A Dead Djinn in Cairo

by P. Djèlí Clark

English language

ISBN:: 978-0-7653-8944-2

View on Inventaire

(47 reviews)

1 edition

WardenRed reviewed A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark

None

5 stars

Is it... some kind of clock?

The main thing about this novelette that's without a doubt going to stick with me is the setting. It is simply gorgeous and so full of surprises. Djinns, ghouls, angels, mysterious clockwork automatons—all of this fits seamlessly into the cityscape of historical Cairo. There's so much packed in such a tiny space, and every little bit just begs to be explored further.

The setting also makes the plot a lot more exciting. Looking back, I can see how it's maybe not quite as twisty as it felt while I was reading the story. But the way this action mystery unfolded, gradually revealing more and more information about this version of the world, really kept me on the edge of my seat. Something new and exciting happened basically every few paragraphs.

Unfortunately, the detailed setting and the fast-paced events kind of overshadowed the characters completely for me. There were a few interesting moments that intrigued me about Fatma, and in general I was left with the impression that I wouldn't mind getting to know all these people further. But I also don't feel like I've started getting to know them at all. That's all right; not every story needs to be super character-driven! But this did diminish my enjoyment a little bit, purely as a matter of personal taste.

Martijn Reintjes reviewed A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark

Review of 'A Dead Djinn in Cairo' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Lovely little intro into an interesting world.
If I was in the market for a fantasy series, I would seriously give this a go.
But for now, I really enjoyed this story!

Zivan reviewed A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark

Review of 'A Dead Djinn in Cairo' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

So much is packed into this short story and so elegantly shown rather than told.

Axl reviewed A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark

Review of 'A Dead Djinn in Cairo' on 'Goodreads'

No rating

Ok, it was only 45 pages, but it definitively made me want to pick up the full lenght novel^^
I liked the main character Fatma, and the setting in this 1900s Cairo (but with advanced technology) and this mix of species, djinns, angels, and other ghuls was very interesting

SI CLARKE reviewed A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark

Review of 'A Dead Djinn in Cairo' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This novelette puts the focus firmly on the world-building. And what a world it is. This is Cairo in 1912 – some 40 years after a gateway to other dimensions was opened. Part steampunk, part urban fantasy, part cosy mystery, and part alternative history – all superbly crafted.

Fatma is on the hunt. A djinn appears to have taken his own life. But who was he and why did he do it?

Sergio reviewed A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark

Review of 'A Dead Djinn in Cairo' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

A fun short story, read in anticipation of A Master of Djinn which I plan to read this month and which is a sequel to this and The Haunting of Tram Car 015 (or at the very least loosely connected). The setting is fascinating, the mix of elements such as Arabian/Islamic mythology, mechanical automata and anti/post-colonial alternate history makes it very unique, and reminds me of the one for Eighty Days (a videogame/visual novel) which I also enjoyed quite a bit.

the_lirazel reviewed A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark

Review of 'A Dead Djinn in Cairo' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Once again: too short and rushed but that worldbuilding! I'm drooling thinking of the actual novel set in this world that we're going to get this year!

settingshadow reviewed A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark

Review of 'A Dead Djinn in Cairo' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

An extremely satisfying prequel to [b:The Haunting of Tram Car 015|36546128|The Haunting of Tram Car 015 (Fatma el-Sha’arawi, #2)|P. Djèlí Clark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1537226167l/36546128.SY75.jpg|58277622]. Clark continues to shine in his ability to build a rich and interesting setting. In this case, I found the steampunk angels that were controversially "angels" versus angels and were being of pure ethereal light encased in a steampunk chassis fascinating. I think the continued richness of magical, metropolitan Cairo that Clark develops is perhaps one of the strongest de facto arguments in favor of the importance of diverse authors in speculative fiction. Clark just really brings a unique voice to the field. I found Fatma a much richer character than those in Tram Car -- I loved her opinionated stance, the idea of her exotifying Western culture and of course the gender nonconformity.

The downsides here were similar to Tram Car: Clark doesn't seem to really know how to conclude a story and instead just abruptly ties all the loose ends in a bow and declares the story over. I found it just as jarring in this novelette as I did in Tram Car -- these are rich, complex settings with so much nuance in the set up and then almost anticlimactically neatly wrapped up. I am interested in finding out if this will persist to the upcoming full-length novel in this setting. But, nonetheless, Clark is now on my must-read list.

cel reviewed A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark

Review of 'A Dead Djinn in Cairo' on 'Storygraph'

5 stars

absolutely brilliant. incredible worldbuilding that makes me want to know everything about this earth and very glad that there's more written by p. djèlí clark in this cairo!

Wetdryvac reviewed A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark

Review of 'A Dead Djinn in Cairo' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Reminiscent of an alternate Lovecraft: With hope, without racism, and actually able to write lyrically. Really lovely read, this one.

Clément Martin reviewed A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark

Review of 'A Dead Djinn in Cairo' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

What a breath of fresh air! Which is a weird thing to write about a story set in the sandy streets of an alternative 1912 Cairo, in which supernatural beings are murdered and packs of ghouls roam at night.

A well-paced, clever P.I. story, with great characters and touches of original world-building that make you want to see a lot more. A good thing that there's a sequel to it, "The Haunting of Tram Car 015", which I'll get into right away. Can't wait!