Scan barcode
lezreadalot's review
3.0
A cute, fun read. I like that Adijan actually had to work through her problems and addictions and that they weren't just brushed aside, and I liked that we actually saw her grow. I was a bit worried about how Shalimar's MI would be treated, but I was really glad to see most people, including Adijan and the narrative, shut down the logic that said that she was 'childlike' and needed to be treated like one. And there were some good bits about agency and consent, and the romance was cute.
Not the greatest book ever, but still really fun.
Not the greatest book ever, but still really fun.
mysimas's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Traditional, linear quest story, with small subversions here and there: female lead, rich lgbt+ representation, Orient-like setting, strong focus on character development (Adijan really EARNS it. Hats off to you, girl!). There’s a bit of romance — Adijan’s main motivation is the rescue of the love of her life —, but no actual romantic scenes. The only real intimacy is shown between Adijan and the genie, because they’re kind of stuck together and sometimes that means sharing a bunk, but that’s about it.
Now to the downsides. The fact that all the men in this story wereeither the most villainous villains that ever villained, or fools, or freaking eunuchs was a bit of an eyeroller for me, not a dealbreaker though (does that make me a bad person lol). I also found it a bit peculiar that a character who’d gone through quite extensive sexual abuse* showed no signs of trauma/ptsd/vulnerability/anything. I mean, it kinda can be explained with the book going for a certain not too heavy tone I guess? But still. Oh, and the ending. The ending seemed somewhat overdone, too much drama and all, but the characters were engaging enough, so this I found a forgivable offense as I could spend a bit more time with them.
Interestingly, the love interest is unusual in that she displays a child-like mentality, in some respects. This could’ve turned out really yucky but didn’t, good job author. Also one of the characters is a homophobe, which could have turned out really offensive but didn’t, again good job author for successfully challenging that mentality.
Overall the story was a bit transparent but also really refreshing in all those details mentioned above and I had a good time reading it. Would recommend to anyone looking for this type of light entertainment.
*the sexual abuse is NOT described at any point. There are only (many) vague references.
Now to the downsides. The fact that all the men in this story were
Interestingly, the love interest is unusual in that she displays a child-like mentality, in some respects. This could’ve turned out really yucky but didn’t, good job author. Also one of the characters is a homophobe, which could have turned out really offensive but didn’t, again good job author for successfully challenging that mentality.
Overall the story was a bit transparent but also really refreshing in all those details mentioned above and I had a good time reading it. Would recommend to anyone looking for this type of light entertainment.
*the sexual abuse is NOT described at any point. There are only (many) vague references.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Rape
elusiverica's review
4.0
Adijan gets back from a business trip to find that her asshole brother-in-law has taken her wife Shalimar back to his house, and he plans to force them to get divorced. Adijan loves Shalimar more than anything, but a poor courier who was raised in a brothel has no chance of winning a legal battle against an influential man like Shalimar’s brother. Her only hope lies in the magical locket that has somehow wound up in her possession … except the being trapped inside it isn’t a traditional genie. The only wish she can grant is “give me the best sex of my life”, and she hates doing that, and hates everyone who’s ever demanded it of her. Adijan doesn’t like her much, but you can’t just leave someone as a sex slave, so they set off on a quest to free the genie and get Adijan’s wife back.
I think my favourite part of this is that Adijan fits a character trope that we see all the time, but pretty much never in women. She’s an eternal fuckup, with big dreams but a low-paying job she struggles to keep, she drinks too much and pisses everyone off, but deep down she has a good heart and loves her wife more than anything in the world. Kind of like if Homer Simpson were a cute Middle Eastern lesbian.
I think my favourite part of this is that Adijan fits a character trope that we see all the time, but pretty much never in women. She’s an eternal fuckup, with big dreams but a low-paying job she struggles to keep, she drinks too much and pisses everyone off, but deep down she has a good heart and loves her wife more than anything in the world. Kind of like if Homer Simpson were a cute Middle Eastern lesbian.
More...