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A review by kentanapages
A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
5.0
This is one of my all-time favorite books.
A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark is the winner of the 2022 Nebula Award, the 2022 Locus Award, and the 2022 Compton Crook Award (all for Best Novel). It was also nominated for the 2022 Hugo Award.
We’re in alternate-universe Cairo, Egypt in 1912, and English colonialism has been halted by the introduction ofDjinn and other supernatural beings into this world… but make it steampunk.
Fatma is one of the few women working at her level for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, and certainly the youngest. She has, however, already saved the universe once (as covered in the novelette A Dead Djinn In Cairo). She’s also a whipsmart thinker and dresser. Our main character is a butch lesbian with some seriously fashionable fits; Fatma loves her European-style suits and canes. Please see some fan art by the incredible @layahimalaya on the next few slides. I could just read descriptions of what she’s wearing and be happy. Sexism is still alive and well, although there are strides being taken towards “modernism”, and it’s an interesting and well-captured dynamic in the story.
I love that the protagonist is a butch lesbian and it’s honestly so glamorous feeling; I want to be her best friend, and also be her. She’s sharp and witty, and I found the banter between characters to be so much fun
The story unwinds so well! I highly recommend reading the short stories in this series first; you’ll appreciate not only Fatma but her potential love connection and some of the context around the Djinn so much more!
This book is amazing and fully deserves a full review, but for now I’m going to say: 5 stars, read this if you like magical realism and incredible MCs, P. Djèlí Clark we need the next book please :) As I’m writing this I’m realizing I’m due for a re-read, and that would be the perfect time to write a fuller review. Coming (relatively, maybe) soon!
In the meantime, please everyone read this book so I can talk about it with more of you <3
A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark is the winner of the 2022 Nebula Award, the 2022 Locus Award, and the 2022 Compton Crook Award (all for Best Novel). It was also nominated for the 2022 Hugo Award.
We’re in alternate-universe Cairo, Egypt in 1912, and English colonialism has been halted by the introduction ofDjinn and other supernatural beings into this world… but make it steampunk.
Fatma is one of the few women working at her level for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, and certainly the youngest. She has, however, already saved the universe once (as covered in the novelette A Dead Djinn In Cairo). She’s also a whipsmart thinker and dresser. Our main character is a butch lesbian with some seriously fashionable fits; Fatma loves her European-style suits and canes. Please see some fan art by the incredible @layahimalaya on the next few slides. I could just read descriptions of what she’s wearing and be happy. Sexism is still alive and well, although there are strides being taken towards “modernism”, and it’s an interesting and well-captured dynamic in the story.
I love that the protagonist is a butch lesbian and it’s honestly so glamorous feeling; I want to be her best friend, and also be her. She’s sharp and witty, and I found the banter between characters to be so much fun
The story unwinds so well! I highly recommend reading the short stories in this series first; you’ll appreciate not only Fatma but her potential love connection and some of the context around the Djinn so much more!
This book is amazing and fully deserves a full review, but for now I’m going to say: 5 stars, read this if you like magical realism and incredible MCs, P. Djèlí Clark we need the next book please :) As I’m writing this I’m realizing I’m due for a re-read, and that would be the perfect time to write a fuller review. Coming (relatively, maybe) soon!
In the meantime, please everyone read this book so I can talk about it with more of you <3