Thanks to Netgalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Storyline:
Someone mass murders a secret brotherhood using magic and Fatma is assigned to investigate the murders from the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural entities. The murderer claims to be one of the famous men from history who was long considered dead and continues to condemn modern ways and kills and causes destruction. Fatma also gets assigned with a partner Hadia who time and again proves herself. Going in search of truth puts Fatma in the path of a large conspiracy that might destroy the world itself.

What I liked:
-Fatma is not straight and falls in love with another female which is something I appreciate as there are significantly less fantasy books having main characters from LGBTQ+ spectrum.
-Her lover contributes greatly to the plot rather than just being a love interest.
-Social issues like racial discrimination, sexuality related phobias, gender inequality were touched upon including as much reality as possible.
-Books and libraries are made significant which is much appreciated.
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What I disliked:
-Fatma is nothing without Hadia which makes her less of an investigator and just a person with power because of her position.
-Too many non-English words used to describe attire, food, drink, place and whatnot making me to Google for meaning. After a while I didn't bother.
-Politics and politicians' rivalry was brought in out of nowhere just to create chaos and prolong the plot. -Every possible supernatural entity imaginable was brought in making it hard to remember who is who which made it impossible to enjoy the scene in several places.
-The writing did not instigate any feelings towards the characters or the world facing destruction.
-If the violence and the small portion of adult content were removed, this very well could be a YA novel.
Overall, this was a fun read without investing in the story or the characters.

4.75 stars

Synopsis: Fatma el-Sha’arawi is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities. Fatma is a skilled agent, one who already stopped the destruction of the world. When a mass murder of a secret brotherhood occurs, Agent Fatma takes on the case, only to find herself embroiled in tales of Al-Jahiz and apparent his return. Danger lurks at every turn with Al-Jahiz demonstrating his deadly powers, but Fatma, her colleague Hadia, and her girlfriend Siti are determined to find out the truth and put a stop to this dangerous figure.

CW/TW: murder/gore/violence

A Master Of Djinn, by P Djeli Clark is a phenomenal, amusing and twisty Egyptian fantasy with a steampunk feel and captivating characters. From start to finish I was utterly enthralled by the magic, the characters and the story.

The Writing/Narrative. P.Djeli Clark has an utterly absorbing writing style that is descriptive and detailed but also easy to connect with, relying on wit, emotion and humour to create a very human feel to it. Not only does he manage to breathe life into his settings, he also perfectly captures the characters and dialogue through his prose. Despite the story being fantasy, there is something very real in Clark’s prose, and it roots itself in your heart. Clark is definitely a clever and enthralling story-teller and his move into full length novels has definitely succeeded – I was completely engaged with the story from page one, and after finishing the book I couldn’t help but want more!

The book focuses on the perspective of Fatma, our mc (though the first chapter or so is from another perspective which gave the book an incredibly effective opening). This was the perfect narrative choice, mainly because of how absolutely amazing Fatma’s character is, but also because it fit very well with the plot itself. The narration perfectly carries the plot, and balances the pacing so that the book never falls into a lull. From the action and murder to the fantasy and puzzle of the case, the story manages to be perfectly paced and keeps your attention all the way through.

Clark masterfully writes action, investigations and relationships, hitting the target with every element of his story. From the narration, to the settings, to the characters, every element is well crafted, well structured and well written.

The Plot/Story. A Master Of Djinn has a brilliant story that keeps you on your toes. The story kicks off with a mass murder, and agent Fatma has been given the case – but things immediately seem strange. The victims are all members of some eccentric Brotherhood, the story of Al-Jahiz keeps popping up, and a masked man claiming to be Al-Jahiz himself is stirring up trouble – and it’s up to Fatma, her girlfriend Siti, and her colleague Hadia, to piece together the truth behind Al-Jahiz supposed return, and the bodies left in his wake.

The story is set in Cairo, Egypt – but with a fantasy spin. This Egypt is full of Djinn, magical artefacts and enchantments that are amusing, dangerous and intriguing. Fatma, the mc, works specifically for a department that handles all things supernatural and the case she embarks on definitely fits the bill. I absolutely adored the setting of the book, Clark really bought the streets of Cairo to life, and perfectly entwined the magical elements with the world. The Djinn have become a part of everyday life, and are vast and diverse in type, nature and power making for some incredibly interesting encounters – my favourite part being the deals made with Djinn and the tricky wordplay required to make them. There is also quite a steampunk feel to the world and the story which was really interesting to see and made the world all the more intriguing.

The plot has quite the explosive start with a mass murder leaving behind burnt corpses, and Fatma arrives on the scene after being assigned to the unusual case that seems tied to Djinn. I really loved the murder/case solving part of the plot and the magical twists and turns within it – it felt like a puzzle slowly coming together and it was enjoyable trying to piece it together alongside the characters. Clark manages to blend the crime solving element, the story of Al-Jahiz and his supposed return, and the existence of Djinn very well, it made the case more interesting, less predictable and maintained a sense of tension, mystery and suspicion throughout the story. I really loved all the elements to the plot and to the case, and how each element slowly came together to produce the answer and the whole truth behind the murders and the other secrets that are uncovered along the way.

Another thing I really adored about this book is how it places the female characters at the centre. The plot is filled with murder and magic but it also explores important themes of sexism, women’s independence, non-conformity and touches on colonisation. We get a plot and story full of characters who are independent and unconventional, carving a way for themselves in an Egypt that is slowly changing – and I loved this, Clark really writes some standout female characters that you cannot help but love and connect with. The book manages to deal with these themes in a rich and meaningful way without losing the wit and humour that makes this story so charming. There is a perfect balance of serious themes and dangerous risks with emotion and humour.

It is incredibly hard to talk about the plot without spoiling it but it is truly fantastic. I loved the crime element and putting together the puzzle of evidence, I adored the story of Al-Jahiz and his supposed return, the Djinn element and the secrets behind the Djinn and Angels was fascinating, and I loved all of the reveals and the story’s conclusion. There were so many little things about this book that made me fall more in love with it, from the side characters (like the doorman!) to the stories and books, to the myths and magic. Clark captures the big picture and the small details with a grace that makes this book easy to love, and it will definitely leave you wanting more from Fatma, Hadia and Siti!

The Characters. This book truly has characters that shine and they make the plot all the more enjoyable! The story has a mainly Egyptian cast and features a central f/f couple. All the characters in the book are well-developed and individual, including all the side characters who have their own strong presence. I loved the large cast of human and Djinn characters and found them all to be engaging.

Fatma. Our mc and Agent assigned to the Al-Jahiz case. Fatma is Hadia’s superior and partner, and Siti’s girlfriend and I absolutely loved her – she is a new favourite character of mine! Fatma’s character is very well crafted, she is realistic and easy to connect to and HER SUITS, Fatma is clever, quick witted, has excellent sarcasm and is a small stylish charming Agent. I really liked Fatma’s character, she is a very strong mc that supported the plot well. It was also interesting to have her as the character driving the story as she is an experienced Agent who already saved the world from destruction before. Her experience comes into play throughout the story making it all the more interesting and makes her more realistic. Moreover, she isn’t flawless either, she makes mistakes and poor judgments (though not at the detriment of her experience) which results in a more rounded character that we can love even more.

I also really loved her relationships with Siti and Hadia, as well as the rest of the cast. Her and Siti have an interesting relationship that is already established by the time we meet her, and it develops nicely over the course of the story. I loved the dynamic between them and found they worked really well together and had a good chemistry as well as realistic development and struggles with reveals etc… that happen and occur. I also enjoyed the professional dynamic between Hadia and Fatma, the friction at first and the slow realisation that they can rely on each other and are both capable and have their own strengths showed a nice natural progression between the two and I grew to love their friendship and partnership the more I saw of them.

Hadia. Hadia is an Agent and Fatma’s new partner. Hadia is new to the team but has many of her own strengths and is equally as fierce as Fatma. Hadia is strong-willed and determined with strong beliefs and motivations. I really liked Hadia’s character, I thought she worked well with Fatma and had a great dynamic with the rest of the cast. She is also well rounded and well constructed, she comes across as realistic and I was very quick to warm to her. I really liked her idealism and outlook as well as her independence throughout the book.

Siti. Fatma’s girlfriend. I loved Siti who just exudes mystery from the start. Siti is beautiful and mysterious and one of those characters who you never know when or where they will pop up and it was so fun and enjoyable. She is also incredibly loyal and feels deeply which was nice to see, and she has a sharp wit and charm about her that makes her scenes much more interesting. I really liked Siti and her skillset, her background and everything we learn about her over the course of the story and I enjoyed her input on Fatma’s case (and the people we meet through her). Her character is not an agent and has a vastly different circle which adds a whole new dimension to the story that is all the more intriguing!

Al-Jahiz. The antagonist. I thought Clark did really well with constructing the antagonist for the story. The mystery surrounding him and whether he is the true Al-Jahiz or some imposter, what the extent of his powers are and how he is causing so much damage served well to keep us guessing and made the ending much more shocking and impactful. I can’t really say much more about the antagonist without spoilers but they were well crafted and powerful enough to maintain tension, suspense and mystery throughout the book.

Overall. A Master of Djinn, by P.Djeli Clark is a brilliant steampunky fantasy set in Egypt and full of magic and djinn. The book encapsulates strong and interesting characters, a twisty and mysterious plot and excellently written settings. I really enjoyed this book and the story – it was truly engaging from start to finish.

*I received an eARC of this book from #Netalley @Orbitbooks in exchange for an honest review – thank you!*

https://kbbookreviews867789450.wordpress.com/2021/07/26/book-review-a-master-of-djinn-dead-djinn-1-by-p-djeli-clark/

A Master of Djinn returns to the world of alternate Cairo, although this time as full length novel - there have previously been two novellas that introduced us to this world. It's set in a Cairo where humans coexist with supernatural beings. I really enjoyed this book and it was so good to have a full length book to explore this world more. The plot is compelling throughout, the writing is great and the world is vividly written. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend checking it out.

When a wealthy businessman and his secret brotherhood are all slaughtered in the dead of night, it is up to Fatma el-Sha’arawi, an agent for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, to discover the truth. What she doesn’t expect is that the murderer is claiming he is Al-Jahiz, the very man who opened up the veil between the seen and the unseen almost 50 years ago. Al-Jahiz is announcing his return to condemn the modern era for its lack of social decency. His dangerous abilities threaten to disrupt the peace between the humans and djinns. With the help of her mysterious girlfriend, Siti, and her Ministry colleagues, they must work together to prevent this imposter from moving to global devastation.

I had read P. Djèlí Clark’s short fiction piece in preparation for A Master of Djinn. You can read it for free here! The events, in short, are mentioned briefly in A Master of Djinn and do not need to be read to understand the plot. I had found the original short piece fun and exciting, definitely interested in what this steampunk Cairo had to offer. But I had not expected A Master of Djinn to blow me away in the way that it did. Do not be surprised when this book takes its rightful spot in my Best Read of 2021 list later this year.

We start off with Lord Worthington, who brings together his Brotherhood of Al-Jahiz, a select group of men who are tasked with uncovering the wisdom of Al-Jahiz. Over the years, they have collected everything from clothing to papers that the man might have touched. That is a mysterious man who can seemingly duplicate himself slays them all in the middle of the night, and Agent Fatma might be one of the few people who can figure out why. Fatma’s journey takes her into the depth of Cairo, from the towering Ministry building that houses a librarian Djinn, who never seems to be interested in her, to the streets where humans and djinn live together. It has been a long time since a book has enthralled me in this way. The conflict, climax and resolution all fell into place and were executed with such detail and power. A unique, exciting tale about an agent who is not paid enough to deal with the drama of djinns.

Agent Fatma is our brilliant lead. She is one of the few female Agents at the Ministry and is a lone wolf who prefers to work silently and, most importantly, alone. While she does enlist the help of her girlfriend, Siti, Fatma knows her best work comes alone. So imagine her surprise when she’s knee-deep in a murder investigation; here comes Agent Hadia, her new partner. She immediately does her best to push away the new Agent, adamant that Fatma takes her under her wings, even as doing far to reject working alongside the most profiled agents at the Ministry. I loved Hadia; she is by far my favourite character in the series already. Hadia is fresh off the academy and ready to save the world. Her knowledge aids Fatma in places she never knew, and her story about her never-ending list of cousins had me laughing for days. Their relationship is an excellent mentor/mentee bond, and their development is satisfying as hell as they both navigate their male-dominated workplace.
Overall, I adored this one. A Master of Djinn is set in an alternate 1920s Cairo. After Al-Jahiz opened the veil and vanished and with the aid of the Djinns, Egypt forced out the British colonisers and re-established themselves as a world power. Clark’s worldbuilding is vibrant and magnificent. The magical setting with political and social issues while also figuring out a murder mystery was top-notch and a journey to read. And with a satisfying conclusion that paves the way for more exciting stories.

A Master of Djinn' draws largely on Middle Eastern folklore and mythology with multiple references to the stories told in One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights). The protagonist, Agent Fatma, is a badass investigator so when a brotherhood dedicated to the famous Al-Jahiz is murdered by, supposedly, the man himself Agent Fatma and her ministry colleagues work to unveil the imposter's true identity.

I really enjoyed the worldbuilding and setting (alternative steampunk version of Cairo) in this book. I could literally picture everything in my mind and the writing was so evocative. It helped that I love love Middle Eastern mythology! I understand it's the authors first full-length novel which makes sense as it definitely feels crammed with info and the first half is pretty slow.

I really liked the variety of characters and how well developed they all were (including very minor characters that don't appear in the story much). There were a LOT of characters and it was sometimes hard to keep track (not really A Game of Thrones scenario but definitely a lot) - however, they were mostly all relevant to the story so I didn't mind so much. Seti was a great character and I loved that her and Fatmas relationship was so normalised and not the main focus of the story. Some people might have a problem with the author being a man writing a sapphic relationship but hey, it's well done and I don't think there should be any restrictions on what you write.

I also really liked the allusions to important topics such as colonialism and white privilege. Difficult topics but very well dealt with. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for sending me an e-arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

Overall, a great debut but it took a while to get going. Best of luck to P. Djèlí Clark with his further writing!

What an original take on steampunk!
This story is set in an alternative 1920s Cairo, where fantastic engineering and architecture have been constructed by the many resident djinn. I’ve never visited the city – not in modern times nor the 1920s – but the atmosphere of the city’s fragrant backstreets and alleys, seedy jazz clubs and homely cafes feels very authentic (although a glossary of the Arabic/Egyptian/Sudanese terms would have been really useful). If I hadn’t been reading an ebook version I would have missed out on lots of cultural references, but “praise be!” for my Kindle’s built-in online look-up and dictionaries.
The main protagonist, Agent Fatma el-Sha’awari, is very experienced for twenty-four, a really snappy dresser and has killer moves with her swordstick. This new case centres around a secret society murdered in its entirety in mysterious circumstances. There are few witnesses, but it is, however, clear that magic was involved.
Agent Fatma has relationships that were cemented during the ordeals of a previous adventure, and you are given just enough details of the earlier problems to aid understanding, but not so many that it isn’t worth going back to read A Dead Djinn in Cairo, the novella that first features Fatma and her colleagues.
As the current investigation proceeds, it becomes clear that Agent Fatma and the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities may be totally out of their depth, and there’s a danger that Cairo, Egypt, North Africa, the entire globe even, could be at risk of collapse and descent into total chaos.
A Master of Djinn is a thoroughly enjoyable, fast-moving, non-stop chase through this world of agents, ancient gods, djinn of all sorts, ghouls, “angels” and the colonial upper crust, and I hope very much to see this series continue.

This novel has some of the best worldbuilding I've read. The alternate-history Cairo this novel explores - with its steampunk elements, its in-depth exploration of the different cultures found within each unique area of the city, as well as its ties into the world of the supernatural - is such an expertly woven tapestry of vibrancy and colour I could truly picture myself on its streets beside Fatma, Siti, and Hadia. Clark has clearly invested so much research, care, and passion into the worldbuilding of this novel, and it absolutely pays off. Not only that, but the different supernatural and mythological elements found within the book are simultaneously simply explained and seriously explored that I was fully swept up into this mystery.
The main reason this book isn't a 5-star novel for me is that, sometimes, the characters felt a little flat, or one-dimensional; it felt as though Clark had invested so much time into building the world that he spent less time fleshing out these characters fully. Nevertheless, the main characters found within the novel are interesting and pretty kick-ass.
Honestly? This book is, simply put, fun as fuck. I had a blast reading it.

From the author of A Dead Djinn in Cairo and The Haunting of Tram Car 015 comes the first full-length novel set in P. Djèlí Clark’s alternate 1912 Cairo: a fast-paced fantastical thriller featuring crocodile men, murderous ghouls, and powerful long-lost artefacts.

I’m a big fan of alternate history stories, especially when steampunk and the supernatural are thrown into the mix. Needless to say, A Master of Djinn caught my attention right away. Clark skilfully weaves together magic and machinery in his worldbuilding, resulting in strange and memorable creations like the Angels (I won’t go into detail, so not to spoil the surprise), gigantic clocks that power entire buildings, and more.

As well as the steampunk of it all, Clarke vividly conjures the culture and rhythm of life of Cairo through small details, such as references to Islamic prayer, use of Arabic language, and descriptions of foods and modes of dress. He also doesn’t hesitate to depict the different types of racial and religious discrimination that are rife in society, with typical colonial attitudes towards the ‘mystical Orient’ and darker-skinned people experiencing blatant racism. Of course, an Englishman claims that the mysterious Al-Jahiz, the man who ushered in this new age, must have been light-skinned. I was fascinated by Clarke’s exploration of the impact of djinn entering the world, which manifests in innumerable ways including the rapidly shifting position of Cairo in world politics, and a crisis in faith prompted by tangible proof of the supernatural djinn living alongside humans. I would have liked to have seen even deeper examination of these themes, although that would have perhaps bogged down the murder mystery plotline.

The characters are interesting, although I initially found it difficult to get a sense of Fatma’s inner motivations beyond solving the case. She’s not a rookie eager to prove herself, like her new partner Hadia, or a devoted follower of the old gods keen to gain security and respect like Siti and her friends. Fatma resembles a classic noir detective in her practical attitude, sarcastic rejoinders, and unwavering commitment to the case. Her romance with Siti also provides a twist on the classic detective/femme fatale dynamic. I liked Fatma’s attitude: how she admitted when she was wrong and was willing to change her mind. I also loved the detailed descriptions of her many beautifully tailored suits. One key difference to classic detective fiction, which greatly enhances the story, is the sheer number of female characters both major and minor. For instance, Hadia is a likeable character who subverts the demure and conservative hijabi trope, but in a way which avoids falling into black and white characterisation.

Most importantly for a murder mystery, I didn't guess the culprit, which may say more for my lack of deductive reasoning ability than how well disguised it was. The denouement is brilliantly theatrical, punctuated with moments of unexpected humour in a way reminiscent of Good Omens.

Fatma, Siti and Hamed are back. Promising start with likable characters, but a very slow plot. It took me two weeks to make it a third into the story, with several days of not wanting to pick it up. I thought it was me and was disappointed that this wasn‘t a fun rollercoaster ride, sweeping me along. I almost abandoned it, but instead skimmed through the denser passages in the middle to make some progress. Less filler would have been good.

For example the convention in the middle with all those dignitaries served no real purpose. It added to the complexity of the world, but it did not really bring the plot forward or could have happened as a shorter scene. Maybe Clark had another short story/novelette in his hand and blew it up to novel length by expanding the word count, without actually adding significantly to the story?

I did like the development of Siti a lot. Fatma felt a little more one-dimensional than previously and Hamed and Onsi sadly where only small side characters. Nonetheless it was fun to encounter them again.

I liked the last part of the book, so if I disregard the middle, this was a good book. The Djinn are complex, multi-faceted and definitely not one-dimensional. It‘s nice that even the bad guys have personalities and are not just victims of circumstance. Still, this book was nowhere nearly as good and entertaining as the prequel stories.

You can definitely read this as a stand-alone novel, but for more enjoyment I recommend to first read the two novelettes and the short story that came before this: Dead Djinn in Cairo, The Angel of Khan el Khalili, The Haunting of Tram Car 015.

I received this free e-copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

Set in an alternative history where the citizens of Egypt live alongside the djinn, A Master of Djinn is a police procedural with added magic, ancient gods and a good dose of steampunk.

Agent Fatma is sent to investigate the massacre of a secret brotherhood dedicated to Al-Jahiz who opened the veil between our world and the djinn. Her investigation is complicated when someone claiming to be Al-Jahiz appears, agitating the local population and has control over the djinn.

Clark has brought the setting of 1910s Egypt alive, the sights and smells, the people. Agent Fatma is intelligent, resourceful and very independent. Her new partner Hadid is a newbie, but she is unfazed by everything she experiences and her no-nonsense approach is a nice balance to Fatma.

This is such an exciting and engaging story, the setting, the characters and the politics. This being the third of Fatma's stories you don't have to, but you will want to.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

I'd heard a lot about this book in the last few months and it didn't disappoint. A really fun and vivid alternate Egypt that has been crafted masterfully. I'm not usually the biggest fan of urban fantasies but this was excellent. It was a fast-paced book that sometimes felt like it was confused about being a crime mystery or a thriller.

“The world sits at a precipice. Our ability to create has exceeded our ability to understand. We play with forces that could destroy us. This is the task the Brotherhood must take up. To recover the most sacred wisdom of the ancients, to create a greater tomorrow.”

My rating: 5+ / GR: 4.34

After reading #AnEmberInTheAshes by S.Tahir and #Daevabad by S.A.Chakraborty , I thought that I won’t read any better book based in Middle East, I was wrong, and I’m so grateful for that. This book is truly remarkable and I really want more books in this alternate, historical universe.

An interesting fact, same as Daevabad this book is based on folk-tales of #ThousandAndOneNight , in particular “The City of Brass”, where Solomon imprisoned and commanded Jinns and Marids with his ring. In both books it’s referred as “Seal of Sulayman”.

Book starts in alternate history Cairo, around 1912. Main character Agent Fatma, who is working for the Egyptian Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, has to investigate murder of the whole brotherhood, which is created by British noble man and dedicated to very well-known man in Egyprian history – Al Jahiz. Fifty years ago, he destroyed the veil of human and magical creature world, hence there are many Djinn and Marid living amongst the people. Now someone is claiming his identity and causing chaos on the streets of Cairo, which also makes the whole world feel unrest.

Beautiful way of showing Egypt as a transcontinental country, with all the religions and different ethnicities living besides each other. Cults and mythology, cultural/racial stereotypes, political games. Europe's and Asias political involvement in Egypt's business. I haven’t read any book, that would be so diverse, yet, would feel so natural.

I know some people are afraid reading books that are inspired by history and involves mythology, don’t be afraid. Author explains and describes most of the creatures and cults/religions. And there is so much humour at times, good quality humour!

Personal note: Grateful that there is finally a book, where people from different religions (Islam, Coptic orthodox, Ancient believes) are working together towards one goal. That’s what world needs right now.

I HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS BOOK FOR READING!

Received ARC in exchange for an honest review, thanks to Netgalley & Little, Brown Book Group UK

Fatma works for the Egyptian Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities (great name) and is investigating a mass murder at the Brotherhood of Al-Jahiz when she is partnered up with a rookie, Hadia. I liked the world building, djinn magic and characters but I’d have liked to have seen a little more integration between djinn and mortals at the ministry given the djinn are living amongst the mortals e.g by having a djinn agent, there is a djinn librarian at the ministry but I wanted more. It was a good detective/fantasy story though and I would read the next one.

P. Djèlí Clark has been making waves in the speculative fiction world, having won Nebula and Locus awards for his short fiction work. "A Master of Djinn" is his first novel and the first of his works I read, so I dived in with high expectations.

The first thing I noticed was the excellent prose. Clark is a wordsmith, effortlessly conjuring vivid imagery in agreeable language.

The story is set in a fantastical Cairo at the turn of the 20th century where djinn and magic had arrived 40 years prior. Egypt welcomed the djinn, integrated them into society, and benefited enormously as a result, rebuffing the British coloniser first, then setting about building a modern and inclusive society in a fast growing cutting-edge economy.

Enter our protagonist, agent Fatma el-Sha'arawi of the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities. She is called to the scene a multiple homicide with paranormal elements, and for 400 pages or so, we get to tag along as she runs around Cairo investigating the murders, which quickly leads her to something much bigger.

What first appears to be a mystery does not stay mysterious for long, as clues to the identity of the perpetrator and the power they wield are encountered fairly early in the book. Unfortunately, agent Fatma, who is introduced as a wunderkind, does not appear to be good at investigating. She ignores clues, fails to deduce the obvious, and generally stumbles into evidence provided by other characters. Two thirds into the book, she finally makes a big realisation that the reader could make after a few dozen pages.

The other problem with agent Fatma is that her character is incredibly flat. By the end of the book, we learn almost nothing about her save for her fondness of suits and bowler hats, and the manner in which her mother speaks almost exclusively in cliches. She is, by far, the worst character in the book. This, coupled with her seeming incompetence, makes her a very annoying central character.

Fortunately, other characters are more interesting: Hadia, Siti, Ahmed, and even the unpleasant Marid.

The book's other saving grace is the awesome world building. It's refreshing to read a SFF story that is not set in yet another mock-European or Anglo-American setting. Clark's Cairo is a fascinating place, an ode to tolerance and multiculturalism, yet not without its problems. His djinn are interesting, and not at all what they may first appear.

The overarching plot is serviceable and a little predictable, but there are delightful little surprises along the way. At times, the book meanders, which made me think that it could have been better if it were a little shorter.

Overall, I'm glad I read this book, and will look forward to reading more stories in this universe. I just hope agent Fatma's character gets more attention from Clark in future adventures.

In 1912, England and the Empire were no longer of great import, while Egypt had risen to be one of the great world powers. 40 years ago, the mystic al-Jahiz opened a portal between the mundane and magical worlds and the djinn were loosed on the world, bringing sorcery, alchemy, and renewed worship of the old gods in their wake. After he disappeared, the Hermetic Brotherhood of al-Jahiz was founded in Cairo by the English Lord Alistair Worthington, seeking to recover the wisdom of the ancients and the artifacts that al-Jahiz left behind.

When the members of the secretive fraternity are massacred, it falls to Special Investigator Fatma elSha’arawi of the Egyptian Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities to investigate. With 24 dead bodies and a dangerous djinn-assisted madman claiming to be al-Jahiz himself, set against a backdrop of classism, racism, and religious intolerance, Fatma is in a race against the clock to solve the case before anybody else dies.

A Master of Djinn is an intricately woven and deliciously detailed steampunk alternate history. Clark’s world-building skill is fantastic which, considering that this is his first full-length novel, promises much for the future. There are three prequel short stories which I purposely haven’t read yet to avoid them spilling into this novel, but I don’t believe I missed anything for having not read them first.

The existence of magic and the djinn are well balanced by real life issues, both in Egypt and across the world, and the narrative brings Clark’s version of Cairo to life from the very first page. The characters are well-rounded but flawed enough to be believable, and I fell in love with the prosaic Fatma, mysterious Siti, and loyal Hadia almost immediately. A Master of Djinn is apparently book one in a series, and I’m really looking forward to following them through future novels. In case you hadn’t guessed, I absolutely loved this book. A five-star read.

I received an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A steampunk romp through djinn-packed Cairo.

Sharp-dressing special investigator Fatma el-Sha’arawi of the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities faces her greatest challenge yet. A secret brotherhood is murdered by someone claiming to be al-Jahiz, he who many years ago, opened the door between the djinn and the earthly world.

Tremendous fun, faithful to djinn mythology (but note comment at end of next paragraph), and impressive worldbuilding. The djinn come in many different varieties, powers and elements. Women play a significant role in this novel, including the protagonist, sidekick and love interest, plus the wise, older woman who questions the status quo. Abigail is entertaining.

The opening chapter introduces the uppercrust English buffoon Archibald Portendorf. At best, stereotypes are lazy, and here is no exception. It doesn’t help that the scene is riddled with jarring inconsistencies. For instance, Archibald uses the American English word ‘dickering’, rarely (if ever) used in British English. Then there is the peculiar line, ‘Were you to place him on Baker Street or among the teeming crowds of Wentworth, I daresay he would be indistinguishable from any other Londoner!’ OK, I get that Baker Street is home to a famous literary detective, but how can the exclusive Surrey estate of Wentworth be considered ‘teeming’, or even within the bounds of Georgian London, for that matter. One might almost suspect the author of sticking a pin in a map. The mention of English whisky is almost a misnomer, although some English distilleries were around at the time (and there has been a resurgence more recently). These early errors make the reader question the author’s expertise in djinn.

It is to be hoped the many instances of tautologies – for instance, the character paying no mind to something about which it is already stated she is heedless – and unintentional witticisms (eg. ‘Something held her arms firm. Rough and heavy. Her legs too.’) will be edited out in the published version. The writing is also bogged down with extraneous information, particularly in each character’s wardrobe details for every scene, which pulls the reader from the intrigue. Why bother to inform the reader a character is wearing ‘his usual long-sleeved khalat’?

The narrative relies on Hollywood movie tropes, particularly those of detective duos pitted against a cut crystal accented English adversary, crossed with The Scorpion King/The Mummy Returns. A key moment also tips its bowler to Lord of the Rings.

Dialogue is obvious, and the prose elicits minimal emotional impact, predominantly appealing to the visual sense alone. Characters frequently scowl and smirk. The author’s tic, ‘atop’, appears at least 28 times.

A glossary would be helpful.

I can see this being launched with gorgeous paper cut-out dolls and outfits available online. Just saying!

Agent Fatma has appeared in two earlier novellas. This novel works fine as a standalone.

All told, an enjoyable, but flawed, mythological adventure. If Clark continues to develop his skill, we can look forward to more, and better, Agent Fatma adventures.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK, for the ARC.

In A MASTER OF DJINN, and the short stories in this universe, we get a really vibrant mix of mythological creatures, urban setting, and steampunk-vibes. Technology sits seamlessly alongside creatures of magic, in a way that creates complications for the main character, Fatma. Solving a crime is difficult enough without magic thrown into the mix - especially if you can't do magic yourself.

The story itself is a blend of conventions. You have your end-of-the-world fantasy elements alongside police procedural elements that the experienced officer being given a new partner they don't want. The mystery itself is full of twists and turns, picking up clues, discarding red herrings, and reaching for the pieces left just out of reach until the reveal. And then the fantasy setting means you get some action-packed sequences with great visuals (and much peril to life.)

It was really nice to see characters who have a few thousand words of page time max over the course of the short stories/novellas in the universe get plenty of page time. Relationships could be fleshed out, motivations and loyalties tangled. There are fun easter eggs too, for readers of those stories, but you don't need to have read them to follow what was happening too.

I didn't grow up with these mythologies as part of my childhood - the closest I got was Disney's very westernised Aladdin. But as books steeped in these mythologies become more widely published and marketed, you get to see a variety of takes on the same "source material."

I've seen a hundred version of <em>Beauty and the Beast</em>, and in those you wonder how the author will adapt the mirror, for example. Now we're very slowly starting to edge into the territory of reading a book and being excited to see this author's take on the Marid, because it will be different to previous books you've read and you want to see how they've woven it into their unique world.

There was one element in particular that, when it was first mentioned (can't say without spoilers!), I was very eager to see how it would fit into this world. It adds another layer of momentum, because I couldn't quite work out how it was going to play out until the pieces were laid out.

While the book wraps up very neatly, I am hoping for more adventures set in this world. The design of it allows for so many possibilities and stories to fill it.

Really excited to be given an advance copy of P. Djèli Clark’s first full-length novel set in the Dead Djinn Universe. Thank you Netgalley, Little Brown and Orbit!

Big fan of Clark’s steampunk Egypt and Cairo’s heady atmosphere. In particular, I love the alternative history and sending up of late imperialism, it’s what first attracted me to the two novellas and it is very well done. In A Master of Djinn, Clark delves further into cultural history too with folktales and poems and his worldbuilding is great.

I enjoyed the book but I do think that the plot was somewhat weak and the characters lacked development. Fatma’s amazing wardrobe couldn’t quite make up for the fact that she remains little more than a sketch. Still, it’s imaginative and fun and many readers will love it.

Three and a half stars.

In an alternate Cairo where magic and mythical creatures are real, Agent Fatma is an investigator with the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities. She and her girlfriend find themselves in the midst of a case involving the supposed return of al-Jahiz, the scientist who changed the world forever by opening up the veil between the magical and the mundane. Only the impostor turns out to be a murderer, and then suddenly Agent Fatma finds herself wondering if he’s an impostor after all.

A Master of Djinn is a really interesting look at what the world would be like if magic existed. My favorite part of this book is how cleverly P. Djèlí Clark shows us what politics, international relations, and the economy would be like if you threw the supernatural into the mix. And of course, Fatma and Siti, as well as Fatma’s new partner Agent Hadia, are charming, well-crafted characters that you can’t help but root for!

'A Master of Djinn' is the first full length novel by acclaimed fantasy author P Djelil Clark. However be warned, it is a sequel - to a short story/novella, 'A Dead Djinn in Cairo'. The events of that story are regularly referred to (and thoroughly spoiler-ed) in this novel to the extent that I would recommend reading it first. It is always a bit frustrating to read a book that turns out to be a sequel, when you'd have preferred to read in order had you realised.

It's a slow starter - found the first third slightly heavy going to the extent that I even skimmed sections, something I rarely do. Djeli Clark is by far better at writing the action sequences than the 'in between' stuff, which he tends to drag out a bit. Luckily once you've got through the first section, the pace picks up and the book gets into its stride.

The setting is Cairo in 1912, in an alternate history where an Egyptian mystic brought magic and djinn into the world in the second half of the 19th century. The result is a sort of Arabian steampunk with magic aplenty, and a political set-up where Egypt is a great power alongside European countries and America. The arrival of magic - in particular magic more closely aligned to Asian and African countries - has caused colonialism to unravel faster than it did in the real world. Egypt is more technologically advanced and more progressive in its attitudes - for example, to women's rights - than Britain. This changed balance of powers is really fascinating as a backdrop and is one of the strongest aspects of the novel.

Agent Fatma, the point of view character, is a government agent in charge of supernatural matters. She's your classic 'strong woman' central character, which is a bit of a cliche. Oh, and she's just been saddled with a new partner (also female) that she doesn't want, but turns out to be more useful than expected. Not exactly original. It's one of those books that is so full of implausibly kick-ass women that the male roles are hardly more than bit-parts. Two male agents (from another previous short story/novella, I understand) are allowed a small role in the fighting a couple of times. But they aren't allowed to get in the way of the females doing their thing. Whilst it's nice to have strong female characters in a book - I'm female myself - it honestly doesn't need to be at the expense of males. The best books tend to balance the genders of the characters. I found myself rolling my eyes at the relentless 'women are perfect' message. We don't need to be stuck up on a pedestal.

The plot centres on the arrival of a masked magician in the city, claiming to be the returned mystic Al-Jahiz, and with a disturbing ability to make djinn obey his will. He stirs up pre-existing tensions and resentments in a city where the majority of people are poor - the brave new world of djinn magic hasn't resulted in income equality. Fatma and her partner Hadia must uncover his ultimate goal and true identity, before he causes more destruction in the city. It's a reasonable enough plot, although I guessed the identity of the secret mastermind very early on and suspect most readers will. There's no twist that is truly surprising. But it's a decent enough read all the same.

If you enjoy fantasy fiction, and don't mind too many cliches, this is a decently written novel especially once you get through the slow start. If you have limited reading time and can only afford to go for the best, I wouldn't class this among them. The best djinn-related fantasy novels (also set in Egypt and with a fair amount of overlap with some of the concepts here), are SA Chakraborty's Daevabad trilogy. If you want to see 'djinn-fiction' done as well as it can be, 'City of Brass' is the place to start. If you've read those and just want more, even if it's not as good, this is worth a read.