Bridget Devine is an archaeologist working in the Jordan desert. She's been digging on this project for 18 months and is excited when she finds an ancient artefact - a lamp. She touches it, and a strange wind knocks her to the ground. She's astonished when a gorgeous naked man materialises in front of her - a jinni, Ashura-Goreem, who offers her three wishes.

Bridget's first wish is for her mother to be cured of cancer. Ash grants it, but his demeanour scares Bridget and she flees. Ash is bound to her until he grants all three wishes, but his main purpose is to destroy the bones of the ancient king who cursed him and sealed him into the lamp. Ash intends to use Bridget and her colleagues to ensure his revenge, even if his revenge will strip him of his powers and make him mortal and weak. When Bridget takes the king's bones back to the US to put them on display in a museum, Ash goes with her. He thinks it'll be easy to fulfil his plans, but he hasn't counted on becoming interested in the lives of petty human beings, and he certainly hasn't counted on falling in love...

The Third Wish is a very impressive story, filled with plenty of authentic details about the archaeological dig and the social history and the religious beliefs surrounding djinn. As an archaeologist myself, I was impressed by K F Zuzulo's world-building and the depth of her knowledge. Bridget is a wonderfully sympathetic heroine who struggles with her duty, her rationale and her desires, but it's Ash who absolutely rules this book. He's driven and arrogant, yet he changes and begins to learn what it's like to be human. The Third Wish is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Reviewed by: Maija