Clark creates a fascinating alternate middle eastern history where genies and ifrits are part of the everday fabric of society. Characters are well-drawn and entertaining. You love spending time with them as they try to tease out who is behind the plot to take over the world.

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark is a masterfully crafted novel steeped in a world of glorious Egyptian steampunk. Agent Fatma el-Sha'arawi of the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities finds herself investigating the murders of members belonging to a secret brotherhood of a long lost prophet named Al-Jahiz. When a man claiming to be Al-Jahiz appears, Agent Fatma must use every weapon in her repertoire to uncover the secrets necessary to either expose the imposter or prove his existence. Fantastic page-turner filled with an intriguing mystery and suspense.

This was a rollicking adventure set in an alternative Egypt, where magic and machinery coexist. I love reading fantasy set outside the typical UK-like setting, and this book's alternate Cairo leaves me wanting more. I hope to see future books in the Dead Djinn Universe series!

A Master of Djinn is the first book in P. Djèlí Clark’s Dead Djinn Universe. I’ve been making my way through the novellas and short stories in this world and I was incredibly excited to pick up this full-length novel. The story follows Fatma el-Sha’arawi, an agent in Egypt’s Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities. When a secret brotherhood ends up murdered in mysterious circumstances, Agent Fatma is on the case. When the murderer claims to be al-Jahiz returned, Fatma must work with her colleagues and girlfriend Siti to uncover who the imposter is or risk the civil unrest in Cairo spreading over the globe.

A Master of Djinn is a brilliant, addictive tale. After thoroughly enjoying the other stories set in this world, I got completely wrapped up in this fantastic story. I would note while this can be read without reading the other stories, I would highly recommend picking up A Dead Djinn in Cairo first. They are of course all brilliant stories and worth picking up. Clark has incredible worldbuilding and I loved learning about the magic and creatures. Steampunk Cairo practically leapt off the page and Clark’s vivid writing really brought it to life. A Master of Djinn is quite a quick-paced story, full of magic, murder and mystery. The book has had quite a bit of buzz around it already, and it’s absolutely easy to see why. This is a compelling book and one fantasy fans will just adore.

One of the stand out things for this book is the fascinating characters. Fatma is a brilliantly, clever detective. She’s a really quick, sarcastic character that you absolutely cannot help falling in love with. I enjoyed learning more about her backstory as well as seeing her cope with getting a new partner. I also really liked the dynamics between Fatma and Siti and enjoyed seeing how their relationship developed as the story progressed.

A Master of Djinn is a fascinating, unputdownable read. If you’re looking for a fantasy story to completely sweep you away, this is an absolute must-read.

This book was awesome! The author does an amazing job reimagining history and it makes you feel like you're really there experiencing all the sensory details. Beautiful. It also is so interesting! I'll admit that when I first picked this up I was worried I would be lost in the world building, as I often find myself in Sci-fi/Fantasy books, however this one wastes no time getting to the murder and mayhem with splashes of world building throughout--very accessible and engaging! I also really loved the stylization of the characters, specifically their dress and the way that was described. I don't want to go too much into detail because I think this is a novel best lived through without any spoilers or too much anticipation, however, I strongly implore you to pick up this novel. Especially if you're interested in alt history Cairo sci-fi/fantasy with murder and mayhem!

I really wanted to enjoy this book more however it just wasn't for me.

The Djinn concept is utterly mysterious and intriguing. I started this book with great excitement and tried to have patience for the plot to develop its worldbuilding. Nevertheless, the story felt all over the place and I couldn't focus on the aspects presented. Also unfortunately I didn't care for any of the characters.

Having said that, the setting in Cairo is still quite interesting. I only wish it was more fast-paced and organized.

DNF @26%

What a luscious book! Part mystery, part thriller, part love story, part alternate history, set in 1912 Cairo. A generation ago, a great magician styled Al-Jahiz opened the door to the realm of supernatural creatures like djinns and angels. In response to the influx, the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities acts as police, investigators, and regulators. Enter Fatma el-Sha’arawi, the youngest woman working for the Ministry, who is called to investigate the murder of a member of an aristocratic British cult devoted to Al-Jahiz. That same legendary figure is now stalking the city, gaining ever more numerous and more violent followers. Perhaps his most terrifying power is his ability to control the djinn, even those integrated into human society. Even the mightiest of demons. (Even the charmingly OCD djinn Ministry librarian.)

Balancing breathless action, escalating peril, and plot twists with quieter human moments, evocative details of daily life in an invented world, and the slow unfolding of the heart is always a challenge. Pace and momentum, though, are not the only story elements that hook a reader and keep us going. Clark succeeds on all levels, using effortlessly vivid prose, multi-dimensional characters, and gorgeous world-building.

This book was absolutely spectacular, a fantastic follow-up to Clark's short works in this world. Fatma is an incredible, dapper character, and her deepening relationship with Siti was heartwarming. The addition of new character Hadia was also awesome. I also loved all the commentary on English colonialism.

This was definitely a romp, both hilarious and meaningful.

A Master of Djinn is a fabulously magical novel set in an alternative Cairo in 1912. This is a Cairo where the veil to the magical world was lifted fifty years ago by Al-Jahiz, so now the djinn and humans live side by side. When Al-Jahiz suddenly reappears years after disappering the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantaments and Supernatural Entities are called in to investigate, and send their best agent Agent Fatima to investigate after Al-Jahiz is linked to the murder of twenty four people in a Secret Brotherhood. With a new partner, Agent Hadid, Fatima must track down Al-Jahiz, and try to stop him from causing unrest in Cairo and maybe from opening the veil again.

a Master of Djinn is a fabulous cocktail of police procedural, historical, supernatural and magical fiction. It is also a novel where the main characters are all strong, women trying to succeed in a man’s world. Agent Fatima is the first female agent in the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, and has to work hard to prove her worth. She is the most successful agent in the Ministry and respected by her colleagues in the Minisrty and the police. I loved her quirky dress sense, wearing a western suit with waistcoat and bowler hat in bright colours. This definitely reflects her personality, as someone who works and plays hard and enjoys life. However, she is not convinced when she is matched with a new partner Agent Hadia, prefering to work alone. Hadia is also has a strong personality and is eager to prove herself to the woman she looks up to. Watching their relationship develop was interesting, especially as Fatima treated Hadia as a young rookie, not up to the job, the same way men viewed her when he started the job. As for the djinn characters they are fascinating, a huge blue librarian whith anger issues, clockwork angels and djinn that can create illusions. There are a fabulous diverse cast of characters, both human and djinn.

I loved the Cairo that P.Djeli Clark created, it’s diversity, the different areas of the city, the small winding streets, the bazaars and food, it is a real feast for the senses. The magical element sees trams that travel by air, stunning magical architecture, and the use of boiler plate eunuchs that carry messages and serve food and drink. This alternative Cairo also gives way to themes of religion, how the old Egyptian religions to gods and goddess are on the rise and seen as subersive to the state religion, so are kept underground and hidden away as people are afraid of the consequences. The theme of colonialism is also addressed, in the aragance of the British, their superiority over everyone else. P. Djeli Clark builds up the tension in the search for al-Jahiz, sending the reader in many different directions as the suspense rises and the book hurtles towards an action packed and thrilling conclusion.

I loved reading A Master of Djinn, the mix of crime, thriller, magic and supernatural makes for a compelling and immersive read. P. Djeli Clark creates a wonderful alternative Cairo of 1912, with the amazing djinn in all their bright colours and magical qualities, and the mix of the supernatural world living alongside the human world. I was completely immersed in this world and honestly couldn’t put the book down, I hope there is going to be a sequel.

This is a world full of Egyptian and Arabian mythology that is a refreshing setting. It’s not something you see often where you get an Alternate History novel combining Steampunk, Mythology and Magic. This is a world full of bazaars, camels, djinns in marvellous magic, a world in which you have never seen before. In its scope, one could interpret this series to explore the broader implications of this world; this is a world where Egypt threw off the shackles of British Colonialism and furthered the advancement of the decline of the Ottoman Empire. A world that is close to the edges of WW1. The discovery of Djinns and their ability to integrate into Egyptian society was a sharp wake up call for the Western Powers. They resolved to conquer Africa, but African countries defeated their forces. India liberated itself and the British Raj is now struggling to hold on to whatever precious territory it has left. In one sense, this novel has a huge scope for a potential tv series adapted by Netflix, and in another, it makes me want to explore the world outside of it. This is what I want to see more of in fantasy novels, but more of that, I am proud that the author combined historical fantasy with steampunk to take something uniquely different; What if Egypt overthrew the shackles of colonialism that had taken over hold of it?

But this is a novel that is fighting for the heart and soul of Egypt. Even though Egypt has become independent, it is struggling to reform its society. People still hold deep patriarchal views, and there are many nationalist movements unsatisfied with the King and Queen of Egypt and its Government. However, Egypt is trying to exert its influence in helping fund revolts in the French Colonies in Algeria while convincing the Ottomans to give greater autonomy.

There are eccentric characters in this novel, and the writing is exceptionally good. I commend the author for writing such a complex and detailed novel. The amount of historical research that went into this is astounding. This novel focuses on Fatma, an agent of the Ministry that has to deal with the murder of members of the Brotherhood of Al-Jahiz. In it, she and her lover, Siti, a half-Djinn and her partner, Hadia, discover a secret that threatens to unleash a storm of Djinn and Ifrets, mythological creatures that were from the tales of old. We see the very beginnings of power and magic; we see mystical elements of this world; we see a world that has been shut off from the West. I became more exposed to elements of Arabian Mythology that I didn’t know at all! So many new fascinating concepts, so many new fascinating creatures, and the Djinn are the Genies in the Western context. But don’t be fooled, Djinns are excellent lawyers. They are spirits that can’t be handled around like a pet dog. They can trick you when you don’t see it. The characters in this novel are interesting, but they didn’t hold enough interest for me yet to dig deeper. However, I think this is because of what I’ve read. I’ve barely scratched the surface. There is so much lore, so much fascinating story. I’m amazed at this. I don’t wish to reveal the rest of the story. But P. Djèlí Clark has created a world that is full of mysticism, magic and a fascinating insight into an alternate Egypt which never existed in this timeline. Using brilliant wit and prose, under-taking detailed complex historical research, he has created a world where you will feel yourself in the streets of Cairo and observe the beauty of Egypt’s world.

Here’s an interesting tidbit: During the years from 1830 to 1841, Egypt had declared its independence under its leader, Muhammad Ali, who had been the de facto governor of Ottoman Egypt and launched an invasion of the Ottoman Empire twice. Before the rebellion, he reclaimed many Arabian territories and conquered Sudan. Twice he conquered Asia Minor, defeating the Ottoman armies that came across him. Twice he was close to the Gates of Constantinople, but European pressure forced him to prevent him from doing so. This novel takes place exactly at a place where the power of feminism has taken root in Egypt. Where political rights and voting are emerging, where Egyptian society is becoming what it should have been which the European Powers in their colonies never allowed.

Allow me to explain. When Britain ruled India, its economic, social and foreign policy was not always the best for the native Indians. It certainly benefited the elite of India, but not the common people. African farmers in the European Colonial States had their profits robbed from them. France had a weird policy of trying to integrate Africans in their colonies, but never really was going to give them that. It made sense for the European Powers to keep their colonies poor while exploiting the natural resources to gain profit. That being said, many Empires have done this in the past. Not just European ones. Now imagine India being successful in 1857 against the British. Imagine if that had inspired other nations that were being ruled by the European Powers to rebel. This is only an assumption of mine.

And that’s what I love about the world that P. Djèlí Clark has created. Finally, seeing the world, not from a Eurocentric colonial point of view. I studied French Colonialism in Algeria and Vietnam at University, and I was glad to study the Algerian and Vietnamese viewpoints that hold an extraordinary picture. But is this to say that all colonialism was bad? Not at all. We have to acknowledge the positives and negatives. On my side, I might have some bias. But I shall not turn this review into an essay, for I am merely pointing out the condition of Colonial History. In contrast, we have a strong Egypt that is doing the opposite of what actual Colonial history was for Egypt. If you read about it, you will be shocked. At one point, Egypt was ahead of the West and it was modernising before the British came back to conquer it. Then you hear little about Egypt until World War 2 with the Allies fighting the Axis Powers. This novel pits us a few years directly before WW1, but very close to it.

In the end, this novel impressed me. I’ve written more of a historical essay, but I thought it important because few in the West even know about Egypt’s history. It’s neglected. I do not mean Ancient Egypt, but the foundations of Modern Egypt during the decline of the Ottoman Empire. I loved Fatma and Siti, and their unique relationship carried the story forward. Sometimes I felt Fatma was more reactive rather than being active. Another wish I would carry forward to the author is that in the next book, we have the Egyptian Gods stirring again and bringing back their culture. I think it would be an interesting dynamic to add. This book is worth your time, and I would whole heartily recommend this.

In the future, I wish to see more novels that take different viewpoints like this. More of this combining alternate history and a different setting? What if the Byzantines had survived till the Napoleonic Era? What if we saw the Dutch becoming the World’s Superpower rather than England? What if we saw African countries take on the Industrial Revolution and colonise Europe? What if we saw a strong resurgent Ottoman Empire that had transformed itself with the Industrial Revolution and we had magic and steampunk? What if we saw the Qing defeat the British in the Opium Wars with their mythological dragons? What if we had a different world, where the Ancient Powers had survived to the late 1800s has never converted to Christianity and removing the element of the Middle Ages? What if? There is so much more. And Alternate History doesn’t need to be WW2 anymore. Not now. It’s been overdone in my opinion. Alternate history is vastly under-rated and I believe you can join many genres with it. It must be done right and with a lot of amounts to detail. This is amazing. I want more publishers tackling this subject.

I have posted my reviews on Amazon/Waterstones but they are taking time to get submitted.

Oh how I adored this book! I had read A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djeli Clark before this one and can I tell you that, that little novel really got me hooked into the world Clark is creating. Fatma and Siti are just glorious characters. The world building and magic elements of the stories were just so good! I loved how you are just dropped into the world Clark has created, but information is given in a timely and natural way. You learn about history, magic, and the Djinn in a natural way throughout the story as Fatma and Siti are exploring the mystery.

The plot and pace of this book were both so good! There were hints to the conclusion of the story throughout and there were some good red herrings. I honestly can't say how much I really enjoyed this book. I think that the alternate history and steampunk elements were brilliant!

Overall, I think that anyone who is interested in alternate history, steampunk, fantasy, mysteries would absolutely love this.

In A Master of Djinn I was swept away from the beginning. Talk about an action packed murder mystery with plenty of the supernatural. The setting is one of the most atmospheric, descriptive, and immersive of my recent fantasy reads. It has a lived in feel and while there are so many revelations - and promising dark corners - it never feels incomplete or shallow. There's always this intriguing hint of more, of a past before the pages. While this could be read alone, do yourself the favor and read The Haunting of Tram Car at least!

A Master of Djinn was a delightful surprise from start to finish. Featuring a well dressed queer woman of color, my heart was smitten. Not only did this murder adventure feature a sapphic romance, it also featured a lone wolf type who needs to learn to play nice with others and is stuck with a crime solving partner. Talk about giving me all the vibes I love from these crime media - I love that brilliant and renowned detective who is stuck with a partner.

I am a huge fan of Clark’s books. I discovered him during the pandemic while scrolling through Scribd and he quickly became one of my favourite authors — I totally fell in love with his lush worlds and amazing characters. My favourite of his works are his Cairo stories, so you can imagine how excited I was to hear that A Master of Djinn would be a full length novel!

First things first, you may be wondering if you need to read the other books in this series in order to understand and enjoy A Master of Djinn — I don’t think you do. If you’re on the fence, I’d recommend picking up the short story A Dead Djinn in Cairo, as it introduces Fatma and Siti, and there are some references to that story in A Master of Djinn (and it’s fabulous!). But you really can dive into this novel without reading the first two stories.

There’s a lot to love about Clark’s vision of an alternate Cairo — he creates a gorgeous world filled with djinn and everyday people with a touch of magic. What I loved about A Master of Djinn is the way he seamlessly blends familiar, real-world history with fantasy elements. In this world, conflicts and politics evolve with the introduction of the Djinn in Egypt in a way that felt realistic, and he wove these elements into the conflicts of the story, along with folklore and magic. I’ve been craving more of this world ever since finished The Haunting of Tram Car 015, and A Master of Djinn delivered.

Where Clark shines is his wonderful characters and dialogue. This novel is filled with wonderful primary and secondary characters from various walks of life, adding to the richness of the story. Fatma is a character I totally fell in love with from the moment she strutted onto the page in A Dead Djinn in Cairo, and she continues to be one of my absolute favourite characters ever. Not only is she a supremely snarky and sarcastic woman (which I will always love), she’s an incredibly savvy investigator. I loved watching her piece together this mystery! Two of my other favourites are Siti, Fatma’s lover, and Hadia, Fatma’s enthusiastic and unwanted new partner. Siti is someone we met in the initial short story and I adored seeing the two of them in an established relationship, as well as watching that relationship grow and evolve. Hadia was a fabulous addition to this series. She’s not just a device to reflect Fatma’s own prejudices, which I feel she could be in the hands of a less capable writer, she’s an incredibly brilliant investigator in her own right. I loved their banter and watching them settle into a partnership.

A Master of Djinn solidifies Clark’s (already incredibly stable) place as one of my absolute favourite authors. A fast-paced, action-packed mystery with lots of depth, A Master of Djinn is an absolute must-read for fantasy fans. I’d highly recommend this to any fans of historical fantasy, but especially those who enjoyed the Daevabad series.

While the magical steampunk universe was richly described and I typically love sci-fi/fantasy, I was very disappointed by "A Master of Djinn." I could not warm up to the main character, found her irritating and the basic premise too much of a stretch. I could not finish the book. That said, I have downloaded the audio version and will try listening to the title as it may be a better listen than a read.

This is the third work that I have read in this world and I really love the setting. The time period, the twist on the history and how the magic and technology have evolved are fascinating. My main issue with the book is very much a personal preference thing and that's that this felt a little too by the numbers detective mystery story. I loved all our main characters and if this was a tv show I would have adored it but for my tastes in written form it didn't do much for me but if you like the detective mystery genre I would recommend picking this up, especially if you want an older detective mystery that doesn't have the noir/male gaze vibes that can be very pervasive in literature.

While I feel like it would have been beneficial to read the previous works in this universe, A Master of Djinn was beautifully done and the world building was just encompassing enough.

While many fantasies can seen daunting, the steampunk esque details gave it a current science fiction vibe that gave some colour in a serious fantasy.

With a singular POV from Fatma, the story unfolded cinematically and would lend well to visual representation. A movie, anyone? I'd love to watch it!

This novel has it all: alternative history, urban fantasy, mystery/police procedure, and steam punk. A Master of Djinn is set in the alternative 1900's Egypt that Clark introduced in previously published short works.

This story begins with a murder assigned to Agent Fatma, one of the best special investigators in the ministry. Clues amass to show this won't be a straightforward case for her to solve.

Further, Fatma discovers she has a second new assignment, a new partner who is also a fresh from the academy rookie. At first, she's frustrated that she can't continue to work solo. However, in time she begins to respect the clever skills new Agent Hadia Abdel Hafez provides. Adding even further frustrations, Fatma's girlfriend Siti has a few secrets of her own. Together the trio works together to solve the murder.

Woven throughout, we find Clark's nuanced critique of colonialism, patriarchy, racism, and sexism. His complex superb world and character development create an enjoyable page-turner mystery.

It is helpful to be familiar with Clark’s earlier works, The Haunting of Tram Car 015, and “A Dead Djinn in Cairo”. There, detailed introductions were made to several characters and situations. However, it is not necessary to read them first. A Dead Djinn in Cairo is an enjoyable read as a stand-alone full-length debut novel.

“Why do these colonizers always claim what isn’t theirs?”

Can this also be a review of the previous two novellas set in the same universe? Can it? Oh well, I guess it already is.

Because see, P. Djèlí Clark is so vivid, so genuine and distinctive in worldbuilding each installment in this series that I just read them all back to back and then felt the bittersweet loss of leaving behind a familiar world between the pages.

A Master of Djinn is preceded by two novellas: A Dead Djinn in Cairo and The Haunting of Tram Car 015. But since A Master of Djinn is the author’s debut novel, it can also be treated as a standalone. Both novellas and the novel take place in an alternate early 20th century Cairo where various kinds of Djinn have been integrated into society, prompting the colonizers to run for their lives, and The Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities regulate the affairs between the mortals and Djinn. The plot in both novellas follow a certain event, a certain case Agent Fatma el-Sha’arawi is solving but though they are more bite-sized and cohesive in their own way, they also display the expanding world of this alternate Cairo and all the gold it hides beneath.

Now, things get real in A Master of Djinn. Or at least they get there, I stuck with the novel despite the relatively slowish start because by that point I was ready to take several bullets for Fatma. The worldbuilding continued to fascinate me, just like when I was reading Tram Car and in the first scene, the characters were eating sudjukh. Why be fascinated by the mention of sudjukh, you might ask. It was the first time I read any mention of this candy that my grandmother likes to send me in a North American novel. And it was just so easy, so natural. Little details like that kept popping up and I kept thinking, “You can do that?”

“And nobody’s judgment we scared of more than the one we give our hearts to.”

All of the Adult SFF books I’ve been reading by authors of color convince me that this genre, written specifically by authors who write stories featuring their own cultural background, might just be my home. That’s what it feels like to see both worlds (North American Fantasy and the culture that is most familiar to me) collide and when it’s done well, like in A Master of Djinn, it’s like the best kind of fusion. Bury me in explicitly anti-colonial fantasy written by authors of color.

Apart from this familiarity aspect, P. Djèlí Clark is a genius so naturally I was fascinated by the twists in A Master of Djinn. Especially that twist toward the end, foreshadowed by this trippy sequence where Agents Fatma and Hadia meet an illusion Djinn. And as I said, the bullet-taking love I had for Fatma goes for literally every other character as well. Even the ones we are supposed to not trust, I would trust with my life. Okay, maybe not [redacted]. But the rest all have a special place in my heart.

Many thanks to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you read the novellas and then come back to this one. I read it and immediately made my best friend read it so we could talk about it together. Trust me.

Cairo, 1912: Though Fatma el-Sha’arawi is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities - 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.

This was such a great addition to this series! If you have loved the other books P.Djeli Clark wrote in this world, than this one is a sure win for you. Nancy Drew meets adult fiction with so much wonderful diversity.

I was pulled in by how amazing these characters are and then couldn't put the book down after being sucked in by the plot. I cannot wait to see what comes next!

Thanks to netgalley and Tor for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really was into this book - it's really well written, and the alternate early 20th c Egypt was brilliant to world-build. Was it my favourite book? Not quite - I think the author couldn't quite get the main character's voice quite right, but I would absolutely continue to read this series going forward. It took a bit to get into, but there is clever dialogue, fun twists, and the vibe this authour writes with is completely up my alley.