How to Free a Jinn

Name: How to Free a Jinn
Brand: Simon & Schuster Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Raidah Shah Idil
ISBN: 9781668161166

Author: Raidah Shah Idil

Narrator: Mirai

Unabridged: 7 hr 37 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Published: 11/04/2025

Categories: Children's Fiction, Fantasy Stories, Children's Social Themes

Synopsis

Aru Shah meets Aladdin in this “fast-paced…delightful” (School Library Journal, starred review) debut middle grade fantasy about a curious girl who discovers she has the power to control an all-powerful jinn.

Insyirah’s calm, orderly world falls into chaos when her proud nenek (grandmother) has a bad fall, and Insyirah and her mother must move back to Malaysia to take care of her.

Her new home holds wild and dangerous mysteries, and while finding her feet, Insyirah discovers a shocking secret: the women in her family can control jinn—powerful, ancient jungle spirits—and, one day, she will inherit one of her own. What’s more, her new school is haunted by an evil spirit determined to force her out of Malaysia.

As Insyirah discovers the fascinating ways of the seen and unseen worlds, she finds danger around every corner. And when her family situation grows perilous, she must gather all her resilience to overcome unexpected obstacles and make a life-changing decision.

About Raidah Shah Idil

Raidah Shah Idil was born in Singapore; grew up in Sydney, Australia; worked in Amman, Jordan; and now lives in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, with her husband, three children, and mother-in-law. Raidah earned her BA in English and BSc in psychology from the University of New South Wales and her Diploma of Counselling from the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors. Raidah loves ginger tea and noodle soup and dreams of uninterrupted sleep. How to Free a Jinn is her first book.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Evet on September 05, 2025

When I read this book, I realised for the first time how limited my exposure to Muslim literature, particularly in fiction, really was. I’ve read from authors like Khalid Hosseini and Etaf Rum, but many of their stories have a more liberal, Americanised, and somewhat watered down depiction of Muslim......more

Goodreads review by Zainab on June 27, 2024

Insyirah Abdullah & her mom are Malays living Australia - until her grandmother’s ailing health brings them back. Settling into Malaysian life is pretty awesome... until Insyirah discovers that her school is haunted, her family has an ancestral jinn, and now it’s on her to do some serious jinn slayin......more

Goodreads review by Klee on September 07, 2024

Meet Insyirah Abdullah, a curious girl with a BIG secret: she can see jinn—mysterious spirits that live in the jungles of Malaysia. This story is packed with mystery, humor, action, and ghostly battles that will keep you on the edge of your seat. "I have a terrifying superpower. I, Insyirah Abdullah......more

Goodreads review by Kirin on December 21, 2024

This 276 page book drew me in from the first page and held my attention until the last. I can't recall ever reading a fantasy book in a single sitting. The Islam, heart, Malay culture, and family dynamics have me hoping that maybe there will be a sequel, and that hopefully this debut novel is a fir......more

Goodreads review by Mariam on October 06, 2024

How to Free a Jinn follows the adventures of Insyirah as she learns to adjust to two new realities: life in a new country and an extraordinary superpower. It is one of the most exciting fantasy novels I’ve read in years! I absolutely loved it! I had to force myself to put it down every now and then t......more