A Master of Djinn

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read in a world that I really enjoyed being immersed and which left me wanting more. The world-building and the criticism on colonialism and the relationship between Western powers with Middle East and Asian countries in the 19th century and early 20th are kinda where this book shines, even if I felt that the ending was a little wanting.

Fatma el-Sha'arawi is the first female investigator in the Ministry of Alchemy and something and Supernatural Entities. She's a breath of fresh air by way of fantasy protagonists, wearing English-style suits and ties and bowler hats (considered “exotic” in Cairo) and with an enigmatic girlfriend to boot. We had first met her in A Dead Djinn in Cairo, and the foundations set in that short story continue expanding in this book. The book opens when an apparently long-dead magician, al-Jahiz, reappears and commits a flagrantly flamboyant mass murder. He has long become the stuff of legends for opening the portal between the mortal realm and the djinn and introducing magic and the supernatural into this world, and his reappearance is something akin to a resurrected prophet walking the streets of Cairo again. Fatma is called into investigate, along with her new partner and latest female addition to the Ministry, Agent Hadia (she of the sky-blue hijab), as well as Siti, Fatma's erstwhile lover.

The characters we were introduced to in the two short stories preceding this book (A Dead Djinn and The Haunting of Tram Car 015) reappear in this one, although it is only Fatma and Siti that get fleshed out. Hamed and Onsi, of whom I was looking forward to seeing more, are unfortunately relegated to being almost like cameo appearances. Even so, because of how fast-paced this book is, we barely see much characterisation of Fatma and Siti, and instead just join them as they're swept up along with the whirlwind of action going on around them.

The book clearly has a theme about colonialism and being bound against one's own will. I liked how it was explored in the form of a reimagined Egypt, more affluent, more liberal, and where Cairo and some of its citizens enjoy the same level of prosperity as London and Paris in the early 20th century. The interaction between the African characters with other characters from England, Russia, and Germany gives us a site from which we can think about colonialism, such as when Fatma is irked by an Englishwoman constantly referring to the Egyptians as “natives”, or when England and America are spoken of in a not-so-pleasant light in the same way African and Asian countries are usually described. This percolates to the level of the plot as well, which deals with the idea of djinn being controlled against their will, who gets to do this (if any), and the ethical implications of that power.

The ending felt a little lacking, in my opinion. I guessed the plot twist from the first quarter of the book, and the ending itself wrapped things up a little too conveniently. It did however have some moments that redeemed it a little. I wasn't surprised at the reveal about Abigail at all. I think I guessed it from as early as the first time Fatma found the Portendorf's notes referencing an "AW". I enjoyed the bit where the ifrit told the Ifrit King that he was a pacifist though. Fatma's being able to wield the Seal was also pretty predictable and I'm not sure I understand why the Seal chose her, and what price they exacted (if any) to be able to do so much as to command the Ifrit lords to go back. It all felt a little sudden somehow.

Overall, still a good enjoyable read with a world that I want to see more of (and particularly more of the angels!!! We didn't get as much of them in this book as I would nearly have liked).