A review by mcloonejack
A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

5.0

This was such an engrossing book thanks to Clark’s remarkable world-building abilities, by far the standout facet of an overall great read. He does my favorite version of world-building, which limits the exposition dumps and instead reveals the history and rules as they become necessary. (Similarly, the references to A Dead Djinn in Cairo, the short story that immediately precedes the events here and is included at the end, feel more like the classic “Remember _____?” in spy movies where they never give more details than necessary but establish a great report, even though the story does exist this time.) I particularly enjoyed the subtle, and not-so-subtle, changes that come with an un/decolonized Egypt.

But beyond the world-building, the dialogue is witty and lived in, peppered with Arabic phrases in a way that, for example, Agatha Christie would throw in French phrases. We’re so used to the former that I’m sure the usage here was jarring for some, but it fits squarely with Clark’s repeated refutations of the stodgy white ways of writing sci-fi/fantasy. His pushbacks feels a little heavy-handed maybe one time, but it’s fleeting.

This book is much more than its subversions, however. At its core is frenetic action and a compelling mystery, woven with some truly fantastic lore and varied characters.

I know there are other short stories in this universe I need to read, but I’m looking forward to more from Clark in this world.