It barely includes magical elements, but is filled with interesting characters that could well belong to an epic fantasy story.

I really enjoyed this one and would’ve loved every element to be more developed in a longer format.

The Djinn's Apple
~by Djamila Morani translated by Sawad Hussain

This young adult book set in the Abbasid period has different genres like historical fiction, crime/mystery, and family drama intertwined to give us a shocking ending.

A ruthless murder. A magical herb. A mysterious manuscript.

Nardeen’s home is stormed by angry men in search of something, she is the only one who manages to escape. And after the rest of her family is left behind and murdered, Nardeen being orphaned and her life being shattered, she somehow rises back and rebuilds a life for herself with the goal of taking revenge at any cost.

Nardeen is strongly influenced by loss and grief, which was the basis of how she was molded. She was a character I rooted for. Through her and this book, we get to know so much about the medicinal development in the Baghdad age and also the culture around the era.

The plot was interesting and intriguing, with twists and turns you won't expect and Nardeen's feisty nature hyping the story up. This was a short book, hence a quick read in which the author has to cover all the aspects important to the story. This might seem rushed, but the author has done a good job.

The book was captivating, also moving between past and present in the initial chapters. The opening line gave me goosebumps and had an impact.

Another plus is the author adding a glossary, talking about Bimaristan and the golden age of Baghdad under Harun Al-Rashid. This gives knowledge of historical events.

Some of my favorite quotes are:

"If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else ever will."

"It made me think, do we choose our own path or does the path choose us? Do we walk on it leaving behind fresh footprints or do we follow a trail that’s already laid out for us?"

This was a great book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Neem Tree Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Djinn’s Apple is a deeply impactful story, filled to the brim with grief and love. I highly recommend checking out this book, but please look at the content warnings first!!

Sawad Hussain has done an excellent job translating this story, and I’ll be definitely checking out other works translated by her!

Loved this short YA book about a girl whose family are killed in Baghdad and who is determined to become a doctor and to get revenge on those who killed her family. Thank you for having me on the tour

A short and engaging read that had me gripped all the way through. The writing is beautiful and I didn't want it to end, I can't wait to read more by the author. I will definitely be recommending this book to all my reader friends

Book source ~ TWR Blog Tour

Nardeen’s family is brutally murdered when she’s 12. Her father helped her to get away before he and the rest are slain. She goes back to the house and only gleans a few hints as to how and why before she’s beaten and sold to a slaver. Her life begins again when she is taken under the wing of a famous doctor. Four years pass as she learns more and more about being medicine and being a doctor under his tutelage. Then things really hit the fan.

This book starts off with a brutal bang and doesn’t let up until the end. Nardeen is a great character and while 1st person isn’t my favorite POV, it works. The pacing is just right and the world building is excellent even if there are a lot of names to remember and how they relate to each other. I know nothing about this region and period of history so it’s all a bit bewildering to me. Fascinating though. I have to say, I enjoyed this book immensely and look forward to adding the author to my favorites list.

I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book. The cover photo and the title is quite interesting and I knew that I had to read this book.

At 12, Nardeen escapes her family's murder with her father's help. Returning home, she uncovers few clues before being captured and sold into slavery. Her fate changes when a renowned doctor mentors her in medicine. After four years of learning, her life takes another dramatic turn.

The writing skills are flawless and I was engaged throughout the book without getting bored. It was a short but quite captivating read. I will highly recommend this book. Grab your copy today and you will definitely enjoy reading it as much as I did.

#TheDjinnsApple #NetGalley

When Nardeen's family are murdered she promises that she will bring the killers to justice, but will Nardeen succeed.
This was a fairly short read coming in at just under 200 pages. I found the story really interesting especially when I learnt that the book fell into the historical fiction genre and was based around real events.
The storyline was very fast-paced for quite a short read and we follow Nardeen’s journey from losing her family to seeking revenge. Although Nardeen escapes and is the only survivor the first obstacle she faces is nearly being sold as a slave. But she is saved by Muallim Ishaq who knew her father. Muallim Ishaq takes Nardeen under his wing teaches her about medicine so she can use this as a way to get justice for her family. Knowledge is power and Nardeen needs as much knowledge as possible so she can use it to her advantage. Muallim Ishaq not only becomes her teacher and mentor but also becomes her surrogate father and someone who looks after her. He sees what Nardeen’s father saw that she has potential and is very bright. However, as Nardeen grows up her thoughts in seeking justice for her family become complicated when she starts to have feelings for someone and then she has to decide whether to seek vengeance or to choose love.

Nardeen was such a strong character. Despite everything she has been through she is resilient and focused.

An interesting read.

The first thing which attracted my intrigue to The Djinn's Apple was that it was a Young Adult Translated Book which I have never heard of before but on the flip side it's Historical and I am supposed to not like that genre.

I found that there are other genres in the mix too but I'm not going to say what they are as it is more fun finding out. In my view having these extra genres really gave this book more oomph especially as it was a short read and a fast read too.

I loved the atmosphere and Nardeen was a good Main Character but for me it was finding out what the title of the book actually was and it blew me away.

For all the above reasons The Djinn's Apple receives 4 stars

When I started reading this book I expected a murder mystery, a historical whodunit in an era I'm completely unfamiliar with. What I didn't expect was to find an uplifting story that can inspire young girls to follow their dreams.

Nardeen has been discouraged from actively studying medicine and following in her father's footsteps but that hasn't stopped her memorising text books and reports. When her family are brutally murdered she finds herself in the care of Muallim Ishaq, a renowned physician who takes her under his wing. Throughout her teenage years, Nardeen continues to learn medicine despite the backlash she faces for being a woman.

I had a bit of trouble following the timelines, I was never truly sure how old Nardeen was at any given moment.

At 160 pages this was more or a novella but the story itself was captivating, I read it in one sitting.

Trigger warnings: Death of a child/children (occurs off-page), death of an animal (mentioned, occur off-page), suicide (occurs on page)

At only twelve years old, young Nardeen’s life is changed in a single night. Her family is killed and only she escapes. When she returns she finds men ransacking her home, it is obvious they are searching for something. Something that they believe Nardeen knows about and where to find it.

Her second escape does not go as well and when she is in the hospital she finds herself under the care of an elderly doctor. With his tutelage, she finds herself in a unique position where she can finally bring to justice her family’s killer. The final cost however may be more than what Nardeen is willing to pay.

The Djinn’s Apple is Djamila Morani’s look at how far some people are willing to go to achieve their goals. Set during the reign of Harun al-Rashid, the story offers a brief yet fascinating glimpse of life at this time. A good deal of the story focuses on medicine and medical treatments of the age. Not surprising as Nardeen is the daughter of a doctor and finds herself under the care of another after her father’s death.

Because of the length of The Djinn’s Apple, the action can feel a little rushed. The same can be said for the dialogue, at times it feels awkward and stilted. This could also be due to the translation as no translation is ever 100% accurate. The characters themselves are interesting, especially Nardeen, and my only wish was for the novel to be longer so we readers might spend more time with them.

In conclusion, I enjoyed reading The Djinn’s Apple. Morani weaves a compelling and entertaining tale with some unexpected twists. While it is aimed at younger readers, I can easily see adult readers enjoying this book as well.

Blog tour review with @thewritereads

http://ramblingmads.uk/2024/03/06/blog-tour-the-djinns-apple-djamila-morani-translated-by-sawad-hussain/

This was a very quick read, but swept me up from the first page to the very last!

Nardeen is a very compelling main character. Subjected to unimaginable heartbreak and trauma at a young age, we see her find her own strength as she becomes determined to avenge her family. She’s intelligent and stubborn, but she has her flaws too.

There are lots of different genres at play in this book, and I thought they were woven together really well. It’s a historical fiction, set in Baghdad during the Golden Age, with a strong mystery aspect and a sprinkling of fantasy thrown in there too. I find that sometimes it can be hard to slip a little bit of fantasy into a book, but it was done really well here. The setting and the fantasy aspect blended together seamlessly, and it worked really well.

The writing style also had a fantastical, whimsical quality to it, which really helped the fantasy elements blend in. It’s to the credit of both author and the translator that it worked so well!

This was a really enjoyable read that transported me to another place and time. It’s a great addition to anyone’s collection of translated fiction!

I received a free copy for an honest review.

Djamila Morani’s The Djinn’s Apple is a captivating YA historical mystery novella that reminded me of Arabian Nights.

Morani’s fast-paced narration is filled with twists and turns and it held me glued. While the premise is intriguing, the strength of the novel lies in its vivid and evocative writing. The author transported me to an era centuries ago, to a mystical and mysterious city. I could visualise the bustling streets and markets, the people and their attire, the homes, and the hospital. Being a history buff, I enjoyed the timeline in which the story is set.

Nardeen and Muallim Ishaq are the main characters, and both are sketched in-depth. Nardeen’s transformation as the story progresses is quite evident. Readers would connect with her easily and find themselves rooting for her success. Ishaq’s intriguing backstory and crafty demeanor are skillfully portrayed too.

While the epilogue provides a satisfactory resolution, the ending feels a bit rushed and the romance between Nardeen and Suhaib appears superficial. Nevertheless, not just Young Adults; the targeted audience, I feel even middle grader children might appreciate this fantasy read.

The appendix is a valuable resource and sheds light on unfamiliar words, the history of the Golden Age of Baghdad, and The Bimaristan. Readers unfamiliar with the historical context would find this section quite helpful.

The Djinn’s Apple was a surprising book for me - I’m not sure what I expected going into the book and I wondered how it would be as a translated novella; as sometimes I’ve found them to bit hit and miss, especially in the lyricism of the writing and the phrasing of things. The Djinn’s Apple has a kind of magical lyricism and writing to it, and gives a very evocative and almost magical depiction of Baghdad during the Abbasid period and the environs of the hospital. It manages to pack a lot in within its short length, and the book really shines in its depiction of Nardeen. She feels like such a realistic character even in the short details we get of her, and her strength of will and her dedication to both avenge her family as well as live her life is the core of the book. The start of the book was a bit confusing at first, with a lot of time skips and back-and-forth in the narrative as well as setting up the politics and the characters of the book. This isn’t much more than you’d find in a typical SFF book though, so it’s quick to get through. Once you settle in, this becomes a lot clearer and the book really settles into itself once Nardeen begins her medical training and the book sets up the main conflict between her father and her mentor, and whose path she wants to follow. Overall a fast-paced, thought provoking and enjoyable read!
This ARC was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review

A captivating YA murder mystery set in the historical Abaddid period; the golden age of Baghdad. This wonderful story is written by Djamila Morani and expertly and beautifully translated into English by Sawad Hussain. Special mention should go to the beautifully illustrated cover and end pages. I love the inclusion of the drawing of the Djinns Apple at the start, alongside maps of the period, as well as the additional information on the period, the author, and the translator at the end. They add to a much fuller understanding. The opening line is so impactful : "My siblings' screams still pierce my ears no matter how hard I squeeze my head between my hands." The Twelve year old protagonist has just witnessed the brutal and horrific murders of her entire family due to a political fall-out that has less to do with her father and more to do with their family name. Nardeen is alone and confused and extremely vulnerable. Her father was a renowned and respected doctor, but his work translating a mysterious manuscript pertaining to a magical herb has left questions over his actions and cause of murder. Nardeem faces a precarious future, but her sharp wit and knowledge of medicine, gleaned from her father, catch the attention of the most respected Professor Ishaq, and her life takes a completely different course. Still in her teens, she seeks vengeance for the deaths of her family, and her introduction to the demon responsible is nothing like she imagined. An absolutely gripping story told in less than 150 pages. The writing transports us to this wonderful golden age , revealing the limited choices for women and their need for a protector. #thedjinnsapple #djamilamorani #sawadhussain #neemtreepress #thewriterreads #booktour

Resilience is often a key part of any story. Bad things in fiction can often be spectacularly bad and so we have to see if our main characters can still win the day. How do you recover; are you still the same person before and where do you go next? It’s a story we all will feel some link to as we’ve all that that feeling we're lost and yet how do we bounce back to get through the next day and weeks to come. In the enthralling YA historical mystery tale The Djinn’s Apple by Djamila Morani we are taken to 9th century Baghdad for a tale of brutal murder, perseverance and revenge.

Nardeen’s family had the misfortune to belong to the Baramikas (a powerful family of Viziers) people who have fallen out of favour with the Caliph and now accused of treachery. Her father Bayan is just a studious doctor who tends rich and poor and Nardeen aims to learn all his knowledge and follow in his footsteps. But court intrigue has now placed the family in great danger and one terrifying night the family home is attacked and Nardeen only just escapes but finds her parents and siblings dead. She is taken to become a slave but just prior to this she manages to fall across the path of the famed physician Muallim Ishaq who knew her family. Muallim manages to help Nardeen become his student and also suggests she may be able to get revenge on the notorious yet powerful Al-Aesfi a former friend of the family and chief suspect in their murder. Nardeem has to overcome societal pressure to get close to her enemy but more danger and surprises are in store.

This is a fast paced yet absorbing tale that from the terrifying murder at the start takes us on to a journey and for me an unknown one to a place and time that I know very little about. We cover intrigue, science, romance and murder and I didn’t find the story that predictable at all. Morani paints a vivid and eloquent view of Baghdad in the period - stylish, educated and yet also dangerous. Upset the wrong person you and your entire family are in danger. The set piece where Nardeen only just about escapes with her life is powerfully written and you feel the sense of horror that builds as Nardeen realises what has happened to her family. The aftermath of the scene too is brutal

We assume we go straight into a revenge tale but then we have an equally interesting diversion into the Nardeen entering medicine and gaining a guardian/mentor in the form of Muallim who is the doctor all other doctors look up to, he’s filled with ancient knowledge and impressed by Nardeen’s excellent memory, eye for detail and knowledge already gained from her father we get a not quite father-daughter team both of whom struggle with their emotions and yet we see Muallim just over a few years train Nardeen and start to help her get her own career in medicine (in a time when this was considered impossible for women) but he also seems to think he can help her get her revenge. He’s a very mercurial yet compelling character who you never know what he will do next and I liked the way that Nardeen and him spar and yet also clearly respect each other. A refreshing dynamic that you don’t see too much of in fiction.

The latter phases of the book bring more intrigue and offer Nardeen hope of revenge which, as by now we care about her we do not want her to get into any trouble. Nardeen is our narrator throughout and the tension as to what the final outcome will be is held right up to the final pages. Lets say it’s satisfyingly not quite what I expected! But throughout Nardeen’s voice comes across really well - there is a lyrical nature to the storytelling helped by Nardeen using little sayings and capturing her emotional pain to make her feel like a person of a different time but yet also someone we recognise as very human, kind and yet finding a need revenge is burning through her. How will she react when she finally gets the evidence she needs?

The Djinn’s Apple is a great story (and deservedly won the English PEN award) that is refereshing doing different things with location, characgter and plotlines. It doesn’t drag its story out for too long and it’s got a character you really root for. Highly recommended and I think lovers of intelligent YA should pick this up!

My thoughts






Narrative and Plot









Djinn's Apple is a tale of mystery and intrigue that shines light on the rich culture of Baghdad. Historically, Baghdad had been a cultural capital and growing up reading stories about the Arabian nights and the caliphs,  I have a cursory understanding of the folklore.











The story immediately took me back to those memories when I used to read the story of the caliph's escapades among the common public and the moral lessons they taught us. The Djinn's Apple, however, is the story of a simple girl named Nadeera who is caught up in the politics of the royal family.











































Characters and Conflicts


















Even though the story is shorter in length, it packs a punch right from the beginning. You are immediately rooting for Nadeera after all that she goes through and want her to succeed.


The moral dilemma that Nadeera hoes through was predictable, and maybe that was intentional all along. However, in the short span of time, the story established its pivotal characters and their motivations so that you end up curious as to how it would all come to fruition.



The romance was a bit hastily done. Simply because Suhaib came across more like a plot device rather than a love interest and the ending pretty much wasn't where I thought it was going. Even so, this is a book worth reading for all that beautiful world-building.







































Conclusion



































More than the plot , I enjoyed the overall theme and the world where this story was set. It is reminiscent of a glorious past and a yearning for all that was lost. It was a quick one time read for me.

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S THE DJINN'S APPLE ABOUT?
Nardeen is a remarkable twelve-year-old. Her father is a physician known for translating medical texts from a variety of languages into Arabic, and Nardeen soaks up his work. She has an astounding memory and ability to understand what she memorizes.

But due to some political intrigue that she doesn't wholly understand, Nardeen and her family have to flee their home one night. Sadly, she's the only one who survives.

Nardeen vows revenge on those responsible for her family's murder—certain that a friend of her father's is ultimately to blame.

But before then, she finds herself being taken under the wing of a legendary physician and teacher, Muallim Ishaq. He recognizes her gifts and her heritage from her father—he arranges (mostly by the force of his will) to have her learn at The Bimaristan, a hospital of great renown. There, she's able to hone her skills and knowledge—and sharpen her tools, resolve, and ability to mete out that vengeance.

FATHER VS. FATHER
There are a handful of various conflicts in this book (like with any good book), but at the core, this book seems to be a conflict within Nardeen herself. On the one hand, she has her memories of her father and what he taught her—what he showed her by example—about the way to live. She also has to wrestle with what she's told about her father—by those who profess to have admired him and those who worked against him.

On the other hand, she has her (for all intents and purposes) adoptive father, what he's trying to teach her—what he shows her by example—about the way to live. She also has to wrestle with what she's told about him—by those who profess to admire him and those who work against him.

In many ways, these two fathers line up—but in significant ways, they follow and lead her down divergent paths. So much of how the plotlines of this book resolve depends on Nardeen's acceptance/rejection of what these men stand for.

THE SETTING
So, this takes place during the "golden age of Baghdad"—Harun al-Rashid's rule of the Abbasid Caliphate from 786 to 809. Now, everything that I know about this period of time comes from the appendices to this novel "Harun Al-Rashid: The Golden Age of Baghdad" and "The Bimaristan." As they are appendices, I read them afterward. So I came into this not knowing anything—which is a bit intimidating. And I figure I'm not alone in this (particularly for the intended YA audience, who probably haven't had much opportunity to study Eigth-Century history).

But honestly? Anyone who reads Fantasy/SFF knows how to approach something like this—sure, this is a representation of actual history, but the same tools and imagination you need to understand Westeros, Panem, or the world of the Shadowhunters equip you to get into this world.

And, like with those worlds, after getting this taste, you'll likely want to read more about it.

While reading, and since then, I do have to wonder a little bit about how much Morani was stretching things about the opportunities presented to women in this time and place. Not just for Nardeen, either—but all the women she encounters at the Bimaristan (and I'd be saying this if the city was Paris or Rome, not just because it's Baghdad). But I'm willing to both suspend disbelief for the sake of a good story and to trust that someone who's as familiar with Arabic literature as Morani is more than my hunches.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE DJINN'S APPLE?
This book hits the ground running—Morani doesn't give you the opportunity to settle in and get comfortable in this world or anything like that. She thrusts the reader—and poor Nardeen—straight into life-or-death action. Nardeen has a slightly better understanding of what's going on than the reader does—but not much. This was a great way to start this read—you don't get the chance to indulge curiosity or get lulled into thinking it's a different kind of book than it is—you have to rush to catch up and then keep up with Nardeen and only get the luxury of starting to understand the world until she's (relatively) safe.

There were a couple of times that I wondered about the timelines and how well they worked. I assume I just missed something (and didn't want to take the time to go back and check). It wasn't anything that bugged me enough to look into it, but I would've appreciated things being a bit clearer.

The characters of Nardeen and Muallim were so well drawn, so vivid, and so compelling that I really wish we had more time with them. Particularly Muallim—this cantankerous genius is the kind of character I really respond to. Now, given the pacing of this book, that's impossible. And Morani picked the better option for her story. But the eccentric teacher and the stubborn and gifted student is a combination that could've made for a lot of fun.

Somehow in the midst of this propulsive pacing, Morani is able to litter the book with some great observations, some drops of wisdom (primarily from the teacher and student), and memorable prose (some of that credit has to be given to Hussain as well).

This is a fast, immersive read that'll leave you guessing from the beginning right up to the end. You'd be doing yourself a favor if you pick it up.

Set in 9th century Baghdad, the story follows Nardeen, first as she escapes the political, violent murder of her family and then as a teenager mentored by an eminent doctor. Both her father and her mentor see her potential in what is culturally a male dominated field, which grates with most others.

The story is a well told, and superbly translated, blend of politics, medicine and magic, with Nardeen trying to find answers to her why her family were massacred and look forward to growing into adulthood. She is taken in by her mentor and only after a message from someone else does she question his motives. It is difficult for her to view him as anything other than a trusted mentor until she uncovers more about the politics and reasons behind her family’s murder and his duplicitous behaviour.

I have not read anything set in this time period before and enjoyed finding out more.

The themes of political turmoil, trust, feminism, grief and family secrets are well handled and will promote a lot of discussion and debate.