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for_esme_with_love's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
An intriguing introduction to Clark's steampunk fantasy Cairo. It went by a little quick but I am interested to dig into the full length book next!
Moderate: Body horror and Gore
alayamorning's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Misogyny, and Violence
ceallaighsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
“Many believe al-Jahiz tore a hole to the Kaf,” the Jann said. “It’s better stated by saying that he unlocked a door by finding a particular moment in space and time unique to the Kaf. That, in turn, weakened the barriers of other worlds, allowing magic and beings beyond the djinn to find their way into this one. There are worlds upon worlds that exist. Finding their locks requires knowing their unique places in the pattern.”
TITLE—A Dead Djinn in Cairo
AUTHOR—P. Djèlí Clark
PUBLISHED—2016
GENRE—alternative historical fantasy
SETTING—an alternative historical Cairo in the 1920s
MAIN THEMES/SUBJECTS—magic, power, corruption
WRITING STYLE—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
CHARACTERS—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️—Ob*sess*ed with the characters.
PLOT—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
BONUS ELEMENT/S—I LOVED the atmosphere of this book!! The world building was outstanding!
PHILOSOPHY—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“When I was in school in Luxor I would see these photographs of Englishmen and Frenchmen who visited Egypt, before the djinn came. Mostly they were in suits. But sometimes they’d put on a jellabiya and headscarf. I found out they called it ‘going native.’ To look exotic, they said.”
“Did they?” Aasim cut in.
“Did they what?”
“Look exotic.”
“No. Just ridiculous.”
Aasim snickered.
“Anyway, when I bought my first suit, the English tailor asked me why I wanted it. I told him I wanted to look exotic.”
I LOVED this novella! I am immediately starting novella number two and pre-ordering the third book which I’ve heard is 400 pages long and that is definitely more like the amount of attention Clark’s incredible worldbuilding and fascinating characters deserves! He’s very quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TW // gore, violence
Further Reading—
- the rest of the series
- Ring Shout, by P. Djèlí Clark
- The Inheritance Trilogy, by N. K. Jemisin
- How Long Til Black Future Month, by N. K. Jemisin
- I also kind of got some His Dark Materials vibes from this book as well...
Graphic: Body horror and Gore
muzzfuzz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Body horror
mar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
BANGER
Moderate: Death, Blood, Gore, Body horror, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Sexism
elk_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Murder, and Suicide
zlad13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Minor: Blood, Body horror, and Sexism
bertramshotel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Minor: Violence, Sexual content, and Sexism
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