A Master of Djinn

A Master of Djinn

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  • Create Date:2021-06-28 00:16:29
  • Update Date:2025-09-23
  • Status:finish
  • Author:P. Djèlí Clark
  • ISBN:1250267684
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

Nebula, Locus, and Alex Award-winner P。 Djèlí Clark returns to his popular alternate Cairo universe for his fantasy novel debut, A Master of Djinn

Cairo, 1912: Though Fatma el-Sha’arawi is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, she’s certainly not a rookie, especially after preventing the destruction of the universe last summer。

So when someone murders a secret brotherhood dedicated to one of the most famous men in history, al-Jahiz, Agent Fatma is called onto the case。 Al-Jahiz transformed the world 50 years ago when he opened up the veil between the magical and mundane realms, before vanishing into the unknown。 This murderer claims to be al-Jahiz, returned to condemn the modern age for its social oppressions。 His dangerous magical abilities instigate unrest in the streets of Cairo that threaten to spill over onto the global stage。

Alongside her Ministry colleagues and her clever girlfriend Siti, Agent Fatma must unravel the mystery behind this imposter to restore peace to the city - or face the possibility he could be exactly who he seems。。。。

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Reviews

Alice

I loved Clark's novellas so I thought I was going to love this one too but alas。。。 This is just not a style I enjoy in a novel format : too much action and worldbuilding and not enough characters and their developpement。 It was still pretty fun but just not for me。 I loved Clark's novellas so I thought I was going to love this one too but alas。。。 This is just not a style I enjoy in a novel format : too much action and worldbuilding and not enough characters and their developpement。 It was still pretty fun but just not for me。 。。。more

Elizabeth

Fantastic characters and plot! The world needs more Fatma, Siti and Hadia。 A Master of Djinn is so good it could have been written by a woman!

Annikky

I have read all P。 Djèlí Clark's novellas and a couple of short stories, including the ones set in the world of A Master of Djinn。 I have loved all of them, but I have to admit that for the first half of his debut novel I remained unconvinced。 This was certainly partly because of my extremely high expectations (A Master of Djinn has been one of my most anticipated reads of the year), but I believe partly also because I knew this world already。 If I hadn't, I would have surely spent the first hun I have read all P。 Djèlí Clark's novellas and a couple of short stories, including the ones set in the world of A Master of Djinn。 I have loved all of them, but I have to admit that for the first half of his debut novel I remained unconvinced。 This was certainly partly because of my extremely high expectations (A Master of Djinn has been one of my most anticipated reads of the year), but I believe partly also because I knew this world already。 If I hadn't, I would have surely spent the first hundred pages falling in love with his magical clock-work Cairo full of djinns, angels and old gods。 The world-building is an absolute delight here, but I had already factored that in。 The other thing Clark is usually extremely good at - writing women - felt less convincing here, although I loved Hadia (smart, diligent, rule-loving girls need more role models than Hermione Granger!)。 Add to it the somewhat scattered and predictable plot and you might see why I was underwhelmed。 Still, Clark won me over in the end, or more accurately, in the third quarter of the book。 It is a sign of how rich and diverse the fantasy genre has become that I can read an unquestionably fun novel about a queer female Muslim agent who likes to wear suits in a world where Egypt is one of the major players and that centers issues like race, colorism, feminism, colonialism, poverty and social justice and STILL I'm not entirely satisfied。 If this sounds like your kind of a thing, I do recommend it despite my grumblings and I will definitely read the next installment。 I need to know what the angels are up to。 。。。more

Dave Taylor

This was a fantastic steampunk adventure set in an alternative 1912 Egypt where magic is part of society, mostly through the presence of djinn, genies of various levels of magical power, who live among the regular populace。 The main character is Fatma el-Sha’arawi, a young woman breaking gender barriers as one of the very few female agents for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities。 She's saddled with a new partner who might prove helpful, but it's Fatma's girlfriend Sit This was a fantastic steampunk adventure set in an alternative 1912 Egypt where magic is part of society, mostly through the presence of djinn, genies of various levels of magical power, who live among the regular populace。 The main character is Fatma el-Sha’arawi, a young woman breaking gender barriers as one of the very few female agents for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities。 She's saddled with a new partner who might prove helpful, but it's Fatma's girlfriend Siti who's always showing up to help out when things get dicey。 The story includes smug English colonists entranced by the "mythic Orient", a fantastical array of Egyptian locals and curious steam-based and clockwork contraptions galore。 The new threat to the precarious Cairo peace: Powerful occultist al-Jahiz has returned to rile up the poor and ensure that chaos reigns。 Or is he an imposter out to wreck Egyptian society? Either way, that's not exactly what Fatma and her Ministry want。。。If you like sci-fi, historical fiction or highly imaginative fantasy, you'll love this book。 One of my favorite titles of 2021 so far, no question。 I'm ready for the next one in the series! 。。。more

Fiona

Fatma had come to learn "It's you" could mean a lot of things。 It's you, the sun-dark Sa'idi from some backwater village。 It's you, the woman who was all but a girl in their eyes that the Ministry had made a special investigator - and assigned to Cairo no less。 It's you, the strange agent who wore Western suits。 A few others tended to get less polite。 Egypt boasted its modernity。 Women attended schools and filled its booming factories。 They were teachers and barristers。 A few months back, women Fatma had come to learn "It's you" could mean a lot of things。 It's you, the sun-dark Sa'idi from some backwater village。 It's you, the woman who was all but a girl in their eyes that the Ministry had made a special investigator - and assigned to Cairo no less。 It's you, the strange agent who wore Western suits。 A few others tended to get less polite。 Egypt boasted its modernity。 Women attended schools and filled its booming factories。 They were teachers and barristers。 A few months back, women had even been granted suffrage。 There was talk of entering political office。 But the presence of women in public life still unnerved many。 Someone like her boggled the senses completely。The first full length novel in the Dead Djinn series and I really enjoyed it! There's the odd stumbling block, not too uncommon when moving from short to long-form, but on the whole this is just such a good series。Agent Fatma is back - so are Siti, Hamed and Onsi, among others - and investigating a mass murder that carries more than one whiff of the supernatural。 The Egyptian setting is phenomenal, and Clark continues to provide some absolutely gorgeous descriptive language。 There's a real found-family building up between some of our characters that is absolutely my personal catnip。The investigation itself didn't feel quite as tight this time around; it frequently felt a step behind the action, which as frustrating - I like it when Fatma excels。 There was a touch of the meandering feeling to the novel, too, as various new things popped up - but that one is less frustrating if it means we're building a world on a grand scale。 Definitely one of the strongest steampunk novels I've read to date and a series I'm looking forward to continuing。 。。。more

Elizabeth

4。5

Rebekah Kuschmider

I wanted to like this but it just didn’t hold me。 Ah well。

Em

absolutely thrilling。 i cant wait for fatma’s next adventure

lily

rtc!

Ella Jeanne

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSOkay。 This book was so good。 There are a few issues but I've decided that they are definitely a result of Clark being a better short story writer and also this story is too damn good to hold a few small things against it。 So, is it obvious who the villain is and is the plot twist essentially being pointed to with a big blinking arrow? Yes, but also who cares? The "mystery" was not what drove the story。 The world constructed here is brilliant and lush and rich。 Clark' YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSOkay。 This book was so good。 There are a few issues but I've decided that they are definitely a result of Clark being a better short story writer and also this story is too damn good to hold a few small things against it。 So, is it obvious who the villain is and is the plot twist essentially being pointed to with a big blinking arrow? Yes, but also who cares? The "mystery" was not what drove the story。 The world constructed here is brilliant and lush and rich。 Clark's wit, craftsmanship and historical commentary are exceptional。 I want an entire global history course on every single country and their folklore creatures。 As a person of Toucouleur descent the inclusion of my ancestors was also especially gratifying。 I am hopeful for many more books in this series。 。。。more

Deena

DNF 50%I don't know whether I'll bother to finish it。 I didn't DNF by choice - it's due at the library tomorrow and I can't renew it because there's a waiting list。I wanted to enjoy it as much as the short prequels, but I didn't。 I'm not even sure why。 It isn't bad, it just isn't great。 It's not a lack of action - stuff happens。 I still like the world Clark created, but I wonder if maybe he's better off doing short rather than full-length。 I don't know。 Maybe some day when I have nothing to read DNF 50%I don't know whether I'll bother to finish it。 I didn't DNF by choice - it's due at the library tomorrow and I can't renew it because there's a waiting list。I wanted to enjoy it as much as the short prequels, but I didn't。 I'm not even sure why。 It isn't bad, it just isn't great。 It's not a lack of action - stuff happens。 I still like the world Clark created, but I wonder if maybe he's better off doing short rather than full-length。 I don't know。 Maybe some day when I have nothing to read I'll try again。 。。。more

Daggry

Why are there so many Hollywood remakes and reboots when books like this exist? The writing was cinematic, creating a vivid and evocative world。 The characters, too, were varied and real。 But this story is ultimately less about any character arc and more about power and illusion—a rip-roaring plot in a rip-roaring, magic-drenched steampunk Egypt that nevertheless still struggles with colonizers and their imported poisons。 I love what the author does with issues like respectability politics and i Why are there so many Hollywood remakes and reboots when books like this exist? The writing was cinematic, creating a vivid and evocative world。 The characters, too, were varied and real。 But this story is ultimately less about any character arc and more about power and illusion—a rip-roaring plot in a rip-roaring, magic-drenched steampunk Egypt that nevertheless still struggles with colonizers and their imported poisons。 I love what the author does with issues like respectability politics and implicit bias。 I was less into the lengthy action sequences at the end, although they’re what made me realize what an excellent big-screen adaptation this book would make。 。。。more

Ted

I wanted to like it。 Clark presents us with a great premise--an alternative history in which magic reenters the world in the late 19th century through the work of a mysterious sage from the upper Nile。 It's kind of a mix of alternative history and fantasy [in that way, not unlike Orson Scott Card's "Alvin Maker" series], with a kind of steampunk sensibility。 But, underneath the intriguing vision is a routine police potboiler, with cardboard characters and a pedestrian plot。 I gave it 150 pages 。 I wanted to like it。 Clark presents us with a great premise--an alternative history in which magic reenters the world in the late 19th century through the work of a mysterious sage from the upper Nile。 It's kind of a mix of alternative history and fantasy [in that way, not unlike Orson Scott Card's "Alvin Maker" series], with a kind of steampunk sensibility。 But, underneath the intriguing vision is a routine police potboiler, with cardboard characters and a pedestrian plot。 I gave it 150 pages 。 。 。 my interest waned 。 。 。 I was done。 。。。more

Larkin

Steampunk alt history set in pre-WWI-era Cairo, where a man punched a hole to alternate worlds with djinns and other figures out of folklore, featuring a thoroughly modern-feeling female detective? F。 Yes。 Could the plot, particularly the integration of side characters that were previously introduced in the excellent prequel novellas and short stories, be a bit tighter? Yes。 Did I care? No。 I enjoyed every minute, even when those minutes were spent exploring the NewOrleans-Jazzplaying-expats und Steampunk alt history set in pre-WWI-era Cairo, where a man punched a hole to alternate worlds with djinns and other figures out of folklore, featuring a thoroughly modern-feeling female detective? F。 Yes。 Could the plot, particularly the integration of side characters that were previously introduced in the excellent prequel novellas and short stories, be a bit tighter? Yes。 Did I care? No。 I enjoyed every minute, even when those minutes were spent exploring the NewOrleans-Jazzplaying-expats underbelly in Egypt or something else similarly off-topic。 Maybe even especially because of those moments, and the loose weave of the plot。 Can’t wait to explore Clark’s world more。 。。。more

Naika

4。5 starsI would love to see this adapted into a movie!

Cathy

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 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: Goodreads review | Wordpress reviewThe Angel of Khan el Khalili: Goodreads review | Wordpress reviewThe Haunting of Tram Car 015: Goodreads review | Wordpress review+*+*+This is part of my #ReadBIPOC2021 challenge (entry for June)。I received this free e-copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review, thank you! 。。。more

Netanella

4 lovely stars for Clark's first full-length novel, set in the clockwork djinn world of his short stories and novellas from Tor。com。 The world that Clark has created, an alternate 1920's set in Cairo, Egypt, where magic and sorcery is real, and djinn and angels have returned and have given the Egyptians the ability to resist European colonization。 It's a fascinating place, and that fascination, more than the actual plot of this novel, which seemed to drag in places, is what kept me going。 The dj 4 lovely stars for Clark's first full-length novel, set in the clockwork djinn world of his short stories and novellas from Tor。com。 The world that Clark has created, an alternate 1920's set in Cairo, Egypt, where magic and sorcery is real, and djinn and angels have returned and have given the Egyptians the ability to resist European colonization。 It's a fascinating place, and that fascination, more than the actual plot of this novel, which seemed to drag in places, is what kept me going。 The djinn were awesome, and everyone (I mean everyone!) needs a girlfriend like Siti。 But Agent Fatma and her endless garment changes became annoying towards the middle of the story, just as much as her behavior towards Agent Hadia and the high priest of Sobek。 But dispite my souring at the lead character and some of her silly antics, the story itself held together quite nicely and is well worth the read。 。。。more

Becky

Wow! This is so interesting, fun, and pithy。 Steampunk supernatural alternate history Cairo, X-files meets Arabian nights and more。 I do recommend the short stories set in this universe as well。

Angelo

A 4。5 really。It is very, very good! I would love to read more books set in this universe。 Such an abundance of possible stories stemming from this one。

Shae

3。5/5 stars Around 1912, an alternate Egypt exists which is populated with djinns, angels and other supernatural entities。 What's more, it has become an empowered nation with her government publicly acknowledging and accommodating them。 There's a division of ministry that handles such affairs - The Egyptian Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities and our protagonist Fatma el-Sha’arawi is their star agent, more so since saving the world last summer。 So when a case pops up with 3。5/5 stars Around 1912, an alternate Egypt exists which is populated with djinns, angels and other supernatural entities。 What's more, it has become an empowered nation with her government publicly acknowledging and accommodating them。 There's a division of ministry that handles such affairs - The Egyptian Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities and our protagonist Fatma el-Sha’arawi is their star agent, more so since saving the world last summer。 So when a case pops up with an entire brotherhood dead, claimed to be murdered by the very saint the brotherhood was dedicated to, she's called to work。 The rest of the book solves the mystery behind it and its consequences。 I was enthusiastic to read A Master of Djinn as I'd read its preceding novella, A Dead Djinn in Cairo and absolutely loved it! You can see my quick review of it here。 The novella showcased potential, intrigue and had hard selling points for the ensuing book - fascinating world building, interesting characters and refreshing fantastical elements 。 I was looking forward to getting immersed in the world and its intricacies。。 I am a little bit disappointed though。 It’s not that the book was bad。 World building wise, I did get to peak into the underworld of Egypt, the slums and the streets, the ministry and even a bit of the elite society。 The world did expand and add more on top of what the novella had laid on。 With respect to characters, Fatma was intriguing, competent and the new characters that were introduced were all likeable。 The dynamic between Fatma and the other characters was good。 However, I’d say they didn’t feel perfectly organic。 The book was trying to set certain dynamic and connection across its characters but it was asking me to believe the same rather than just organically letting me think so。。 This wasn’t disturbingly evident, but I can’t not mention it。 Plot is one aspect of the book that I seriously had issues with。 The plot wasn’t tight, the mystery’s solution was obvious to me and the fact that it wasn’t for Fatma - an appraised agent of the Ministry wasn’t believable。 The plot points and progression weren’t neat and felt digressing in the middle。 Since the scenes weren’t tight, pacing took a hit as well。 The book managed to ramp things up post midpoint and upped the drama, ending on a high so I wasn’t completely let down。 Overall I’d say, the book offered juicy glimpses into Fatma’s world, built on its characters and introduced newer elements and powerful entities that it can draw upon in the following books。 It was a decent book and am going to stick around for book 2 and see how things go… 。。。more

Zoe Kaylor

Clark’s steampunk fantastical version of our world in the 1900s is rich and compelling。 The worldbuilding truly shines and I don’t think I’ve read such a vivid, compelling world for quite awhile! Additionally I’m always here for a good fantasy mystery and I want this to be a more common genre because I adore it。 The mystery was a bit predictable and convenient at time but that made it feel cozy and familiar and it didn’t bother me because the true stars of this book are Fatma and the other chara Clark’s steampunk fantastical version of our world in the 1900s is rich and compelling。 The worldbuilding truly shines and I don’t think I’ve read such a vivid, compelling world for quite awhile! Additionally I’m always here for a good fantasy mystery and I want this to be a more common genre because I adore it。 The mystery was a bit predictable and convenient at time but that made it feel cozy and familiar and it didn’t bother me because the true stars of this book are Fatma and the other characters and this brilliant world。 Definitely give it a try; and I can’t wait for more in this universe 。。。more

Dan Hinderliter

I really loved this book。 A riproaring mashup of history, fantasy, and mystery (with a healthy dash of Egyptian mythology and LGBTQ+ representation), this steampunk adventure sometimes read like YA or even Dan Brown, but don't let that dissuade you。 It was compulsively readable, with the twists and turns of a good conspiracy always at the forefront。 I appreciated the strong world building that not only showed the sights and sounds of Cairo but also intertwined modernity with historical。 While at I really loved this book。 A riproaring mashup of history, fantasy, and mystery (with a healthy dash of Egyptian mythology and LGBTQ+ representation), this steampunk adventure sometimes read like YA or even Dan Brown, but don't let that dissuade you。 It was compulsively readable, with the twists and turns of a good conspiracy always at the forefront。 I appreciated the strong world building that not only showed the sights and sounds of Cairo but also intertwined modernity with historical。 While at times it felt a little procedural (we talked to A, now we talk to B, next we talk to C, check check check), it never slowed the pace。 The last few chapters did feel a little over the top- the reveal I saw coming a mile away and then turned it to 11, but tbh it didn't cheapen anything for me。 Definitely worth the read。 。。。more

Sharra

Oh。 My。 Djinn。This book has everything I ever needed。 Queer characters。 BIPOC characters who are both accurate, not caricatures, and not bowing to the Caucasian gaze。 A serious steam punk adventure unlike many others that I have read。 A million, million thanks for this book。

Michael

A fun engaging read that put this reader in mind of the Marîd Audran novels ("When Gravity Fails") by the late George Alec Effinger。 The novel is set in the early years of the 19th century in Cairo。 However, in this alternate Cairo the Djinn have reemerged and, with their special skills, have enabled Egypt to become a major player on the world stage。 A ghastly massacre of the members of a secret society at the private residence of a wealthy British ex-pat leads to an investigation。 Enter Fatma e A fun engaging read that put this reader in mind of the Marîd Audran novels ("When Gravity Fails") by the late George Alec Effinger。 The novel is set in the early years of the 19th century in Cairo。 However, in this alternate Cairo the Djinn have reemerged and, with their special skills, have enabled Egypt to become a major player on the world stage。 A ghastly massacre of the members of a secret society at the private residence of a wealthy British ex-pat leads to an investigation。 Enter Fatma el-Sha'arawi , agent of the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities。 She is a wonderful protagonist, stylish, witty with a sly sense of humor。 There are numerous enjoyable plot twists and a quite satisfying resolution。 Recommended for fans of the genre。 Incidentally, Mr。 Clark's short story, "A Dead Djinn in Cairo", also set in this universe and available free online, is definitely worth checking out。 Cheers。 。。。more

Erich Becker

Good concept of an alternate steampunk-like history of the 1910's in Egypt where magic has been reintroduced into the world and Djinn live amongst (and with) mortals。 The whodunit aspect is great as the overall central figure in the story, although the ending is a bit of a let down, not in an unsatisfying way, but it doesn't live up to the rest of story。 The "who" of the whodunit is obvious with the books undertones pretty early, but still satisfying。 Highly recommended for anyone looking for so Good concept of an alternate steampunk-like history of the 1910's in Egypt where magic has been reintroduced into the world and Djinn live amongst (and with) mortals。 The whodunit aspect is great as the overall central figure in the story, although the ending is a bit of a let down, not in an unsatisfying way, but it doesn't live up to the rest of story。 The "who" of the whodunit is obvious with the books undertones pretty early, but still satisfying。 Highly recommended for anyone looking for something a bit different, interested to see where the series goes as the framework has been laid out for subsequent stories。 。。。more

Wendy

Interesting and original While I didn’t understand all of the cultural things (I did look many of them up), this was an enjoyable read。 I liked the characters and the djinn。 The mythology (but is it?) was interesting and the story was placed in a really unique setting — I liked the mix of science and technology with the traditional。 Recommended。

Sarah

I loved this book! It was so fun and interesting。

Dharshani

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。-Social issues like racial discrimination, sexuality related phobias, gender inequality were touched upon including the reality。-Books and libraries are made significant which is much appreciated。What I disliked:-Fatma is nothing without Hadia which makes her less of an investigator than the actual powe 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。-Social issues like racial discrimination, sexuality related phobias, gender inequality were touched upon including the reality。-Books and libraries are made significant which is much appreciated。What I disliked:-Fatma is nothing without Hadia which makes her less of an investigator than the actual power she holds。-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。 。。。more

Alicia O'Donnell

Excited for this author’s first full length novel。 I enjoy his world building and characters。

Lillie

4。5 stars