´On this earth, it wasn´t enough to be smart. Being smart can get you into all kinds of trouble that being stupid won´t´.
The genre of YA novels is a quite complicated domain, both for the writer and the reader. The interest on behalf of the readers belonging to this age category is high but the topic should be developed through twists and change of situations, able to keep the readers involved and entertained. Thus, there are not too many YA historical novels and/or murder mysteries that are really engaging. I am reading books for all possible age categories, but I often find difficult to find books to happily further recommend to parents of young readers.
The Djinn´s Apple by Algerian author Djamila Morani, translated into English by one of my favorite translators from Arabic, whose translated books I love to review, Sawad Hussain, it´s an outstanding exception. Set in Abbasid period - between 750-1258 - the golden age of Baghdad, when the current capital of Iraq became the center of culture, science and innovation in the region, it follows the tragical story of Nardeen.
She was born into Baramika family - ´Nardeen the Baramika, the teacher´s daughter, spawn of a demon´. Her father, a medical prodigy, was accused of poisoning Haroun Al Rashid´s cousin, Musa bin Ja´afar, and him and her whole family was slaughtered. Luckily escaped, she was adopted by another bright medical mind, who helped her to expand her medical knowledge acquired during the years when she accompanied her father.
Although she is growing up into a talented knowledgeable doctor, she is following secretly her plan of revenging the death of her family - ´It was enough for us Baramika to have the luxury of staying alive, and it would be enough for me to have the honour of killing the person who gaveme this luxury´.
As the story evolves, it is becoming more complex, touching upon the doctor´s moral responsibility towards their patients, but also the dynamic between characters. Indeed, Nardeen aims to revenge the tragedy that hit her family, but how far is she decided to go with her plans. The adjustments and changes of perspective happening during the story.
I also liked the historical and human ambiance of the book, and appreciated that although it creates a specific episode back in time, it does not overwhelms the reader with highly intellectual details of any kind. Even the information about the special plant - Djinn´s Apple , that´s is - and other poisonous potions are smoothly slided into the story.
The Djinn´s Apple is an enchanting YA murder historical novel, unique in both its topic and the approach. A recommended read for young readers and their parents, beautifully written and emphatically translated.
The cover also deserves its own appreciation, particularly the choice of colours.
Rating: 5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
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