THE BLUE DJINN OF BABYLON: Children of the Lamp Trilogy, Book 2
by P. B. Kerr
Orchard Books
ISBN: 0439670217
Ages 9-12
384 pages

In the second volume of the Children of the Lamp trilogy, djinn (genie) twins John and Philippa Gaunt are suffering the powerlessness caused by a cold New York winter (djinn need heat in order to use their powers). Dybbuk, a djinn visitor, shows them that sitting in a sauna will temporarily jumpstart their forces. But is Dybbuk setting them up somehow?

The twins play a trick on their wealthy housekeeper's own worthless housekeeper. In the process, John meets Frank Vodyannoy, the resident djinn of the famous Dakota apartment building. Mr. Vodyannoy warns John to watch out for relatives of Iblis, the bad djinn the twins defeated in THE AKHENATEN ADVENTURE. He gives John a gift --- one emergency wish to use when he's desperate.

Philippa spies her mother arguing with Ayesha, who is the famously hard-hearted Blue Djinn, the leader of all djinn, good and bad. When Philippa asks her mother about the argument, she mysteriously denies it took place. Yet she appears sad and even refuses to discuss the topic of the Blue Djinn with John. However, John learns that Ayesha is searching for a replacement.

Philippa competes in her first Djinnverso Tournament, a gambling dice game, and meets Ayesha, who makes cryptic remarks to her, including the admonition to remember "it's nothing personal." Philippa agrees to this ominous warning although she has no clue what the powerful djinn is talking about. But soon Philippa is framed --- as a cheater! --- and is banned from all Djinnverso tournaments for eternity.

An enormously important book of djinn magic called the Solomon Grimoire, which contains powerful incantations that could enslave any djinn, has been stolen by a Blue Djinn guard who now regrets his actions. The thief will only hand over the book to John and Philippa, but they must undertake a dangerous journey in order to meet with him. Are they up to this urgent and frightening challenge? Are they heading for disaster? Their decision to endanger themselves is partly swayed by Philippa's hope that pleasing Ayesha will cause her to revoke Philippa's Djinnverso ban. So, traveling by whirlwind, train, boat and by foot, the twins head off for their adventure.

Readers of THE AKHENATEN ADVENTURE once again will be enthralled with the quirky details, the humorous asides, the tongue-in-cheek cultural references, and the breakneck pace as Philippa and John whirl headlong into their far-flung exploits. THE BLUE DJINN OF BABYLON feels like a classic (as does the previous book) and will appeal not only to fantasy lovers but to anyone who enjoys an enthralling and original read.

   --- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)

Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.com.