A review by ceallaighsbooks
A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark

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...
Expand filter menu Content Warnings