senqin 's review for:

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

5.0

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The great philosopher Ibn al-A’raabi also described fitna as a testing, a trial, to burn with fire. I see it similar to the ways of alchemy. To melt to such a heat as to separate the elements, much as one distinguishes the oppressor from the oppressed. That is what I bring to this city, to expose what ugliness lurks beneath this age of wonders. So that all with eyes and heart may see.

★★★★½

P. Djèlí Clark is an absolute KING of worldbuilding in sff and his debut novel serves as a testament to his genius. A Master of Djinn was a thrilling debut set in his reimagined Cairo universe where mystical djinn and humans live and work side by side and magic has propelled Egypt to the forefront of political power on the global stage. I am always blown away by the sheer depth of Clark's imagination and this book was certainly no exception. From household automatons called boiler plate eunuchs to towering mechanical angels - the way Clark seamlessly blends magic and technology with the ordinary sights and sounds of Cairo was just breathtaking.

This book starts off with a banger (an entire secret society is brutally murdered by a mysterious figure) and does an excellent job of keeping you in its thrall for the entire ride. Once I really got immersed into the universe again I flew through the story's nearly 400 pages. The charismatic agent Fatma, a dapper detective introduced in one of Clark's short stories "A Dead Djinn in Cairo," is tasked with investigating this horrible event and its connection to the second coming of the legendary figure, al-Jahiz, who tore down the barrier between the world of djinn and the world of man. She was such a fun protagonist to follow! If Fatma could just grant me a measly fraction of her suavity and charm I would be set for life. Clark just really knows how to write incredible female characters in general. I loved the other main characters Hadia and Siti as well. Hadia is an endearing rookie, Fatma's new partner in the field, and a total badass. Siti is a priestess of the old Egyptian goddesses and the baddest of asses. I loved her snark and ALSO she and Fatma were an absolute (sapphic!) power couple we love to see it