lie as the fight for Moroccan independence erupts.

Hamou Badi is born in a village in the Anti-Atlas Mountains with the markings of the zouhry on his hands. In Morocco, the zouhry is a figure of legend, a child of both humans and djinns, capable of finding treasure, lost objects, and even water in the worst of droughts. But when young Hamou finds the body of a murdered woman, his life is forever changed.

Haunted by this unsolved murder and driven by the desire to do good in the world, Hamou leaves his village for Casablanca to become an officer of the law under the French Protectorate.

But Casablanca is not the shining beacon of modernity he was expecting. The forcible exile of Morocco's sultan by the French sparks a nationalist uprising led by violent dissident groups, none so fearsome as the Black Crescent. Torn between his heritage and his employers, Hamou will be caught in the crossfire.

The lines between right and wrong, past and future, the old world and the new, are not as clear as the magical lines on his palms. And as the danger grows, Hamou is forced to choose between all he knows and all he loves."

You had me at djinns.

I really enjoyed this even though it was not at all what I was expecting when I heard it was about a djinn. It is much more a historical fiction/coming of age story but it was really well written and I thought the main character was interesting, likeable and his struggles really drew me in. The Moroccan setting is also really well done and I felt like I learned things after reading this but not in a boring or slow way. If you go into this not thinking it’s a fantasy with djinn then it would be something enjoyable I think! Will be adding to our library in the future.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story wasn't exactly what I expected, I thought maybe there'd be some more magical realism with the mention of Djinns in the summary, but I enjoyed it all the same. This story also educated me on a topic I previously knew nothing about (the previous French Protectorate in Morocco), so that's always a bonus for me.

The story follows Hamou as he grapples with his own moral compass and is very much a coming to age tale but in a divided land. Hamou works as an officer under the French Protectorate and firmly believes in empathy and doing what is morally sound and just, but soon learns that the world is more complicated than right or wrong and good or evil. The author wrote the book in such a way that we can really feel his pain in being torn between two worlds when there is wrong and evil on both sides.

There were some parts that were slow to read, and I did struggle a little bit as there are many names, titles, and characters. I really liked the end of the book and thought the conclusion was well done. I also love an animal companion, and Madani, the cat, really added to the story for me - I loved the relationship between Hamou and his pet. I think Jane Johnson did a great job at making the story relatable and also adding in some humor.

Overall, it was a good read, and I was pleased to learn more about a culture that I'm not very familiar with and some of the history of its people.

I selected this book because it is about a young man marked by djinns, and I was expecting a fantasy novel that included djinns. That's not what I got, so don't let that part of the description guide your selection. It's a good book if what you're looking for is historical fiction with a side of romance; it's not a great choice if what you're looking for is magic.

Hamou is a young man marked by djinns with a zouhry, a horizonal line from edge to edge across each palm. In the mythology of Morocco, this means he is half-human and half-djinn, and the people of Morocco believe this grants him, and those like him, with special powers. Throughout his life, people who see the zouhry on his hands expect extra from him - an expectation that makes it even harder to thread his way through Morocco's attempts to free itself from French rule during the 1950s. The historical details and setting appear to be well-researched, but the story never quite drew me in - in part, no doubt, because I kept looking for the magic implied by the synopsis, but which does not exist in this volume. A good book if you like historical fiction, but not really my preferred genre.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First of all Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this Book.

I usually like a bit more fiction on my Historical fiction stories but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

I felt for Hamou for most of the book, he was so conflicted.

I really enjoyed his correspondence with his mom and her occurrences.

Once I got used to the words I didn't understand (thank you for doing a glossary) the story grabbed hold of me.

Even though the book discusses sad topics and situations it also made me laugh a lot.

I loved the folklore and the bit og magic mixed in.

Having the reassurance that he did the best he could and is honoring his father was great.

The Happy Ending was of course the best part.

Jane Johnson’s books are always a delight to read and this book is no different.I have to admit I didn’t know much about Morocco and found the storyline fascinating. The characters were very likeable and I was almost disappointed when the book ended. Thanks to this book I will be looking to find more information about Morocco. I loved this book.