"This novel is a short but impactful read that left a lasting impression on me. The story follows Nardeen, the sole survivor of a brutal attack that claimed the lives of her entire family. As we join her on her journey with Muallim Ishaq, we are transported to a society that is rife with political corruption and oppression. The author has done a fantastic job of weaving together elements of crime and historical fiction, which makes for an engaging and thought-provoking read.

One of the things that I loved about this book was the world-building. The author has crafted a vivid and immersive world that feels like it could be real. From the bustling streets of Abbasid Baghdad to the quiet corners of Nardeen's world, every detail is meticulously crafted and thought out.

Another thing that I appreciated about this book was the way that the author provided definitions for specific terms used in the book. This helped to deepen my understanding of the world that the author had created and made it easier to keep track of the various characters and factions.

Overall, I found this novel to be a fascinating and insightful read. The themes of political corruption, oppression, and power are explored in a nuanced and thought-provoking way that left me thinking about the story long after I had finished reading it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping and immersive read that is sure to leave a lasting impression."

THE DJINN'S APPLE is a historical novella set in late 8th century Baghdad, the city's golden era.

I loved getting a glimpse into the world of Abbasid Baghdad. This is a period of a vast caliphate that in its west is fighting against the Byzantines and expanding in its east deep into Central Asia. My knowledge about it comes from the fighting on the western border (the disadvantages of a Euro-centric education!), so I loved getting to see more of normal life in its heartlands.

The book looks at the consequences of political purges as Nardeen is trying to survive after her family falls afoul of palace politics - and also wanting revenge for their death. It is a tale of learning new skills, finding new family, and searching for the truth no matter how painful it is.

I enjoyed the tensions between Ishaq (her teacher and adoptive father) and the powerful lord who heads up the hospital; where they both work, who is linked to her parents death. It was a dense knit of conflicting motivations and raised the stakes for Nardeen as the lord had multiple reasons to want to kill her if he knew who she was - the last survivor of a massacre and also the student of his greatest rival. To complicate matters, Nardeen starts a relationship with the lord's son, who also has a past with Ishaq.

This is a translated novel, translated from the original Arabic by Sawad Husssain. It's a novel that showcases what a novella can be - a lot of plot, a lot of character development, and a lot of world building in a very short word count. It flows well, taking through the amount of information packed in so that you don't notice how much is coming at you, every word used for maximum effect.

The Djinn's Apple intwines historical fiction with a crime fiction heart. With themes of family, justice and just how far you could go to prove your families innocence and understand the mysteries that may have been the reason for the loss of your family.

"A ruthless murder. A magical herb. A mysterious manuscript" with rich world building and a main POV you cant help but get behind, The Djinns Apple is well worth a read.

This was a quick and enjoyable read. I liked the characters and the writing plus the story. I liked it enough to finish but did find it quite forgettable

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc