PLOT: 4/5
CHARACTERS: 4/5
WRITING: 3.5/5
OVERALL: 3.5/5
GENRE & THEME: situs gacoMythological Horror, Set in Kerala, Fantasy
“Oh, Lucy, we all have problems, we all suffer in our own ways – humans, djinns, demons, the gods. It’s a fundamental aspect of existence, there is no running away from it. And yet, it is through this very suffering that we would find ourselves, all of us, in our own ways and dimensions.”
– Pranoy Mathew, Lucy and the Djinn
Lately, Indian books have been surprising me in the best possible ways. More and more Indian authors are stepping out of the box. On my quest to uncover hidden gems from this evolving landscape, I came across Lucy and the Djinn by Pranoy Mathew—a book that weaves mythology with horror, only to reveal a tale that is, at its core, deeply philosophical.
Let’s talk about the storyline
Lucy David is far from living her best life. Heartbroken, broke, and branded a failure, her days are steeped in misery. To make things worse, she has cut ties with her beloved grandfather and distanced herself from the ancestral home that once meant everything to her. So, when news of her grandfather’s death reaches her, she hesitantly returns to the very place she had long left behind—a place filled with memories and unresolved emotions.
Her grandfather, Zacharia, was no ordinary man. A powerful business tycoon and the proud head of the prestigious Palathikal family, he had built an empire and loved Lucy dearly. Naturally, she expects to inherit a decent share of his wealth. But what she receives instead leaves her stunned—a single, ancient lamp, with a peculiar instruction: open it only when completely alone.
Thinking she might sell it off as an antique, Lucy begins to clean the lamp—only to discover she has released Iblis, an ancient and formidable Djinn, whose origins trace back to the time of Cleopatra. Now bound to serve her, Iblis offers Lucy three wishes.
But this isn’t just a story of wishes and magic. As Lucy journeys from one wish to the next, she begins to peel back layers of her own past, and of the Djinn’s—each revelation more haunting than the last. What unfolds is a tale woven with mythology and horror, yet rooted deeply in themes of love, loss, and transformation. Lucy and the Djinn is an adventurous, thought-provoking read that takes you beyond the surface and into the heart of what truly defines us.
My thoughts on the writing
There’s no denying the promise a story like this holds. The premise is absolutely spellbinding, and the plot grips you right from the first page. The book opens with a bang, pulling the reader into its world with mystery and magic. The beautifully designed cover adds to the aura of intrigue, while the blurb sets the stage for what feels like a truly unforgettable read. Set in a quiet ancestral home in suburban Kerala, the story unfolds in the perfect backdrop—rich, haunting, and atmospheric.
The characters, especially Lucy, Zacharia, and the Djinn, are deeply engaging. Their chemistry, their contrasts, and the slow unravelling of their stories keep the reader invested. The first half of the book is filled with suspense, tension, and just the right amount of mystery. It turns into one of those reads where you’re flipping through pages, eager to see what happens next.
But it’s in the second half that the cracks begin to show. The pace slows to a crawl, and the tone shifts sharply. What began as a thrilling, mythical adventure turns into a heavy, deeply philosophical narrative—one that leans too much on long conversations and dense metaphysical monologues. As a result, the story loses the spark it once had. The momentum built in the first half fades, and what follows feels like a missed opportunity.
Still, Lucy and the Djinn deserves credit for trying something bold. It brings a fresh voice to Indian English literature, exploring new themes and blending genres in ways we don’t see often. For its originality and ambition, it earns its place as a worthy one-time read.
Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of Lucy and the Djinn right away.
