Rating: 
Summary: Jinn
Review: It's fun to read something from a young author with talent. If you've ever taken the time to read through an author's books chronologically, you can often see a pattern of growth that is inspiring to watch. For me, this book offered a chance to see what Mr. Delaney can do. I have to admit that there were several points in the book when I was downright scared...at the museum in Russia and of course in Boston Common. Having an office that overlooks the Common has made my walk at night somewhat frightful. Most books follow a typical formula- there always seems to be a formula that either authors or their editors feel a need to satisfy. Although there were some of those elements in this book, (McKenna) I felt like I was reading something that didn't follow the tiring formula of modern print em' and sell em' publishing. I think there is something more here. I was scared, identified with the characters and actually found myself hoping for certain outcomes...I was engaged in the reading. I'm looking forward to reading more of Matthew Delaney's work- but I'd really like to see Jinn in the form of a movie- I think it would be incredible.
Rating:
Summary: A New Voice That's Here To Stay...
Review: As a rule, novelists are a generous breed. We tend to welcome, with open arms, any new author who emerges in our midst -- especially when he's young and good looking, fresh from an Ivy League college, in possession of a multi-book, major-house publishing contract, has had a glowing review in People Magazine, and already has inked a profitable movie deal. In such cases, we graciously stand aside, smiling and nodding and adding our applause to that of the literary/cultural world at large. Uh-huh. Of course we do. And did I mention that what we write is fiction? Well, in JINN, his debut novel, Matthew B. J. Delaney is sure to infuriate a great number of us suddenly-aging authors; though uneven in parts, JINN is that good. JINN is a hybrid, an ambitious blending of several genres. It incorporates elements of science fiction, suspense and police-procedural into a sprawling story of an ancient horror arising to stalk the modern world. In his writing, Delaney skillfully utilizes imagery that has become ingrained into popular culture. His opening scenes --of a bloody World War II amphibious landing by Marines in the face of withering fire from Japanese defenders-- will be particularly horrific and vivid in the mind's-eye of many readers, in part because it draws so effectively upon Steven Spielberg's similar opening in the film Saving Private Ryan. In much the same way, Delaney crafts the post-invasion sequences so as to chillingly lead the reader to superimpose the jungle-manhunt scenes from the movie Predator, though Delaney delivers here in a far more effective way. When the book fast-forwards to present-day Boston, where police are baffled by a series of ghastly murders, Delaney's writing evokes, adeptly, such cinematic classics as Seven and Silence of the Lambs. This cinematic-oriented writing style is an exceptionally savvy strategy, and Delaney executes it with an unerring precision. It's an approach that makes JINN one of the most visually effective novels I've read in a very long time. There are a few regrettable lapses in the editing --in one example, I winced when a passage noted that a photographer tripped his camera's "shudder;" but I imagine Delaney winced too, as have all writers who see such typos make it into the final book itself. More of an issue is the wish that the editor had tightened up the writing a bit, particularly in the narrative sandwiched between the action -- if only so we could eliminate any delay in arriving at the next shockingly well-written action scene. For when it comes to these money-shots, Delaney clearly excels. His writing becomes crisp and compelling, descriptive in a way that dares the reader not to turn the page, and the next, and the next. He is clearly in his element in these passages; just as clearly, he is in complete control of his story. Delaney writes with a confidence that more seasoned writers can only envy, and he is possessed of a writer's voice that delivers on his promises. Throughout JINN, I was struck by the beautiful writing of so many passages-- they were lyrical, mellifluous prose-poems in their wealth of description and insight. Delaney clearly loves the written word and already shows a mastery in his use of language. This is a writer we can expect to hear from in the future; he's the real thing, and he is here to stay.
Rating: 
Summary: see the movie instead (if there ever is one)
Review: Judging from the reviews there must be a lot of editors that post here because the biggest complaint was the editing. I try not to 'edit' in my mind as I read, so I can't comment on that part. I think the premise of the book was good, but the author tends to 'over-explain' some of the details about the demons and why they are here. I really liked the beginning section in the jungle. I could feel the humidity and the bugs. When the story shifts back to Boston it becomes disjointed. The characters are flat and the dialogue is forced. The ending of the book goes on for far too long. I felt like I was reading a detailed description of how a scene should be directed for a movie. In fact, maybe he should have skipped the book and written the screenplay instead.
Rating: 
Summary: JINN-UINELY SCARY AND WELL DONE!
Review: JINN cooks...part RELIC, part DIE HARD, part BEOWULF, JINN Starts off with a bang and through 500 pages of admittedly small print, moves like a firecracker. Delaney has a lot of the superb Matt Reilly in his fabulously staged action sequences, and some extremely eerie and spooky moments. The scene that takes place in The Pit is one of the most frightening passages I've read recently. Delaney takes us to St. Petersburg, to Bosnia, in a riveting and frightening explosion of unexpected violence. Jefferson, McKenna and Brogan are fascinating characters, and there are some unexpected twists in discovering who the four demons are. Delaney also blends the past and present in a stunning, harrowing manner.
This book is excellent for a debut, with a young capable writer who will hopefully outdo himself in future endeavors.
Good luck, Matthew!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent first novel
Review: If you like well-crafted thrillers with a supernatural twist, then this book is for you. Mr. Delany has provided us with a superb first effort. Some negative comments below talk about how drawn out this book is. I have to disagree. I appreciate and enjoy reading a book written by an excellent wordsmith. If you prefer to read, "...and then John shot Joe" to a descriptive account then this book might not be what you are looking for. Mr. Delany takes the time to provide the reader with a very descriptive account of events. It is one of those rare books that can catch the reader up in the action and allow him/her to completely dissolve into the story. The first 10 or 12 pages of this book might be some of the best writing I have ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't bother
Review: It's a nice first effort and I don't blame Delaney as much as his editors. The thing is, the book sucked. The characters were one dimensional and confusing - at one point, during a flashback, the names of the characters are changed without explanation and then the people in the flashback start using the names of present-time people. At another point, a character who has a sucking chest wound is sent running down a hall. He could have asked any ambulance driver - they can't do that. Maybe it's hard to write without an outline, this book was certainly hard to read with the typos and mistakes.
So...when Mr. Delaney either learns to write better characters, or gets better editors, he'll be worth it. This book isn't worth the time.
Rating:
Summary: Well deserved winner
Review: Great book and well deserved winner of the 2003 International Horror Guild Award for Best First Novel. The last 200 pages or so are excellent and incredibly exciting and fast paced. Word is that Touchstone has the movie rights and this would make a fantastic film. Other reviews are right about some of the editing problems (his editor should be fired), but if you ignore the editing snafus, the book is really outstanding. The book is especially exciting for those from the Boston area as much of the plot takes place in the city. Some of the neighborhoods in Boston, after reading this book, have become a lot more scary at night!
Rating: 
Summary: Sorry I bought this book
Review: I think that this author has talent and I wish him well, BUT I could not finish this book. I think the story sounds great and thats why I bought it but it is too long and drawn out. Characters in a book are always what draw me into a book, there was not one character to grab on to in the first 90 pages and so I gave up. I gave three stars because the writer does have talent.
Rating:
Summary: Fast-paced book from someone that's a first-time writer...
Review: Basically, the people that criticized and praised the book are both right: - It's a fast paced story that gets you involved quite quickly. I'm not a military- or detective-story type, but it works here. - Character development, especially the love story, isn't really well developed...but who cares? It's not about the supporting story, it's about the main story. - Cliches are a bit overused and pop culture phrases are scattered incongruously throughout...the book definitely could have used a firmer editor. - But it's a fast, rollicking bit of fun that is worth the nickel you spent to buy the book. I'm not too terribly sure if I'll check out any of this author's future books, but this one is definitely above average. But, not spectacular.
Rating:
Summary: Suffers from a complete lack of editing
Review: Though I'm just 85 pages pages into it, this book's amateurish execution and complete lack of editing compelled me to post this early review. Apologies to all the fans, but this has to be one of the worst-written books I've seen in a long time. The pacing is leaden; the language is overwrought. I have to wonder if the author was being paid by the word, since he writes as though there's no adjective or adverb he won't cram into a sentence. The majority of passages I've seen so far suffer from a repetitiveness that makes reading this seem like hard work. There's hardly a paragraph that wouldn't benefit from being cut 30% and revised for clarity. One example of these faults occurs at the end of a major section on page 64. At this point the author has painstakingly described a Marine company's discovery of several grisly murders on a remote island, and how a mysterious creature has already picked off several of them one by one. The section ends: "Alabama sighed, turned to Davis, and said slowly, 'Something's wrong about this island.' He breathed in the hot, fetid air. 'I can feel it.' "He slung his rifle over his shoulder and turned back toward the lines of trees. 'Something's wrong."" Wow. Talk about your shocking revelations and cliffhanger endings. This book may have some great ideas and scenes in it, but getting to them will present a challenge to any reader who's accustomed to a minimum amount of competency from an author. Ultimately, I don't believe I'll have the patience or stamina for it myself. It truly seems "Jinn" went from a fevered first draft directly to print. The real mystery and horror in this book is how St. Martin's ever released it in this state, and how many well-written books were passed over in its favor.
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