Absolutely brilliant, brilliant, brilliant book!! Murder mystery set in a steampunk fantasy Cairo? This combination of words sold me on the book so well. I went into it with very high expectations and this book fulfilled every single one of them. The characters, the setting, the pacing, the plot... Everything is on-point. The commentary on colonialism is also very profound. I absolutely enjoyed every minute of this!

In “A Master of Djinn,” the characters are vividly drawn and engaging. Fatma, the main protagonist, is a special investigator with the Egyptian Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities. She’s intelligent, capable, and fiercely independent, often seen in her fabulous suits.

Her relationship with her new partner, Hadia, evolves throughout the story, adding depth to her character. The supporting characters, like Hadia, bring their own charm and add to the rich tapestry of the story.

Siti, Fatma’s sort-of girlfriend, is another standout character with enhanced strength and combat abilities. I loved the chemistry between Fatma and Siti, and every scene with Siti was memorable.

The story is set in an alternate 1912 Cairo, where magic and steampunk elements blend seamlessly. The plot revolves around a murder mystery that Fatma is tasked with solving.

The pacing is superb, and the narrative is filled with tension and well-plotted action scenes. The world-building is intricate, with magic affecting different countries in various ways.

The plot expands beyond a simple murder investigation, delving into themes of international politics and colonialism, which sometimes felt a bit scattered. However, the main storyline kept me hooked, and the climax was both epic and satisfying.

Clark’s writing style is luxurious and immersive, capturing the essence of Cairo’s culture, customs, and folklore. The prose is descriptive, making it easy to visualise the bustling streets, ancient temples, and sleek airship towers.

Clark’s ability to blend steampunk and supernatural elements with historical fiction is impressive. However, there were moments when the use of non-English words felt excessive, disrupting the flow of the narrative. Despite this, the writing overall contributed to a vivid and atmospheric reading experience.

The novel explores numerous thought-provoking themes, including colonialism, imperialism, sexism, and racism. These themes are woven into the narrative through Egypt’s relationship with other countries and internal societal dynamics.

Fatma’s job as a special investigator and her treatment in the workplace reflect broader issues of gender inequality. The story also touches on the politics of respectability and the fear of judgment, especially in personal relationships. These themes add depth to the characters and the world they inhabit.

A Master of Djinn fits perfectly within the fantasy genre, with its rich world-building, supernatural elements, and steampunk aesthetic. The blend of historical fiction and fantasy creates a unique setting that feels both familiar and fantastical. The murder mystery plot adds a layer of intrigue, making it a compelling read for fans of both fantasy and detective genres. The novel’s exploration of themes like colonialism and sexism also gives it a contemporary relevance that resonates beyond its genre.

I would rate A Master of Djinn 4.5/5 stars. The world-building is outstanding, and the characters are engaging and well-developed. While the plot occasionally felt scattered and the use of non-English words sometimes disrupted the flow, the overall narrative was captivating and immersive.

I’m looking forward to future installments in this series and would definitely recommend this book to fans of fantasy and historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed this immensely. The pacing was brilliant, I was impressed by how well it flowed from action to world building effortlessly. I found the characters to be very intriguing as well as hilarious. I didn't realise this was set in Egypt until I started reading it and I was ecstatic. Egypt is one of my favourite places to read about and really enjoyed the book being set here. There's magic, murder, mayhem, Djinn and it's sapphic. What more could I ask for? I will say that the twist was predictable but it was still very well done. I look forward to reading more from this author.

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark is a richly imaginative and thrilling mystery set in a vibrant alternate Cairo, where magic and steampunk elements blend seamlessly. The story follows Agent Fatma as she investigates a murder tied to ancient magic and dangerous secrets. The world-building is intricate and immersive, filled with magical creatures, political intrigue, and historical depth. While the plot moves swiftly, balancing action with humor, some twists are more predictable. However, the sharp dialogue, memorable characters, and unique setting make it a standout in fantasy. It’s a must-read for fans of historical fantasy with a fresh twist.

I don't know why it took me so long to get around to A Master of Djinn - but now that I finally did, I found it to be enjoyable and engrossing, whilst still presenting a complex world and plot. The characters are brilliant - they are so well-formed, and you find yourself quite invested - even with the side characters (of whom, I particularly loved Ahmad). The incorporation of some real-world historical figures was an interesting choice, but didn't detract from my immersion. A Master of Djinn does what well-written fantasy is so well placed to do - despite the historical setting (and being in an alternative world besides), there are some valid perspectives on our own world's history, particularly colonialism, and salient points for today. The one downside, which is purely a matter of personal taste, is that I found the latter parts of the novel a bit action sequence heavy for me. All in all, this was a brilliant, absorbing read - and I look forward to more works from P Djeli Clark, whether in this universe or otherwise.

It’s fascinating to see how an author can seemingly spring from nowhere to suddenly be a recommendation on everyone’s lips.

Starting with the novella ‘A Dead Djinn in Cairo’, their universe of a magical, independent Egypt in the early 20th century is blossoming, flying as free and varied as the cosmic entities within the pages.

So. Egypt has achieved independence from the British Empire. This is due in no small part to the release of Djinn into the world by a powerful magician who then vanished, leaving both Governments and regular folk to deal with the aftermath.

That’s kind of all we need to know as readers. In each book the protagonist is someone who has lived through these events, so they don’t feel the need to rehash them - therefore it’s up to us to divine what we can of why things are the way they are.

This is what drew me in. A beautiful authorial voice telling stories of magic that changed history, combining the exotic and the mundane - and at heart, a mystery to be solved. Oh, and these books are also police procedurals, historical adventures and social explorations. Women are still fighting for the vote, and to see one in trousers is remarkable. The British are wondering what happened, while the rest of the world is developing its own magic based on each country’s unique folklore (we see a glimpse of German, French and Russian here).

Frankly, I’d be happy living in this world!

In this particular title, the magician who started it all may have suddenly returned - and it’s up to one overworked detective, her mystic assassin lover and a bright young police assistant to find out what’s going on.

I’ve been recommending these books to everyone since they arrived, and will continue to do so. P Djeli Clark’s writing is sublime, humorous and heartfelt, with wit and wisdom amidst the action (and there is definitely action!). I never knew what turn the story would take next, and everything is resolved with just enough left over for the next book.

An magical literary joy.

I am sad to say I wanted to love this much more then I ended up doing.

The characters were lovable and the world interesting however the pacing was slow moving and i wish the worldbuilding was further expanded on.

A Master of Djinn was everything I wanted it to be after reading the prequel short story and novella. I fell in love with this world instantly and this novel adds so much more to it. I love the steampunk vibe and the interesting mix of magic and technology. The story also has the themes of racism, sexism and colonialism which makes it feel more like an alternate history. It really was just a great mystery story with the addition of very interesting and powerful magic.

The plot was very interesting and kept me hooked, it was full of action and interesting twists. It really showcased the world it was set in with a lot of real world influence quite clear from the start. I enjoyed the characters but I'd say I liked some fo the side characters more. I feel the characters is the weakest point of the book but its all so brilliant it doesn't really matter.

The worldbuilding really is the best thing about this book, its a steampunk Cairo in the early 1900's. Cairo is the peak of modernity due to a rift to other planes being opened and Djinn coming to live alongside the people. They brought the knowledge of architecture and technology with them and helped build some brilliant things. I love the idea of Egypt being one of the global powerhouses, especially in a time where the British Empire and others were trying to colonise them and treated them badly. They don't share this new knowledge with the rest of the world but really you can understand why.

Like most things written by P. Djeli Clark, an absolutely fantastic book brimming with amazing, African and Muslim-themed worldbuilding that also centers around a key concept in so much of the Global South: Freedom from colonial chains. The result is an absolutely gripping read, which is further boosted by a fun, engaging protagonist in Fatma el-Sha’arawi.

The villain is amazing in a way that further circles around those themes of colonialism and appropriation as well. I could say more, but to be forthright - read this book, ideally with A Dead Djinn in Cairo and The Haunting of Tram Car 016 as companion pieces. You won't regret it.

I finished A Master of Djinn this week and loved it way more than I expected.

The steampunk alternative Cairo setting was a joy to read, especially with the colonisation backdrop woven into the story where Egypt has risen to the fore on the basis of the Djinn magic. Clark tackles issues of race, culture, gender equality and sexuality but the story never feels solely based on those.

There are three main female characters and all of them strong and independent. Fatma, is one of very few women working in the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities. Despite being sharp witted and we'll dressed, I loved that she was flawed and never had an immediate answer for everything. Early on she is partnered by Hadia, a seemingly bright eyed new recruit in the ministry. Lastly, we have Siti who was an interesting character from the short stories who we know has a relationship with Fatma, and is pretty fierce.

The plot fell a tad short of me giving it five stars. The murder mystery seemed to be secondary to the characters and world building but this didn't detract from this being an immersive, and entertaining read and fits perfectly well as a palate cleanser too.

I need more feature novels from this world please.

This was a fun trip through a fantastical Cairo, Egypt following paranormal detective as she gets her new partner just as a terrible crime happens. A murder mystery with djinns, angels, robotics, all while our MC Fatima is running around in jazz bars and Zoot suits. Fatima is a wonderful character who is fleshed out into an amazing world thanks to Clarks impeccable writing. Would love to read more mystery investigations with Fatima and Hadia

Unfortunately this one was just not for me, DNF at 30%,
The writing style was sharp and descriptive.
The plot and characters had promise but couldn't hold my attention sadly.
This is very much a personal opinion and i still believe many readers will be able to enjoy this book.

It's curious how this journey into time and magic can feel so fresh and new, yet it does. It's clever, witty, sharp and all the things that a fantasy novel aims to be. My only disappointment was with myself for having delayed reading it for so long!

When I first heard that P. Djèlí Clark was releasing a full length novel, I knew I’d have to read it, and sooner rather than later. I really enjoyed the world building in the previous novellas set in this world, with its alternative history and view of magic and to see it play out against a longer, larger story was definitely appealing. In regards to how well the novel stands alone, while you can definitely jump into the novel without having read any of the previous stories, having read at least A Dead Djinn in Cairo will give you a much better understanding of Fatma and the Angels. Everything else just provides nice Easter eggs dotted through the story.

Where this book is at its strongest is having two women characters who can show alternate views of Egypt’s modernisation and progression. While Fatma is more “european” for lack of a better word - masculine dress and approach, more secular, Hadia is devout, wears the headscarf and is a bit more traditional in her approach. However both demonstrate that Egypt in this world is balancing both and that being modern doesn’t necessarily require mimicking the west wholesale.

Speaking of which, the worldbuilding in this novel is incredible. An alternate 1920’s Egypt where the English were expelled much earlier due to the discovery of magic and jinn decades before, the world is alive and the potential for a completely different history in other parts of the world is hinted at in several key scenes. In fact, part of me longed for those stories of India freeing itself earlier, Germany taking a different path by relying on its folklore creatures, there’s a wealth of potential offshoots and alternative stories hinted at and ready to explore.

Ultimately Master of Djinn is a fun adventure novel that has some intricate and interesting world building that elevates what could be a fairly routine plot into something fresh and interesting.

Since reading A Dead Djinn in Cairo a few years ago, I have become besotted with the mystical, steampunk 1920s Egypt Clark has created and will read anything and everything set in this universe. The writing and storytelling are superb. The world building grows with each new addition to the series and you cannot help but love sassy Agent Fatma with her super stylish suits and cast of strong supporting characters. It really is a fun, action-packed read. Clark is a master storyteller.

Recommended for fans of: urban fantasy, Saad Hossain, Frankenstein in Baghdad, Fire Boy, The Rook

Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group for the reading copy.

A Master of Djinn was a delightful read.

I wasn't expecting it to have so much to offer. I thought it was just another mystery with magical and supernatural elements, but it's more than that. The mystery is strong, and the whodunit aspect made me glued to the pages. On top of that, I love Fatma, and all the other characters in the story. They're very well-written.
Reimagining history is no easy task for authors but P. Djeli Clark did it masterfully, and after reading this, I searched for his other works. I will certainly read them someday.

I am such a fan of this worldbuilding I am willing to handwave any plot weaknesses for many more stories in this universe.

Read this book for ALL THE WOMEN (so much girl power and variety!) and hot takedowns of imperialism. Truly, sometimes I had to take a pause and be like, damn, he didn’t have to go that far but boy am I pleased he did. No rose-tinted British colonial adventures in this one, but a lot of glorious haberdashery that you would associate with the golden oldies. And my absolute favourite thing is that he brings more w o m e n to challenge our woman protagonist on her biases (Hadia ILU!) and that is so good. If anything, Fatma seems a little too-old fashioned a protagonist herself in comparison, and isn’t that a luxury to be able to say in relation to a queer woman of color wearing dapper suits solving crime in steampunk Egypt? /pleased.

Similar to the short stories, the mystery remains a pretty simple, too-obviously-set up one but I didn’t really mind that: there is a sense of momentum, an enjoyable cast, and a really attractive worldbuilding to enjoy throughout.

A Master of Djiinn by P. Djèlí Clark is a fantasy mystery novel featuring intelligent and confident female characters set in an alternate steampunk Cairo. Sounds fun right? Ever since I read Ring Shout, I'd been so excited to read this. Thankfully, it didn't disappoint.

The plot itself was very engaging and page-turner. Even when I haven't read the other stories in the series, it was not an issue. I still enjoyed the plot and it was so easy to jump into it. I liked how the plot really had the actual investigation going on. Following the clues and making my own guesses made me feel like the protagonist's companion in solving the mystery. The reveal payoff was satisfying as everything made sense. Moreover, some issues like misogyny, racism, and colonization were incorporated well in the story.

The world-building and magic was incredible. Culture, lore, and mythology were brimming to the top. It had djinns, goblins, golems, angels, and a lot more. Also, the culture, socio-economic and political issues of Cairo during this time period were written on point. It was indeed a very rich and astonishing world.

Overall, A Master of Djiinn by P. Djèlí Clark is a page-turner fantasy mystery. The characters and world building were amazing. There's a sapphic romance, too! I highly recommend this novel.

A big thanks to Orbit/Little, Brown Book Group UK for the digital galley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

WOW! What a great novel!
This was my first novel by the author and it certainly won't be my last. P. Djèlí Clark created such a vivid alternative Egypt with such amazing characters that I wish I lived in the same world. The case around the secret britherhood was extremely gripping through I have to say that I figured out who the perpetrator was really quickly. It was still a lot of fun to read, especially with the big showdown at the end of the novel. I definitely would read more books set in this alternative Egypt and I hope we'll get more stories about Fatma in the future.
Reading this book was definitely worth it and I hope we'll get more books set in Egypt in the future.

Hmmm... a tough one to review. Loved the world-building, the concept of djinn living among us in early 20th century Egypt, the interplay with Europe and the like, the mystery underlying the story. But have to say, felt the characters a bit weak and the story not as gripping as it could've been. I know there are other short stories from P. Djeli Clark set in the world which I haven't read, and though this has been billed as a stand-alone novel, I do think that not having read the previous work prevented me from connecting to the characters and story. Perhaps if I had read the other stories I would have been more vested in this one. But alas, I did not read them, and hence, did not like this that much. But who knows... maybe I'll revisit when the next instalment comes up, and perhaps consider reading the short stories (if only my reading list wasn't so large!!). Let's say 3.5 out of 5.