I read the first two books in this series several years ago and thoroughly enjoyed them. When I purchased this book I reread the first two books to refresh my memory of the story, then immediately went on to read this one. While the story itself was good, I was highly disappointed in how this book matched the first two. There were several discrepancies between the first two books and this; glaring mistakes, particularly about deaths, that left me wondering if Suzanne Fisher Staples had written this book without reviewing her prior works. I was also disappointed in the style of writing - despite being intended for young adults, I, now in my mid-20s, still enjoyed the first two books and felt drawn into them. This third book felt written by a much less experienced writer; someone who'd not yet written a great book and thus had no idea of what a great book could contain. Don't get me wrong - if you read the first two books, by all means read this one as well. Just don't be surprised if you're left feeling disappointed and empty at the end.

I read the first two books in this series several years ago and thoroughly enjoyed them. When I purchased this book I reread the first two books to refresh my memory of the story, then immediately went on to read this one. While the story itself was good, I was highly disappointed in how this book matched the first two. There were several discrepancies between the first two books and this; glaring mistakes, particularly about deaths, that left me wondering if Suzanne Fisher Staples had written this book without reviewing her prior works. I was also disappointed in the style of writing - despite being intended for young adults, I, now in my mid-20s, still enjoyed the first two books and felt drawn into them. This third book felt written by a much less experienced writer; someone who'd not yet written a great book and thus had no idea of what a great book could contain. Don't get me wrong - if you read the first two books, by all means read this one as well. Just don't be surprised if you're left feeling disappointed and empty at the end.

Shabanu has been in hiding from her murderous brother-in-law for ten years. The only way to protect her daughter, Muti, from this villain is to continue to feign her own death. Muti, who believes her mother is dead, is sent to live with her father's family in Lahore, Pakistan so that she can attend school. Living in a large family compound believed to be haunted by Djinn and run by a jealous, mean-spirited aunt, Muti is protected from the worst of Leyla's enmity by her kindly uncle Omar and beloved grandfather Baba. Leyla incessantly persecutes the girl under the radar of Baba, the leader of the Amirzal tribe of Pakistan. Muti describes this treatment to her cousin and confidant, Jameel, as "death by a thousand pinpricks." Jameel comes from San Francisco to spend summers with his grandfather. At fifteen, both young people have been devoted friends since Muti's arrival at the compund when she was five.

In a story filled with venality, betrayal and strong familial love, the author explores the clash of modernity with traditional Pakistani culture in the lives of two appealing young people. Staples, who understands both the conflict of cultures and the conflict of emotions of the young protagonists very well, also allows mysticism to play a role in this eloquent, wonderfully compelling novel.