Amir and the Jinn Princess

Amir, 12, lives in Lahore, Pakistan, and has been born into a privileged, powerful family. He initially appears as an arrogant and judgmental lad, raised to see the poor who work in his father’s brick company as deserving of their inferior circumstances. Inwardly however, he is more vulnerable, aching for his missing mother, a steadying and loving influence in his life. When it is announced that his father will remarry, Amir is determined to find his mother before that happens. He gets his opportunity when, having befriended a needy black cat, it morphs into a jinn, a supernatural being called Princess Shamsa. On the pretext of using Amir as her slave, she transports him to her kingdom, promising to help him find his mother. In return, Amir helps her reach her goal of gaining the throne of her realm.

Amir and Shamsa are portrayed as multilayered, evolving characters. Like Amir, Shamsa comes from a privileged background and, like him, is not seen as a contender in the family dynasty. But, unlike Amir, she longs to improve the conditions of the needy but lacks the required magical powers to do so. Amir cannot help contrasting her caring attitude with the heartless exploitation of the disadvantaged by his father. Through her, he credibly develops a moral conscience and determination to make changes. Amir’s analytical mind and Shamsa’s high ideals are mutually advantageous as they face one challenge after another, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from one adventure to the next.

The physical setting of the novel swings between modern day Pakistan and the timeless, fantastic jinn world. These spheres are deftly brought to life with vivid descriptions of place and culture featuring traditional Islamic customs and beliefs as well as mouth watering descriptions of exotic foods!! Though one can deduce the meaning of many of the Urdu words used, a glossary would be enriching.

Well-written and imaginative, Amir and the Jinn Princess is a page-turner, one replete with magical, fast paced adventure, strong ingenious characters and containing social and moral commentaries. Children will find the story both thought-provoking and a great read and will wish for more!!