Reviews tagging 'Child death'

The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years by Shubnum Khan

10 reviews

manderzreadz's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for granting me a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts:)
Wow did this book surprise me! I thought I was diving into a typical historical fiction about immigrants to South Africa during political upheaval but got so much more.
This book blends the physical and the spiritual, and touches on darker topics that leave you reflecting on what legacy you leave on those around you. 
I enjoyed the personification pieces about the house, you really got the atmospheric vibes. It was a tad slow at the beginning but I enjoyed it about 30% of the way through.

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ukponge's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0


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moonytoast's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

4.25


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flowchelle's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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eed8's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25


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bookmaddie's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0


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chelsaat's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A beautifully written gothic tale set in South Africa, featuring Indian immigrants both in the 1930s and 2010s. In the modern timeline we follow 15-year-old Sana, newly moved to the dilapidated and haunted Akbar Manzil estate, which houses a bickering community of tenants who are all a little broken. As Sana explores the estate and uncovers its heartbreaking history, we then see this history through the eyes of a djinn, who has haunted this house for at least a century.

I loved reading about both timelines and peeking into a subculture I didn't know much about. While both stories (the 1930s one especially) are emotionally devastating, dealing heavily in themes of loss and grief, I thought it was balanced from being TOO depressing by showing the small ways we can also make one another's lives better, and how love can be a balm against darker forces. The ending was poignant and bittersweet.

I did think the titular djinn was maybe too superfluous to the overall narrative. There are other ghosts and supernatural forces at play, and it seemed one element too many. But overall this was a really lovely debut from Khan and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

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fkshg8465's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A haunting story with a few Jane Eyre-like elements. Really enjoyed it, though I kind of feel guilty for liking it.

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jasminegalsreadinglog's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years by Shubnum Khan is a story that transports a reader into a house with a mind of its own. It reveals what it wants, when it wants. It carries a secret, and the protector of this secret is invisible.

Set in South Africa, this book revolves around Sana, a 15 year old girl who lives with her father. They move into a palatial mansion, where she gets to meet interesting neighbors. The house itself is an enigma, though. Sana starts exploring, and the house starts revealing its secrets to her. 
9
Sana and the Djinn have something in common. Though the Djinn is not exactly the main character of this book (sadly), Sana and the Djinn have parallel metaphorical stories. There's a lot underneath the layers of this story. It's sad in a lot of parts, but also beautiful when you read the whimsical friendship of the Djinn with Meena. I am not sure if this book exactly fits the bill of horror genre, and that's where a reader might struggle.

Thank you, Penguin Group Viking, for this book.

CW: Death, classism, racism, colorism, betrayal, suicidal thoughts, manipulation, infidelity, medical trauma, ghosts


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caseythereader's review

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dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Thanks to Viking Books for the free copy of this book.

 - As soon as I saw that THE DJINN WAITS A HUNDRED YEARS was compared to REBECCA, I knew I had to read it. And the comparison is apt, though this book is certainly its own work of art.
- I loved the slow unraveling of the family history in this book. There was no hurry here, and I was perfectly happy to follow along as the story carefully came into view.
- The cast of characters here is a delight, even amid the sadness. A house full of oddballs with their own secret histories, trying to find solace in themselves and with each other. 

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