A Dead Djinn in Cairo (Fatma el-Sha’arawi, #0.5)

by P. Djèlí Clark

Alex Award-winning author P. Djèlí Clark, A Dead Djinn in Cairo is a Tor.com original historcal fantasy set in an alternate early twentieth century infused with the otherworldly.

Egypt, 1912. In Cairo, 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 a plot that could unravel time itself.

• ISBN10: 0765389444
• ISBN13: 9780765389442
• Publish Date: 18 May 2016
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Tor Books
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 45
• Language: English

Reviews

[Joséphine]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

[inlibrisveritas]

I was about to start The Haunting of Tramcar 015 when I realized that I hadn't yet read the prequel short story. This was so much, and definitely solidified how much I enjoy Clark's writing. The use and variety of mythology, folklore, and culture in his work is something behold.

If you enjoy alternate history with a steampunk flair and an intriguing amount of fantastical creatures, definitely check it out.

[jamiereadthis]

I did the audiobook this time, because I wanted a fun comfort re-read while switching up the format and context. Suehyla El-Attar does a fabulous job. Without the direct comparison to Hamed and Onsi, the story could stand on its own, which is a thing it does well.

- - -

Original review, January 2020:

More great world-building, but sue me, I like Hamed and Onsi more as protagonists— can’t beat comical and hapless. Fatma is great, though, and I’m still subscribing to anything set in this universe.