"The Djinn: An Illustrated Guide" is a captivating journey into the mystical world of djinn, crafted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Seema Yasmin and Pulitzer Prize-winning illustrator Fahmida Azim. This richly illustrated volume invites readers of all backgrounds—whether familiar with Islamic culture or simply curious about folklore—to explore the multifaceted nature of these enigmatic beings.

From the very first page, Yasmin’s engaging narrative draws you in, weaving together cultural context, poetic reflections, and spine-tingling tales. The introduction of the mysterious Dr. N, a contemporary scientist delving into the realm of djinn, serves as a compelling vehicle for uncovering the lore that has existed for centuries across various cultures. The book strikes a delicate balance between respect for traditional narratives and a fresh, contemporary perspective, making it accessible to a diverse audience.

Azim’s illustrations are nothing short of breathtaking. Each page is adorned with expressive artwork that beautifully captures the essence of djinn, their whimsical nature, and the eerie ambiance surrounding them. The centerpiece map overlaying the djinn realm on our world is particularly striking, providing a visual anchor for the reader’s journey. The deluxe format, with shimmering accents and dyed page edges, elevates the book to a work of art that is as delightful to hold as it is to read.

One of the standout features of this guide is its inclusive vision of Islamic lore. Yasmin and Azim thoughtfully incorporate stories from a wide diaspora, highlighting how djinn legends vary from Paris to Durban, creating a rich tapestry that celebrates the diversity within Islamic culture. This approach not only educates but also invites readers to appreciate the interconnectedness of global folklore.

Perfect for fans of mythology, spooky stories, and illustrated books, "The Djinn" offers a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of Islamic traditions, enjoy spine-chilling tales, or simply appreciate the artistry within, this book is a delightful addition to any collection.

In conclusion, "The Djinn: An Illustrated Guide" is a must-read for anyone intrigued by folklore and mythology. Yasmin and Azim have crafted a work that is not only informative but also visually stunning, making it an enriching experience for readers of all ages. Highly recommended for those eager to explore the mystical world of djinn and the cultural narratives they embody!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Chronicle Books for an advance copy of this informative guide to the world of Djinn, complete with stories, reports, and historical anecdotes, and information.

Maybe it is the Irish blood in me, but I have always loved to the hear stories about places that I might never go, and while I love almanacs and guide books, stories and especially mythology seems so much more informative, intensive, and well fun. Funny stories, scary stories, real stories, tall stories, even propaganda stories, stay with me, and reveal a lot more about a culture than just straight facts. Nothing can replace real history, or real study and learning, but a can't think of a better introduction so new ideas. As a reader, movie goer, role player and computer gamer I had been aware of the idea of Djinn, but I never knew the rich history, the importance tey played in the culture for millions of people. After reading this fascinating collection I want to know much more. Djinnology: An Illuminated Compendium of Spirits and Stories from the Muslim World is written by Seema Yasmin with illustrations by Fahmida Azim and explains the role of Djinn in everyday life, both for good and for bad.

The book is presented as a field guide by a Dr. N, who in the opening is presenting a lecture to a group of fellow intellectuals, but whose name remains anonymous for the Doctor has recently disappeared. The lecture explains the origins of the djinn, and why the good doctor is even researching this field. The book is then told in stories, featuring djinn, from different eras taken from first person accounts, diaries, and other field observations. Along with more educational notes from Dr. N filling in information about the history of this kind of djinn, how the information was gathered, and more historical notes. There are different djinn, with different ways of relating to humans, helping to create art, living off blood, changing the morals, ways and thinking of people. Or just messing with people, something the djinn really seem to enjoy.

An interesting presentation for a book that is quite informative and lots of fun. The descriptions of the djinn are interesting and well written, and give a lot of information on the the different kinds of djinn that around, from ones that we are born with, or those who decide to involve themselves in humans lives, for good and for worse. The stories are generally good. The first is very much in the style of H. P. Lovecraft, though minus the racism and misogyny, and was one of the best. There is a story about a djinn infested cell phone, that reminded me quite a lot of a Stephen King kind of story. Besides the djinn what I found myself enjoying most was the look inside the culture of those who believe in djinn. Discussions of women, their traditional clothing, why they wear it, and how this seems to anger people. Mosques, religion and just being people. The illustrations are also beautiful, a mix of style and colors that really capture the story, and highlight the text.

People with an interest in folk lore or mythology will enjoy this quite a bit. Also this would be a very good read for role players, as there are a lot of tricks, and different djinn that one can read about and use to build adventures with.

I loved how well researched the origin of these cultural stories and phenomena are. It's wrapped up in a bow of great graphic design, illustrations, and legends about djinn through many eras and places.

This book was really interesting. There are a lot of stories about the Djinn, and they are often told in a conversational way. It felt as though I was hearing the stories from people who encountered the Djinn in real life. Because there were stories from around the world, the book evokes a sense of the fantastic that exists in the real world. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC via Netgalley.

Yasmin’s Djinnology is designed around a conceit that it is a report about the Djinn. In actually, it is a mixture of folklore and short stories featuring Djinn. The layout and artwork contribute to the idea of a research manuscript.
The short stories, and they are short, highlight aspects of folklore. By and large, the folklore is far more interesting. Yasmin draws upon various traditions and stories. Where diverging stories occur, they are examined. There is quite a bit in the folklore section and that section alone, without the short stories.
This isn’t to say that the short stories are bad, but, in general, they are not particularly grabbing. There are two stories that rise above the others - one about a Djinn and a cell phone, the other set in London. But the important thing about the stories is that they showcase how stories and beliefs travel as well as highlighting the fact that in many eras culture and religion are not bound by man made geographic borders. Considering the importance of stories in a multicultural society this was a nice touch. The stories cover various places and times – not just the Middle East but London, Montreal, and New Jersey, making the book global and tying in nicely with the conceit.

This book is for all of us kids who grew up loving the Ology series and wanted to hear more non-European-centered stories. I knew of djinn before reading, but I am not Muslim and did not grow up in an Islamic culture. It was interesting to hear from a variety of perspectives on what a djinn could be and how they influence our world. People familiar with the ATU Index may see some similar patterns to stories involving the fae and shapeshifters. In continuing it’s likeness to the Ology series, the fictional author Dr. N, mentions mysterious happenings and government conspiracies in connection with their ongoing research. I found this plot line to move slowly and not resolve as I would’ve liked. But it doesn’t take away from the fascinating stories shared from a variety of people, places, and time periods involving djinn, even in the modern day. The illustrations I found interesting, though sometimes disturbing. Also, unlike the Ology series, images are usually separated from text on their own pages rather than interspersed within the text itself. I think this, plus some more mature subjects mentioned (not graphicly so), lends this book to older teens and adults with interest in the paranormal and esoteric. I pride myself on my knowledge of such subjects, but still discovered a lot that I did not know about the djinn and Islamic folktales in general.

I went into this book knowing nothing about Djinn and I feel like I learned a bit about it. A very fun read and was very enjoyable to look at even with the interesting page structure and decent artwork throughout.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the way it was formated and learning about this type of subject. I love learning about it and when it is told in such a captivating and educating way it makes me really happy as a reader