The Jinni’s Last Wish
A servant of the Ottoman Empire, Olin, and his master, Chief Black Eunuch Mustafa Agha, watch over the sultan’s harem. Taken as a boy from his nomad life, Olin struggles with the cruelty around him as he’s often called to punish servants who have displeased their masters. He never imagines that his mercy given to a servant woman will change his destiny. The beautiful servant offers him a necklace that she claims holds a jinni inside. Olin believes the tale, a story from his childhood, to be an opium-driven fantasy. But when she’s accused of witchcraft, Olin discovers her claims to be true. What he doesn’t understand is the price and consequences that come with each wish.
This book was way more erotic than I expected. Almost every woman is described by the size of her breasts and buttocks. There is even an abusive sex scene. The chapters follow a pattern of sex and then exposition. Everything about the characters is told to the reader. I also noticed how different characters used the same phrases to describe objects or people, making voices interchangeable.
The author doesn’t pin down her story to a particular time period, and historical setting details are light. There is potential for a fascinating exploration of consequences resulting from wishes, but this is underutilized. One editing note: in the last chapter, a main character’s name is misspelled multiple times.
This is a book about a harem, so I get there’s going to be sensuality. But to characterize these women and men as little more than lust-driven creatures without other interests or needs is disappointing. However, for readers who prefer lots of heat with a sprinkling of magic and a dash of historical setting details, this book delivers.
