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Djinn-Son Duology #2
Earth Boy
Journeying to the world of djinns was never going to be easy; Wahid just didn’t know it would be this hard. Is his traveling companion – the Devil called Iblis – a worthy friend, or a sinister enemy? And what manner of underworld beast will assault them next as they look for the soul of Maheen? Whatever the answers are, Wahid sure isn’t in Karachi anymore. And if he fails, we will all fall to the coming of … Dajjal.
Earth Boy takes the fast pace of Fire Boy up a notch, delivering a stunning climax but also a meditation on what it means to grow up
Earth Boy takes the fast pace of Fire Boy up a notch, delivering a stunning climax but also a meditation on what it means to grow up
Unknown Binding
First published April 1, 2017
About the author
Sami Shah
12 books110 followersSami Shah is a multi-award winning comedian, writer, journalist and broadcaster.
Sami’s autobiography, I, Migrant, was nominated for the NSW Premier's Literary Award, the WA Premier's Literary Award, and the Russell Prize for Humour Writing.
He has also written Boy of Fire and Earth, a critically acclaimed urban fantasy novel, and Islamic Republic of Australia, a non-fiction exploration of religious belief.
Sami has also contributed multiple essays and short stories to various anthologies and collections, and most recently wrote the satirical Gadfly column for The Saturday Paper.
Sami Shah is the Ambassador-at-Large for PEN Melbourne
Sami’s autobiography, I, Migrant, was nominated for the NSW Premier's Literary Award, the WA Premier's Literary Award, and the Russell Prize for Humour Writing.
He has also written Boy of Fire and Earth, a critically acclaimed urban fantasy novel, and Islamic Republic of Australia, a non-fiction exploration of religious belief.
Sami has also contributed multiple essays and short stories to various anthologies and collections, and most recently wrote the satirical Gadfly column for The Saturday Paper.
Sami Shah is the Ambassador-at-Large for PEN Melbourne
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August 29, 2017This is basically the second half of Fire Boy and I'm not really sure why it was published as two books. It's one in two halves. (Also: definitely not YA despite the title.)
Fantasy with a lot of horror elements set in modern Pakistan, mostly Karachi, with excursions to the world of the djinn. The mythology is used brilliantly and evocatively, and is often very scary, but there's a lot of humour as well. If you like Neil Gaiman before the ponderousness set in, you'd like this. The writing is mostly excellent (with a weird tick about repeated speech tags an editor should have fixed); it's a vivid fun fast-paced adventure that I enjoyed hugely, with a lot of things to say about religion and the state of the country.
I will say, this has the same issue as part one (obv, it's the same book) of an almost complete absence of women (literally two, with a handful of lines between them). This is hardly a problem unique in male fantasy writers (side eyes The Stress of Her Regard) and this author writes with a lot of emotional intelligence and heart. This half of the book is also very much about male anger and destructiveness, including in the way women are treated, and I suspect it wouldn't have felt like such an issue in the first book if I'd read it as one entire work. I'd put money the author will improve on that in the future. Shah's story in The Djinn Falls in Love & Other Stories was one of the standouts of an excellent collection, and I will be right there for whatever he comes up with next.
Fantasy with a lot of horror elements set in modern Pakistan, mostly Karachi, with excursions to the world of the djinn. The mythology is used brilliantly and evocatively, and is often very scary, but there's a lot of humour as well. If you like Neil Gaiman before the ponderousness set in, you'd like this. The writing is mostly excellent (with a weird tick about repeated speech tags an editor should have fixed); it's a vivid fun fast-paced adventure that I enjoyed hugely, with a lot of things to say about religion and the state of the country.
I will say, this has the same issue as part one (obv, it's the same book) of an almost complete absence of women (literally two, with a handful of lines between them). This is hardly a problem unique in male fantasy writers (side eyes The Stress of Her Regard) and this author writes with a lot of emotional intelligence and heart. This half of the book is also very much about male anger and destructiveness, including in the way women are treated, and I suspect it wouldn't have felt like such an issue in the first book if I'd read it as one entire work. I'd put money the author will improve on that in the future. Shah's story in The Djinn Falls in Love & Other Stories was one of the standouts of an excellent collection, and I will be right there for whatever he comes up with next.
March 27, 2023
I can honestly say that I’m really disappointed I didn’t review this book sooner. I read it ages ago and I took my sweet time procrastinating, which means I don’t remember any of the notes I made – mentally, of course – while I read it. Which now means I don’t remember all of the completely valid, very relevant things I had to say about this.
The reason this is a shame is because there’s lots and lots of stuff to talk about in this book. With its status as a rare fantasy entry in a country which primarily deals in contemporary fiction about religion and terrorism and global politics, it’s inevitable that Sami Shah’s work would produce ample material for me to pour over. Not only that, but this is a fascinating title, full of very interesting creatures that Shah has taken the time to research and incorporate.
Wahid and Iblis walked through the hole in the wall, and into another world.
I mean, take Iblis, for example. In Islamic theology, Iblis is just another name for the devil, which means we start off our second part of this duology with the hero setting off on a journey into an unknown world with the devil by his side. Imagining a set-up as cool as this and then delivering is something that Shah does well, pulling in multiple other creatures into his story. However, the fact that most of the story line is largely episodic is also one of this book’s major flaws, with Wahid moving from an encounter with one creature to another completely different one. While this means that the world building itself is interesting, the narrative arc gets somewhat affected, making it weak and not holding as much interest as a single, fluid story line would have.
‘I’m scared, if that makes you feel any better.’
‘Thank you, I suppose it will have to do.’
The female characters also continue to serve absolutely no purpose, with Maheen, the girl whose soul Wahid has set out to save, existing only as a reward for the hero to attain at the end of this journey. Wahid’s mother is equally pointless, which is a sad turn of affairs, because unlike the usual clichéd formula of orphaned heroes in famous ‘Hero Journey’ stories Joseph Campbell-style (Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, etc.), our protagonist actually has a living, breathing parent who could provide solace and comfort. Conveniently, Wahid is gallivanting around looking for a lost soul for pretty much the entirety of this story, while his mother must (one guesses) run around looking for her lost son worried to death.
What also doesn’t help move our story along is the fact that Wahid is a singularly pointless character, unable to save himself in any situation whatsoever without help. Quite late in the story does the Dues ex machina kick in, with Wahid’s hitherto undiscovered powers suddenly appearing from nowhere, at the right time in conveniently the right place. In fact, a lot of times it is Wahid getting saved by either another creature, or by his suddenly discovered powers that enable him to get away unscathed. Funnily enough, for a book that fits best in the genre of bildungsroman, there is very little growth in the main character. At best, the only thing that improves in the book is the unending variety in the creatures we meet.
‘That’s why most people probably think djinns live in lamps and grant wishes dressed in turbans. It certainly stops them fearing us. Not like they used to in the old days.’
I said it in my review for the first part of this duology and I feel like I should say it again: major props are due to Sami Shah for attempting to incorporate most of what desis understand about supernatural creatures, which is an overlapping of religion and culture and history into one messy, amalgamated sort of folklore we all hear about in night late story telling sessions. Even more importantly, he doesn’t get scared of referencing what one can argue is a very major proponent of all the stories Pakistanis grow up hearing: the belief that jinns are real, based on the teachings of the Quran. Given that there is a whole surah in that holy book about the creatures and how they most definitely exist, lots of Pakistani kids grow up being told that jinn aren’t a figment of an over-imaginative imagination, but rather creatures who choose to remain invisible, but who might be lurking at the very next corner. Given how huge a part the Quran plays in our beliefs in supernatural creatures, I’m glad Sami Shah has incorporated it into the dialogue as well.
‘Religion is a changing thing. It evolves, if you will. The core belief may be the same. The Quran is unchanging after all. But the interpretations? Those shift and morph according to the moods of the time.’
I really, truly can’t talk about this book anymore given that I barely remember it. But what I do remember is enjoying it, and wanting to tell my best friend to read it, if only so we could discuss it the next time we met. For that, I’m going to give this book a ‘recommended’ rating, and hope that Sami Shah continues to churn out more of the same, maybe with a slightly better protagonist. Maybe even a female one?
**
I review Pakistani Fiction, and talk about Pakistani fiction, and want to talk to people who like to talk about fiction (Pakistani and otherwise, take your pick.) To read more reviews or just contact me so you can talk about books, check out my Blog or follow me on Twitter!
ORIGINAL UPDATE:
Oh god, haven't even reviewed the first part yet. Review to come, I promise!
The reason this is a shame is because there’s lots and lots of stuff to talk about in this book. With its status as a rare fantasy entry in a country which primarily deals in contemporary fiction about religion and terrorism and global politics, it’s inevitable that Sami Shah’s work would produce ample material for me to pour over. Not only that, but this is a fascinating title, full of very interesting creatures that Shah has taken the time to research and incorporate.
Wahid and Iblis walked through the hole in the wall, and into another world.
I mean, take Iblis, for example. In Islamic theology, Iblis is just another name for the devil, which means we start off our second part of this duology with the hero setting off on a journey into an unknown world with the devil by his side. Imagining a set-up as cool as this and then delivering is something that Shah does well, pulling in multiple other creatures into his story. However, the fact that most of the story line is largely episodic is also one of this book’s major flaws, with Wahid moving from an encounter with one creature to another completely different one. While this means that the world building itself is interesting, the narrative arc gets somewhat affected, making it weak and not holding as much interest as a single, fluid story line would have.
‘I’m scared, if that makes you feel any better.’
‘Thank you, I suppose it will have to do.’
The female characters also continue to serve absolutely no purpose, with Maheen, the girl whose soul Wahid has set out to save, existing only as a reward for the hero to attain at the end of this journey. Wahid’s mother is equally pointless, which is a sad turn of affairs, because unlike the usual clichéd formula of orphaned heroes in famous ‘Hero Journey’ stories Joseph Campbell-style (Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, etc.), our protagonist actually has a living, breathing parent who could provide solace and comfort. Conveniently, Wahid is gallivanting around looking for a lost soul for pretty much the entirety of this story, while his mother must (one guesses) run around looking for her lost son worried to death.
What also doesn’t help move our story along is the fact that Wahid is a singularly pointless character, unable to save himself in any situation whatsoever without help. Quite late in the story does the Dues ex machina kick in, with Wahid’s hitherto undiscovered powers suddenly appearing from nowhere, at the right time in conveniently the right place. In fact, a lot of times it is Wahid getting saved by either another creature, or by his suddenly discovered powers that enable him to get away unscathed. Funnily enough, for a book that fits best in the genre of bildungsroman, there is very little growth in the main character. At best, the only thing that improves in the book is the unending variety in the creatures we meet.
‘That’s why most people probably think djinns live in lamps and grant wishes dressed in turbans. It certainly stops them fearing us. Not like they used to in the old days.’
I said it in my review for the first part of this duology and I feel like I should say it again: major props are due to Sami Shah for attempting to incorporate most of what desis understand about supernatural creatures, which is an overlapping of religion and culture and history into one messy, amalgamated sort of folklore we all hear about in night late story telling sessions. Even more importantly, he doesn’t get scared of referencing what one can argue is a very major proponent of all the stories Pakistanis grow up hearing: the belief that jinns are real, based on the teachings of the Quran. Given that there is a whole surah in that holy book about the creatures and how they most definitely exist, lots of Pakistani kids grow up being told that jinn aren’t a figment of an over-imaginative imagination, but rather creatures who choose to remain invisible, but who might be lurking at the very next corner. Given how huge a part the Quran plays in our beliefs in supernatural creatures, I’m glad Sami Shah has incorporated it into the dialogue as well.
‘Religion is a changing thing. It evolves, if you will. The core belief may be the same. The Quran is unchanging after all. But the interpretations? Those shift and morph according to the moods of the time.’
I really, truly can’t talk about this book anymore given that I barely remember it. But what I do remember is enjoying it, and wanting to tell my best friend to read it, if only so we could discuss it the next time we met. For that, I’m going to give this book a ‘recommended’ rating, and hope that Sami Shah continues to churn out more of the same, maybe with a slightly better protagonist. Maybe even a female one?
**
I review Pakistani Fiction, and talk about Pakistani fiction, and want to talk to people who like to talk about fiction (Pakistani and otherwise, take your pick.) To read more reviews or just contact me so you can talk about books, check out my Blog or follow me on Twitter!
ORIGINAL UPDATE:
Oh god, haven't even reviewed the first part yet. Review to come, I promise!
June 3, 2022
This is a very able, very enjoyable sequel to Fire Boy we follow the adventures of Wahid, who grew up a fairly normal single child in Karachi only to discover he was part Djinn. I am not entirely sure why they are two books, I feel that since the first chapter of the second book reads as the next chapter after the last one of the first book and since neither are that big, it would have made more sense to publish them as a single book. Still, what do I know about publishing.
This second book is picking up the pace from the events in the first book, with Wahid being guided through strange intermediate lands from modern Pakistan to the world of Djinns. His guide, no less than the devil of Islamic mythology. There is a lot more in depth examination of this mythological world, which I enjoyed immensely. As a Westerner who loves fairy tales set in the modern world, this was a feast. I also really liked Wahid and his two best mates and I found them very believable; role playing geeks who live for fantasy and fiction, boys just becoming teenagers, who are navigating the restrictions of their world. Some of these restrictions relate to religion, but Wahid and his friends, while Muslim, are not fervent about their faith and so learning that so much of it is based on real stuff is as much a shock to them as it would be to any modern protagonist.
The ending was also really satisfying. It is sort of open ended, with the way open for Wahid to come back in other books, and with further revelations about the supernatural world of the Djinns to come, but it does finish the current story arc without expecting you to have to follow more books to see how it turns out.
Do not dream of reading this before the first book; you will get as much misery out of that as out of trying to read a book with all the first half of it's pages missing. And be careful! See how on goodreads, right after the title is a #2 in brackets? That #2 is NOT on the cover of the paperback and there is no warning that this is not a standalone book.
This second book is picking up the pace from the events in the first book, with Wahid being guided through strange intermediate lands from modern Pakistan to the world of Djinns. His guide, no less than the devil of Islamic mythology. There is a lot more in depth examination of this mythological world, which I enjoyed immensely. As a Westerner who loves fairy tales set in the modern world, this was a feast. I also really liked Wahid and his two best mates and I found them very believable; role playing geeks who live for fantasy and fiction, boys just becoming teenagers, who are navigating the restrictions of their world. Some of these restrictions relate to religion, but Wahid and his friends, while Muslim, are not fervent about their faith and so learning that so much of it is based on real stuff is as much a shock to them as it would be to any modern protagonist.
The ending was also really satisfying. It is sort of open ended, with the way open for Wahid to come back in other books, and with further revelations about the supernatural world of the Djinns to come, but it does finish the current story arc without expecting you to have to follow more books to see how it turns out.
Do not dream of reading this before the first book; you will get as much misery out of that as out of trying to read a book with all the first half of it's pages missing. And be careful! See how on goodreads, right after the title is a #2 in brackets? That #2 is NOT on the cover of the paperback and there is no warning that this is not a standalone book.
December 31, 2017
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I read Fire Boy which is the first book of the series ( my review). It wowed me: djinns, the devil, saving a soul and finding out who one’s parents are. It was so amazing. I knew that I would read Earth Boy as soon as I could.
It’s a duology, so if you only like reading completed series, then this might be right up your alley. Since it’s the second book, I’ll try not to include spoilers.
It’s #ownvoices on Pakistani representation.
__
One of the characters calls out Wahid’s disbelief in djinns. Wahid states that who would find it more possible to believe in other mythical creatures – stories that come from foreign countries – because he’s read about them. I had a good laugh while reading this exchange.
We find out who Badshah is and seriously this was like the coolest revelation I’ve read in a fantasy book in a long time. I love what he personifies and I think he’s the character that I most loved.
As I mentioned in my review of the first book, I was so excited about the fact that Wahid had asthma. His asthma wasn’t ignored in this book either. It didn’t play such a big role but some people who have asthma have times in which it is less of an obstacle, so I am of the opinion that the representation was good.
I did find the book lacking one thing and that is the presence of more non-male characters. I feel like this would have made the book even better, however it was still amazing.
Some of the passages in this book were downright creepy. I had shivers up and down my back while reading. It was a thrilling experience.
I always read the author’s acknowledgements and I tell you, Sami Shah’s acknowledgements were so scary. If you get scared easily, don’t read them after dark. It was fun to learn where he got his inspiration from and I thoroughly enjoyed the insight other than the fact that I totally got goosebumps.
I read Fire Boy which is the first book of the series ( my review). It wowed me: djinns, the devil, saving a soul and finding out who one’s parents are. It was so amazing. I knew that I would read Earth Boy as soon as I could.
It’s a duology, so if you only like reading completed series, then this might be right up your alley. Since it’s the second book, I’ll try not to include spoilers.
It’s #ownvoices on Pakistani representation.
__
One of the characters calls out Wahid’s disbelief in djinns. Wahid states that who would find it more possible to believe in other mythical creatures – stories that come from foreign countries – because he’s read about them. I had a good laugh while reading this exchange.
We find out who Badshah is and seriously this was like the coolest revelation I’ve read in a fantasy book in a long time. I love what he personifies and I think he’s the character that I most loved.
As I mentioned in my review of the first book, I was so excited about the fact that Wahid had asthma. His asthma wasn’t ignored in this book either. It didn’t play such a big role but some people who have asthma have times in which it is less of an obstacle, so I am of the opinion that the representation was good.
I did find the book lacking one thing and that is the presence of more non-male characters. I feel like this would have made the book even better, however it was still amazing.
Some of the passages in this book were downright creepy. I had shivers up and down my back while reading. It was a thrilling experience.
I always read the author’s acknowledgements and I tell you, Sami Shah’s acknowledgements were so scary. If you get scared easily, don’t read them after dark. It was fun to learn where he got his inspiration from and I thoroughly enjoyed the insight other than the fact that I totally got goosebumps.
November 3, 2018
Most people think djinns live in lamps and grant wishes while dressed in turbans. Nothing further from the truth. Djinns are terrifying, capricious and proud creatures. Made of fire, they're stronger, faster and deadlier than any human. When you meet one, don't ask him for a favour. Be polite and careful not to offend him. Who knows, maybe you'll survive?
Shah's Fire Boy and Earth Boy duology (in some regions published as a single volume called Boy of Fire and Earth) blew my mind. I loved this book. It's a dark, funny, and compelling urban fantasy tale based in Pakistan's biggest city - Karachi. A young boy, Wahid, comes to terms with his unique abilities and sets out on an adventure to recover the soul of the girl he loves from vengeful djinns.
Helped by the devil himself, Wahid will cross the line between worlds and explore Sufi mysticism. Sounds New-age-y? It shouldn't. Shah's raw talent, unexpected turns and twists, and an intelligent plot make this tale compelling and genuinely surprising.
As a westerner, I found the eastern setting and mythology fascinating and fresh. From Dajjal to the djinns or Pichal Pairee — the novel introduces various Islamic mythical creatures in all their splendour. The mythology and cosmology derived from Qur'an explore the notion of the multiverse and thin layers between mythical and physical. I absolutely loved the passages of the book that delved into metaphysics and theology. Plus, Iblis (The Devil himself) shines as a secondary character.
Wahid is a dorky, instantly likeable protagonist. He loves comic books and fantasy and has no idea how to approach the girl he likes. Following him on the journey of self-discovery never failed to entertain (or terrify). While Wahid's arc builds upon Chosen One and Coming of Age tropes, it does so with great style.
I think some readers may have a problem with females' representation in the book - the ones we meet are perfect victims, old hags, or flirtatious types.
The tone of the book switches between funny and gritty. When the story gets violent, it pulls no punches. Some scenes and deaths shocked me. Djinns get terrifying and I'm thoroughly impressed with their portrayal.
The city becomes a character as well (literally). Shah loves Karachi. Deeply. I've never been to Pakistan, but somehow he made me feel what it would be like to walk through vibrant and dangerous streets of this city. Home to over a dozen ethnic communities, Karachi is diverse and volatile, sometimes frightening but also magnificent. The Fire Boy reads like a dark ode to Karachi displaying its darkest secrets. I need to go there one day.
It seems the author intended the duology to be a single volume. In the West it's published as two books, in India as one. My advice - don't treat it as a duology. It doesn't work as one at all. That's why I rate both books as one.
Shah's Reap short story shines in Djinn Falls in Love anthology. The combination of Shah's talent, creativity and engaging storyline propel Fire Boy and Earth Boy to my 2018' best reads.
Shah's Fire Boy and Earth Boy duology (in some regions published as a single volume called Boy of Fire and Earth) blew my mind. I loved this book. It's a dark, funny, and compelling urban fantasy tale based in Pakistan's biggest city - Karachi. A young boy, Wahid, comes to terms with his unique abilities and sets out on an adventure to recover the soul of the girl he loves from vengeful djinns.
Helped by the devil himself, Wahid will cross the line between worlds and explore Sufi mysticism. Sounds New-age-y? It shouldn't. Shah's raw talent, unexpected turns and twists, and an intelligent plot make this tale compelling and genuinely surprising.
As a westerner, I found the eastern setting and mythology fascinating and fresh. From Dajjal to the djinns or Pichal Pairee — the novel introduces various Islamic mythical creatures in all their splendour. The mythology and cosmology derived from Qur'an explore the notion of the multiverse and thin layers between mythical and physical. I absolutely loved the passages of the book that delved into metaphysics and theology. Plus, Iblis (The Devil himself) shines as a secondary character.
Wahid is a dorky, instantly likeable protagonist. He loves comic books and fantasy and has no idea how to approach the girl he likes. Following him on the journey of self-discovery never failed to entertain (or terrify). While Wahid's arc builds upon Chosen One and Coming of Age tropes, it does so with great style.
I think some readers may have a problem with females' representation in the book - the ones we meet are perfect victims, old hags, or flirtatious types.
The tone of the book switches between funny and gritty. When the story gets violent, it pulls no punches. Some scenes and deaths shocked me. Djinns get terrifying and I'm thoroughly impressed with their portrayal.
The city becomes a character as well (literally). Shah loves Karachi. Deeply. I've never been to Pakistan, but somehow he made me feel what it would be like to walk through vibrant and dangerous streets of this city. Home to over a dozen ethnic communities, Karachi is diverse and volatile, sometimes frightening but also magnificent. The Fire Boy reads like a dark ode to Karachi displaying its darkest secrets. I need to go there one day.
It seems the author intended the duology to be a single volume. In the West it's published as two books, in India as one. My advice - don't treat it as a duology. It doesn't work as one at all. That's why I rate both books as one.
Shah's Reap short story shines in Djinn Falls in Love anthology. The combination of Shah's talent, creativity and engaging storyline propel Fire Boy and Earth Boy to my 2018' best reads.
May 20, 2018
3.5? TLDR: Has issues, but the author might be worth looking for in the future.
There is an awful lot of walking and sleeping in this book. :/ And it's a short book.
I was hoping I would enjoy this volume a bit more given that people were saying it's faster paced than volume one. And to be clear, you're really not going to be at all satisified just reading Fire Boy as these are two halves of one novel, not a novel and it's sequel. There is more action I guess, however, this volume feels simultaneously too linear, and structurally disjointed. As a set, these books have a lot going for them in terms of setting and style, and some good characters, though I never felt as engaged with them as I think I should have. It's also very violent in ways that make me give some serious side-eye to people categorizing it as YA, though I can understand a bit why they are.
I would say both books stayed just barely over the level of engagement needed to keep me turning pages. I believe this is a first novel though, and definitely think the author has potential, so I'm curious to see what he produces in the future.
There is an awful lot of walking and sleeping in this book. :/ And it's a short book.
I was hoping I would enjoy this volume a bit more given that people were saying it's faster paced than volume one. And to be clear, you're really not going to be at all satisified just reading Fire Boy as these are two halves of one novel, not a novel and it's sequel. There is more action I guess, however, this volume feels simultaneously too linear, and structurally disjointed. As a set, these books have a lot going for them in terms of setting and style, and some good characters, though I never felt as engaged with them as I think I should have. It's also very violent in ways that make me give some serious side-eye to people categorizing it as YA, though I can understand a bit why they are.
I would say both books stayed just barely over the level of engagement needed to keep me turning pages. I believe this is a first novel though, and definitely think the author has potential, so I'm curious to see what he produces in the future.
October 28, 2017
3.5/5.
Man, the sheer joy of reading a fantasy that is grounded in YOUR local lore, is almost enough to make me give this book all the stars. I really, really loved seeing the Djinn myths featured so prominently here.
Another thing I appreciated was Sami Shah not pandering to the white gaze. No overwrought, hyperbolic descriptions of anything (Looking at you, Nadeem Aslam), Shah avoids bogging down his story with helpful "LET ME EXPLAIN OUR EXOTIC LIVES" themed paragraphs. But at the same time, a more rigorous pruning would have helped; there were times when I thought "Why is he telling me this? Is this really important for me to know right now?".
Characterization was a bit weak especially the wimmenz. Damsel-in-distress, supportive mommy, CHECK, CHECK. but man, I loved what a giant fucking geek Wahid was. Bonus points for all the references any Lyceum/equally snotty A Level student would get.
Breezy, fun read.
Man, the sheer joy of reading a fantasy that is grounded in YOUR local lore, is almost enough to make me give this book all the stars. I really, really loved seeing the Djinn myths featured so prominently here.
Another thing I appreciated was Sami Shah not pandering to the white gaze. No overwrought, hyperbolic descriptions of anything (Looking at you, Nadeem Aslam), Shah avoids bogging down his story with helpful "LET ME EXPLAIN OUR EXOTIC LIVES" themed paragraphs. But at the same time, a more rigorous pruning would have helped; there were times when I thought "Why is he telling me this? Is this really important for me to know right now?".
Characterization was a bit weak especially the wimmenz. Damsel-in-distress, supportive mommy, CHECK, CHECK. but man, I loved what a giant fucking geek Wahid was. Bonus points for all the references any Lyceum/equally snotty A Level student would get.
Breezy, fun read.
November 25, 2017
Pakistan is a place loaded with jinn. The author, Sami Shah, grew up in the midst of them, inundated with stories and tales. His sister at three would see the head of a jinn in her bathroom and scream. In their abandon Ned storage room their lived a jinn who would damage a TV set if it went on too late.
Enough on the author, Iblis the leader of the jinn had been cast out of heaven for refusing to bow down to Adam. It was not that Humans were inferior lumps of clay , but rather that they were given Allahs greatest gift, the power to create. For this he refused to bow and so he was exiled to the earthly plain banished from Heaven and the realm of the jinn. Once the quiyamat is over Iblis will burn in fire but ultimately he will be redeemed.
Dajal is a one eyed devil who longs for the destruction of mankind so he can return to then Earth and rule over it. He might not be a jinn but he is one powerful demon. Back in biblical times King Solomon had a ring that could control jinn. He used the ring to build Jerusalem and his temple. The Jinn were forever incensed about this. What would happen if the ring were go fall into the wrong hands?
Interesting questions. So Wahid hooks up with Iblis and together they venture the world of the jinn. Their first stop is a white mosque were Wahid must free someone who has been chained up a real long time. After freeing someone they meet Alexander the Great. They find Gog of Magog and realize they must get through where those warriors are imprisoned to get to Kaf, the fabled city of the jinn .
Iblis cannot go with him and Wahid does not get the welcome he so desired. He is still on his quest to free Maheen. Things do not go without a hitch. Someone is killing jinn and kidnapping them . First they thought it was Wahid, so then send him to find the jinn killer.
Wahid has adventures with jinn, the Pakistani secret service and raging zombies from the dead. In the end he finds out the mystery of his birth and how to use his powers. A couple of people from the first book make a reappearance. Professor Rahim who denied the existence of jinn and Badshah the seven year old king of Karachi. Remember never mess with the jinn. They can be tricksters with their own agenda.
Enough on the author, Iblis the leader of the jinn had been cast out of heaven for refusing to bow down to Adam. It was not that Humans were inferior lumps of clay , but rather that they were given Allahs greatest gift, the power to create. For this he refused to bow and so he was exiled to the earthly plain banished from Heaven and the realm of the jinn. Once the quiyamat is over Iblis will burn in fire but ultimately he will be redeemed.
Dajal is a one eyed devil who longs for the destruction of mankind so he can return to then Earth and rule over it. He might not be a jinn but he is one powerful demon. Back in biblical times King Solomon had a ring that could control jinn. He used the ring to build Jerusalem and his temple. The Jinn were forever incensed about this. What would happen if the ring were go fall into the wrong hands?
Interesting questions. So Wahid hooks up with Iblis and together they venture the world of the jinn. Their first stop is a white mosque were Wahid must free someone who has been chained up a real long time. After freeing someone they meet Alexander the Great. They find Gog of Magog and realize they must get through where those warriors are imprisoned to get to Kaf, the fabled city of the jinn .
Iblis cannot go with him and Wahid does not get the welcome he so desired. He is still on his quest to free Maheen. Things do not go without a hitch. Someone is killing jinn and kidnapping them . First they thought it was Wahid, so then send him to find the jinn killer.
Wahid has adventures with jinn, the Pakistani secret service and raging zombies from the dead. In the end he finds out the mystery of his birth and how to use his powers. A couple of people from the first book make a reappearance. Professor Rahim who denied the existence of jinn and Badshah the seven year old king of Karachi. Remember never mess with the jinn. They can be tricksters with their own agenda.
October 27, 2018
Once again, Sami Shah does not disappoint with “Earth Boy” due for release: April 2017.
Picking up where we left off in “Fire Boy” we continue with Wahid’s journey – Wahid, the boy from Pakistan who has an unusual talent of seeing what others can’t.. He can see jinn. In a freak accident that he’s been blamed for, it appears jinn have stolen his friend’s soul and it’s up to Wahid to free her from jinn before it’s too late. Towards the end of Fire Boy, Wahid meets an unlikely and untrustworthy ally – The Devil Himself. The book starts with Iblis’ (The Devil’s) story and continues Wahid’s quest to not only save his friend’s soul but to also determine what’s really going on in the jinn world and why are all these unexplained things are happening? In order for Wahid to succeed, Wahid has to learn the true nature of his birth and potentially cross over into the parallel world of jinn.
Written just as well as the first book, this book had me on the edge of my seat and I truly advise readers to read this during daylight hours. Again, I found the referencing of Islamic belief in this urban fantasy story was accurate which made me enjoy this story even more. Although I finally have closure as to what happens next, I was gaping at Wahid’s story! I highly recommend this to the readers who enjoyed “Fire Boy” as you really wont be disappointed. You will gasp, cringe, gape and laugh throughout this story.
Many thanks to Fantasica Publishers for sending me an Advanced Review Copy in exchange for my honest review, it was an honour to read this and I look forward to the finished product when it hits the shelves in April 2017.
- Annie
Picking up where we left off in “Fire Boy” we continue with Wahid’s journey – Wahid, the boy from Pakistan who has an unusual talent of seeing what others can’t.. He can see jinn. In a freak accident that he’s been blamed for, it appears jinn have stolen his friend’s soul and it’s up to Wahid to free her from jinn before it’s too late. Towards the end of Fire Boy, Wahid meets an unlikely and untrustworthy ally – The Devil Himself. The book starts with Iblis’ (The Devil’s) story and continues Wahid’s quest to not only save his friend’s soul but to also determine what’s really going on in the jinn world and why are all these unexplained things are happening? In order for Wahid to succeed, Wahid has to learn the true nature of his birth and potentially cross over into the parallel world of jinn.
Written just as well as the first book, this book had me on the edge of my seat and I truly advise readers to read this during daylight hours. Again, I found the referencing of Islamic belief in this urban fantasy story was accurate which made me enjoy this story even more. Although I finally have closure as to what happens next, I was gaping at Wahid’s story! I highly recommend this to the readers who enjoyed “Fire Boy” as you really wont be disappointed. You will gasp, cringe, gape and laugh throughout this story.
Many thanks to Fantasica Publishers for sending me an Advanced Review Copy in exchange for my honest review, it was an honour to read this and I look forward to the finished product when it hits the shelves in April 2017.
- Annie
August 1, 2017
Why the hell this book and Fire Boy aren't a single volume mystifies me. I really enjoyed Fire Boy but it just ended after 300 pages with no resolution or cliffhanger. It just stopped. Then this book is only 250 pages and the last 10% or so of that is a Ln unnecessary memoir from the author after the story ended. Even the print wasn't that small. This could easily have been a 400-450 page single volume and far more satisfying for that. I just don't get it. But I'm not reviewing the publisher here, I'm reviewing the story. And the story is great. It's different urban fantasy, so deeply embedded in Pakistan and Islamic mythology. Often beautifully written, it's a clever and engaging novel. I recommend it. I also recommend the publisher seriously considers a single volume edition!
April 17, 2018
This is the sequel to Fire boy and I don't know why they weren't just published in one volume as Fire boy ended abruptly with no closure whatsoever. There was quite some time for me between the two volumes so I had forgotten what had happened exactly in the first book and the second book didn't read as well because of that. I would recommend you read them straight after each other and you will enjoy it more. Having said that, I really liked that the story was set in Karachi, Pakistan and there was quite a bit of horror with Jinns and other mythological creatures. I actually enjoyed the acknowledgements chapter the best, as it gives a background to the story ad it was quite scary as well!
October 17, 2020
Wonderful stuff, raw and unrefined in the very best way. More horrific fantasy than young adult adventure. Completes the story begun in Fire Boy. There is a long afterword where the author talks about the djinn that intersected his life. This reminded me of the stories of ghosts and spirits that I would hear growing up.
July 2, 2017
I'm just very sad this duology is over. I've never seen myself represented so fully in a piece of literature, even if it's full of jinn, witches with their feet pointing backward, the Devil and the Antichrist! Incredible.
July 18, 2017
I would have preferred it and Fire Boy as one book- some of the impact was lost because of characters I had forgotten about from the first book. but the stories in the Acknowledgements made it all worthwhile.
July 23, 2017
Fantastic story, and I enjoyed the WWI family story afterwards.
I can only hope that author Sami Shah is planning to give us many tales of Wahid's journey to Kaf or perhaps another longer, more detailed telling of Riffatullah's wartime experiences.
I can only hope that author Sami Shah is planning to give us many tales of Wahid's journey to Kaf or perhaps another longer, more detailed telling of Riffatullah's wartime experiences.
June 16, 2019
It’s been a long time since I’d read a book in less than 48 hours. Race against time or the race to find ‘what’s next’.
I read both ‘Fire Boy’ and ‘Earth Boy’ in a span of a week. Can only prove how entrenched was I in this.
Great work @sami shah
I read both ‘Fire Boy’ and ‘Earth Boy’ in a span of a week. Can only prove how entrenched was I in this.
Great work @sami shah
November 11, 2017
It’s not that I didn’t love this book, because I did, but it felt like the pacing was off and everything move too quickly towards the end and wraps up too quickly and nicely.
March 12, 2017
A fantastic sequel to an amazing debut!! This story picks up right where "Fire Boy" left off.. We learn of Wahid's birth in the first story, now this takes it up a notch as he continues on his quest to rescue his friend's soul and to determine what is really going on with the jinn activity. Just as well written as the first book, Islamic belief referencing in this fantasy fiction story was just as accurate, I found myself on the edge of my seat and gasping at different moments of the book. I finally have closure and you wont believe what happens to Wahid!!! (let's just leave it there to save you from spoilers) Highly recommend this to those who enjoyed "Fire Boy" you wont be disappointed. Many thanks to Fantasica Publishers for sending me an Advanced Review Copy in exchange for my honest review, it was an honour to read this!!! Blog to be posted soon.
June 21, 2017
I'm going to miss Wahid's adventures. An intense fantasy ride with a solid (and intriguing) conclusion.
May 3, 2017
Even better than the first book!
And isn't that rare that a sequel is actually more enthralling than the first book? I'll just say this. Get ready for an adventure in a world that you know nothing about. Is it scary? You bet. Playing on all our fears of terrorism and a religion a lot of us don't understand combined with a complex fantasy world, this amazing story is the best book I have read in a very long time.
And isn't that rare that a sequel is actually more enthralling than the first book? I'll just say this. Get ready for an adventure in a world that you know nothing about. Is it scary? You bet. Playing on all our fears of terrorism and a religion a lot of us don't understand combined with a complex fantasy world, this amazing story is the best book I have read in a very long time.
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