Djinn City

Written by Saad Z. Hossain

Narrated by Fajer Al-Kaisi

From the author of the cult classic Escape from Baghdad!, comes one of The Guardian's Best Fantasy Books of the Year

Indelbed is a lonely kid living in a crumbling mansion in the super dense, super chaotic third world capital Of Bangladesh. His father, Dr. Kaikobad, is the black sheep of their clan, the once illustrious Khan Rahman family. A drunken loutish widower, he refuses to allow Indelbed go to school, and the only thing Indelbed knows about his mother is the official cause of her early demise: "Death by Indelbed."

But when Dr. Kaikobad falls into a supernatural coma, Indelbed and his older cousin, the wise-cracking slacker Rais, learn that Indelbed's dad was in fact a magician—and a trusted emissary to the Djinn world. And the Djinns, as it turns out, are displeased. A "hunt" has been announced, and ten year-old Indelbed is the prey. Still reeling from the fact that genies actually exist, Indelbed finds himself on the run. Soon, the boys are at the center of a great Djinn controversy, one tied to the continuing fallout from an ancient war, with ramifications for the future of life as we know it.

Saad Z. Hossain updates the supernatural creatures of Arabian mythology—a superior but by no means perfect species pushed to the brink by the staggering ineptitude of the human race. Djinn City is a darkly comedic fanlasy adventure, and a stirring follow-up to Hossain's 2015 novel Escape from Baghdad!, which NPR called "a hilarious and searing indictment of the project we euphemistically call 'nation-building.'"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Everand Productions
• Release date: Oct 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781094411835

Saad Z. Hossain

Saad Z. Hossain writes in a niche genre of fantasy, science fiction and black comedy which, on the balance of it, very few people actually want to read. Practical evidence aside, he has powered on in this direction. He studied English Lit and Commerce at the University of Virginia, a combination of studies completely impractical in real life. Due to the stunning unpopularity of his writing he has been forced to work in various industries. This includes digging holes, making rope, throwing parties and failing to run a restaurant. Needless to say, working for a living is highly overrated. He lives in Dhaka, the most ridiculously crowded city in the world, teaming with humans, wildlife, and djinn. His novels include Escape from Baghdad! and Djinn City. His short stories have appeared in anthologies A Djinn Falls in Love, The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year, Vol 12, and the Apex Book of World SF Vol 4.

Reviews for Djinn City

[Hanna Suganuma · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely great, very engaging, would love to read a follow up.

[k.kgosieng24 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars. It is an interesting story but some parts of it drag out too much. The world building is excellent but it's difficult to keep pace with the multitudes of simultaneous story lines.

[LynneGauthier · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting book. The end left a lot of loose ends. The sequel is better.

[carolyn skotko · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

And i quote "we hate kings we djin are Republicans mostly. " Rotflmao. Unexpected humor is amazing in this book. I'm a new fan ill be looking for more from this author after this. This book is such a hidden gem. Highly recommend. ?

[jerold paler · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The end left me hanging. I hope there will be ana actual sequel

[Kamilla Lucero · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The ending was unexpected and was confusing to me. Felt unfinished.

[carlaraath8422 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic story, perfect narrator, loved it from start to finish

[Lyn McKenna · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Great book storyline & narration. I felt the story didn't conclude or complete. It felt like ther should have been more to come for the characters & the story. Have to say a bit disappointed.

[calistacowan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story pulls you in and won’t let you go. Very enjoyable!

[marinacrossman · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Story is bland. Nothing seems to tie together. Everything is resolved through talking it over.

[Joyce Harout · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Jesus Christ this book is pure torture! It's like a bad physics/philosophy textbook. I got to chapter 15 before realizing that it was going nowhere!!!

[Henrik · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Unique and well written, would love a continuation of it!

[Rosemary Price · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book creates entire worlds …at once amazing ,outlandish …and believable .
ItiCarrying the reader along in a relentless tide of imagination sharing the breathless ride with a mixture of characters …some so real…
they could be your next door neighbours yet others so strange in both form and motivation they stretch one’s creativity of visualisation but somehow never one’s belief , wrapped as we are in a cosy bubble of suspended reality, bouncing along in the wake of the Authors multifaceted vision. A triumph sure to become a classic .
Well written and expertly narrated.
Phew ! What a journey ..su.ch a lot to take in ..once I have taken time to absorb and savour this great work of fantasy fiction …I look forward to reading (or listening to ) more ripping Yarns from this Author Highly Recommend

[Jahnell Williams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The characters, their conversations, their relatability. This was a surprisingly great book. I love the exploration and modernization of the mythology. And the narrator. Give that man an award or something. He kept it engaging without over doing it. On to Cyber Mage!

[Lucia Garcia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Delicious adventure that enveloped me step by step.
At some points it was a little slow, but the story is full of magic, intrigue, violence, politics, sarcasm... A wonderful understanding of the human condition and nature.
I really enjoyed it.

[Elena Kennedy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book I would highly recommend. Feels like a Neal Stephenson book

[Ruth Galicia-lopez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I truly enjoyed this book. The ending didn't seem like an ending, though. I hope there are more or that this will continue in a series.

[Susannah Scott · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

very enjoyable story, the non- ending was s disappointed though

[Matthew Moffett · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really solid fantasy. This should appeal to Gaiman fans or anyone who enjoys a fantasy set in modern times. Definitely want to read more from the author.

[Macro Macro · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not so thrilling story. A bit boring and slow many times

[Kim · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If people are mad that the ending, it’s because they want MORE- this was a lavish tapestry of characters, politics, and discovery. I hope this author keeps writing.

[Benny Vigil · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love this book. But the ending! If there is no sequel then it's a waste of time. 16 hours for some seriously literary blue balls. But still it's a good listen.

[Ryan Roberson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very fun read! Imaginative story, new magic, cool concepts. Superb

[katelyn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was a great book until the end. I really hope he plans to write a second book cuz if not that was an incredibly unsatisfactory ending. If there is a book 2 in the works then great cliff hanger!

[Sabers Phoenix · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved it. It’s a beautifully written with many levels of the story. I thought the ending was perfect. Instead of wrapping everything up in a neat bow, it leaves the reader thinking about the different directions that the story could go in.

[Jeannine · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a wonderful writer! I can’t wait to read everything else he’s written. So erudite and creativity.

[Kevin Wilcox · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The book was OK, but it wasn’t one of my favorites.

[Kobus Brönn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Can't wait for the sequel, really enjoyed this one, Thanks

[zoeyfai · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

very dense plot and characters. i enjoyed the process of listening to this book!

[fizzayounis88 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It started well but then went downhill. By the end, I wasn't even sure what the story was about. It's well-narrated though. So, that's a plus.