The Jinn Daughter - by Rania Hanna

About the Book

"Nadine is a jinn tasked with one job: telling the stories of the dead. She rises every morning to gather pomegranate seeds-the souls of the dead--that have fallen during the night. With her daughter Layala at her side, she eats the seeds and tells their stories. Only then can the departed pass through the final gate of death. But when the seeds stop falling, Nadine knows something is terribly wrong. All her worst fears are confirmed when she is visited by Kamuna, Death herself and ruler of the underworld, who reveals her desire for someone to replace her: it is Layala she wants. Nadine will do whatever it takes to keep her daughter safe, but Kamuna has little patience and a ruthless drive to get what she has come for. Layala's fate, meanwhile, hangs in the balance. Rooted in Middle Eastern mythology, Rania Hanna deftly weaves subtle, yet breathtaking, magic through this vivid and compelling story that has at its heart the universal human desire to, somehow, outmaneuver death."--

Book Synopsis

A stunning debut novel and an impressive feat of storytelling that pulls together mythology, magic, and ancient legend in the gripping story of a mother's struggle to save her only daughter

Nadine is a jinn tasked with one job: telling the stories of the dead. She rises every morning to gather pomegranate seeds--the souls of the dead--that have fallen during the night. With her daughter Layala at her side, she eats the seeds and tells their stories. Only then can the departed pass through the final gate of death.

But when the seeds stop falling, Nadine knows something is terribly wrong. All her worst fears are confirmed when she is visited by Kamuna, Death herself and ruler of the underworld, who reveals her desire for someone to replace her: it is Layala she wants.

Nadine will do whatever it takes to keep her daughter safe, but Kamuna has little patience and a ruthless drive to get what she has come for. Layala's fate, meanwhile, hangs in the balance.

Rooted in Middle Eastern mythology, Rania Hanna deftly weaves subtle, yet breathtaking, magic through this vivid and compelling story that has at its heart the universal human desire to, somehow, outmaneuver death.

Review Quotes

"Lyrical and magical, The Jinn Daughter captivates with its fierce imagination and its visceral prose. Hanna spins a folkloric tale of family bonds and the power that the dead hold over the living. An extraordinary novel that will linger long after the final page!"--Helene Wecker, author of The Golem and the Jinni

"A beautiful, haunting homage to Middle Eastern folklore, The Jinn Daughter is a stirring tale of love, grief, and the depths we're willing to go to save our loved ones. Hanna's beautifully drawn, complex characters weave together a story that will find its way into your very bones and leave you wanting more."--Ehigbor Okosun, author of Forged by Blood

"Hanna seamlessly weaves compelling and complex characters into a lush tapestry of Middle Eastern folklore, creating a tragic, haunting world that is as dark as it is beautiful." --Samantha Sotto Yambao, author of Before Ever After

"A lush and mesmerizing story of motherhood and magic"--ELLE

"A moving tale of mothers and daughters, magic and mysticism, love and death. The Jinn Daughter offers fresh storytelling, rich characters and food for thought."--Ms. Magazine

"Compelling. . . . and its imagined world is vast and fascinating."--Washington Independent Review of Books

"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."--Seattle Book Review

"[One of] 10 exciting books to read this summer . . . this vivid new mythological fantasy is . . . influenced by rich Middle Eastern mythology and storytelling."--Book Riot

"Subtle but breathtaking." --Geek Girl Authority

"Author Rania Hanna delivers on immersing the reader in all things Middle Eastern mythology, folklore, food, and customs. I loved learning about the afterlife, the beliefs, and the history - both magical and real - relayed by the characters. I was plunged into a world that's mystical and new." --A Well-Read Tart

"A surprisingly emotional exploration of motherhood and grief" --Literary Quicksand

"Enchanting . . . spellbinding . . . readers will feel like they have stumbled upon an ancient text of legends and wisdom. . . . reminiscent of a mature and Middle Eastern Grimm Brothers tale. Ultimately, The Jinn Daughter will leave all who have the privilege to read it in a spellbound and wistful state of reflection."--The New Arab

"A hauntingly inimitable debut. . . . Bridging life and death with intimate relationships, grief, loss, hope, and love, Hanna's novel develops ominously from its first sentence."--Arab News

"A captivating read. . . . Lyrical language and descriptive world building make this a good recommendation for book discussion groups, and literary and fantasy readers."--Booklist

"A moving, imaginative tale of magic, myth, life and death, and a mother's love"--Shelf Awareness

"Lush . . . powerful . . . vibrant . . . provocative"--Foreword Reviews (starred)

About the Author

Rania Hanna is a Syrian-American writer and researcher. She is a neuroscience doctoral student at George Mason University. The Jinn Daughter is her debut novel. She lives in Northern Virginia.