Suzanne Fisher StaplesThe House of Djinn (Shabanu Series)

For me it was like the first three quarters of the book was like reading a soap opera for children. I was going to just stop reading but then as I skimmed thru looking to see if it got any better, it did. The last part of the book was very good, returning to the theme of the first two books about traditional life in Pakistan. I don't think however that a 200 page book can be rightly called a book, nor be worth $8. I should have looked before I bought it.

"The House of Djinn" brings to a close the trilogy begun in "Shabanu, Daughter of the Wind", a Newbery Honor Book. I found all three books a fascinating glimpse into a culture and world that was totally unfamiliar to me. Although the books are fiction, the author states that the stories are based on actual interviews with women from the Pakistan region. "The House of Djinn" tells the story of Shabanu's daughter "Muti" as ancient traditions collide with modern ideas regarding a woman's role. One is left hanging about Shabanu's future, but there is hope that this independent, resourceful "daughter of the wind" will make her own way to happiness, as she always has.I would recommend this book for young people as well as adults. The story is well told and moves along at a fast clip.

A very magic realism-esque take on the dichotomy of being Pakistani and American. I like Mumtaz as a character more than shabanu, as she seems somehow more grounded. The whole Chloe plotline was very heavy handed tho, and detracted from the overall plot.

When reading this book, I felt as if its relation to the first book in the trilogy (the Newberry Award-winning "Shabanu") was something like the relationship of "Scarlett" to "Gone With the Wind." Whereas the first two (wonderful!) books focus on Shabanu and the intricacies of life in Pakistan and Pakistani society, "The House of Djinn" bounces its focus to Mumtaz and the heretofore unknown Jameel, while Shabanu herself appears barely twice. While the first two books are rich with detail on the landscape, cities, rituals, and intrigue, this book jumps clumsily from scene to scene, name-dropping skateboard tricks.I remember being left on the edge of my seat when "Haveli" ended, and after growing impatient with years of waiting for a resolution, visiting the author's website and discovering that she had never planned to write a third book at all. This felt akin to Tolkien's simply ending his books at the Two Towers with "Frodo was alive, and taken by the enemy." I was horrified. I couldn't have been happier when she decided to write this book to resolve those missing questions. Alas, the book is so rushed and thin on detail that it's almost as if it was written by someone else. It does NOT read like the grandchild of the Newberry Award-winning "Shabanu." I didn't connect with a single character in the book, even the ones I'd liked before. I'm bitterly disappointed...she resolved the issues only technically, as if saying "here's your book, now leave me alone."A final thought: this is the fourth book I've read by Suzanne Fisher Staples, and I've come to notice that every single one of them (the Shabanu trilogy and "Shiva's Fire") seem to end right in the middle of the climax. While open endings are appropriate for some stories, after a while it starts to feel lazy. Finishing her books with no sense of closure is jarring.Enjoy "Shabanu" and "Haveli," but stop there.

Great series. The first two books in the series are better, but this is good way to end it.

This is the third book in this trilogy. It's story about life in Pakistan as a young girl in a traditional household is disturbing with undertones of hope for the future. It's not an easy read but is well worth it.

Shabanu and Haveli have had far more effort and time devoted to storytelling than this book.This was a disappointment.

Beautiful. Shabanu, Haveli, and now The House of Djinn. Absolutely beautiful. Each one transports you. I couldn't put this book down and ended up reading it straight through. Strongly recommend this book.

The 3rd and final episode which started with Shabanu and Haveli. I chanced upon Shabanu and had to read Haveli to fnd out more, so when I realised there was one final book, it seemed silly not to finish the story. Unfortunatel it doesn't quite live up to the other two. It's now 10 years since the last book, and Mumtaz, Shabanu's daughter is a young woman. This follows her story as her beloved grandfather Baba dies, leaving succession of the family lands at risk. Unfortunately for me , it spends too long recapping the other stories, rather than progressing this one. It could therefore be read as a standalone. I'm glad to have finished the story and would thoroughly recommend both the author and this series. An unsung gem, albeit Shabanu did wint he Newbery medal.

Did not disappoint !!