Book Review: 'A Master of Djinn' by P. Djèlí Clark

2022 RUSA Reading List: Fantasy Winner

A 2021 NEIBA Book Award Finalist

A Best of 2021 Pick in SFF for Amazon

A Best of 2021 Pick in SFF for Kobo

Included in NPR’s Favorite Sci-Fi And Fantasy Books Of The Past Decade (2011-2021)

P. Djèlí Clark's award-winning novel A Master of Djinn is, in a word, stunning. Like Everfair by Nisi Shawl (review here), Master is an alternate history of Africa with a blend of magic and science. But this time, the setting Cairo, Egypt in 1912.

What is it?

About 40 years prior to the beginning of the story, a man named al-Jahiz grew to prominence and, through his knowledge of alchemy, reintroduced djinn into the world. This allowed Egypt to rise up, boot out the British, and become a technological powerhouse. Being physically stronger than humans, not to mention with magic at their disposal, the djinn became builders and innovators. Cairo has an elevated tram system, for instance, thanks to the djinn.

Fatma el-Sha'arawi and her new partner, Hadia Abdel Hafez, are government agents of the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities. To use a simile from the U.S., they are like the magical FBI. They cannot use magic themselves, both being mortal, but instead battle magical forces when they get out of hand and break the law.

Influenced by friends from the U.S. living in Cairo, Agent Fatma dresses in American-style suits complete with hat over her short black curls. Agent Hadia wears colorful (modern) hijabs. The third major player is Fatma's lover, Siti, a Nubian woman who is also a follower of Hathor, the ancient Egyptian goddess of love and beauty, though Siti is particularly fond of the warrior Sekhmet aspect.

The book begins with the murder of Lord Alistair Worthington, Grand Master of the Hermetic Brotherhood of Al-Jahiz, the Englishman who brokered the peace between Egypt and Britain, as well the entire Brotherhood that was gathered there that night—by magical means.

Agents Fatma and Hadia are aided by the mysterious Siti and another follower of the old faiths, Ahmed, high priest of the Cult of Sobek. Ahmed's consort, Nephthys (birth name Ester), was among those murdered that night by the mysterious man in black who claims to be al-Jahiz returned. And this al-Jahiz has the ability to control djinn.

What makes it steampunk?

For starters, there are airships, a longstanding icon of the steampunk genre. There are also velocipedes, something I am beginning to associate with steampunk because Heaven forbid we just call it a motorbike. (To be fair, velocipede is more ambiguous a term.)

Much of the technology is clockwork driven, some imbued with djinn magic, because this is, after all, the early 20th century, so they aren't going to have the same level of tech we had in the latter 20th century. The "advanced" tech in this alternate universe is still a product of its time.

What's more, the unconventional mishmash of cultures and technology makes this book punk. In Master, Egypt and its people are a force to be reckoned with on the world stage. This subverts our own history and deeply entrenched racism. And they didn't do it with the help of a white savior using Western technology but djinn, creatures from Arabian and Muslim mythology. Yes, Fatma wears Western-style clothing, but it is seen as a novelty rather than the norm.

Why I liked it!

I knew I was going to like Fatma as soon as her fashion style was introduced. And when I learned she had a pet cat and a female lover, I fell in love. Fatma is prickly, but rather than continue to be contrary like an overgrown child for the entire narrative, she swallows her pride and does what she has to in order to get the job done.

And Hadia is no slouch! She holds her own against Fatma and the antagonists they come across who are tempted to underestimate her. Her faith is strong, and she is a confident, modern woman.

Siti is wonderfully sexy and mysterious—and fierce. I found her utterly captivating and delightful.

Ahmad is fantastic, and I love him, but I don't want to spoil anything by saying why.

This is a real adventure filled with rich characters and a magical landscape. A sequel has yet to be written, but I understand there are a number of prequel stories, including The Haunting of Tram Car 015, which I have in ebook format, and I am excited to read it.

***

Thanks for reading! If you liked this review, please leave a heart. As I mentioned, I am a writer of steampunk with several stories published in steampunk anthologies, which you can find on my author page by clicking right here.