A Master of Djinn: 1 (Dead Djinn Universe)

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Anyway, the setting is indeed amazing. The characters, however, did not quite live up to the standards set by the worldbuilding.

Alternate History: It takes place in an alternate version of Egypt where magic is commonplace and was used to drive out the British colonizers. Sometimes, Moustafa,” Dalton went on, stripping off a pair of gloves, “I think you delight in sending me on these fool’s chases.”

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Even in the world left behind by al-Jahiz, it wasn’t every day you saw a Marid djinn simply… appear. The exact scenario Fatma had tried so hard to prevent was now playing out right before her. She allowed a momentary wave of panic, before finding her resolve again. Saeed unslung a brown satchel from his shoulder and set it on the table. As he reached inside, Fatma found her hand gripping the lion-headed pommel of her cane. Patience.

Lord Worthington inclined his head, holding up a goblet. “To peace.” The others followed, even senile old Pennington. Somewhere between, the old man sighted Archibald. Egypt. The mysterious jewel of the Orient, land of pharaohs, fabled Mamlukes, and countless marvels. For ten long years now, Archibald had spent three, four, even six months in the country at a time. And one thing was certain: he’d had his fill. But he merely shrugged. “Of course. Allow me, then?” The heavy doors rasped across stone as he pulled them open. Hardly fair. But fair usually accounted for little in dealings with immortals. Her mind worked to find a solution. This Marid had lived countless lifetimes and was very good at this. But she was a Ministry agent. That meant protecting people from the world of the supernatural and the magical—even when they ran stupidly headlong into it. Animal Motifs: For Siti, cats. She worships the lion goddess Sekhmet (symbolized by cats) and uses metal claws on her gloves to fight. She growls before getting into a fight. She's also described as purring often. Fatma's cat Ramses loves her as well. Her djinn form also has cat-like eyes.

Tropes

Foreshadowing: The ornery Marid that Fatma convinces to return to his bottle at the beginning of the book is astonished to discover that after a thousand years a slumber, there are Djinn openly living alongside mortals, working with them, and "mating with" them. This foreshadows Siti reveal that she's part-Djinn on her father's side. a b "Clark Wins 2022 Compton Crook Award". Locus Magazine. April 12, 2022 . Retrieved August 25, 2022. The Marid shrugged and cast a baleful glare to Gamal and Saeed, who shook visibly. “The asker should have taken more care to specify their wants.”