Reviews

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

mystery_jb's review

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

sarahastley's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

bookwyrm76's review against another edition

5.0

Dense and a chunk of a book. Wish I had realized the short story was included at the end of the ebook before I read it instead of after, but still glad it was there. I really liked the world building and the characters. A bit steam punk, bit fantasy, and a dose of social commentary done well.

mitskacir's review against another edition

4.0

After reading one of the short story prequels, I was excited about Clark's full length novel in the Djinn Universe and felt very satisfied with the longer format. The book is fairly slow paced, with a lot of time conducting interviews in an attempt to piece together the crime, and lots of detailed descriptions of what everyone is (very fashionably) wearing. However, I enjoyed these parts more than the action scenes, since the characters are fun and interesting and the dialogue is generally quippy. I liked how Siti and Fatma's relationship developed more in this book, and it felt more believable and fleshed out than in the prequel. Clark really paints a picture, and I had a good time imagining the decadent (sometimes illusory) interiors and the fantastical djinn.

My one issue with the book is probably the resolution of the conflict. This scene was action packed but sometimes confusing, and the magic ring became a bit hand-wavy in parts. It almost felt like the issue of the Nine Ifrit Lords was solved a bit too easily, and I'm conflicted in how I feel about the justice served to the Imposter.

Note: While not necessary, I was glad that I had read [b:A Dead Djinn in Cairo|29635542|A Dead Djinn in Cairo (Dead Djinn Universe, #0.1)|P. Djèlí Clark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1459173382l/29635542._SX50_.jpg|49993780] prior to reading this one. It gave some good foundation, particularly the relationship with Siti and the Clock. I have not read the other prequels, so not sure how those would have influenced my understanding/enjoyment.

kytah's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

mschwartz315's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

queerfatloud's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

myke's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

I found the book flat. I can see the it gets and don’t want to undercut what others love about it. It just wasn’t my jam. I found the world building lacking, the characters flat and underdeveloped, and the storyline predictable and dependent on tropes. I had to push through it rather than let the story put me through. I love the concepts, but found myself wanting it to be so much more. 

ckayx's review against another edition

slow-paced

2.0

elbell99's review against another edition

3.75

This was just a little bit too long. I was really into it until it started to feel like it was dragging on... I also guessed the villain about 2 hours before they were revealed (which I NEVER am able to do... so point me, not book). AND the villain definitely seemed a bit overpowered. The way this was "brushed off" was stupid too!

"I could've killed you at any time but I decided not to! It was more fun to play with you." This does not work unless you've established the personality of the villain beforehand.

The narrator did some great voices and the world building was pretty interesting! Loved learning about (even though it was alternative history) Egypt in a time period I wasn't used to.