Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial

Hardcover
$16.59

Paperback
$14.79

Learn more

Read for Free

OR

Print List Price:	$14.78
Kindle Price:	$12.99 Save $1.79 (12%)
Sold by:	Macmillan Price set by seller.

Promotions apply when you purchase

Add an

audiobook with Audible narration for $7.49

Audiobook Price: $17.71

Save: $10.22 (58%)

Read with our free app

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.

Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

There was an error. We were unable to process your subscription due to an error. Please refresh and try again.

Follow the author

P. Djèlí Clark

+ Follow

More books from this author

A Master of Djinn (Dead Djinn Universe, 1)

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

VIDEO

A Master of Djinn: a novel (Dead Djinn Universe Book 1) Kindle Edition

by P. Djèlí Clark (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.4 4,684 ratings

Part of: Dead Djinn Universe (2 books)

Editors' pick Best Science Fiction & Fantasy

See all formats and editions

Included in NPR’s Favorite Sci-Fi And Fantasy Books Of The Past Decade (2011-2021)
A Nebula Award Winner
A Ignyte Award Winner
A Compton Crook Award for Best New Novel Winner
A Locus First Novel Award Winner
A RUSA Reading List: Fantasy Winner
A Hugo Award Finalist
A World Fantasy Award Finalist
A NEIBA Book Award Finalist
A Mythopoeic Award Finalist
A Dragon Award Finalist
A Best of 2021 Pick in SFF for Amazon
A Best of 2021 Pick in SFF for Kobo

Nebula, Locus, and Alex Award-winner P. Djèlí Clark goes full-length for the first time in his dazzling debut novel

Cairo, 1912: Though Fatma el-Sha’arawi is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, she’s certainly not a rookie, especially after preventing the destruction of the universe last summer.

So when someone murders a secret brotherhood dedicated to one of the most famous men in history, al-Jahiz, Agent Fatma is called onto the case. Al-Jahiz transformed the world forty years ago when he opened up the veil between the magical and mundane realms, before vanishing into the unknown. This murderer claims to be al-Jahiz, returned to condemn the modern age for its social oppressions. His dangerous magical abilities instigate unrest in the streets of Cairo that threaten to spill over onto the global stage.

Alongside her Ministry colleagues and a familiar person from her past, Agent Fatma must unravel the mystery behind this imposter to restore peace to the city—or face the possibility he could be exactly who he seems…

Novellas by P. Djèlí Clark
The Black God's Drums
The Haunting of Tram Car 015
Ring Shout

The Dead Djinn Universe contains stories set primarily in Clark's fantasy alternate Cairo, and can be enjoyed in any order.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

From the Publisher

A Master of Djinn P. Djèlí Clark S. A Chakraborty quote

Editorial Reviews

Review

Locus Award Winner!
A 2022 RUSA Reading List Fantasy Winner
A 2021 NEIBA Book Award Finalist
World Fantasy Award Nominee
Salt Lake County Library System Reader's Choice Award Nominee
A Best of 2021 Pick in SFF for Kobo
Included in NPR’s Favorite Sci-Fi And Fantasy Books Of The Past Decade (2011-2021)

“Clark reconfigures history with a keen, critical eye toward gender, class, and imperialism. An epic tale of magic and mystery, this is sure to wow." - Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Clark deftly explores colonialism and the history of Cairo with an immersive setting that acts as another character in this delightful combination of mystery, fantasy, and romance. Give this to alternate history enthusiasts and mystery readers who enjoy a dose of the magical." - Booklist, starred review

“What a wonderful world P. Djélì Clarke has created here ― an Arab world never colonized, where magic-powered trams glide through a cosmopolitan Cairo and where djinns make mischief among humans.” - NPR

“With its richly imagined world and characters and its high-stakes and thrilling plot, this novel would make such a fantastic show in the vein of The Nevers and Carnival Row, but better.” - Buzzfeed

“A clever, wickedly fun steampunk mystery with an excellent balance of humor and heart. I loved it.” - S. A. Chakraborty, internationally-bestselling author of The City of Brass

“A Master of Djinn is everything you might expect from Clark: cinematic action, a radical reimagining of real history, and magic on every page. I loved it.” - Hugo Award winner Alix E. Harrow, author of Starling House

“A delightful whodunnit full of sly commentary and a wonderfully lived-in steampunk Cairo. The perfect read when I needed a break from this world to enjoy one wholly made from Clark's enviable imagination.” - Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Rebecca Roanhorse, author of Trail of Lightning and Star Wars: Resistance Reborn

“A Master of Djinn has all the tricky twists I want in a police procedural and all the djinns, magic and wonder I want from fantasy.” - Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo and Nebula award-winning author of The Calculating Stars

“Fascinating! I love the intricate alt-history world of A Master of Djinn, with its hints at the changed destinies of nations and ordinary people alike after the cataclysmic return of magic to the world. Clark gives us an engaging mystery with a wonderful mix of the fantastic and the mundane, chain-smoking crocodile gods, stuffy marid librarians, and a brilliant heroine with a dashing bowler.” - Django Wexler, author of The Thousand Names

“Alternate historic Cairo comes to vivid life in Clark's first novel. His cosmopolitan city includes not only humans from all around the world, but supernatural creatures aplenty. When their interests and agendas collide, the result is the kind of book you don't want to put down.” - World Fantasy and Hugo Award finalist Marie Brennan

About the Author

Born in New York and raised mostly in Houston, P. DJÈLÍ CLARK (he/him) spent part of his childhood in Trinidad and Tobago, the homeland of his parents. He is the author of the novel A Master of Djinn and the novellas Ring Shout, The Black God’s Drums, and The Haunting of Tram Car 015. He has won the Nebula, Locus, and Alex Awards and been nominated for the Hugo, World Fantasy, and Sturgeon Awards. His stories have appeared in online venues such as Tor.com, Daily Science Fiction, Heroic Fantasy Quarterly, Apex, Lightspeed, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, and in print anthologies, including Griots, Hidden Youth, and Clockwork Cairo. He is also a founding member of FIYAH Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction and an infrequent reviewer at Strange Horizons.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08HKXS84X
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tordotcom (May 11, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 11, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 4393 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 438 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1250267668

Best Sellers Rank: #32,838 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #31 in Steampunk Science Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #42 in Steampunk Fiction
- #182 in Historical Fantasy (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.4 4,684 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

P. Djèlí Clark

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Phenderson Djéli Clark is the author of the novels Abeni's Song and A Master of Djinn, and the award-winning and Hugo, Nebula, and Sturgeon nominated author of the novellas Ring Shout, The Black God’s Drums and The Haunting of Tram Car 015. His short stories have appeared in online venues such as Tor Dot com, Heroic Fantasy Quarterly, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, and in print anthologies including, Griots and Hidden Youth. You can find him on Twitter as pdjeliclark and his blog The Disgruntled Haradrim.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5

4,684 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Reviews with images

See all photos

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Samantha

Great Book

Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2024

Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it. The characters, plot, and pacing are great. The story held me and kept me wondering what would happen next. I also recommend the audio book as well. I look forward to the next book.

Helpful

Margie, author of the Demonverse Series

Unique story and fascinating perspective

Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2023

Verified Purchase

Although our stories and characters are very different, I picked this book up because its description reminded me a bit of my own series. I, too have haughty Djinn, conniving angels, hybrids, Ifrit, Djinn kings of smoke and fire, burning red blades pulled from the ether, and a "clock of worlds" that I call a time wheel. I found this author's work interesting. Good work.

Helpful

C Mysha Webber-Eakin

Thorough enjoyed this novel

Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2023

Verified Purchase

I just finished this and Thoroughly enjoyed journeying to this magical Middle Eastern alternative universe. I’m not one to dissect all elements of a novel, like some who do go on (and on, and on) about the author’s style, expertise, character development etc, etc ad nauseam, like they are Experts of all that, because all I personally really want to know from a review is, in brief, what the story is About. And, only if absolutely necessary, anything that might detract from my enjoyment of the narrative. For crying out loud. That’s just me but I honestly feel whether one enjoys a story or not is pretty much due to one’s own taste and preference. I am rarely, if ever, influenced by all those Lengthy critiques. Good Lord. Like Who cares? 😂 Well, apparently some do and they believe others will appreciate their assessments of everything under the Sun. To each their own. I’m (kinda) not judging. I just find it beyond tedious with a capital T and personally don’t care what somebody else thinks about an author’s style etc.
So, I just loved The Tale, felt like I was easily made to understand the characters, including their personalities, motives and reasons for acting as they did. I found them relatable and interesting. I enjoyed the Action, the tense surprises and the cliffhangers. I love it when I have to ask myself how in the world are they gonna get outta That, resolve That. And I look forward to the resolution.
I loved the descriptions of the many magical beings. Middle Eastern culture and ‘mythology’ have always fascinated me and it was sweet to have creatures I’ve read about brought to life in these pages. Wow. I feel like I learned some stuff too. I am somewhat familiar with the very spiritual Islamic cultures. In True Islam everyday life is simply meant to be a submission to the will of Allah, which is merely a term for God, the One Creator, Not a deity different from either the Christian or Hebrew Source Being. I have always been impressed by true Islam’s devotion and acts of same. The obligatory 5 daily prayers and Month of fasting from Sun up to Sun down are profound indications of a truly spiritual people. It is beyond sad that this deeply spiritual religion has been corrupted and misused by those who wish to put forth their own Political agendas. But that’s also happened in Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and likely every other way folks choose to regard and worship the divine. Human Beings, apparently, just Do that, try to influence and control others using Their take on ‘religion’. Sad but oh so true.
The Only thing I would Strongly recommend the author do is provide a glossary of the many, many non-English, usually Arabic, terms he spouts bout every other sentence. I think it would enhance the reader’s understanding of how, and probably Why, these characters think and behave as they do. I have a pretty good familiarity with the religion and cultures of that region but even I was at a loss sometimes. And I Hate guessing and, not knowing. I so hope, should he write about these cultures again, he will do that for us. Please!

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

Richard C. Foreman

Wonderful book

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024

Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed the mingling of religion, magic and mysticism. Djinn are a new thing for me and getting a great primer on another cultures mythologies and beliefs, wrapped in an alternate reality fantasy was so much fun.

Helpful

Eneasz M. Brodski

Pro: Like watching a good Marvel movie! Con: Like watching a Marvel movie

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2022

Verified Purchase

A paranormal murder mystery set in steampunk Egypt, 1912, after Djinn and other magical creatures have been reintroduced into the world a few decades back.

Book Review: This is a great romp, and really fun! The plot keeps moving at a good clip, there’s a lot of interconnectivity between the players and set pieces, and it’s very well written. The two biggest strengths of Master of Djinn are worldbuilding and colorful characters.

The worldbuilding is absolutely top-notch. Every bit of this feels like it has a rich history, and deep connections, crafted with love and enthusiasm. It feels lived in. It calls for you to come back and inhabit it.

The characters are distinctive, and they pop. Each has a unique and interesting voice. And everyone one of them is really damn cool, in their own way. You want to spend time with these people.

In addition to all that, it stars a strong female protagonist. I kinda feel embarrassed saying this, because it’s such a cliché, but dammit, I really love strong female characters. I always have, and I’m not gonna stop just cuz it’s a meme now.

In addition, the action is fun, frequent, and very cinematic. All things considered, as I was reading this I felt like I was watching a good Marvel movie. Something in the top quintile of Marvel.

That being said… reading this was a lot like watching a Marvel movie. It was a lot of awesome style without much substance. No deeper themes, no exploration of the human condition, no revelatory character arc.

It’s also somewhat simplistic. A couple times characters are a little too slow on the uptake. The mystery is too obvious for the reader’s side (although that’s not the protagonists fault, she doesn’t know she’s in a novel, so she doesn’t know to steer clear of the basic tropes). It’s designed so that a distracted teen or a dad two beers in can follow along and have a great time.

This is fine, because fun is good. :) But in a few months I probably won’t remember anything about this novel. If you’re just looking for a great, fun adventure, then I would recommend this! But if (like me) you never have enough time to read everything and try to focus on the exceptional stuff, Not Recommended.

Book Club Review: For book clubs, this is a better than average book. Because of how fun it is, there’s a lot of fun things to talk about, and some fun things to gripe about, and no one was upset they wasted their time on it or anything. It makes for good light conversation on a nice summer day. It doesn’t lend itself to deeper discussions, due to the reasons mentioned above. On the other hand, this was a significantly better book than several we’ve read recently, and it’s always fun watching a Marvel movie with friends. Take all this into consideration for your particular book club, of course, but overall for book clubs – Recommended.

32 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Rodrigo Menendez Arzac

Una novela muy original

Reviewed in Mexico on February 24, 2023

Verified Purchase

Es una novela policiaca que se desarrolla en Egipto a principios del siglo 19 pero ambientada en un estilo entre fantasía y steampunk y con una dosis de mitología egipcia y musulmana. Muy recomendable

Translate review to English

Sheldon A. Wiebe

A Master of Djinn Is a Magnificent Blend of Steampunk Skiffy, Middle Eastern Mythology and Folklore

Reviewed in Canada on February 14, 2023

Verified Purchase

Magnificent blend of steampunk skiffy, Middle Eastern mythology and folklore, and alternate history.

Set in turn of the 20th Century Egypt, we are taken to a world in which djinn, rukh and other mythical creatures live side by each with humanity.

In this world's Cairo, we meet Fatma el-Sha’arawi the first and youngest woman to become an operative for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities.

In the short story A Dead Djinn in Cairo (included at the end of the book - and the very first Agent Fatma adventure - read it first) she and her civilian friend, Siti, save the universe in a lovely tale that generated the positive response that got author P. Djèlí Clark to develop his unique world further.

In A Master of Djinn, an imposter claiming to be Al-Jahiz (the sorcerer whose researches led to the the event that brought the djinn and other supernatural entities into the world).

Unlike the pacifist original, this would-be Al-Jahiz is set to destroy Egyptian civilization - beginning with the disruption of a peace accord that could actually bring about world peace.

Agent Fatma, who prefers to work alone, is saddled with an eager top-of-her-class rookie, Agent Hadia Abdel Hafez.

Now she has to work out a unique murder (wherein the victims were burned to death without the flame harming anything else in the room - not even their clothes and accessories).

Meanwhile, one of her best sources of information seems to be transforming into something else.

And her friend Siti is revealed to be something more than a friend (which is not the only revelation on her part).

Plus, there's that imposter...

Clark's 1912 steampunk Cairo is a genuinely unique creation, and his characters are fresh and as intriguing as the mysteries they have to unravel.

A Master of Djinn is an excellent work and well worth your time.

Highly recommended.

One person found this helpful

Simone M. R.

Um ótimo presente!

Reviewed in Brazil on January 21, 2023

Verified Purchase

Meu marido gostou muito da história.

Translate review to English

Rbk

Fantastic story, full of facts and imagination!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 20, 2024

Verified Purchase

It was so good. So much fun. I learned a lot as well. It took me a bit longer than usual to read as I was constantly looking up words so I could have the correct image in my head. I also found some people mentioned here actually existed. The cyberpunk feel made it more wholesome somehow 😃

All in all, a very entertaining book, with a whodunnit plot

Desiree Nicola

Fantastical

Reviewed in Germany on October 19, 2023

Verified Purchase

This book is an impressive mixture of steampunk and magical realism... an of course a murder mystery. Fun to read with memorable characters and a captivating plot.

OR

Buy for others

Buying and sending eBooks to others

Follow the author

Image Unavailable

A Master of Djinn: a novel (Dead Djinn Universe Book 1) Kindle Edition

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

About the Author

Product details

Videos for this product

A Master of Djinn (Dead Djinn Universe, 1)

About the author

P. Djèlí Clark

Customer reviews

Reviews with images

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries