The Blue Djinn of Babylon

The Children of the Lamp Series, The Blue Djinn of Babylon is written by a talented and excellent author, P.B. Kerr. He has written two books for this series, and his second book was an exciting story to read. I definitely think this book deserves a rating of five stars because it was a fabulous book to read. This story is about two young djinn, or genies, named John and Philippa Gaunt. They are captured by a worker for the most powerful djinn in the universe. This djinn is known as the Blue Djinn, which most people call her. She is trying to capture Philippa so she can be the next Blue Djinn. John soon escapes, and travels hoping to find his sister. He journeys all over with only the help of a young driver, Darius, his Uncle Nimrod's one arm butler, Groanin, and two transformed humans, Alan and Neil, who are John and Philippa's uncles, which are now dogs. (John and Philippa's mother, who is a former djinn, transformed them after they tried to murder her husband, their brother.) While Philippa is at the Blue Djinn's castle, she has problems of her own. She does not want to become the next Blue Djinn. Philippa does not want this to happen because she does not like the hard soul of the former Blue Djinn. And now she finds out that the Blue Djinn is her grandmother, which she is astonished to hear. John still travels and soon finds Philippa and rescues her. I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and adventure. The first book in this series is also a very good story as well. This book's title is Children of the Lamp, The Akhenaten Adventure.

I am 60 years old and have just retired as an elementary and middle school librarian. I love to read and totally adore reading fantasy. I am one of those 60 year olds who feel as though they are 13. The Children of the Lamp series really took hold of my heart as I listened to both on tape. P. B. Kerr is very creative and has a gift for providing a very exciting setting. His books leave you in suspense as to what is going to happen in the next book. I can't wait for book 3. My granddaughters are now reading the book and loving every word. That, of course, is the real test to me - how well my 10 and 11 year old granddaughters enjoy the book. They love fantasy like their grandmother and are avid readers. John and Phillippa are good role models for children as they are good and kind. They are highly intelligent and have a love for learning as well as adventure. As twin siblings, they are very devoted to each other and their family. You cannot help but love them. I highly recommend this series to our youth and to all wannabe youths like myself. Beverly Dyer August 16, 2006

This second book in the "Children of the Lamp" series can be read without reading the first, but why would anyone want to do that? Both books are excellent adventures for both young adults and adults who think they’re still young, and should not be separated at any cost. We take up the story with John and Phillipa Gaunt, the djinn twins from New York, suffering from the winter blues around the time of the Halloween festivities. Being fiery beings, cold weather tends to send their powers into hibernation, necessitating the summoning of a djinn doctor who specializes in holistic health treatments, and of course lots of accompanying tonic. The twins’ mother Layla has renounced her powers to try to lead a normal life for her family’s sake, so she keeps tight control over their magical escapades, and when the doctor’s wayward son Dybbuk (call me Buck) lets them into a little secret for recharging their magical batteries, they jump at the chance for a little magic on the side. Their friend Mr. Rakshasas (an Irish-accented Indian djinn who lives in a lamp) has written a very significant and important book, and at the book-launching party their kindly Uncle Nimrod introduces them to the who’s who of djinn society, including Stan Bunyip of Australia and David Kabikaj of Canada, as well as the Cruella de Ville of evil djinn, Mimi de Ghule. At this meeting Phillipa learns that Ayesha the Blue Djinn (leader, judge and jury of all djinn, good or evil) is almost ready to retire, and is looking for a successor. Phillipa is an accomplished Djinnverso player (djinn poker, but with seven eight-sided dice) and enters a tournament at the Algonquin Hotel in New York, (the spot for the cleverest writers and wittiest actors, and the place where stylish insults are encouraged), but unfortunately things don’t go very well for her. To make matters worse, they learn that The Book of Solomon is missing. Solomon’s Grimoire is a powerful book that can help a djinn or magus to control many other djinn, and is normally kept in a safe place by the Blue Djinn herself. John and Phillipa set out on a quest to recover the book, but the rescue operation hits a snag when Phillipa is kidnapped. The cavalry then springs into action, led by John, with the assistance of Uncle Nimrod, Mr. Rakshasas, the family dogs, and the crabby, competent, and never-basically-boring Mr. Groanin, (who thoughtfully packed supplies of dog food, and an enticing Kendall Mint Cake,) and this leads us to many exciting chapters fraught with danger, packed with adventure, suspense, current affairs, humor (lots of it) and magic. Set in exciting locations such as Istanbul, Iraq and Guiana (French Guiana that is, just a whirlwind ride from Guyana in South America), this book differentiates itself from regular run of the mill fantasy stories, and prepares the stage for book three, due at the end of 2006. We can’t wait!!! Amanda Richards, May 7, 2006

The Blue Djinn of Babylone is AMAZING!!! I read it in one day because I couldn't put it down! It was as though my hands were glued to the book! My mom got mad when she saw my light on at 11:00 PM because I was still reading. When you start to read this book, you will wish that P.B. Kerr would hurry up with another book it's soo good!!!!

Dear readers, If you are one of those readers deciding whether or not to try reading "The Blue Djinn of Babylon," you need not worry. Once you pick up this awesome book, you won't stop till you come to the final conclusion..... which hints of MORE to come! In this complex, but well written plot, Kerr ought to be crowned for the most expected to achieve author. I bet my money that Kerr is the only author that has tried to squeeze so much into a storyline, and still succeeded in making the plot "fun, quirky, and interesting." Warning: Even though this book is VERY good, I suggest reading the first book of the Children of the Lamps Series... you might be slow on the second book then. If you read this excellently written book, try to think of all the imagining and work that went behind it pages.