I’ve been following P. Djèlí Clark’s work for the past several years and he has yet to fail to impress me. From his well-nuanced portrayal of relationships between Black women and women of color to his vivid worldbuilding and attention to detail, Clark’s storytelling is more than remarkable. If this is your first time hearing about him, now is the time to catch up. A Master of Djinn demonstrates the prowess of his craft. Taking place in a steampunk 1900s Egypt, the story follows investigator Fatma el-Sha’arawi as she tackles a case that becomes more complicated than expected.

A Master of Djinn begins with a masked man murdering the members of a secret brotherhood. A rumor that al-Jahiz, the one who brought magic back into the world decades ago, has returned spreads through the corners of the city. The murderer is likely al-Jahiz. Assigned to this puzzling case, Fatma navigates the social dynamics of Cairo’s citizens and visitors while dealing with personal matters. Siti, her lover, surprisingly returns. Hadia, a rookie in the Ministry, is assigned as Fatma’s new partner.

Clark’s worldbuilding amazes me. This version of Egypt comes without the archaeologist’s fantasy and exotification. The pyramids and pharaohs are part of the people’s history, the Nile River part of their environment. People who still worship the Egyptian deities are considered heretics. Social disparities, sexism, antiblackness, and colorism are confronted. The Djinn are magnificent and even intimidating beings.

A Master of Djinn is available from Macmillian. Read an excerpt here. You can also read the short stories (that take place in the same world) A Dead Djinn in Cairo and The Angel of Khan el-Khalili.

I’ve received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Publisher’s Blurb:

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 forty 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 a familiar person from her past, 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…

My Take:

P. Djeli Clark’s writing attacks your senses. From the colorful souk to the unforgettable fight scenes, Clark immerses the reader in his world. Transported to this place in time that has been permanently altered by the release of djinns and other magical being forty years prior… A Master of Djinn brings you magic, politics, and a very good mystery.

I’ve tried my best to narrow it down to three things I loved about this book:

Setting: I had already experienced Clark’s world in his previous novella The Haunting of Tram Car 015 and his short story A Dead Djinn in Cairo. Conflicts abound within the bureaucracy of the government, the colonial rule, and a crime that will pit money, magic, and the truth at odds with each other. The conflicts will drive this story into dark alleys, the offices of Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, and into the monied halls of secret societies.
Mystery: This first scene in the book reveals the crime… At a meeting of a secret group dedicated to al-Jahiz, the man who was responsible for allowing the world to become entrenched in magic. The society believes that the key to understanding the man is through artifacts connected to al-Jahiz’s life. But when his powerful sword is revealed at the meeting, a summons is set in motion. One that results in the death of all participants and the city is upended.
Character: There is so much to like about Agent Fatma el-Sha’arwi… She’s connected, intelligent, and strong, yet so human and vulnerable at times. Her on-again off-again girlfriend Siti has returned to Cairo with information that may help the case, but is she too close to the subject at hand to give Fatma a clear picture? The agent must wade through all the evidence while in danger herself. Add a new apprentice who she wants nothing to do with. Fatma is used to her independence and her eccentricities, but The Ministry has other plans. Will she be able to juggle all these pieces while keeping the killer in her sights?
A Master of Djinn is a book to get wrapped up in… I had so much on my plate this week, but a couple hours a night immersed in this world gave me the escape I needed. Enjoy this book, and at the same time get a deep dive into colonialism, women’s rights… oh, and there’s a good deal of humor.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Books, and the author for an advanced copy for review.

P. Djèlí Clark is one of my favorite authors and I was so excited to finally read a full length novel from him!!

A Master of Djinn follows Fatma el-Sha’arawi, an investigator for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, who was first introduced in the novella A Dead Djinn in Cairo. Fatma is called to investigate the murder of the members of the Brotherhood of Al-Jahiz, a group of men dedicated to the mystic who made a hole in the human realm that allowed for djinn and other magical beings to live among humans. Al-Jahiz hasn't been seen since he merged the magical and mundane realms, but the murderer claims he is al-jahiz, back to help the people modernity is leaving behind.

I’m not necessarily a mystery reader. The plot of who murdered the brotherhood of al-jahiz and if al-jahiz had truly returned kept my attention, but it’s the rest of the book that really made me enjoy it. Djèlí Clark is an expert at world-building and characterization. A Master of Djinn takes place in an alternate, historical Cairo with steampunk elements. Djèlí Clark is a historian, and that really shines through in his writing. Not only are you reading about a fascinating, magical world, but you're also getting hints of real history, culture, and politics mixed in. This does add to the detail and complexity of the book (which I love), but I can see it as being a hindrance for some readers. If you're more concerned about the plot than these aspects, the book might be harder to get through.

As for characters, Djèlí Clark does not hold back either. I already loved Fatma’s character in A Dead Djinn in Cairo. She is so effortlessly cool and likeable. I was excited to read more from her perspective, but this book is filled with amazing characters like Siti, Fatma’s girlfriend, and Hadia, Fatma’s new ministry partner. They are all so loveable. Djèlí Clark adds complexities to every character he writes about. The characters are fully fleshed out and are treated as much more than just ways to keep the plot moving.

A Master of Djinn is a great historical fantasy. This would be a good read for those who like slower moving mysteries, or for people like me, who really love the world, characters, adventure, and magic you get along the way! If you've never read from Djèlí Clark before, this is a great starting point. For those who have read his other novellas, especially those set in the same world, this is a fantastic addition to his past work.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC copy of the book given in exchange for an honest review.*

A Master of Djinn follows Fatma el-Sha’arawi, the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities, but certainly far from a rookie. Agent Fatma is called to the case of the murder of a secret brotherhood dedicated to one of the most famous men in history, al-Jahiz, who opened the veil between the magical and mundane realms before disappearing. The killer claims to be al-Jahiz, and Agent Fatma must solve the mystery of the imposter to save the city, or face the possibility of what could happen otherwise.

If you’re familiar with the kinds of books I love to read, you’ll know that I really enjoy books that blend many genres together. A Master of Djinn does this so wonderfully, combining elements of historical fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery set in Cairo in the 1910s. The Dead Djinn Universe were the first stories I’ve read by Clark, and after reading them I’m certainly looking forward to reading more of his works.

Shortly after receiving a copy of this book, I realized that there were two short stories, A Dead Djinn in Cairo and The Haunting of Tram Car 015, that preface this book. And while they’re not necessary to understand A Master of Djinn, I highly recommend them. They’re excellent reads that set up the stage for this book, and A Master of Djinn even subtly references parts of those books, which thoroughly enjoyed.

But regardless of whether you’ve read the prior stories, the world in A Master of Djinn is extensive. Just like with Clark’s previous works, this steampunk world is incredibly detailed and immersive. But just as detailed are the characters themselves, in addition to them being so likable. I loved following Agent Fatma in this book, and I definitely want to read about this world even more because of the characters we follow.

Typically the mysteries I’ve read haven’t had a magical element to them, so I’d be guessing what to expect next or what could be a potential clue. But with A Master of Djinn, I was absorbed in a world of magic. So in this case, I felt like I was just following the journey as a reader, and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. I felt like I was learning along with the characters, or learning from the characters’ experiences and intuition themselves, rather than attempting to solve the mystery myself, which was a nice change for me.

The only thing I struggled with throughout this book was the pacing. It wasn’t super consistent and that did impact my reading somewhat. However, this could vary between readers; I personally am a bit more particular about pacing!

Overall, A Master of Djinn is a wonderfully-written book with an incredibly detailed world. I’d highly recommend this to those looking for both strong worldbuilding and likable characters (but do check out the prior installments as well!).

For me, good worldbuilding covers a multitude of sins, and this book has excellent worldbuilding. This first novel in P. Djèlí Clark’s djinn universe continues and expands on his fascinating alternate history from the first two novellas (<i>A Dead Djinn in Cairo</i> and <i>The Haunting of Tram Car 015</i>). While you could enjoy this book without reading the novellas, I would strongly suggest reading at least <i>A Dead Djinn in Cairo</i> which introduces most of the major characters, their world, and some important plot points.

This world was irrevocably changed in the mid-1800’s when a Soudanese mystic, Al Jahiz, bored a hole into the <i>kaf</i>, allowing djinn and assorted other supernatural entities to freely enter our world, bringing with them their magic and technology and transforming Egypt into one of the “Great Powers.” Now (in 1912) as Europe is teetering on the edge of conflict someone claiming to be Al Jahiz has reappeared sowing discord and mayhem. It’s once again up to Agent Fatma el-Shar’arawi (one of the few women working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities) to figure out what is going on and save the day.

Like all of P. Djèlí Clark’s work, the storytelling deals with moral/social issues (feminism, post-colonialism, LGBTQ+, etc.), in a pretty heavy-handed fashion. Depending on how much preachiness you are willing to put up with in your fiction, this may affect your enjoyment of the book to some degree.

I was a little disappointed in the mystery aspect of the plot as I thought that certain parts of it were painfully obvious and Fatma was much too slow to figure them out (given how brilliant she is supposed to be). That said, the overall plot was engrossing, entertaining, and revealed fascinating new details of this alternate world. I am looking forward to further installments in the series!

(3.5 of 5 stars)

4/5 stars

Absolute treasure of a book! I honestly cannot wait for the next one. This is steampunk at its best!

P. Djèli Clark is a master of worldbuilding.

I have not read a single work by him that hasn’t pulled me completely into the world and the mythology of that world.

This is his first full length novel, and I’m so happy to finally get to spend more time with these characters and in this time and space.

This takes place in Cairo, Egypt in 1912. But this is not the Cairo from our own history as Clark has introduced magic that changed the course of history. We follow Fatma el-Sha’arawi, who works for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Enteties and investigates disturbances between the mortal and the otherwordly.

This is a very intriguing mystery and a fun fantasy romp, but also explores issues of intersectionality within race, gender and queerness. There are alot of parallells to be drawn from this story, and the world itself is interesting as it explores the history of Egypt, and the colonisation by Britain. I loved that we also got a glimpse of how the intruction of magic affected the world as a whole, that different countries had different types of magical creatures based on their own mythology.

But enough about the world! I loooove Fatma as the main character! She is kickass, and I love that she is always in a nice suit 👌 Her relationship with her girlfriend Siti was also goals 😍 Also loved the introduction of a new partner for Fatma in Hadma and their grumpy mentor/ wide-eyed rookie vibe.

Basically I just loved everything about this and I’m going to continue pestering folk about picking up P. Djèli Clark, you won’t regret it!

P Djeli Clark has quickly become one of my favorite authors. At the beginning of the year I read the two novellas, Haunting of Tram Car 015 and Dead Djinn in Cairo, and immediately fell in love with this world. A Master of Djinn did not disappoint, if anything it made up for the fact that I was craving more after finish the novellas. This is such a lush and well fleshed out world that is so unique and interesting. I love Fatma as a main character, she’s brilliant and funny, but also it’s clear she is good at what she does. If you love a detective novel, this will be up your alley, but with a supernatural twist! But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how Clark is a master of weaving social commentary into the narrative that is impactful and seamless within the story. Seriously, this book will leave you desperate for more stories in this world!

A glittering picture of an alternate history where Egypt is at the center of industrialization, innovation, and culture in a world previously ruled by European colonizers. And why Egypt? Because of the djinn - magical beings straight out of mythologies and stories, now released worldwide in whatever form they took: goblins in Germany, fae in Britain, and of course djinn in North Africa/West Asia.

Agent Fatma of the "Spooky Boys" (the ministry has a long name that I wouldn't get right, so we'll call it the fun moniker bestowed upon them during The Haunting of Tram Car 015) is the ministry's must successful investigator of magical misdeeds. And she, along with her idolater girlfriend Siti and her new partner (another female Spooky Boy) and a few other interesting characters along the way, must unravel a mystery that feeds on the reputation of the man who opened the world to djinn in the first place.

One of the things that Clark always does so well is take these characters in a world that's slightly different from our own and tear open their prejudices. Fatma has a lot of internalized sexism - and we see it as she discounts the other women around her and then stops and goes "why would I do that?" We also get to see her fear. And we see the way she and the people of Cairo are treated by the West. And how they themselves treat anyone darker skinned. Clark does so well at picking all of this apart, showing how Fatma's own subconscious mind works against what she knows to be true.

Plus, the steampunk vibes, the exacting and meticulous djinn rules, the cult or mob mentality, challenges to colonialism and the concept of ownership, even tackling xenophobia and islamophobia. All while adventuring through the intricate alternate Cairo on a wild adventure. Masterful.

Sure, some of the answers aren't quite surprises. But the characters are funny and dynamic and badass. With a sapphic MC leading the pack.

In a Cairo filled with djinn, ghuls, and steampunk, Agent Fatma el-Sha'arawi is now one of the most effective agents of the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities. Sh'e has faced down angry Marid and even a rogue Angel, but nothing could have prepared her for her next challenge: a new partner, a case of mass murder, and someone claiming to be al-Jahiz, the legendary mystic, reborn. Great fun to read, with escalating stakes and an engrossing setting. Readers will likely solve the mystery long before Fatma, but the characters are well worth the read.

There are really terrific lines. There are Zack-Snyder-meets-Michael-Bay battle scenes. There is a majgicqk system that is more fun than three dozen djinn in a jar. The Ifrit Kings! What a gorgeous scene that will be in the film!

As I suspect y'all who haven't yet read the book are beginning to gather, this was a hit with me.

The best thing about blogging is I now don't have to worry about spoilers anymore, if you're still here and not heeding my recommendation to seek out the rest of the world-building bits of the story in order, it's not my problem! A magazine site would insist that I consider the spoilerphobic soul's delicate eyestalks. I won't spoil what I consider the bits that make the trip worth taking.

And that is a lot. There are so many things I absolutely felt as though I'd *combust* if I didn't have someone to talk about them to! But it really isn't fair to say what happened on the palace roof until you've been there.

So here's the stuff I want to let everyone know: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/52bewcyd">at Expendable Mudge Muses Aloud</a>.

We’re back in 1912 Cairo, in the glorious alternate history where djinn and ifrit are an integral and vital part of the metropolis, where Egypt is a world power, and the countries of Europe are, happily, fading in relevance in the world stage.
It’s a few months past the dangerous incidents involving angels, djinn and ghosts Agent Fatma and Agent Hamed dealt with.
Fatma, resplendent in new and beautiful suits, is saddled with a new partner after catching a new case involving the burning deaths of twenty people in a group devoted to venerating the man, al-Jahiz, who brought the djinn, many years earlier, into the world.
Turns out this new partner, Hadia, is not only a woman, but is anything but a drag on Fatma’s efforts to figure out who the murderer is, and who is behind all the new appearances, and strange abilities, of someone claiming to be al-Jahiz.
And if this isn’t all, Siti, that glorious, enigmatic, powerful woman is back in Fatma’s life, assisting the agent in her inquiries.

It’s all just so much fun, amidst all the questions and escalating attacks. P. Djèlí Clark’s alt-Cairo is so full of life and people, conflicting attitudes, racism, poverty, wealth, intrigue, yummy food, airships, mechanical constructs, and fantastical creatures living and working side by side with humans. I just love this Cairo!
And I loved this new novel-length story in this series by Clark, and dearly hope there are more stories forthcoming in this world. I want more scenes of Agents Fatma and Hadia investigating, with swank Fatma being amazing and wrestling with her assumptions, and Hadia keeping me surprised by her breadth of knowledge, and ever-expanding set of cousins providing information.
And Siti, well, she’s just plain wonderful.
And thank you, Mr. Clark, for giving me more Fatma and Siti saving the world, just like I hoped some years ago after being wowed by “Dead Djinn in Cairo”.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for a review.

Wow, A Master of Djinn hit the ground running! As someone who reads many epic fantasies that usually require a good few chapters to set up the context and the place, this book was a refreshingly magical world that started strong, and maintained its wickedly sharp writing to the end!

This is such a fun steampunk historical fantasy set in 1912 Cairo, where humans live alongside djinn and other mystical creatures. The classic tropes associated with djinn, such as granting wishes and being notoriously good at finding loopholes in them, are flipped into clever bits of worldbuilding—djinn make excellent lawyers in this world!

We follow a female agent of the Egyptian Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities, who has garnered a reputation for her cunning and intelligence, despite being the youngest woman on the workforce. Did I mention she opts to ignore standard ministry attire, and instead wears spiffy colorful suits (with a bowler hat and cane) while investigating? I’m all for snazzy, badass women solving crimes in style.

Though the story is a classic whodunnit that starts with the murder of a secret brotherhood, the way Middle Eastern mythology and steampunk elements were blended seamlessly together made this such a unique setting to explore. I may be biased because I’m a sucker for mythology.

I must admit that there were parts, like the romance and some dialogue, that I found endearingly cheesy, but this did not take away from how fresh and playful the overall experience was. I was too caught up in admiring the witty and natural way Islamic folklore was woven into the early 20th century.

Overall, if you’re in the mood for steampunk, alternate Egyptian universes, and fantastical worlds, but you don’t have the time for sprawling, high fantasies, this is the perfect book for you!

Part alternate history, part mystery, and entirely captivating, A Master of Djinn is an imaginative original fantasy drawing on the rich mythologies of Egypt and the wider Arab world.

In 1912 in an alternate Cairo where magic is alive and Djinn are citizens, Agent Fatma el-Sha’arawi is one of only a few female agents of the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities. When Alistair Worthington, the highly esteemed Englishman, burns to death alongside all the members of his mysterious Brotherhood of Al-Jahiz, it’s up to Agent Fatma to solve the case. Fifty years ago Al-Jahiz pierced the veil between worlds and brought magic into the mundane world. Now a mysterious figure in a golden mask is claiming to be Al-Jahiz returned and is stirring up resentment amongst Cairo’s more downtrodden citizens. Saddled with a new female partner fresh out of training, Fatma is in a race against time to solve the murders and unmask the imposter before that resentment boils over and brings Cairo to it’s knees.

In A Master of Djinn, Clark brings to life a rich magic filled version of Cairo populated by all manner of humans, a wide variety of Djinn, beings that call themselves Angels, ghuls, and the followers of sleeping ancient gods. As Fatma hunts for the killer the case touches on them all. From meetings with informants among the ancient gods’ followers to an audience with Angels, each turn of the page introduces new wonders. The magic isn’t just limited to the inhabitants but extends to Cairo itself where the very architecture of the city is built with magic.

While the setting of the novel is all fantasy, at heart it’s a true whodunit mystery. Agent Fatma is as clever and memorable of a detective as you could hope for. Her unconventional approach to everything from her wardrobe to office hours keeps you on your toes as you follow her from clue to interview to confrontations with the imposter. Clark does a great job of weaving the mystery into the entire story, never letting on whether a scene is simply Agent Fatma enjoying a night off with her girlfriend or a key to solving the case.

A point that may confuse some readers is that this is billed as the first book in a series but makes frequent reference to pervious adventures. While this is the first novel in this universe, there is a short story and a novella previously published with many of the same characters. They are not required reading to understand this novel. I myself have read the novella which centers one of the supporting characters in this novel but not the short story that was about Agent Fatma. All the references did make me hunt down the story I’d missed, but didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the novel.

I see a book with Egypt +  Agents + Supernatural Entities + Secret Brotherhoods, I simply cannot resist such allure. My heart, filled with yearning for such a book! And here it is! A Master of Djinn is my first P. Djèlí Clark book and as I understand it, this is his first full length fantasy novel after writing a number of well acclaimed short stories and novellas.

Agent Fatma el-Sha’arawi is one of the few female agents in the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities and though fairly young, she is well known for having stopped a rogue angel who tried to puncture reality with a magical clock. When a wealthy and influential English lord is murdered along with over 20 other people at a meeting of their secret brotherhood, Fatma is called in to act as the Ministry liaison. At nearly the same time, Fatma is also saddled with a partner she doesn’t particularly want though fortunately she does come around. Hadia proves herself to be quite useful and the few women in the Ministry must stick together after all. Oh, and Fatma’s sort of girlfriend also turns up and gets involved because two worshippers of the ancient gods were killed at the massacre as well.

This sounds like one heck of a story already, right? You would be correct, but WAIT THERE’S MORE! The masked fellow that murdered everyone with fire that only burned their flesh is proclaiming himself to be al-Jahiz returned! So, in addition to Fatma’s struggle to solve a case during a time of political tension, the citizenry is now unstable thanks to the so-called al-Jahiz riling them. It’s one thing after another and it’s pretty much non-stop the entire duration of the book. I was exhausted on Fatma and Hadia’s behalf. 

*GASP* I prepared to post this and realized I barely talked about how great the characters were! Fatma and Hadia were obviously these wonderfully badass ladies, but Siti! She is this glorious cat-like, stealthy woman who could steal a thousand hearts! Hadia seems kind and a little more on the traditional side, but it doesn't stop her from basically being a ninja with handheld weaponry. Fatma has an incredible sense of style - I love all the descriptions of her posh suits and velvet hats! The djinn were fascinating, the minor characters were interesting and even though some only appeared in a few scenes I was left wanting to know even more about them!

Here we have an incredible story that I didn’t want to put down which is awesome, but the setting was truly glorious. This whole world, with its magical Cairo and hosts of djinn and mechanical angels (and even distant faeries and goblins!) was so utterly compelling that I’m now very certain that I need more books from this world! The possibilities are numerous and I’m definitely planning to pick up the two novellas (A Dead Djinn in Cairo and The Haunting of Tram Car 015) in the near future. This wondrous Egyptian setting combined with all the other little details in the synopsis totally sold me on picking this up in the first place and I encourage you to do the same! Also, just look at that cover!

Clark is definitely a master at finding moments of humor among the magical and mysterious. I found myself unable to put this book down. There’s lots of depth given to the female characters, and I enjoyed seeing the development of Fatma and Hadia’s working relationship, especially as two women in a male-dominated career. Also, I loved Fatma’s girlfriend Siti; I want to be her when I grow up 😭 This book also points out the audacity of white people coming into another country to “appreciate” the culture yet act supremely bigoted and haughty towards the native people. I absolutely loved the twist, and I’m looking forward to more books in this series!

I had a good time with this overall, and I would absolutely read more in this world! I did struggle some with the pacing at the beginning and middle in places. That being said, it did pick up for me and stayed exciting from the middle through the end. I was able to figure out one of the reveals, but only after a certain clue was given, so I'm glad that it kept me guessing some!

This continues to be such a cool world. I love that there's different types of djinn, as well as the mechanical angel beings, ghuls, and evidently goblins and fae! I'm really excited to see what else there is in future installments. The author also manages to seamlessly work in discussions of racism and sexism in this setting which I appreciated.

I was so happy to see Fatma return here, but I also loved getting to know characters like Siti and Hadia. Fatma is very independent and used to doing things her own way, so she does have to adjust to being the mentor of Hadia. It's a reluctant mentor-mentee bond, but this partnership actually works out quite well for them. Fatma is devoted to her job, and I like seeing this, as well as how strong-willed she is. In this book, we get to see her develop a romantic relationship which I really enjoyed! Siti is a fun character - she's a follower of Hathor/Sekhmet and is this thief/wild card type of character. Her relationship with Fatma is fun, though they do certainly have to deal with some deeper things that come up along the way. I'm very interested to see where their journey leads! Hadia is fantastic. I loved how she wants to learn from Fatma and is very earnest. She's intelligent, skilled at fighting, and is just generally very competent. I thought that she and Fatma complemented each other very well, so this was fun to watch how their relationship evolves over time.

I was also very pleased to see more of the idolators here! These individuals worship the ancient Egyptian gods, and I'm very curious just what all is going on with them. I loved that we get some involvement of the gods, but there are certainly still questions to be answered!

Some aspects of this actually reminded me of the Daevabad trilogy (which I love), so it was really fun to see things that I recognized!

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book! It's an incredibly interesting world, and I want more of it. Having read the previous short stories and novellas, I would recommend at least reading A Dead Djinn in Cairo before jumping into this full length book.

My video review can be seen on my channel (around minutes 8:21-12:39 of this video. I also read the previous short stories/novellas and reviewed them starting at about 4:14): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZPo36qFMiA

It was a joy reading a full length book from the Fatma series, as it gave the cast of characters from the earlier novellas a chance to fully flesh out and open up their lives beyond the case. The book made interesting ties between the anticolonial movements all over the continent and the oppression of Jim Crow in the USA that I found particularly interesting. Nods to colonialism and a penchant for war by colonisers were also quite interesting and bravely put forward. I especially enjoyed watching Fatma and Siti's relationship paly out, and finding out what SIti has been hiding from both Fatma and the reader. Ultimately, it feels good to know that there will always be a happy ending in the Fatma stories, as this eases tensions a little and makes the reading more enjoyable than worrying.

Do not attempt to attend to anything else while reading this novel! Author P. Djeli Clarke will instantaneously transport you to another realm: an Alternate History Cairo in 1912, a literally magical land, with Djinn and sorcery, and Steampunk. So absorbing, your "real life" surroundings will fall away like mist dissolved in sunlight; your reality is with the extraordinary Inspector Fatma and her incomparable circle, as a supernatural threat, not just endangering Magical Egypt, but potentially the fate of the globe (possibly alternate dimensions too), appears inexplicably and implacably.

In the midst of a gloriously created fantasy world, Author Clark hesitates not to strike pertinent blows against racism, misogyny, homophobia, elitism, wealth's disdainment of poverty. As in the incredible RING SHOUT, his strikes ALWAYS ring true. Recommended for fans of Victor LaValle and Harry Turtledove.

A book filled with magic and murder could only be heightened by smart, competent, kick-ass women! So, settle down for a treat as this book has all that and so much more.

Fatma, is an amazing character and I absolutely got the biggest thrill following her thought process and seeing her work. This book was just a whole lot of fun with a great pace and I feel like saying more would start spoiling it.

If you like great worldbuilding, dialogue, characters, read this. Come for the magic, and stay for the other deeper meanings or not, but I guarantee you will have a great time while here.