The Jinn Daughter: A Novel (Hoopoe Fiction)

Layala is The Jinn Daughter, born to Illyas, the son of the sheikh, and Nadine, the jinn tasked with telling the stories of the dead. Nadine rises every morning to eat the seeds of the dead and tell their stories so they may pass on. Slowly, the seeds stop falling and Nadine discovers that Death herself is dying and needs another to take her mantle. Death wishes Layala to take her place. Nadine will do whatever it takes to keep that from happening.

Mythology and magic take prominence here, with a focus on Middle Eastern folklore. The stories that Nadine weaves are rich and vibrant, with the tale itself being full of interesting characters. You will meet Death, multiple jinns, Mother Earth and even ghouls in this magical land. The strongest story within this narrative is the one of a mother’s love for her child and how far she is willing to go to save her.

If you enjoy mythology and folklore, especially of a Middle Eastern variety, you will enjoy this story. It is full of strong female characters who know the importance of family and finding your purpose in a difficult world.