The first full novel after two (2) preceding short stories/novellas, the book stands on it's own very well, starting strong with the introduction of the murder mystery and the principle protagonist in the first few chapters. I was immediately intrigued by the world building, which had just enough of the exotic (mix of magic, tech and religion) to keep my interest in exploring further. We get genies, angels, [Egyptian] gods, clockwork machines and robots in which we get the tradition who done it mystery. Add to that an amazing ability to "set the scene" with just enough description to make it interesting with being an info-dump, and I could totally see myself in that world. The main character was a likable investigator with a sardonic sense of humor that I enjoyed. The writing was concise and easy to read ... until we get to a typical (and completely ridiculous) "there must be some mistake 'cause I drink alone" trope after getting a new partner that spun me up to speed fairly quickly and dropped the book out of consideration as a favorite. Sloppy story craft and totally specious when compared to the straightforward common sense I found as the rest of the story unfolded. I know that's not fair, but now the little things frequently found in advance [uncorrected galley] copies that I could have ignored really started to irritate me (e.g. ... "like lovers in in the late of night" ... "who'd nearly bought New Orleans to its knees"). Although the writing got back on track fairly quickly, it combined with a chaotic jumble for the final resolution that was particularly disappointing ... although not quite top shelf, it is definitely worth a read.

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#AMasterOfDjinn #NetGalley

P. Djèlí Clark is one of those authors that’s on my ‘to watch’ list. You might even say I’m a fan. I’ve read through most of his short stories and purchased the novella(s?), something I don’t do that for just anyone these days. I was anticipating A Master of Djinn and when it appeared on Netgalley, I jumped at the chance to request it. Imagine my delight when I was approved; it was like Christmas in January. So now I find myself in a quandary, because of that most troublesome phenomenon, hope-experience mismatch.

Set in the same world as The Haunting of Tram Car 015, it follows Agent Fatma as she’s on a big case–that of the British aristocrat and a number of his guests being mysteriously murdered. In the eternal style of the buddy-flick, she’s also assigned a new partner, the enthusiastic rookie Hadia. Hadia was one of the joys of this story, and if she’s a bit of a Mary-Sue, it’s a relief, because the story is badly in need of competent protagonists.

Inventive worlds are one of Clark’s hallmarks, and it’s fun to see alternate-Egypt fleshed out. The investigation goes from the Ministry building to Fatma’s apartment building, to an underground nightclub, to various unique locations in the city, and I enjoyed getting more feel for the locations, and some of the characters in each.

Plot, however, was problematic. While it initially to be a murder investigation, it turns out that a much larger game is afoot that ultimately (spoiler: reminded me of a Scooby-Doo episode). At times, however, the story felt scattershot, too many asides that pulled focus away. World politics were awkwardly inserted halfway through–perhaps as a way to up the tension–and it turns out there’s also goblins. Unfortunately, I ended up with more questions, having accepted the premise of the adjacent-world for the djinn. The short explanation didn’t square for me, but perhaps someone else will read it differently. “Folktales were collected and scoured for any practical use. Djinn were not native to the country, but there were other creatures–chief among them goblins… allowing [redacted] to rapidly grow in its magical and industrial expertise.”

You see, to me this introduced the idea that magic was more common and integrated into societies than just the djinn. So why isn’t Fatma better at noticing it? Investigating it? There’s a character who is an acolyte to one of the old Egyptian gods, and every time Fatma runs into him, she’s struck by the odd appearance, as if they are changing into that god. Yet what does she think when she sees them near final transformation? “A man who thought he was an ancient god and was now disfiguring himself.” Really? I don’t understand–we have a world with djinn and goblins and our main character works for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, and she thinks someone is disfiguring themselves?

Later there’s someone else who confesses a secret that she should have noticed, and she thinks, “what kind of investigator was this unaware of what was going on right in front of her eyes.” I absolutely agree; she’s actually quite unobservant on multiple occasions, which ends up causing strife in different ways. I realized reading this that I was coming to the conclusion that Fatma is not competent at her job. The question is, does Clark realize it? Is she a character who we should laugh at for her obsession with her clothes over her job. My intuition is that is not his intention, and it’s substitution for plot development (spoiler: she literally has people telling her where to go next).

Also awkward was the frequent use of non-English words. I’m no stranger to sci-fi and am more than used to figuring context of a word, but at times it was excessive, to the point of inhibiting story meaning and flow:

“They wore full-length black kaftans with red tarbooshes. Seated on the modish moss-green divan, were three women, each dressed in a black sebleh and wrapped in a milaya lef. Their faces were hidden behind matching bur’a, though their heads were strangely uncovered. ‘Agent Fatma,’ one called in a familiar voice.”

To make it worse, my kindle wasn’t having it, but probably that's because of the arc. Brat.

I can’t help but contrast this with the focus and meaning in Clark’s novella and short stories, and I’m left thinking that Clark is just better in shorter form. This has too many side bits that don’t feel integrated to me. It’s definitely not a murder-mystery as much as a thriller fantasy. Add a lead character that I found myself withdrawing from and it ended up being something less enjoyable than expected. To remind myself of how good Clark is, I went back and read one of his shorts I had missed and found a tight little horrific tale, ‘Night Doctors.’ Damnit! That’s what makes this so hard.

Ultimately, it’s better than most of what you will find out there. But it doesn’t live up to his reputation.


Many, many thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for the advanced review copy.

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Returning to the world of pre-WWI Cairo, Egypt, where Djinn coexist with humans, where there are old Egyptian gods (or at least their followers with a touch of the divine within them), and a host of wonderful crossovers right out of the pages of 1001 Arabian Knights, Steampunk novels, and good, old-fashioned modern UF, I have to say I'm loving every moment.

It took me a moment to get into the series, but it didn't take that long. The fact is, I like Fatma. She's got that Bowler hat and her investigation skills sharpened and the worldbuilding makes every second here worthwhile.

Better, it builds upon itself, staying nicely grounded while evoking a sense of things going completely out of control. Classic conflicts, but with a spin on it that I personally loved. (No spoilers.)

Suffice to say, I'm now officially hooked. I was into it before, but this full-sized novel made it perfect for me.

This is a 4.5 star read.
This book is the first full length novel in the Fatma el-Sha'arawi series. It follows Agent Fatma as she is thrust into another magically charged case that threatens to destroy Cairo. A secret society burned alive, the world on the brink of war, and a legend come back to life all brings Fatma, and her new partner Agent Hadia, the hardest case of their careers. This story really expands on the world that the previous 2 novella created. With much more room to play with, the alternate Cairo bursts with vibrancy and colour. I loved the bigger glimpses of this world that we got in this book, from the poorest slums to the most opulent mansions. Fatma is such an interesting character who cannot help but be unique and intriguing. She stands out and the development between her and Siti since the end of the first novella was so sweet and amazing. I love them together and the absolute power couple that they are. Hadia was an interesting counter part to Fatma. She gave the story some balance and showed more of the Ministry's side to the story, really letting the intricacy of how the new world was affected by magic shine through. This book kept all the magic and vibrancy of the novella and was able to stretch it out and I was able to bask in the world for so much longer. The only reason this story wasn't a 5 star read for me was because by the 20% mark I basically knew who the villain was. I was able to put it together pretty quickly and then had to watch everyone dance around the answer for the rest of the book. It was still really interesting and gathering all the facts and putting the story together was very enthralling, not to mention how attached to the characters I became which never left a dull moment in the book. I just wish it was a little bit harder for me to guess at the twist. Which might seem like a bigger deal for the story as a whole, but I was still hooked into the story and totally into what was going on despite that. This is definitely a must read and one I will be recommending to everyone I know.

A Master of Djinn is a thoroughly satisfying adventure-mystery novel whose plot appears initially to bear a resemblance to British-American mystery novels, but whose story lives thoroughly outside that cultural setting. From the conceit that allows the real world to have been populated by djinn to the female operative hiding her relationship even from her doorman, the novel tells the detective story in an entirely new setting. It is 1912 in Cairo, and Fatma el-Sha’arawi is the youngest woman operative in the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, until she gets a partner. Readers of Clark's "A Dead Djinn in Cairo" and Hugo and Nebula finalist "The Haunting of Tram Car 015" will appreciate the familiarity of characters and artifacts from that short novel. Who is the masked figure? What power creates a fire that burns flesh but leaves clothing untouched? Can I turn myself into a crocodile? A novel both familiar to readers of early 20th-century mystery novels with characters representing the variety of 21st century sensibilities, there is a lot to love about this worthy entry into the mystery genre.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Wow... once again Clark delivers a super exciting steampunk/mystery story with the fantastical Agent Fatma as the lead character (yaaay).

Cairo is ever changing with the magical djinn living among humans. Agent Fatma finds herself investigating a grusom murder on a secret brotherhood worshipping al-Jahiz, the person who brought forth the djinn to the mundane world.
The more she investigates the more the clues point to a person who claims to be... al-Jahiz himself??

This is the third installment in the series, but as the other two it can be read by it self, though you should do yourself a favour and read them all!

I loved A Master of Djinn! This novel follows Fatma el-Sha'arawi, an agent with the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, in Cairo in 1912. The world is populated with djinn, beings who call themselves angels, and a host of other ‘supernatural entities,’ all amidst steampunk-esque technology. The plot follows Agent Fatma as she investigates a mass murder with the clear hallmarks of supernatural activity which, it becomes clear quite quickly, is only the tip of the iceberg.

P. Djèlí Clark is certainly a master at world-building. The magical Cairo he’s created in this series really comes alive here, and one really gets a sense of the city itself – its class divisions, cultural tensions, religious diversity, and shifting political and gender dynamics and norms.

What I might have appreciated most about A Dead Djinn in Cairo, though, is the character development. Agent Fatma is a hero to root for, both as the investigator trying to solve the mystery and save the world and as a young woman navigating a very male-dominated profession, the shift from solo work to work with a partner, a complex romantic relationship, and life in big city Cairo. This novel features a strong cast of multi-faceted, interesting, complex female characters – Hadia, Fatma’s new partner, and Siti, her lover, particularly stand out – and the dynamics of relationships between women, including both romantic and platonic / professional / friendly, play a central role. As a queer woman who loves fantasy I really appreciate the representation here so much that it did bring me to tears at one point. While I very much enjoyed the two earlier works in the series, I feel like the longer length of A Dead Djinn in Cairo has really allowed for more detailed development of more characters beyond just the leads – there are so many interesting figures in the story that really come alive.

A question many will no doubt be wondering is whether it is necessary to read the two prior stories -- A Dead Djinn in Cairo and The Haunting of Tram Car 015 -- before this one. The former features the same protagonist as this novel does and its plot is mentioned in this novel; the latter’s main characters appear in supporting roles here. A Master of Djinn can absolutely be read as a standalone; however, I would suggest reading the others first, not only as they do provide useful backstory but also simply because they’re great reads as well.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor/Forge; I’m thrilled that this was my first ever ARC.

The video review is here https://youtu.be/hs3q6nWL5ls

'A Master of Djinn' is set in Egypt in 1912, where the colonial powers no longer hold other nations in servitude. Egypt, India and other countries are now as powerful as others thanks to Al-Jahiz, a wizard scientist, who rediscovered magic about 50 years prior. Fatma el-Sha'arawi, a young Arab woman, is a rising star in the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities. Her job is to investigate and solve magical problems. When a secret brotherhood of influential personages gets murdered by a person calling himself Al-Jahiz, she has to solve this mystery fast before the World Peace Summit in Cairo can occur.

This book is the third in this universe but the first full-length novel. I highly recommend reading the two preceding novellas first as they introduce a few characters, events and the world setting, leading to this story. Those novellas are as enjoyable as this book is.

The worldbuilding is simply fantastic. There is the alternate history aspect to it, i.e. the colonial powers no longer being so. Obviously, this appeals to me as a citizen of a nation under the boot of foreign rule for more than two hundred years. But Djeli Clark doesn't stop there. He envisions a world where Egypt, in particular, appears to be at the forefront of a liberal movement considering suffrage, race and religion. The second novella takes place with the suffragette movement in the background. This treatment is tempered with reality because people have long-held biases that cannot be wiped out overnight. In addition to the cultural aspects, the Djinns also create new technological and magical marvels like overhead rails, self-driving trams etc. All these additions make Cairo, the setting for most of the story, have a unique personality.

The characters are all enthralling. Most of the main characters have made their debut in the earlier novellas, though some have a lesser role here. But this adds to the richness of the setting. In many ways, this kind of character introduction and the environment reminds me of Ankh-Morpokh. The Master of Djinn has some of the best women characters I have read in this genre (or most others for that matter). Fatma, Siti, Hadia and so many more are strong, independent and have to fight for their place in society, which is still conservative despite all the cultural changes.

P. Djeli Clark's writing is excellent. He handles topics like colour, religion, homosexuality, capitalism, colonialism etc. with sensitivity and makes them essential to the story. These topics never feel shoved into the main storyline, but they seamlessly fit into the overall narrative. I have read a few books that have achieved this (except those where these kinds of topics are the core issue). The pacing is above average as well. I don't recollect any sections dragging. I didn't feel like putting the book, and I want to go back to that universe as soon as possible.

The one blemish is the resolution of the murder mystery and the mysterious killer. I guessed who it was right in the beginning and towards the middle, it was a bit obvious. But that is a minor issue since there are so many other things to like and love in the book.

In conclusion, 'A Master of Djinn' is an innovative and entertaining steampunk fantasy that is easily one of this year's best books.

This is the steampunk I want.
Turn-of-the-2othC Egypt, where a re-invention of djinn has kickstarted Egypt into a major power, and let Egypt kick the British Empire out.
My crush from #1, the short story A Dead Djinn in Cairo, has a novel to herself here. Fatma continues to wear her sharp English suits (one day she'll sit down in one of her frequented bars and open up on the irony), investigate sorcery, steam and clockworks apocalypse, and pursue a relationship with Siti, the woman she met in the short story... home to meet the family in this one. No spoilers.
With gorgeously imagined steampunk djinn and angels, and the city of Cairo as a main character. I hope this series continues.

I loved this book! I'm familiar with the two stories that preceded this, but it works well even if you aren't familiar with them. An Alternate Cairo in the early 1900s sets the stage for a better then average mystery with lots of twists and turns. Some you'll see coming, some you won't. I would love any opportunity to spend more time in this world, as it's unique and well thought out.

If anyone wants to talk to P. Djèlí Clark about the movie rights for a Fatma/Hadia series of buddy comedies, I’m here for it.

Clark’s steampunk/historical fantasy/historical mystery mashup series continues to impress me, and the third book in the series is perhaps the best one yet. This one takes some time to get going and is a much lengthier offering than Tramcar 015, though I wouldn’t call it overlong.

Fatma continues to be a favorite of mine among literary characters, and the addition of Hadia to the story was fantastic. Clark really impresses with his development of side characters as well, each one nuanced and interesting.

Which brings me to my big, OMG moment for this book: Sobek! I was SO excited to see the crocodile god and his history incorporated into this story. Sobek is a rare sighting in modern literature, and the role he plays in this one does not disappoint.

Clark is a must-read for me from now on. His unique setting and narrative, humor, and character developments are truly exceptional.

I wasn’t as drawn into this book as I was with Haunting. While the supernatural was intriguing, I just couldn’t get into the characters very much,

Highly recommended for anyone who has liked the novellas / short stories in this magical Cairo universe, probably should be read after the “Haunting” novella and the “Dead Djinn in Cairo” short story. It’s clear that P Djeli Clark is a historian from the way he manages the geopolitical and cultural implications of his magical worlds and the postcolonial opportunities that are opened up by the access to supernatural beings. It felt a little bit like the novel faltered at some points where a novella wouldn’t, but it also allowed for more subtlety. Also, it’s nice to see queer representation of sorts, maybe especially in a world which isn’t primarily “about” that.

This book is very different from my typical reads.

I really enjoyed the strong female characters. The mystery is solid and steady, and the world building is well done. The book did keep me guessing for the most part with some unexpected twists. It's a nice blend of magic and mystery. Apparently there is a short story related to this, but I didn't read that. It might be beneficial to do that.

A Master of Djinn, by P. Djeli Clark. A good story but I did have to keep coming back to it, as I really didnt feel pulled in. I think it will do well and others will enjoy it as much as I did.

P. Djeli Clark's entertaining fantasy series continues with a full-length novel, and it's a delight. Agent Fatma returns, along with an engaging cast, and the plot blends high-powered magical conflict with detective work, as well as some thoughtful examination of power, gender, colonialism, and the assumptions humans make. Vividly written, with sharp and clever dialogue, it takes the reader to an alternate early-20th-century Cairo where Egypt has become a great power through its access to magic and the game of nations plays out in new and interesting ways.

The story references events from A Dead Djinn in Cairo, enough that reading that novella first might be helpful to the reader. But that's more of a bonus than a drawback, because Dead Djinn is also marvelous.

A review of A Master of Djinn (2021), by P. Djèlí Clark:

Dear Hollywood,
Please throw your grandad's boring-ass comic books in the trash, quit with the endless retreads, and make big summer movies out of stories like this explosive mystery in alternate-history/steampunk-y/djinn-laden early 20C Cairo.
Regards, A non-fan.

RIYL: Stross's Laundry Files, but you wish that there were fewer wise-cracking white dudes and that most of the ~mystic woo~ was (were?) Egyptian-flavored.

Set in an alternate historical Cairo where djinn live among us, Master of Djinn takes the detective formula and breathes new life into it. The story weaves Egyptian mythology wonderfully with the various types of djinn creating an irresistible magical world. I was reminded of my fascination with Egypt and its history.

Like most good detective stories, the book starts with a mysterious murder. The pacing is perfect, blending action with procedure. To make things more interesting, the main detective is a woman. This adds an illuminating perspective to the setting. The pacing holds steady throughout until the climax. Just when I thought I had figured things out, the story took a welcome twist.

If you have already been introduced to the world of djinn from other recent fantasy series, you will feel at home here. I felt as if the world of Daevabad was transported into the future. The mystery kept me engaged until the big reveal. The final confrontation was incredibly well done and suitably epic. If you have any interest in djinn or magic this is a must read. Though early, I expect this will be on my top list for the year.

While Master of Djinn doesn't come out until May, Clark has a few short novellas you can read to hold you over until then. I plan to read them shortly.

4.5 stars
I want to thank Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think this is a new favorite series for me.
After reading A Dead Djinn in Cairo and The Haunting of Tram Car 015 I had but one complaint; they weren't long enough. Well, this book is delivered everything I needed.
Fatma el-Sha’arawi is a special investigator with the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities in 1912 steampunk Cairo.
Djinn and angels (maybe?) have been living among humans for about 40 years.
Murder and shenanigans ensue.

I loved the whodunnit vibes and clever commentary. The characters are wonderfully diverse.
I'm just in love with this version of Cairo.
The amount of research that went into this book shows in little tidbits like Arabic sayings and idioms, which are a special treat for someone who speaks Arabic, as well as some real life interesting historical events woven into the history of this alternate world.

Highly recommended.

4.75 stars

P Djeli Clarke is fast becoming one of my auto-buy authors, his writing is the perfect blend of not too flowery and not too simple but still manages to perfectly capture and immerse you in the atmosphere he is trying to create. I adore the world he has created in this series, a steampunk version on 1910s Cairo, filled with all the magic and wonder of djinn and other mythological creatures. I have a great love for the Daevabad series by SA Chakraborty and seeing some of the same mythology and figures also used in this book made me feel so nostalgic.

In the novel we are once again following Fatma, as she investigates the mysterious murders of a secret brotherhood dedicated to the legendary historical figure al-jazid. Soon the murderer is claiming to be the second coming of al-jazid and mysterious things are happening to the djinn of Cairo and it is up to Fatma to figure it out. The book is a fantastic ride, full of mystery adventure and good old fashioned crime solving and detective work. The twists and turns were such a delight to follow, I was so invested in finding out what was going on and always kept engaged in the story. I thought the pacing was excellent, and sometimes scenes that were seemingly irrelevant had a lot of importance later on and I always love it when books do this!!

At the start of the book Fatma gets a new assistant, called Hadia, whom at first she is very reluctant to have as she is adamant she only works alone but watching them grow as partners and colleagues was such a pleasure to watch. I adored their grumpy mentor/wide eyed apprentice dynamic and also how Hadia wasn’t afraid to call out Fatma on her bullshit. We see a lot of Fatma’s semi-girlfriend Siti, whom I absolutely adore!!! Siti has a lot of secrets and never likes to stay in one place for too long, she is charming and flirty, and the perfect balance for Fatma’s more sober and stoic side. Watching their relationship grow and develop throughout the book and learn to trust and grow from each other, as well as work together to solve the mystery of what is going on was such a delight. Fatma, Siti and Hadia are such a power trio and I hope we get more books of their adventures!

P Djeli Clarke also touches on some really important themes of colonialism, racial inequality and colorism, as well as looking at what difficulties women can face even in a “post-feminist” society. Fatma and Hadia are the only women in a primarily male dominated magical investigations agency and there is a lot of discussion around access for women, I liked how Hadia called Fatma out on when she was judging Hadia at first, when in fact it is important for women to be supporting women. Fatma is also such a feminist icon, I love how she doesn’t conform to traditional gender roles of the time and is quite assertive and self-assured of her abilities.

Overall this book has a perfect blend of mystery, charm, humour, romance and magic. Something about reading it felt so nostalgic and I loved being swept away into this alternate magical Cairo, truly a novel to devour and let it whisk you away for an escape from reality.