The fifth installment of The Children of the Lamp takes us into the depths of South America, where a giant anaconda is far from the only problem our favourite main characters must face.
A new adventure, new dangers, and the same old villains who keep finding new ways to get their revenge. The Blue Djinn of Babylon sends John and Philippa into the heart of the Amazon rainforest to once again thwart insidious plans and save the world in total secrecy.
I truly appreciate how the author incorporates real facts and historical legends, giving the story an educational feel. In this case, the author weaves in the ancient tale of the lost city of Paititi, meaning it was not just fabricated for the sake of the plot. This gives the story a highly engaging start as we move to a new country in the series—Peru. Besides the educational facts, death has also become a constant element in the author’s storytelling. He does not shy away from it, showing young readers that it is a natural part of life. This is demonstrated by the death of one of the two jaguars that Nimrod and John shapeshifted into to scout the territory. I really liked that concept and wish that sequence had lasted longer. Speaking of shapeshifting into another creature, I must admit that turning into another person is a real invasion of privacy and of the self. The Djinn automatically gains access to all of their memories and thoughts, leaving nothing hidden. This is an excellent topic for a young adult audience, reminding them that everyone deserves and has a right to their own private thoughts.
I must admit that the children are far too rational for their age; I cannot imagine other kids approaching life and major decisions this way. Perhaps it is because they are Djinns and mature faster. On the other hand, someone who did not strike me as rational at all was their mother, Layla. Her power is admirable—as a Djinn, she could achieve incredible things—but her tendency to turn every person into some animal is getting a bit old. Still, it is a nice touch by the author for the mother’s character. Emotions belong to life and drive our decisions.
In conclusion, the book is very well-written, engaging, and makes for a pleasant read on a quiet evening. It is also ripe for a sequel, as we are all curious about what will happen to the Dybbuk and his inner struggle between good and evil. However, one thing I dislike is that we do not get any new villains. We keep returning to the same ones, which makes the plot feel a bit tired, even if they always come up with a new way to make the twins’ lives miserable and tilt the scales toward evil.