Hello, hello!
Well it’s getting chilly out there so it’s the perfect time to snuggle up with a good book! And if you are ready to be whisked away into a wonderful story, have I got one for you. This was yet another random bargain buy for me and I just love when it turns out to be fantastic. Get ready, here we go!
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only use products and companies I love and trust. For more formation please read my disclosure policy*
Exquisite Captive (Dark Caravan Cycle Trilogy Book 1)
By Heather Demetrios
YA Fantasy Fiction
Synopsis
Nalia is a jinni of tremendous ancient power, the only survivor of a coup that killed nearly everyone she loved. Now in hiding on the dark caravan—the lucrative jinni slave trade between Arjinna and Earth, where jinn are forced to grant wishes and obey their human masters’ every command—she’d give almost anything to be free of the golden shackles that bind her to Malek, her handsome, cruel master, and his lavish Hollywood lifestyle. Enter Raif, the enigmatic leader of Arjinna’s revolution and Nalia’s sworn enemy. He promises to release Nalia from her master so she can return to her ravaged homeland and free her imprisoned brother. There’s just one catch: for Raif’s unbinding magic to work, Nalia must gain possession of her bottle . . . and convince the dangerously persuasive Malek that she truly loves him.
My Thoughts
No Spoilers!
She had me hooked at the word “jinni” … I can honestly say this is the first book I’ve read about this particular subject matter, and I was not disappointed. I absolutely love the way the author was able to combine what the general public thinks about the Jin (the movie Aladdin is even mentioned) and add a terrific back story. The bottle, 3 wishes and the desire to be free are familiar aspects that the readers are comfortable with, therefore, the author is able to focus more on the characters and how they navigate between humanity, magic and duty.
The main character is Nalia, a 17-year-old high-caste jinni, and last of the royal line, who is owned by an abusive albeit charismatic young businessman named Malek, living in Los Angeles, CA. This book takes place in the present day all around the world, with some flashbacks and backstory taking place in Arjinna. When the story begins, Nalia has been slave to Malek for many years, and a coup has already taken place back in her home world of Arjinna. Although it may seem her spirit is crushed, she is eager to try for her freedom again when an opportunity arises in the form of Raif, a free jinni who offers the same to Nalia for a price. Nalia’s character is a humorous, yet strong and fiery woman who puts family above all else, even her own self. She is extremely relatable, and it’s easy to feel her triumphs, failures, conflict and resolve throughout the entire book.
The supporting male roles are Malek, her master, and Raif, a low-caste jinni and head of the revolution in Arjinna. I found it funny that when each of them was introduced, I really didn’t like either one. Malek is jerk and orders Nalia around without any regard to how it affects her. Raif is secretive and has basically already made up he mind to use Nalia for the greater good. Both of these characters have many layers to them that are slowly revealed to show the true motives and reasons for their actions. You, as the reader, are pretty much learning about them as Nalia is throughout the course of the book, with some extra insight added on Raif.
There is romance thrown in, but I like that this is not the main focus of the story and it kind of just explodes at a point in the book instead of working up to it. Seduction plays a big part in this book, and some readers might not appreciate the context surrounding it. However, I think is shows a true to life example of what price a person would pay for freedom and family. It also shows Nalia’s conflict between her duty to her people and her self-respect as her humanity comes to light.
Other perhaps “uncomfortable” subjects the author mentions in the book are the caste system, the slave trade (i.e. human trafficking) and abusive relationships. However, I believe these topics make the story more engaging and provides a deeper connection to the characters.
This is a trilogy (because really what isn’t these days) and while some things were resolved, it is definitely open ended to make way for the second book. I am interested to continue the story and hopefully get to travel to the jinni world of Arjinna soon!
No Comments