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Dead Djinn Universe #0.1
A Dead Djinn in Cairo
Egypt, 1912. In an alternate Cairo infused with the otherworldly, the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities investigate disturbances between the mortal and the (possibly) divine. What starts off as an odd suicide case for Special Investigator Fatma el-Sha’arawi leads her through the city’s underbelly as she encounters rampaging ghouls, saucy assassins, clockwork angels, and plot that could unravel time itself.
43 pages, ebook
First published May 18, 2016
772 people are currently reading
19654 people want to read
About the author
P. Djèlí Clark
58 books6,121 followersPhenderson Djèlí Clark.
Phenderson Djéli Clark is the author of the novel A Master of Djinn, and the award-winning and Hugo, Nebula, and Sturgeon nominated author of the novellas Ring Shout, The Black God’s Drums and The Haunting of Tram Car 015. His short stories have appeared in online venues such as Tor.com, Heroic Fantasy Quarterly, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, and in print anthologies including, Griots and Hidden Youth. You can find him on Twitter at @pdjeliclark and his blog The Disgruntled Haradrim.
Phenderson Djéli Clark is the author of the novel A Master of Djinn, and the award-winning and Hugo, Nebula, and Sturgeon nominated author of the novellas Ring Shout, The Black God’s Drums and The Haunting of Tram Car 015. His short stories have appeared in online venues such as Tor.com, Heroic Fantasy Quarterly, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, and in print anthologies including, Griots and Hidden Youth. You can find him on Twitter at @pdjeliclark and his blog The Disgruntled Haradrim.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,007 reviews
October 19, 2022
A confident, urbane, female investigator has a dead djinn on her hands. The setting is vaguely a steampunk colonial Cairo, with an interesting twist--forty years ago, a mystic and artificier "bore a hole to the Kaf, the other-realm of the djinn." He then disappeared, but magic and the djinn were left in the world. The discovery allowed the Egyptians to throw out the British colonizers and become one of the world-powers, an unique take in the alternate history and fantasy genre. The byproduct of magic is a plethora of djinns, angels, and ghouls.
Overall, it's a quick story that is quite interesting and well done, with an intriguing female lead and hints of alternate genders and sexuality. I'd read a book-length tale.
Might appeal to fans of Detective Chen (of Liz Williams) although with less off-beat humor.
Overall, it's a quick story that is quite interesting and well done, with an intriguing female lead and hints of alternate genders and sexuality. I'd read a book-length tale.
Might appeal to fans of Detective Chen (of Liz Williams) although with less off-beat humor.
June 25, 2021
3.5/5 stars
A Dead Djinn in Cairo was so interesting; seems like I have to give A Master of Djinn a try after all.
A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark is highly praised and quite popular right now, but I felt a bit apprehensive; plenty of hyped debut novel in bookish social media has disappointed me. Because of that, I decided to give A Dead Djinn in Cairo a try first. Now, there’s a lot of limitation put into this novelette, and its short length doesn’t allow many rooms for exploration. But that’s okay. I do believe that the purpose of this novelette is to attain reader’s interest in the character, premise, and definitely world-building, and on these matters, Clark has earned my interest.
How cool is that? A Dead Djinn in Cairo takes place in, well, an alternate Cairo. The year is 1912, and we follow Special Investigator Fatma el-Sha’arawi as she tries to solve a murder mystery. It’s a brief story, but there’s more than enough intrigues packed into the narrative, especially the world-building. It’s such a refreshing setting to read; Clark combined fantasy and sci-fi into this novelette, and I can’t want to see it explored further. I mean, there’s magic, technologies, airships, alchemy, djinn, ghuls, angels with mechanical parts, and more. It’s all so intriguing, and A Dead Djinn in Cairo is free to read on: https://www.tor.com/2016/05/18/a-dead...
If I’m not mistaken, the author has written a novelette (this one), short story, and novella as prequels to the main novel, and I’m going to read them in that order.
Picture: A Dead Djinn in Cairo by Kevin Hong
You can find the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Alya, Annabeth, Ben, Blaise, Devin, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas, Sarah, Sarah, Seth, Shaad, Summer, Wendy, Wick, Zoe.
A Dead Djinn in Cairo was so interesting; seems like I have to give A Master of Djinn a try after all.
A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark is highly praised and quite popular right now, but I felt a bit apprehensive; plenty of hyped debut novel in bookish social media has disappointed me. Because of that, I decided to give A Dead Djinn in Cairo a try first. Now, there’s a lot of limitation put into this novelette, and its short length doesn’t allow many rooms for exploration. But that’s okay. I do believe that the purpose of this novelette is to attain reader’s interest in the character, premise, and definitely world-building, and on these matters, Clark has earned my interest.
“It was al-Jahiz who, through mysticism and machines, bore a hole to the Kaf, the other-realm of the djinn. His purpose for doing so—curiosity, mischief, or malice—remained unknown. He later disappeared, taking his incredible machines with him. Some said even now he traveled the many worlds, sowing chaos wherever he went.”
How cool is that? A Dead Djinn in Cairo takes place in, well, an alternate Cairo. The year is 1912, and we follow Special Investigator Fatma el-Sha’arawi as she tries to solve a murder mystery. It’s a brief story, but there’s more than enough intrigues packed into the narrative, especially the world-building. It’s such a refreshing setting to read; Clark combined fantasy and sci-fi into this novelette, and I can’t want to see it explored further. I mean, there’s magic, technologies, airships, alchemy, djinn, ghuls, angels with mechanical parts, and more. It’s all so intriguing, and A Dead Djinn in Cairo is free to read on: https://www.tor.com/2016/05/18/a-dead...
If I’m not mistaken, the author has written a novelette (this one), short story, and novella as prequels to the main novel, and I’m going to read them in that order.
Picture: A Dead Djinn in Cairo by Kevin Hong
You can find the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Alya, Annabeth, Ben, Blaise, Devin, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas, Sarah, Sarah, Seth, Shaad, Summer, Wendy, Wick, Zoe.
November 24, 2021
Audiobook narrated by Suehyla El-Attar
The hype is real. I had a wonderful time reading this novelette and I cannot wait to read more from the author. I believe the author did an excellent job to create a complex and fascinating magic world in not too many pages. What a breath of fresh air was to read about a setting which is not US or UK. The plot takes place in an alternate 1912 Cairo where magical creatures and divinities were released to Earth. There is a Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities and one of its Investigators, Fatma el-Sha’arawi, is sent to investigate the apparent suicide of a Djinn. Obviously, something more sinister is at work. I loved the world building, the characters and the cultural/mythological references.
The hype is real. I had a wonderful time reading this novelette and I cannot wait to read more from the author. I believe the author did an excellent job to create a complex and fascinating magic world in not too many pages. What a breath of fresh air was to read about a setting which is not US or UK. The plot takes place in an alternate 1912 Cairo where magical creatures and divinities were released to Earth. There is a Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities and one of its Investigators, Fatma el-Sha’arawi, is sent to investigate the apparent suicide of a Djinn. Obviously, something more sinister is at work. I loved the world building, the characters and the cultural/mythological references.
January 24, 2021
This is the first glimpse of the fascinating world that is further expanded in P. Djèlí Clark’s lovely Hugo- and Nebula Award nominated The Haunting of Tram Car 015. It’s the look at the alternate 1912 Cairo a few decades after a gateway to the world of supernatural was opened, bringing new residents in the form of the Djinn and the Angels (with the mechanical parts) and ghuls, turning Egypt into a modern and tolerant world superpower (the Djinn helped to defeat the British) and bringing quite a steampunk flavor to the place, including boilerplate eunuchs (automatons), airships, aerial teams and clockwork mechanisms.
“Fatma el-Sha’arawi, special investigator with the Egyptian Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities, stood gazing through a pair of spectral goggles at the body slumped atop the mammoth divan. A djinn.”
So begins a brief but very satisfying short story that starts with a djinn murder mystery, detours into a bit of necromancy and ends with the desperate race to save the entire world and space-time continuum, and possibly a promising romantic engagement at the end of all of that, should the world survive.
It’s atmospheric and fun, and just fleshed-out enough to be interesting and immersing without affecting the short story pacing.
4 stars.
—————
It’s free here, at Tor.com: https://www.tor.com/2016/05/18/a-dead...
—————
The next adventure set in the steampunk Cairo, The Haunting of Tram Car 015, is wonderful in providing a deeper look into this fascinating world. My review of it is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
“Fatma el-Sha’arawi, special investigator with the Egyptian Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities, stood gazing through a pair of spectral goggles at the body slumped atop the mammoth divan. A djinn.”
So begins a brief but very satisfying short story that starts with a djinn murder mystery, detours into a bit of necromancy and ends with the desperate race to save the entire world and space-time continuum, and possibly a promising romantic engagement at the end of all of that, should the world survive.
It’s atmospheric and fun, and just fleshed-out enough to be interesting and immersing without affecting the short story pacing.
4 stars.
“Ghul attacks were up in the city; three separate incidents had been reported in the past week. The Ministry suspected a radical cell of anarchist-necromancers, though no one had come up with any leads.”
—————
It’s free here, at Tor.com: https://www.tor.com/2016/05/18/a-dead...
—————
The next adventure set in the steampunk Cairo, The Haunting of Tram Car 015, is wonderful in providing a deeper look into this fascinating world. My review of it is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
July 22, 2021
An alternative Cairo, set in 1912. A world of magic and the supernatural, inhabited by ghouls, sorcerers, and evil spirits. Against this backdrop, Special Investigator Fatma el-Sha’arawi, has a dead Djinn on her hands. Murder, or a possible suicide ? Fatma will discover there’s a lot more to this death than meets the eye.
Loved Fatma, and the action packed plot!
It’s free here https://www.tor.com/2016/05/18/a-dead...
Loved Fatma, and the action packed plot!
It’s free here https://www.tor.com/2016/05/18/a-dead...
November 21, 2021
This was good fun. I’m in a slight reading funk where I feel like I could go into a slump at any time, so I’m trying to fight it. My trick is to read novellas and short stories, that way if something is not clicking, at least it will be over soon. I have been wanting to see what the Dead Djinn Universe was all about, and after three or four years of this sitting on my Kindle, I figured it was time to dip my toe in –especially since the full-length book came out this year. I’m really happy to say that I was not disappointed and I want more.
This is what I would consider a short novella. While I would have loved to read more, it was just the right length that it didn’t feel rushed like most shorts do. This story is in one of my favorite categories, paranormal-crime. I love stories staring investigator type characters that have to solve a crime that is most likely committed by some kind of supernatural being. In this case the story takes place in an alt-history 1912 Cairo, which has angels, djinn, and ghouls running around. It is up to the very dapper Fatma to help keep humans safe.
While this is a quick story, it was a nice look into this world and characters like Fatma and Siti, who I definitely want to know more about. This also had light sapphic leanings as Siti enjoyed flirting with Fatma. I’m excited to see if something happens between them later in the series. Overall, this quick story was enough to hook me in and I can’t wait to read more.
I was happy to have this on my Kindle since there are some terms I thought I knew, but was unsure, and a few I didn’t, so it was nice to have the ease to look them up. However, if you are interested and don’t care how you read it, you can read this story for free on Tor’s website.
tor.com/2016/05/18/a-dead-djinn-in-ca...
This is what I would consider a short novella. While I would have loved to read more, it was just the right length that it didn’t feel rushed like most shorts do. This story is in one of my favorite categories, paranormal-crime. I love stories staring investigator type characters that have to solve a crime that is most likely committed by some kind of supernatural being. In this case the story takes place in an alt-history 1912 Cairo, which has angels, djinn, and ghouls running around. It is up to the very dapper Fatma to help keep humans safe.
While this is a quick story, it was a nice look into this world and characters like Fatma and Siti, who I definitely want to know more about. This also had light sapphic leanings as Siti enjoyed flirting with Fatma. I’m excited to see if something happens between them later in the series. Overall, this quick story was enough to hook me in and I can’t wait to read more.
I was happy to have this on my Kindle since there are some terms I thought I knew, but was unsure, and a few I didn’t, so it was nice to have the ease to look them up. However, if you are interested and don’t care how you read it, you can read this story for free on Tor’s website.
tor.com/2016/05/18/a-dead-djinn-in-ca...
July 7, 2025
This is my first read from this author and I have to say he has won me over as a solid fan. It's a short steampunk story that fuses Islamic supernatural, paranormal and magical mythology and mysticism that totally blows ones' mind and misconceptions thoroughly.
* Firstly, the world-building is quite unique, intricate and interwoven with superb prose that describes (but doesn't overwhelm) in a minimalist fashion and is totally immersive.
* Secondly, the plot is reminiscent of a noir detective whodunnit style. The characters are not as complex as can be but its a short, so...all in all, the verdict is absolutely stunning.
Looking forward to devouring the rest of his offerings. Highly recommended.
2022 Read
* Firstly, the world-building is quite unique, intricate and interwoven with superb prose that describes (but doesn't overwhelm) in a minimalist fashion and is totally immersive.
* Secondly, the plot is reminiscent of a noir detective whodunnit style. The characters are not as complex as can be but its a short, so...all in all, the verdict is absolutely stunning.
Looking forward to devouring the rest of his offerings. Highly recommended.
2022 Read
July 4, 2022
2021 reread:
In preparation for the upcoming novel, I read this one again and I’m once again amazed at Clark’s fantastic worldbuilding, especially considering that this novelette is only 43 pages long. It’s quite extraordinary. And while I said in my 2019 review that the characters are not particularly fleshed-out, something’s got to give in such a short tale. But Fatma el-Sha’arawi is nonetheless a very cool main character. And the story is fast-paced and fun. It put a smile on my face, and I decided to slightly up my rating to 4.5 stars. A fun return to this world that makes me look forward to the other stories even more now.
2019 review:
Cairo, 1912. Fatma el-Sha’arawi, special investigator with the Egyptian Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities, comes across a dead djinn that has been drained of his blood. Together with her partner inspector Aasim Sharif she starts to look into the case.
Their investigation will lead them to brothels, palaces, into a mausoleum, and through the streets of Cairo. Some steampunk elements are to be found in this alternate Cairo, but they are not predominant. The most prominent feature of this novelette are several figures of Arabic mythology and history instead.
The characters, especially the main character, are interesting, but not too fleshed-out. Clark focuses on a fast-moving plot with lots of action instead, especially in the second half. The protagonists come across ghuls, angels, djinn, necromancy, magic spells, etcetera, as the story gets more and more exciting.
It’s a fantastic and fascinating world, that I will gladly revisit with The Haunting of Tram Car 015. Thanks, Miriam, for pointing both those stories out to me.
This one can be read for free here: https://www.tor.com/2016/05/18/a-dead...
Recommended by Mir
In preparation for the upcoming novel, I read this one again and I’m once again amazed at Clark’s fantastic worldbuilding, especially considering that this novelette is only 43 pages long. It’s quite extraordinary. And while I said in my 2019 review that the characters are not particularly fleshed-out, something’s got to give in such a short tale. But Fatma el-Sha’arawi is nonetheless a very cool main character. And the story is fast-paced and fun. It put a smile on my face, and I decided to slightly up my rating to 4.5 stars. A fun return to this world that makes me look forward to the other stories even more now.
2019 review:
Cairo, 1912. Fatma el-Sha’arawi, special investigator with the Egyptian Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities, comes across a dead djinn that has been drained of his blood. Together with her partner inspector Aasim Sharif she starts to look into the case.
Their investigation will lead them to brothels, palaces, into a mausoleum, and through the streets of Cairo. Some steampunk elements are to be found in this alternate Cairo, but they are not predominant. The most prominent feature of this novelette are several figures of Arabic mythology and history instead.
The characters, especially the main character, are interesting, but not too fleshed-out. Clark focuses on a fast-moving plot with lots of action instead, especially in the second half. The protagonists come across ghuls, angels, djinn, necromancy, magic spells, etcetera, as the story gets more and more exciting.
It’s a fantastic and fascinating world, that I will gladly revisit with The Haunting of Tram Car 015. Thanks, Miriam, for pointing both those stories out to me.
This one can be read for free here: https://www.tor.com/2016/05/18/a-dead...
Recommended by Mir
July 13, 2022
En "Muerte de un djinn en El Cairo" descubriremos por qué Fatma es la agente más famosa del llamado Ministerio de Alquimia, Encantamientos y Entidades sobrenaturales, y no es ni por su juventud ni por sus impecables trajes. Esta es la primera aventura que Clark escribió ambientada en el Egipto mágico de "La maldición del tranvía 015", rebosante de djinns, ángeles (o algo que se hacen llamar ángeles), todo en una investigación que se complica.
Una ambientación maravillosa que no para de expandirse, una protagonista magnética y una historia que se va revelando cada vez más intrincada y sorprendente, pero el autor también encuentra momentos para reflexionar sobre colonialismo, racismo y lo que tienen que aguantar las mujeres en un ambiente tóxico (laborable y no laborable) masculino.
Un relato de 50 páginas que está incluido en la edición que va a sacar Duermevela de "El Señor de los Djinn". Edición cuidada y elegante que ya tengo y a través de la que leí este pequeño aperitivo.
Una vez más lo que más destaca de este autor es su ambientación, un Cairo a través de una mezcla entre lo sobrenatural y el Steampunk. Muy logrado y fascinante. A ver qué tal lo desarrolla en su primera novela después de varios relatos preparando el camino.
Creo que el autor hizo un excelente trabajo al crear un mundo mágico complejo y fascinante en no demasiadas páginas. Una bocanada de aire fresco tanto la ambientación como los seres que pueblan el Cairo. Donde criaturas mágicas y divinidades fueron liberadas en la Tierra.
En el que se formó un Ministerio de Alquimia, Encantamientos y Entidades Sobrenaturales y uno de sus Investigadores, Fatma el-Sha'arawi, es enviada a investigar el aparente suicidio de un Djinn.
Pero algo mucho más retorcido y siniestro está en juego. La construcción del mundo es de 10 y los personajes aún siendo un relato lo muestra y desarrolla todo en tan pocas páginas. Al igual que las referencias culturales y mitológicas.
Los derechos de la mujer están presentes entre otras críticas sociales.
Finalizado este interesante si bien algo excaso bocado queda degustar su primera novela y conocer más a fondo tanto a Fatma como a este Cairo plagado de tecnología, Steampunk y muchas criaturas como los interesantes Djinn.
Añadir para animaros a catar a este autor y que Duermevela nos haya traído el regalo de traducirlo, muy bonito y detallado. Que no es necesario leer sus relatos para leer "El Señor de los Djinn". Espero que disfrutéis de este autor tanto como yo. Sobretodo la poderosa y cautivadora ambientación.
Una ambientación maravillosa que no para de expandirse, una protagonista magnética y una historia que se va revelando cada vez más intrincada y sorprendente, pero el autor también encuentra momentos para reflexionar sobre colonialismo, racismo y lo que tienen que aguantar las mujeres en un ambiente tóxico (laborable y no laborable) masculino.
Un relato de 50 páginas que está incluido en la edición que va a sacar Duermevela de "El Señor de los Djinn". Edición cuidada y elegante que ya tengo y a través de la que leí este pequeño aperitivo.
Una vez más lo que más destaca de este autor es su ambientación, un Cairo a través de una mezcla entre lo sobrenatural y el Steampunk. Muy logrado y fascinante. A ver qué tal lo desarrolla en su primera novela después de varios relatos preparando el camino.
Creo que el autor hizo un excelente trabajo al crear un mundo mágico complejo y fascinante en no demasiadas páginas. Una bocanada de aire fresco tanto la ambientación como los seres que pueblan el Cairo. Donde criaturas mágicas y divinidades fueron liberadas en la Tierra.
En el que se formó un Ministerio de Alquimia, Encantamientos y Entidades Sobrenaturales y uno de sus Investigadores, Fatma el-Sha'arawi, es enviada a investigar el aparente suicidio de un Djinn.
Pero algo mucho más retorcido y siniestro está en juego. La construcción del mundo es de 10 y los personajes aún siendo un relato lo muestra y desarrolla todo en tan pocas páginas. Al igual que las referencias culturales y mitológicas.
Los derechos de la mujer están presentes entre otras críticas sociales.
Finalizado este interesante si bien algo excaso bocado queda degustar su primera novela y conocer más a fondo tanto a Fatma como a este Cairo plagado de tecnología, Steampunk y muchas criaturas como los interesantes Djinn.
Añadir para animaros a catar a este autor y que Duermevela nos haya traído el regalo de traducirlo, muy bonito y detallado. Que no es necesario leer sus relatos para leer "El Señor de los Djinn". Espero que disfrutéis de este autor tanto como yo. Sobretodo la poderosa y cautivadora ambientación.
August 5, 2020
An alternative Cairo, filled with steampunk Angels, magic and Djinn. A murder mystery with a diverse leading woman who rocks a gentleman's suit and cane. And a wonderfully action filled plot that ricochets between the supernatural and the mysterious. And all neatly written within 50 pages.
Honestly, Fatma's character development is better than I've seen in 500+ page books, and I felt fully invested in the story. The world building is just enough to whet my appetite without being too much for such a short story, yet still manages to feel complex and interesting.
I really need to read more from this world.
Honestly, Fatma's character development is better than I've seen in 500+ page books, and I felt fully invested in the story. The world building is just enough to whet my appetite without being too much for such a short story, yet still manages to feel complex and interesting.
I really need to read more from this world.
November 14, 2022
An interesting enough story with a lot packed in. Or maybe a little too much packed in. The plot was intriguing but seemed a bit too large-scale for such a short length. The worldbuilding was detailed but felt somewhat overdone at times (why do I need a dedicated description of the kohl-lined eyes of a character who showed up for only one paragraph? It's not like kohl is that special). Clockwork angels were pretty cool and unique though, so I think I'm hooked enough to pick up the novel at some point.
December 23, 2020
Oh my lord, we've got a police procedural with a lady detective in a magically version of our world in CAIRO with djinn & ifrits? This was 100% my jam - can't wait to keep reading in this series!
July 4, 2025
A fun short story with a surprising amount of worldbuilding.
January 13, 2021
This Tor fantasy novella (free online here at Tor.com) is memorable mostly for its setting: A magical steampunk version of Cairo, Egypt, in 1912. Forty years earlier a man managed to open a portal to the other magical side, and djinni, "angels" and other magical creatures streamed through to our world. The good news is, they helped the humans quickly kick the British government out of Egypt. But can you trust them?
Special Investigator Fatma el-Sha’arawi, an unusually liberated woman for her day, investigates the inexplicable death of a large, naked djinn. Her investigation leads her from one problem (carnivorous ghuls!) to another, and gradually an overarching Lovecraftian-type plot becomes clear to her and those helping her.
Full review to come. I have the second and third books on my Kindle, so more magical alternative-history Cairo also to come!
Special Investigator Fatma el-Sha’arawi, an unusually liberated woman for her day, investigates the inexplicable death of a large, naked djinn. Her investigation leads her from one problem (carnivorous ghuls!) to another, and gradually an overarching Lovecraftian-type plot becomes clear to her and those helping her.
Full review to come. I have the second and third books on my Kindle, so more magical alternative-history Cairo also to come!
June 13, 2016
Fatma el-Sha’arawi is a Special Investigator for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities in an alternate-history Cairo where supernatural entities live alongside human beings. The magically exsanguinated body of a djinn turns out to be only the first death of the night.
Fun! Hope for more by this author. It would also be great as a graphic novel, very visual and with lots of action.
Fun! Hope for more by this author. It would also be great as a graphic novel, very visual and with lots of action.
May 10, 2021
Rating: 3.5* of five, rounded up because "more, please" is not strong enough
A delicious taste. More, please.
Rating: 3.5* of five
In honor of the publication tomorrow of A Master of Djinn, the first full-length novel in Author Phenderson Djèlí Clark's Majgickqal-Cairo steampunk series, as well as his publishing career, let's revisit the place it all began.
Fatma of the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, and Aasim, the Cairo policeman, are two of the series' through-line characters. They, and the utterly transformed-by-magic Cairo they live in, are introduced in this little gem of a procedural tale.
This first-in-series story, nominated for a 2017 Locus Award for Best Novelette, convinced me to get as much of this Universe as I could as fast as I could; now my patience (enforced, but it still counts) is at last rewarded.
The whole review is at Expendable Mudge Muses Aloud.
A delicious taste. More, please.
Rating: 3.5* of five
In honor of the publication tomorrow of A Master of Djinn, the first full-length novel in Author Phenderson Djèlí Clark's Majgickqal-Cairo steampunk series, as well as his publishing career, let's revisit the place it all began.
Fatma of the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, and Aasim, the Cairo policeman, are two of the series' through-line characters. They, and the utterly transformed-by-magic Cairo they live in, are introduced in this little gem of a procedural tale.
This first-in-series story, nominated for a 2017 Locus Award for Best Novelette, convinced me to get as much of this Universe as I could as fast as I could; now my patience (enforced, but it still counts) is at last rewarded.
The whole review is at Expendable Mudge Muses Aloud.
June 1, 2021
"First unwritten rule of investigation-when in need of information, make sure you flatter your source."
Wow! Absolutely blown away by this introductory short story to the author's Dead Djinn world. I'll be catching up on all the novellas before starting A Master of Djinn.
Wow! Absolutely blown away by this introductory short story to the author's Dead Djinn world. I'll be catching up on all the novellas before starting A Master of Djinn.
July 26, 2021
This is a fun, diverting, pulpy work of a fertile imagination. A pleasant treat between more substantive, lengthier books. My 3-star rating is not at all grumpy.
September 23, 2018
This is Cairo; this is 1910 C.E…………….or it’s not. This is the second piece I have read by Clark https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and I am captured by this author's web. As you can see, I started and finished it in a few hours.
This book's hero is a plucky young “inspector” named Fatma. She has the smarts and the style to tackle a world that we can only imagine since Cairo was changed a couple decades before this tale by someone who intentionally let magic and magical creatures into the world. Some would term this “steampunk” though I am reluctant to do so. See below
"Fatma sat back in a red-cushioned seat as the automated wheeled carriage plowed along the narrow streets. Most of Cairo slept, except for the glow of a gaslight market or the pinprick lights of towering mooring masts where airships came and went by the hour. Her fingers played with her cane’s lion-headed pommel, watching aerial trams that moved high above the city, crackling electricity illuminating the night along their lines. Their carriage passed a lone man in a rickety donkey cart. He drove his beast at a slow trot, as if in defiance of the modernity that surrounded him."
Clark seems to have the talent for blending the familiar elements of a city with those that he chooses to throw in. Like a master chef, he adds a few ingredients, simmers, tastes, adds a bit more and checks again to determine if it’s right.
"Aasim joined in. The ghuls shrieked, tumbling to the floor as they were struck. Then as one, the entire wall of ghuls crumbled and the mass surged toward them like a pale, dead sea. Fatma backed away, readying her janbiya for a fight. But the attack never came. The ghuls streamed past, flowing around her and Aasim as if the two were islands in their path."
The story does begin with “a dead djinn” and moves at a very fast pace that sweeps up a whole cast of characters into a race to prevent all Earth from being rebooted.
These tasty morsels are just right for an evening’s kick-back. I am wary of over-indulgence but not sure that I can resist. 4.5*
This book's hero is a plucky young “inspector” named Fatma. She has the smarts and the style to tackle a world that we can only imagine since Cairo was changed a couple decades before this tale by someone who intentionally let magic and magical creatures into the world. Some would term this “steampunk” though I am reluctant to do so. See below
"Fatma sat back in a red-cushioned seat as the automated wheeled carriage plowed along the narrow streets. Most of Cairo slept, except for the glow of a gaslight market or the pinprick lights of towering mooring masts where airships came and went by the hour. Her fingers played with her cane’s lion-headed pommel, watching aerial trams that moved high above the city, crackling electricity illuminating the night along their lines. Their carriage passed a lone man in a rickety donkey cart. He drove his beast at a slow trot, as if in defiance of the modernity that surrounded him."
Clark seems to have the talent for blending the familiar elements of a city with those that he chooses to throw in. Like a master chef, he adds a few ingredients, simmers, tastes, adds a bit more and checks again to determine if it’s right.
"Aasim joined in. The ghuls shrieked, tumbling to the floor as they were struck. Then as one, the entire wall of ghuls crumbled and the mass surged toward them like a pale, dead sea. Fatma backed away, readying her janbiya for a fight. But the attack never came. The ghuls streamed past, flowing around her and Aasim as if the two were islands in their path."
The story does begin with “a dead djinn” and moves at a very fast pace that sweeps up a whole cast of characters into a race to prevent all Earth from being rebooted.
These tasty morsels are just right for an evening’s kick-back. I am wary of over-indulgence but not sure that I can resist. 4.5*
August 25, 2025
01/04/2021 - Tried the Audiobook second time round and I'd give that a 4 star review 😅. A bit weird but I definitely prefer the text. I feel like the narrator was decent, it felt at times that she was trying too hard with her accent and that while the text wasn't orientalist, the performance certainly was at times. Also the accent more like a 'Jewish Brooklyn' accent than an 'Egyptian Arabic' one (if that's what she was going for). Anyway, enough rambling! The audiobook is mad cheap and if that's your thing I'd still recommend it
ALSO BOOK 2 IS COMING SOON 🥳🥳🥳🥳
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Whenever I delve into any book which uses Egypt as a setting or in any way refers to the Pharaohs or uses Egyptian themes in its narratives I am cautious and wary. Can you blame me? I watched the mummy with Brandon Frasier after all ('he bears the mark of the slaves') , I witnessed the release of Gods of Egypt (with an almost all white cast) and I've even watched the masses consume chocolate hummus. I do not want to suffer further indignities.
But in this work, Djeli Clark does such a good job of creating a mythical/steampunky/noir version of Egypt in the early 20th century, complete with a historical fiction element that attests to his deep connection with and scholarly readership of Egyptian history. He is also aware of many of the local delicacies, customs and minority groups (Copts and Nubians get a shout out here and there), locations, slang terms.... I had to double check he wasn't an Egyptian.
In his version of Egypt, a Sudanese magician has managed to essentially open a portal to another world, allowing Djinns, 'Angels', monsters and other spirits to come pouting in. This allows Egypt to cast off the foreign yoke of British colonisation and become independent - but opens up a host of issues surrounding the behaviour of these spirits and other worldly beings. Enter Fatma el-Sha’arawi - a special investigator with the Egyptian Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities- who is also a badass and your worthy of becoming one of your new favourite main characters.
I won't spoil too much of the story (which is already short) but I strongly recommend reading this book. It is short, but in it, Clark manages to create a compelling world, with strong characters, amazing mythical creatures and succinct yet powerful and vivid descriptions as well as a good mystery plot and excellent, fluid action.
He also leaves us hungry for more...
Strongly recommended to:
-fantasy/steampunk/Sci fi fans
- Egyptians or those interested in Egyptian culture/fantasy based in Egypt
- fans of diversity in fantasy
- anyone who wants a good, short fantasy story
- members of the general public by and large
ALSO BOOK 2 IS COMING SOON 🥳🥳🥳🥳
___________________________________________
Whenever I delve into any book which uses Egypt as a setting or in any way refers to the Pharaohs or uses Egyptian themes in its narratives I am cautious and wary. Can you blame me? I watched the mummy with Brandon Frasier after all ('he bears the mark of the slaves') , I witnessed the release of Gods of Egypt (with an almost all white cast) and I've even watched the masses consume chocolate hummus. I do not want to suffer further indignities.
But in this work, Djeli Clark does such a good job of creating a mythical/steampunky/noir version of Egypt in the early 20th century, complete with a historical fiction element that attests to his deep connection with and scholarly readership of Egyptian history. He is also aware of many of the local delicacies, customs and minority groups (Copts and Nubians get a shout out here and there), locations, slang terms.... I had to double check he wasn't an Egyptian.
In his version of Egypt, a Sudanese magician has managed to essentially open a portal to another world, allowing Djinns, 'Angels', monsters and other spirits to come pouting in. This allows Egypt to cast off the foreign yoke of British colonisation and become independent - but opens up a host of issues surrounding the behaviour of these spirits and other worldly beings. Enter Fatma el-Sha’arawi - a special investigator with the Egyptian Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities- who is also a badass and your worthy of becoming one of your new favourite main characters.
I won't spoil too much of the story (which is already short) but I strongly recommend reading this book. It is short, but in it, Clark manages to create a compelling world, with strong characters, amazing mythical creatures and succinct yet powerful and vivid descriptions as well as a good mystery plot and excellent, fluid action.
He also leaves us hungry for more...
Strongly recommended to:
-fantasy/steampunk/Sci fi fans
- Egyptians or those interested in Egyptian culture/fantasy based in Egypt
- fans of diversity in fantasy
- anyone who wants a good, short fantasy story
- members of the general public by and large
August 27, 2021
Another great short story in the Dead Djinn universe: a murder mystery with a lovecraftian touch.
Can be read here: https://www.tor.com/2016/05/18/a-dead...
Can be read here: https://www.tor.com/2016/05/18/a-dead...
January 31, 2021
“most of cairo slept, except for the glow of a gaslight market or the pinprick lights of towering mooring masts where airships came and went by the hour.
her fingers played with her cane’s lion-headed pommel, watching aerial trams that moved high above the city, crackling electricity illuminating the night along their lines.”
last month i had the immense pleasure of reading the haunting of tram car 015, another novella by p. djèlí clark set in an enchanting, 1900s steampunk cairo. thus, i could not resist picking up this beauty as well.
(also, have you SEEN that gorgeous cover??)
anyway, both novellas center around investigations by agents from the ministry of alchemy, enchantments & supernatural entities. half-a-century ago, an infamous alchemist managed to punch a hole in the fabric of the world that allowed magic to seep in, and as a result egypt changed irrevocably -- including bucking off its colonizers.
in this, we follow agent fatma, with a keen sense for fashion and showmanship, who also happens to be the first female agent of the ministry. she’s out to investigate the suicide of a powerful djinn alongside the cairo constabulary, and of course everything goes to shit once undead ghuls, mysterious angels, and ancient prophecies get involved.
she also gets a surprising spitfire sidekick in the form of a shadowy figure who’s part of an underground religious temple. and easily scales walls and bears a rifle. yes, you heard that right.
what else can i say? clark deftly weaves mystery, fantasy, myth and religion together in a dazzlingly diverse and intriguing world. it’s believable and immersive right from the very first sentence; cairo is an entity of its own, described in a way that makes you wish you could explore it.
there’s also hints in this of what truly lies beyond the veil that was broken so that magic crept into the world, and it’s -- amongst other things -- of the eldritch variety. which also made me very, very happy (and interested!).
this novella has less humorous moments than its companion, the haunting of tram car 015, but it’s still fascinating to see the world through agent fatma’s eyes. she’s a keen observer, and someone who loves to jangle the chains of the establishment.
listen, at this point i’d do anything for clark to write more. i am already on my knees. i am begging. i needed special hardcover editions, like, yesterday, so i can parade them on my shelves and tempt my friends with them. tell me what to do and i’ll do it.
anyway, read it if you can find the time. it’s a hundred percent worth it.
✎ 4.5 stars.
September 1, 2021
3.5★
I've had to think hard about my rating for this novella, as the story did show some fantastic creativity and I loved some of the descriptive passages & I found the end very exciting.
It's just that I wasn't totally engaged at the start - in fact, I was more than a little confused! This could say more about me as a reader than Clark as a writer.
Anyway a 3.5★ from me means that i have enjoyed the story enough that I want to read more work by the author & I'm hoping to get to The Angel of Khan el-Khalili very soon.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...
I've had to think hard about my rating for this novella, as the story did show some fantastic creativity and I loved some of the descriptive passages & I found the end very exciting.
It's just that I wasn't totally engaged at the start - in fact, I was more than a little confused! This could say more about me as a reader than Clark as a writer.
Anyway a 3.5★ from me means that i have enjoyed the story enough that I want to read more work by the author & I'm hoping to get to The Angel of Khan el-Khalili very soon.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...
May 14, 2021
Rad worldbuilding and a fresh spin on urban fantasy. I'm excited to read the novel and see what's possible with a longer story.
July 10, 2021
As usual, I did this the worst way possible and read book 0.6 and half of book 1 before this one. But at least I’m on brand (:
September 7, 2021
In an alternate historical Cairo that is filled with steampunk 12ft tall Angels, magic, and Djinn, a murder mystery unfolds with a queer, Black woman named Fatma who rocks a gentleman's suit, pocket watch, and cane leading the investigation. This story was wonderfully action-packed and filled with supernatural stuff and mysteries. All neatly packed into 50 pages!
I really think this is a great precursor to A Master of Djinn - which I am so excited to read now!. I absolutely adore Fatma's character and am so excited to learn more about her. I think the amount of character development done here in just 50 pages is truly impressive. I was instantly invested in this story. And the world-building was enough to navigate this short story without feeling bogged down. I need more. So, I'm so excited to continue in the Dead Djinn Universe!
I really think this is a great precursor to A Master of Djinn - which I am so excited to read now!. I absolutely adore Fatma's character and am so excited to learn more about her. I think the amount of character development done here in just 50 pages is truly impressive. I was instantly invested in this story. And the world-building was enough to navigate this short story without feeling bogged down. I need more. So, I'm so excited to continue in the Dead Djinn Universe!
January 28, 2021
A rich taste of UF set in 1912 Egypt, with all the magical goodies you might expect from that part of the world.
It's a classic mystery with a host of the divine and not-so-divine. I suppose I would be MORE interested in a longer tale or a full series rather than this short taste, but from what I've read, I did enjoy it.
Looking forward to more.
It's a classic mystery with a host of the divine and not-so-divine. I suppose I would be MORE interested in a longer tale or a full series rather than this short taste, but from what I've read, I did enjoy it.
Looking forward to more.
January 9, 2023
Fabulous world-building and a wonderful lead character. I really enjoyed this novelette, and am absolutely THRILLED to know that there will be a novel starring Fatma.
August 10, 2022
+4
“Existen infinidad de mundos. Encontrar sus cerraduras requiere saber cuál es su lugar específico en el patrón”.
Oh. Dios. Mío. Creo que he encontrado otro talón de Aquiles con este mundo. Estoy embelesada. y solo he leído el primer relato de las tres primeras historias que se encuadran antes de la novela de “ El señor de los Djinn”. A decir verdad, quería leer estos relatos antes porque habían sido publicados antes de la novela y la verdad es que tenía curiosidad, bueno…curiosidad saciada y enamoramiento por el mundo.
“La primera regla no escrita de una investigación: cuando necesites información, asegúrate de halagar tu fuente”.
¿Qué fue lo que me encontré en este relato? Steampunk+ Egipto+1912+criaturas mágicas+ detectives paranormales ( que por el momento no dan asco).¿¡Alguien da más?! Porque yo ya soy fan total
“Y cada miedo, cada pesadilla que había tenido en su vida, embargó su pecho”.
No quiero ponerle las cinco estrellas aún porque me espero que la novela sea igual o mejor que este relato. Eso sí me quedan aún dos relatos que catar y uno no está traducido, pero voy a hacer un esfuerzo porque quiero leerlo.
“-Que la paz de la noche sea contigo.
-Y con vosotros caminad en Su gracia.”
“Existen infinidad de mundos. Encontrar sus cerraduras requiere saber cuál es su lugar específico en el patrón”.
Oh. Dios. Mío. Creo que he encontrado otro talón de Aquiles con este mundo. Estoy embelesada. y solo he leído el primer relato de las tres primeras historias que se encuadran antes de la novela de “ El señor de los Djinn”. A decir verdad, quería leer estos relatos antes porque habían sido publicados antes de la novela y la verdad es que tenía curiosidad, bueno…curiosidad saciada y enamoramiento por el mundo.
“La primera regla no escrita de una investigación: cuando necesites información, asegúrate de halagar tu fuente”.
¿Qué fue lo que me encontré en este relato? Steampunk+ Egipto+1912+criaturas mágicas+ detectives paranormales ( que por el momento no dan asco).¿¡Alguien da más?! Porque yo ya soy fan total
“Y cada miedo, cada pesadilla que había tenido en su vida, embargó su pecho”.
No quiero ponerle las cinco estrellas aún porque me espero que la novela sea igual o mejor que este relato. Eso sí me quedan aún dos relatos que catar y uno no está traducido, pero voy a hacer un esfuerzo porque quiero leerlo.
“-Que la paz de la noche sea contigo.
-Y con vosotros caminad en Su gracia.”
January 3, 2022
Thank you Tor for the free story! You too can read it here: https://www.tor.com/2016/05/18/a-dead...
In typical P. Dèlí Clark fashion, this one was highly enjoyable. I liked this one more than The Haunting of Tram Car 015. It was filled to the brim with mystery and action, which was perfect for such a short endeavor. Fatma is highly charismatic and intelligent while still coming off realistic. The entire world she lives in is unlike anything else I've ever read and I want more. This is a great introduction to the series that still manages to have a satisfying ending.
I think I'll check out the third prequel before reading A Master of Djinn. These quick bursts into the Dead Djinn Universe are addictive. This didn't ruin the experience, but kinda irked me: gold is a soft metal, but isn't treated as such in the story.
In typical P. Dèlí Clark fashion, this one was highly enjoyable. I liked this one more than The Haunting of Tram Car 015. It was filled to the brim with mystery and action, which was perfect for such a short endeavor. Fatma is highly charismatic and intelligent while still coming off realistic. The entire world she lives in is unlike anything else I've ever read and I want more. This is a great introduction to the series that still manages to have a satisfying ending.
I think I'll check out the third prequel before reading A Master of Djinn. These quick bursts into the Dead Djinn Universe are addictive. This didn't ruin the experience, but kinda irked me: gold is a soft metal, but isn't treated as such in the story.
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