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Jan 05, 2015artemishi rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I didn't realize, when I read Exquisite Captive, that it's the first in a series. It reads like a standalone, with enough backstory and forward-moving tension to feel self-contained. And then the cliffhanger ending happened, so I'm relieved there will be more. The fantasy world (overlaying our contemporary) is influenced by Arabian folklore and jinni mythology, which makes it exotic and enticing. The main character is an 18-year old female jinni who has been enslaved since she was 15 years old. This is important because, as we start into her narrative, her temperamental, rich-as-sin master has shifted from cruel to seductive (and ew). At first, the themes smacked of insta-love, with a love triangle. I was fully prepared to put it down based on that alone BUT I'm glad I didn't. Because Demetrios turns the trope in its head, with elements of Stockholm Syndrome. It was nice to see the abusive/manipulative relationship elements from the PoV of the young woman caught within the isolation of it. It's so easy to paint villain vs. hero but as anyone who has been in this kind of controlling relationship (magic aside) can tell you, what Nalia experiences is pretty much spot-on. I also really appreciate that Demetrios did her research on the current slave trade and human trafficking, Arabic terms, jinni mythology, etc. for this book. Book 2 comes out in September and I'll definitely be picking it up. Oh, and there's plenty of diversity in it- yay! I recommend this for fans of contemporary fantasy, Middle Eastern mythology and folklore, high-stakes adventure stories, and magic. There may be parts you raise an eyebrow to, but stick with it- I promise the few wrinkles even themselves out.