Earlier this year (maybe end of last year?), I read and devoured Craig’s phenomenal ‘Episode Thirteen.’ I’ll admit, going into that one, I was hesitant for the simple reason that I simply can’t process/enjoy epistolary storytelling. But, you know what? It rocked. It hit every note perfectly and is easily going on my year end best-of 2023 list.

Now, if we take a step back, I LOVED Craig’s ‘Suffer the Children,’ but was a bit uneven on his ‘The Children of Red Peak’ novel. Still, his writing is beyond amazing, and with two wins and one draw, I was intrigued when he announced a new novel, titled ‘Djinn.’

But then I read the synopsis. And, while it had me very, very intrigued, I found myself in the same situation I was in with ‘Episode Thirteen.’ This time – military fiction.

I’ve never been a huge military entertainment person. TV shows, movies, books, I’ve greatly enjoyed a handful of them over the years, but for the most part, it’s something I struggle with. One big aspect is the majority of it does come out of the US, which means we get a lot of the RAH-RAH military slog. I just don’t care for the over-the-top ‘Top Gun’-esque hooo-rah that coats the military part a blanket of bravado.

But – this was Craig – an accomplished military fiction author in his own right AND a dual citizen of the US and Canada. So, I was excited to see what he brought to the table with this one, hoping that maybe his steady hand and deft prose would help me overcome my pre-existing dis of military fiction.

What I d: The novel follows Holly, a journalist and military brat, who heads to Afghanistan as the US pulls its troops from the country and chaos erupts. She doesn’t care. She’s there with her own mission – to find out what happened to her father AND discover the truth of why he was there. She’s heard rumors and has followed the leads, which all indicate he was the leader of a mysterious unit – Unit X – otherwise known as Witch Doctors.

I’ll admit – I was slowed many, many times having to head over to Google and search different things. I even resorted to contacting Craig to ask about a few things, because I was completely captivated.

Holly is a fascinating character – one needing to run headlong into the worst areas in the world all in the hopes of finding the truth – but she was also completely scared and over her head for the majority of the book.

The two members of her security detail were perfectly executed, and it also allowed for some really solid moments of information dumps to the reader, as well as sharing the reality of war AND the reality of those who’ve fought and have survived.

Craig does a stellar job of telling the story that gets us to where Unit X was based out of, and I have to admit, I would’ve been happy to have it stay that way. BUT, once we get to the base, the shit hits the fan and the supernatural elements that are introduced were phenomenal and completely ramped this up to a whole other level.

The ending was poignant, summarizing the reality of Holly’s world and where she sat in comparison to where she’d began the journey and it still allowed room for Craig to philosophize on the Afghan reality going forward.

What I didn’t : While it absolutely worked, I still was dismayed that the climatic battle was over and done within a short time. It made sense, and flowed really well, especially considering some prior setbacks in the story, but I also want MORE for the final battle!

Why you should buy this: DiLouie has done it again. Seriously, this one zips along from start to finish and reaches the pinnacle of what I want in a gritty, dirty, in-enemy-territory, supernatural fiction. This was cinematic and layered with so much emotion that it made for a very exciting novel.
Loved this one, and DiLouie has now had me enjoy two books in two different styles I typically never enjoy. Well done, sir!



8 s Wes Sanderson28

Was really looking forward to reading this as “Suffer the Children” by the same author was my favorite read of 2023.

This, in comparison, was not great. A couple of interesting characters and DiLouie’s incorporation of Islamic teachings/mythos were the positives.

Expected more horror elements and “hold your breath” moments. 1 Nick Villano4

Read. This. Book. (And Episode Thirteen!!!!)

I first discovered Craig DiLouie’s work while on a long weekend trip in Brooklyn and stumbling into a small locally-owned bookstore. Episode Thirteen was featured on their horror shelf as a recommended title. I was never much of a reader and it was a hobby that was new for me at the time. Fascinated with the supernatural and always have been a fan of ghost hunting shows, I did not purchase it at that store, but I could not get it out of my head and ended up buying it a few days later. I finished it some time after that, glued to every page. It was by far the best book I’ve ever read. I was disappointed when it was done and I thought I’d never find another book it and immediately wanted more.

When I finished Episode Thirteen, I became interested in DiLouie’s other works, and discovered he has a lot of military books (which I’ll be honest, they sound interesting but it’s not really my genre) and a select few horror/suspense works. When I saw Djinn was coming out soon, I read the synopsis and immediately was excited to read this, as it seemed the perfect blend between the two genres DiLouie specializes in, and it felt the perfect follow-up to Episode Thirteen.

I was right. Djinn was great. DiLouie’s writing style and clarity makes even the most complicated concepts, military terms and acronyms, and beliefs of the varying Islamic/Muslim religions in this book easy to understand. I had a blast reading this one and thoroughly enjoyed it. For me, I d Episode Thirteen a bit better as true horror is my go-to genre, but for the “military- suspense blended with supernatural and occult happenings” genre, this book had me hooked. The characters were so memorable, and once it started hitting the fan, I was hooked. Huge fan of DiLouie’s writing style and I will be looking out for Suffer the Children and Red Peak, while waiting in anticipation for the next horror-filled iteration. DiLouie has made me a fan of his work after just two books.

Without spoilers in my review, read this. It was very enjoyable, easy to follow, and a very good story that was almost impossible to put down. Prerna Lakhina53 4

Book Review
My Ratings - 4.6/5

"Djinn" by Craig DiLouie is a spellbinding modern thriller that immerses readers in the chilling aftermath of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. The narrative unfolds in the violent landscape of a country gripped by the Taliban's advance and the collapse of the national government. At the heart of this gripping tale is Holly, a determined photojournalist seeking answers about her missing father and the enigmatic Army occult warfare unit known as the Witch Doctors.

DiLouie skillfully weaves a narrative that blurs the lines between the human and supernatural, reimagining the concept of witchcraft in the context of the War on Terror. The tension rises as Holly embarks on a harrowing journey into the deep desert, unraveling the mysteries of the Witch Doctors and confronting the ancient evil they unleashed—the djinn.

The author paints a vivid and haunting picture of a world where horrors exist both in the supernatural realm and the darkness of war. The abandoned base becomes a stage for a gripping confrontation with the terrors of the djinn, adding an extra layer of suspense to the unfolding events. DiLouie's storytelling prowess keeps readers on the edge of their seats, seamlessly blending elements of thriller and supernatural horror.

"Djinn" is not just a tale of supernatural terror; it's a reflection on the darkness inherent in human conflicts. The characters, particularly the American ex-soldiers cursed by their past, contribute to the novel's rich and complex tapestry. The exploration of the psychological and emotional toll of war adds depth to the narrative, making it a thought-provoking and immersive experience.

In this gripping reimagining of the witch for the modern era, Craig DiLouie delivers a tale that transcends genres, offering readers a riveting blend of horror, thriller, and war fiction. "Djinn" is a must-read for those who crave a story that not only entertains but also challenges perceptions, delving into the heart of darkness that exists both in the supernatural and in the human soul. AnthonyAuthor 29 books154

The Review

This was such a compelling and memorable horror thriller. The vast amount of culture and detail that went into bringing both modern-day Afghanistan and the “War on Terror” to life with the ancient mythology and world-building surrounding the Djinn, witches, and faith overall was thrilling to see come to life. The imagery the author infused into the writing really allowed the setting and chilling nature of the Djinn to come to life on the page.

The evolution of Holly as a character, from her hard-hitting journalism and the strength to plunge into the depths of war-torn Afghanistan to the respect she comes to have for the people and their culture and the bravery she shows facing this terrifying threat made her a remarkable protagonist to really root for. The character interactions that help drive this narrative forward and the commentary that the plot makes on things America’s hand in what has happened to the country, the line between morality and cultural differences, and the impact that war has on people, in general, made this a brilliant story to get lost in.

The Verdict

Haunting, compelling, and entertaining, author Craig DiLouie’s “Djinn” is a must-read horror thriller of 2023. The unique setting and cultural development of this narrative, as well as the attention to detail and the collective work by the characters in this story, will have readers hanging onto the author’s every word. Cass (only the darkest reads) 369 35

Within the last couple of years I’ve become a big Craig DiLouie fan. This year alone I’ve read Episode Thirteen, Children of Red Peak and most recently Djinn. I’m always surprised by how diverse the themes Craig writes about are. These books are all so different.

I was really nervous about reading Djinn for two reasons: I’m not a military person and I don’t know as much as I maybe should about the war in Afghanistan.

Djinn takes place immediately after the US troops finally extract themselves from the war. It spends a great deal of time describing the past and immediate consequences the invasion had on Afghan society.

Our protagonist is Holly, a journalist whose father disappeared while on a mission. She’s there to describe the military extraction but she also wants to try to find his body and bring him home.

You learn about the extremely specialized unit he was part of, which is rumoured to have used black magic in their operations.

This is not a quick read. I truly took my time with it. It was devastating. I’m sure a lot of it went over my head.

After the immense build up, I do wish that more time was dedicated to the battle and escape at the end. But I’ve been thinking about this book for months. It hasn’t left my mind.

Thank you so much to Craig DiLouie for sending me a copy of your book. If you’re looking for a dense supernatural military horror I’d definitely suggest this one.
Danielle UrbanAuthor 12 books154

Djinn by Craig DiLouie is a phenomenal war horror tale. It is an epic tale how wrong things can go and how it is nearly impossible to escape the dark hell that comes with it. For me, this novel was an Indiana Jones novel but with more excitement, darker, and more suspenseful. This tale was also a psychological thriller. The characters the journalist whose father sought to fight evil with evil made this book more appealing. There was so much at stake and so many ways it could end. The Djinn is made up of stuff that Stephen King's novels, would give anyone nightmares for weeks. Do not read this book late at night! I hope this book finds its way to the big motion screen. It would be wonderful to see the characters and scenes come alive they do while reading them.

I received this book from the publisher. This is my voluntary review. Joan968 5

This story takes place in Afghanistan after the US withdrawal and touches on how the Afghani people and American soldiers who have remained behind are dealing with it. Holly, a photojournalist journeys there to get answers about her father and find out if the rumours about a secret Army Unit commanded by her father using occult warfare is true. Along with a four man team including 2 contractors, former US soldiers hired to protect her, a man who she's not quite sure what his agenda is and an Afghani journalist head out into the desert, what they find is terrifying, will they survive and will it be worth it. I highly recommend this book if you love the military/ supernatural genres. Another gem by DiLouie.horror Del85 1 follower

Really good

Good story. It could use an editing as were more then a few typos but the story was great the people flawed
But human and the atmosphere felt as if I was there. I was impressed. I’m not usually big on war stories even with the supernatural element but this I couldn’t put down. I guess I’ll check out some of his other stuff. Max E4

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