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bubbeleh's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A dapper butch detective in early 20th century Egypt in which Egypt is a ruling power, complete with mythical creatures. I was hooked from start to finisg
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
littlemountainchicken's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Violence and Stalking
belovedsnail's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
Probably my favourite fantasy novel so far this year.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
kmoz's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Gore, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
alisonvh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book is so much fun! Djinn, angels, power-hungry mortals who refuse to understand the kind of power they’re really dealing with. Oh, and a super-cute lesbian love story. I had so much fun listening to this audiobook and I can’t wait for the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
turrean's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Delightful narration. Djinns, humans, angels, and other beings had distinct (and very entertaining!) voices. I hope there will be more stories set in this world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Colonisation
bergha1998's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.75
I loved the plot and pacing of the mystery. The characters were great and so diverse, but I have a feeling they’ll hit their stride more in the second book.
Historical Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Diverse
Historical Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Diverse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
skienight's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Violence
ko_rax's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
In A Master of Djinn, the reader accompanies Agent Fatma and her colleagues as she unveils the surrounding mystery around the murdering of a brotherhood dedicated to al-Jahiz. The story is set in 1912's Cairo, Egypt, and stuns with the appearance of mighty djinn, mechanically winged angels, powerful spells and dangerous artefacts.
First: I love, love, love Fatma's impeccable style. I got so jealous that I was debating on buying myselfsuits , as well. I also appreciated her professionality and always enjoy rational minds...and this is where my liking for her ends. As someone on Storygraph here has mentioned before, it did not feel to me as if Fatma had some kind of rooting, in a sense? Any goals, aspirations or ideals, at least not implicitly written out, except for obvious conformity with law, given that she is a working government official. The novel is quite plot-heavy, and I would have loved to see more insight on Fatma as a character, especially since she seemed to be the protagonist, despite her colleague Agent Hadia, who seemed more of a sidekick .
My favourite aspect of this novel is its world building and how it was embedded well in its historical setting. P. Djèlí Clark spent a great time researching to turn scenes this vivid, and the unwritten rules in this magical setting bore no loopholes. It felt as if I was transported to Egypt - and I have never been to Egypt, ever - and familiarised enough with the setting to see the plot pick up as well without being overwhelmed. Also appreciated the imperialist undertones and implications in many interactions among characters.
Towards the end, however, I felt the developments a little rushed, aside from uneven/imbalanced pacing throughout the whole novel. It was intriguing to me to seepower dynamics questioned and negotiated among the djinn and the Nine Ifrit Lords , and at the same time, the Nine Lords , who were portrayed as very mighty ended up not meeting my expectations there. I like to believe it to be social commentary, or a thought experiment of what would happen when clichéed glory is not the desired endgame .
Lastly, I lovethe sapphic romance with Siti here. It was a nice touch on top of it and did not distract from the objective of the plot.
As someone who rarely dabbles in steampunk and is more into historical fiction and/or fantasy, this was a nice read for me. I have interest, though faint, in more stories set in this universe and will seek out other works of P. Djèlí Clark set in this universe, eventually.
To close it off with a quote I liked in particular:
First: I love, love, love Fatma's impeccable style. I got so jealous that I was debating on buying myself
My favourite aspect of this novel is its world building and how it was embedded well in its historical setting. P. Djèlí Clark spent a great time researching to turn scenes this vivid, and the unwritten rules in this magical setting bore no loopholes. It felt as if I was transported to Egypt - and I have never been to Egypt, ever - and familiarised enough with the setting to see the plot pick up as well without being overwhelmed. Also appreciated the imperialist undertones and implications in many interactions among characters.
Towards the end, however, I felt the developments a little rushed, aside from uneven/imbalanced pacing throughout the whole novel. It was intriguing to me to see
Lastly, I love
As someone who rarely dabbles in steampunk and is more into historical fiction and/or fantasy, this was a nice read for me. I have interest, though faint, in more stories set in this universe and will seek out other works of P. Djèlí Clark set in this universe, eventually.
To close it off with a quote I liked in particular:
"Usually the screts we keep deep down, ain't meant to hurt other people, [..] Not saying they won't, but not through intentions. Those deep secrets, we hide away because we're afraid what other people might think. How they might judge us, if they knew. And nobody's judgement we scared of more than the one we give our hearts to. Besides, everybody got secrets. Even you, I'm betting."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Colonisation
thecolouryes's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Sexism and Classism
Minor: Violence, Colonisation, and War