Come, Best Beloved, and sit you by my feet. I shall tell you a tale such as sister Scheherazade could have scarce imagined…
In the Nejd there is nothing at all…except secrets. A band of thieves wishes such secrets to remain hidden.
In England, far from his desert home, Ali bin-Massoud serves as apprentice to the famed Charles Babbage. One night a mysterious box is delivered by a clockwork … delivered by a clockwork falcon and Ali’s world is never the same again. Heartache, danger, and thieves mark his journey as Ali is summoned home at the death of his father.
It will take faith, knowledge, and yes, love to realize his destiny, and more than a little skill with steam-driven technology. Can he unravel the mystery of the puzzle box and the clockwork djinn before it is too late? An ancient legacy and Ali’s very life depend on his success.
Hear you the tale of Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn.
more
Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn by Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Ali-Mohammad is a fantastical book about combining both a fairy tale and a steampunk in this neat journey filled text. This book is a retelling of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.
Will Ali figure out the meaning of the clues his father left him? And can he keep that a secret?
Ali
Ali bin-Massoud is our main character, and he has a love for machinery. I love that he is different than his brother and father even though Ali and his brother, Kassim, don’t get along very well. The reason for that lies in the intricate plot of the book, so I can’t dive into that. Ali is an excellent character as he is devoted to his religion and to his culture instead of trying to fit in while he was in London. His love of machinery and tinkering around is great to see, as it is always the case for a steampunk book. I like how it was at the forefront of the novel as well.
Massoud
His father, Massoud bin-Farzeen, did something that I didn’t think sit very well for me, but now that I am thinking about it over while writing this review, it might be something that is in the culture for back then. He treated his first son, Kassim, different that his second born. Massoud gave Kassim whatever he wanted and teaches him all about the trading world and their family business. However, unbeknown to him, Kassim did hear when he was little that his new sibling was more the apple of Massoud’s eye than Kassim was. Massoud probably didn’t realize that he created this barrier between his two sons, but he seems like he was a gentle soul from the memories that we get to see with each son.
Kassim
Kassim bin-Massoud is the first son of Massoud and the heir to everything but what he wanted more. He wants the black diamonds that his father kept from him. He is a bit of a spoiled brat in my mind as with everything else that he does. Let’s just say that he didn’t end things right. Kassim is also a character that I think the ends justify the means with what happened to him.
Malakeh
Malakeh is Kassim’s wife, and I thought that their marriage just happened to be of duty-bound than real love. Kassim didn’t treat Malakeh well at all, and I was again surprised that she let that happen. Then still, I had to think about the culture and how that happens. Malakeh is a character that will surprise you as she is smart. She knows about being a merchant’s wife and balancing not only the house’s finances but also that of a merchant’s money for wares. I liked that she is that way since it proves that she is more than just being someone’s wife. I do feel bad for her as she had to deal with a husband like Kassim, even though she did like him.
Rassul
Rassul is our bad guy and the leader of the forty thieves that he had in his arsenal. He stole a lot from Ali’s family and wasn’t happy that he couldn’t find a box that was taken from him. Rassul is a ruthless guy that can control magic but can’t seem to control the djinn that he locked in the control mechanism for the door of the little treasure cove that he manages. He is a guy that I wouldn’t want to cross, but that is the way a bad guy is supposed to be. Rassul is one of those people who you wouldn’t want to meet ever under any circumstances.
Clockwork Djinn
In this book, we have two djinns. One that is in a falcon mechanical body, and the last one is in vapor form. These two are brother and sister djinn that are two separate guardians that are tasked with two different things. The falcon is with a box that is supposed to help whoever to find the treasure cove. The vapor djinn is with the treasure cove, and whoever is supposed to keep that secret. Well, they both are to help protect that person whomever it may be. I love these two djinns as they are both unique and are both excellent characters. The two of them provide a lot of help for our main character Ali in a lot of ways.
Four Stars
Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn by Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Ali-Mohammad have combined what they do best to make a book that is a good read. I liked a lot about it and the characters. Along with the exciting way that they showed the two djinns and how they made it different. The plot, the story, and the characters are all vastly different from each other that it made you feel like you were there experiencing the same things that they were. I learned a lot about the culture and the religion that Baba Ali was practicing.
I am giving this book four stars and recommending it to anyone that wants to read a steampunk version of Ali Baba.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn by Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Ali-Mohammad.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn by Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Al-Mohamed was a great story! I really enjoyed this steam punk onna classic fairy tale. Though I haven’t read the story this was based off of, I enjoyed reading this rendition of the tale! It was a little slow in grabbing me in at first, but once my attention was grabbed I was hooked! I enjoyed reading this story and highly recommend it. Can’t wait to read more steam punk fairy tales!
Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn: A Steampunk Faerie Tale by Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Al-Mohamed
4 Stars!!!!
I adore finding new authors. This was just right up my alley although not my usual genre but I love anything with the middle eastern theme. I found this book to be a breath of fresh air. The book is just rightly balanced with drama and just the slightest hint of romance.
I really loved that it was full of wonder and had a djinn after all what middle eastern theme wouldn’t be complete without it. I loved the steampunk theme as well. The way that it brings the old with the new and entwines the British and Arabian cultures as well just brings so much to the book. I loved all the characters and was just glued to the book. I will definitely read more from
the authors in the future.
I was little apprehensive when I first started this novel as I was afraid that the novel might not capture my interest. Boy was I wrong. The story of Baba Ali caught my interest and kept me engage to the very end. The world created by Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Al-Mohamed was vibrant and full of such interesting characters and interactions. I enjoyed following Baba Ali on this journey and loved the ending. Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Al-Mohamed are a duo I will definitely look for in the future as they truly delivered a great book.
This is my first book by either author Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Al-Mohamed. It was not my normal genre to read, but I’m glad I did. This was a good story that was a different telling of Ali Baba and the 40 thieves. I was intrigued with this detailed story and deep characters. This book was action packed and full of love, betrayal, death, treasure and magic. It’s a good story and I will take this book as a lesson to read things I normally wouldn’t from now on. Definitely a good book, and worth a read.
5 Star
Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn: A Steampunk Faerie Tale by Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Al-Mohamed
I had my doubts as this is not my normal genre,but I was not disappointed that I picked this book up. I’m finding the more I read steampunk the more I find myself liking it. It took me till the end of the first Chapter and after that I could put it down I had to know what was going to happen next. A mysterious box gets delivered to Ali and his world is fixing to be turned upside down. He finds himself being summoned home after the death of his father. He has to beware of theives and also of those who could wish him harm. Find out what happens next in this absolute must read. I look forward to reading more from these authors.
Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn: A Steampunk Faerie Tale by Danielle Ackley-McPhail, and
Day Al-Mohamed.
4 of 5 Stars
“Come, Best Beloved, and sit you by my feet. I shall tell you a tale such as sister Scheherazade could have scarce imagined”. Ali bin-Massoud is living in England away from his desert home as he serves as an apprentice to the famed Charles Babbage. Then one night a mysterious box is delivered by a clockwork falcon and Ali’s world is never the same again. Ali has been summoned home on the death of his father and as he makes his journey home he faces much danger, heartache and has to battle thieves. The journey takes all his faith, knowledge and his skill with steam-driven technology, and with a little love he realises his destiny. Ali also has to solve the mystery of the puzzle box and the clockwork djinn as an ancient legacy and his life are at stake.
I found this to be an intriguing read, I liked how the authors wove the retelling of the faerie tale into a new story with a steampunk vibe. The characters were well defined and I fell in love with Ali and I felt invested in his journey and adventures as he looked for answers and returned home. The world Ali lived in was wonderfully created by the authors and I felt totally immersed in this world, I could see, smell, and feel what he did. I’ve not read a steampunk genre book before, however I enjoyed this one and although it was a different type of story for me personally it is one which I am glad I have read as it was an original story and it definitely had me hooked from beginning to end.
What a fabulous little piece of treasure this book is!! We all grew up reading Alibaba and the forty thieves. And I never knew that there was a term called “steampunk” to describe a retelling of a fable or a story. I do not have any other word than “brilliant” for this book.
“Steampunk” means a genre of science fiction that has a historical setting and typically features steam-powered machinery rather than advanced technology. So, anything which is magical or ancient in the original fable is replaced by a work of engineering. A Djinn, instead of being a magical entity is a machine, an intelligent robot.
Ali is in London taking apprenticeship from his Ustaad, until one day, a falcon, with mechanical wings, leaves a box on his window sill. Troubles ensue once the mysterious box is delivered. There are thefts and attacks. Soon after, he gets the news that his father has expired and his brother Kasim commands him to come back home to take up family business.
Ali’s journey back home is filled with danger and adventure. At every step, he finds he is always on the run. Someone is on his heels to steal the box. He finds himself drawn into the world of magic and ancient secrets.
Unable to decipher the box itself, he also faces sibling rivalry with his greedy brother, who does not want even a single penny bequeathed to his brother. Ali rents a separate home, and slowly one after another, the mystery unfolds and he finds himself in front of the cave and we all get to hear the famous magic words “Open Sesame”.
And then we all know the story. There is treasure, there are thieves and there is a Djinn trapped inside the cave. Ali gets the treasure, goes back home. Kasim gets greedy and gets killed. The servant girl, who happens to be the Djinn whom Ali saves, is smart enough to fool the thieves.
And everything ends on a happy note! It is a beautiful retelling of the fable and I loved every bit of it!
We find very few books like this and I hope to read more from this author!
4 stars!
I never thought this genre would hold my interest but I was intrigued and thoroughly entranced in this story. This book is about Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves but with a steampunk twist. First off, I have never read the original story, so I have nothing to compare this retelling against. This story took me to a fantastical world with magic and adventure. It is fun to see how Ali reacts and solves the mysterious puzzle box he receives. Ali is on his way home after his father’s death and seems to be the only one able to restore his family’s name and honor, and proves time and time again that he can handle anything that life throws at him, seeing as how he is attacked multiple times on his journey home. It was also interesting to see someone of Arab descent in England and how he lived at that time, that aspect plus the magical element made the story that much more interesting for me. Throughout the book Ali encounters magical and mechanical creatures, which I thought were nicely written into the story. I wish there was a little more in the lines of romance but, even without, it was still very fun. I would definitely recommend this book.
This was a great adventure .
Ali is an engineer apprentice who live in London with his teacher. That is the until the death of his father means he has to go home.
Before he found out about his fathers death he recieved a puzzle box. What is inside it no one knows but everyone seems to want it.
From his brother who is after precious stones to a tribe of theives who believe the box hold the key to great treasure.
Ali’ life will never be the same again as he struggles to uncover the secret of the puzzle box and also protecting his life from the people hoping to take the box away from him.
Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn
By Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Al-Mohamed
4 stars
Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn was a really interesting read. I’ve not read many steampunk genre books before but I really like the re-telling’s of fairy tales and other storied from my childhood so I really wanted to give this book a try and I actually really enjoyed it. The writing was great, I like it when dual authors work together and you can’t tell – their writing styles complemented each other perfectly. The characters were great, well thought out and planned and the detail and descriptions were fantastic, I could definitely imagine what I was reading.
Overall I thought that this was a wonderful read, captivating and exciting the whole way through. I would definitely like to read more from these authors again in the future and I absolutely would recommend this book to other readers.
Baba Ali and The Clockwork Djinn. By Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Al-Mohamed.
Five stars all the way. This story was so unique, you definitely feel the steampunk vibes. Full of Magical mechanics, fantasy, Action and lots of drama. I really enjoyed reading this story and think the Authors did a great job at sucking me in and keeping my attention from beginning to end. I would definitely recommend this book you won’t regret it.
These are new authors to me so I wasn’t sure what to expect. This story is a retelling of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, but with a steampunk twist. I felt like it started off a bit slow. Once it picked up, I enjoyed the adventure. I loved the way the Djinn elements were re-imagined, and the mix of mechanics and magic. It’s a slow burn story, but definitely a good read.
Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn: A Steampunk Faerie Tale by Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Al-Mohamed
5-Stars
Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn: A Steampunk Faerie Tale by Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Al-Mohamed was an amazing read. I loved the detail and imagination of this novel. It was filled with excellent characters who were developed well and easy to visualize. I also loved how the storyline hooked me at the start. It was unique. I also enjoyed the fact that I could easily picture myself with in the story right along with the main characters. It was written beautifully and I also loved the colorful cover. Great read!
Baba Ali and the Clock Work Djinn by Danielle Ackley-McPhail & Day Al-Mohamed a refreshing four-star read. This was my first read by these co-authors and I was so surprised by their descriptive powers, you can mentally picture the scenes so well. Considering this covers so many genres all wrapped into one story it could get so confusing but the authors do a great job of keeping the pace and plot so you don’t get lost it was very well done. It did start a little slow, but it picked up so well that I really enjoyed it. I also really enjoyed the way the authors have of revealing surprising elements was really well done, they don’t just drop the mike, they build to it and then boom major drop. If you like a fantasy re-telling with steampunk elements then pick this up.
I love to use my imagination when reading books like these as I travel to other places, new and exciting. This book takes us into a magical place and teaches us some valuable lessons along the way. Prepare to be taken away as sister Scheherazade could have scarce couldn’t have dreamed of. A tale of glorious, afflicting, tenacity and of course a great tale of devotion.
As they sleep through the night to tale sweet little lies, their truth comes out in daybreak. In ancient times, there was such a thing as corruption spanned through the desert.
Ali bin-Massoud is on assignment in England far from his home as a pupil to Charles Babbage. A clockwork falcon drops off a peculiar box but it changes Ali’s life in unexpected ways. Distress, endangerment, and poachers are on his trek as Ali is summoned home for the death of his father.
It will take conviction, comprehension, devotion and serendipity and more than a little mastery with steam-driven automation. Can he unravel the mystery of the puzzle box and the clockwork djinn before time runs out? An ancient patrimony and Ali’s very life depend on his victory.
Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn: A Steampunk Faerie Tale by Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Al-Mohamed was an exciting read. I loved the steampunk element, it has been a while since I ran across it as a part of the story. Ali was a good character, I liked his wholesomeness. He comes across so controlled and overall good. The mystery, romance, and adventure were a fun get away from current life.
Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn: A Steampunk Faerie Tale by Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Al-Mohamed. This story is way outside my wheel house of reading but it intrigued me so I thought what the heck and I’m really glad I did. Each page pulled me in further and further to this well written adventure. This story is a unique telling and it wonderfully written. The characters draw you completely in and make it hard to leave in the end. It’s well written and paced nicely never feeling rushed or lacking anything. Both authors are new to me and I really enjoyed finding them and this story. Four stars and highly recommended for those who love this genre already and those looking for something unique and new.
I give Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn: A Steampunk Faerie Tale by Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Al-Mohamed, 5 stars.
This book is an incredible story of fantasy, straight out of the Arabian fairy tales of old but with a steampunk twist. I really enjoy steampunk and I couldn’t wait to see what this book had to offer. While part of it takes part in Victorian England, where most people think of when they here steampunk, the fact that a good portion of it takes place in the desert lands of the Middle East was new and exciting to me. The things that are created is amazing and so wonderous.
I was in awe when reading the descriptions.
Then there is the story itself. There is so much going on, it is extremely difficult to put this book down. There is action, suspense, grief, romance — pretty much everything is in here. These two authors weave such a magical tale and do it so well, they put you right into the story with their superb writing.
If you read all the fairy tales growing up and/or enjoy steampunk, pick up this wonderful book now.
Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn: A Steampunk Faerie Tale by Danielle Ackley-McPhail and Day Al-Mohamed is a steampunk twist, fantasy story that is also a faerie tale of a different kind of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. A faerie tale that has magic and steampunk, mystery and danger, heartache and suspense. The author’s words and story building made it easy to imagine with so much vivid colour what was going on. I was a little disappointed at times because in several places I found the story a little slow but then I felt like the ending was a little rushed. That being said I still enjoyed it..