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B-00-K
Posted September 5, 2012
Mina Khan’s Book, A Tale of Two Djinns is a blend of the medieval and the modern, of fantasy and realism. This was my first experience reading about Djinns and I loved it. I really enjoyed the imagery of the Djinns’ abilities over the elements.
Maya and Shay were trapped between their families and their people in a bitter situation that had dragged on too long. And what made the book so satisfying was that they refused to allow their family’s prejudice to affect how they felt about each other. Their relationship was at times sweet and at others sensually hot. Which to me is very satisfying as a romance reader.
Much better than Romeo and Juliet. Stronger characters, and the author has a beautiful voice. Her words just sang off the page.
MFRTX
Posted May 29, 2012
I enjoyed reading this story. The author always amazes me with the interesting plots. Djinns can live in the human world and their world which I found interesting because the worlds are so different. Fun read, sexy and good excitment.
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4.5 stars
BRIEF SUMMARY
Maya, princess of water Djinns needs to produce an heir. So, out of desperation and without marrying she decides to have a one night stand. The man she meets without knowing his identity is Akshay, prince of earth Djinns. Both families are feuding and with that comes assassins and complications.
THOUGHTS
This definitely felt like a Romeo and Juliet concept with a twist, then add a paranormal and fantasy feel to it and you’re left with excitement. Two Djinn families of different elements, earth and water are feuding. Prince Akshay of earth and Princess Maya of water will find themselves caught in the feud.
I love that Akshay and Maya first met while having a one night stand (steamy). This seems to be the main concept as Maya needs to provide an heir. After their one night stand everything fell apart as their identities weren’t known to each other and assassins tried annihilate them. Akshay and Maya’s connection was so endearing although they met under false pretenses. Akshay was a prince who would risk his crown for love and Maya, although she wanted to get back home started feeling things for Akshay. As the story unravels with the feud between earth and water Djinns and Akshay and Maya’s relationship a traitor is reveal. I was shocked for a few moments as I was surprise who the traitor was (really didn’t see that one coming) and their motives. I also found the climax of the story entertaining.
Jazz, Akshay’s brother definitely needs his own story. I fell in love with his character and think he is deserving of one. Overall, this was a very engaging paranormal / fantasy romance that has me falling in love with the author’s world of Djinns. I’ve been a fan since her first book, The Djinn’s Dilemma.
Length: Novella
Storyline: GOOD
Enjoyment: GOOD
Intimacy Level: SPICY
(Review originally posted at Book Lovers Inc)
After reading Mina Khan’s previous book, The Djinn’s Dilemma, I was charmed by the djinn characters, and supremely intrigued by the thought of further exploration of the djinn world she’d hinted at. A Tale of Two Djinns made precisely such an exploration, taking place almost completely in the djinn world and featuring a couple of djinn protagonists. Unsurprisingly, I loved the world-building and loved the characters.
I like how the main characters, Akshay and Mina, move from their initially physical, primal attraction to a progressively deeper understanding of each other’s personalities, their true selves beyond the titles and responsibilities that they’re otherwise known for. Notably, the attraction between Akshay and Mina was hot. ^_^ Playful and flirty at first, then progressively punctuated with sweet, smile-inducing bits. I’m not sure who I liked more of the duo; they worked so well in tandem because the quirks in one brought out the same in the other. Akshay’s strength and intensity to Maya’s firey will. His protectiveness to her nurturing. Their respective senses of loyalty. They rocked equally!
What was really interesting about the romantic development, however, was that it was based on deception. There are reasons–believable, understandable reasons–for the two main characters to hide crucial details about themselves, and by extension to prevent the other from getting too close. As a reader, nothing gets on my nerves quicker than the introduction of a profund misunderstanding between a potential couple just for the sake of (needlessly) prolonging a dilemma. This story had no such device, for the actions and behaviors were all included for reasons of self-preservation (literally and figuratively). That alone was a breath of fresh air amongst romantic plot devices.
While the djinn world setting was magical and surreal feeling, there was a fine grit of darker things coating the surface that I found intriguing. The ripple-effect brought on by conflict; the suddenness and seeming senselessness of loss; the consequences of misperceptions and prejudice. None of those things weighed down the tone of the story with their inclusion; rather, they provided some heft, a measure of realism.
There was a very important, relevant theme in particular that was laced throughout the story, and that was the oft-marginalized role of women in societies. The inclusion of this element was not too obvious, but rather demonstrated in small ways, and as part of the larger plot structure. There was one scene in particular in which a group of female royals sit by, secretly influencing decision-making with their wisdom, but limited in their ability to lay claim to such intelligence and evenhandedness. I found myself thinking about and paying closer attention to those cues, and by the end was left with more than the expected warm-fuzzies of a romance (of which there was plenty, mind you); I thought, “Well, what if I found myself in such a position? What would I do?” I love that I was thinking such things, above and beyond romance itself.
Because of its thematic complexity, its strong and magnetic characters, and its vivid setting, A Tale of Two Djinns is easily a keeper. I’m a fan of the author and the series now, and I truly can’t wait for the next foray into this world!
Alvin1
Posted March 25, 2012
Very well written characters, fast paced action, smoking hot love scenes, I love this book!
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Overview
Akshay, warrior prince of the earth djinns, earns the title of Crown Prince at a high cost when he loses his best friend in a battle against ancient enemies, the water djinns. Heartsick, he escapes to Earth to mourn.
Nothing gets the biological clock ...