Read This Book…

A man named Al-Jahiz forever changed the world 50 years ago when he opened the world up to the fantastical. Once the Djinn came through with their magic and engineering, Egypt was able to become equals with European world powers, changing not only the country, but the entire world order. But it’s been years since Al-Jahiz was seen…

This book starts with a meeting being held by a secret society of mostly wealthy white men in Cairo who are dedicated to Al-Jahiz. A man claiming to be the legendary figure appears and everyone in the meeting is brutally killed. That’s where the main character, Fatma el-Sha’arawi, comes in. She’s the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities — which are basically like the magic police — and she’s been called in to investigate the murders. Despite hearing and seeing the murderer achieve incredible acts of magic — including controlling powerful djinn — she believes the man to be an imposter instead of the famed man come back to the public eye.

In order to prove her theory and simultaneously solve the murder case, she enlists the help of her stunning girlfriend Siti, other Ministry of Alchemy officers, and a few interesting and magical supporting characters. But the imposter seems so skilled in magic and has such a way with words — as shown in how he manipulates crowds and brings about social unrest — that it does increasingly seem like he is who he says he is…

This is part alternate history fantasy, science fiction, and mystery all rolled up into one. I mainly listened to it on audiobook, and P. Djèlí Clark’s excellent world building coupled with the lilting accent and skill with which Suehyla El-Attar narrated made the experience immersive. Each time I started listening again, I felt Clark’s magical Cairo unfurl around me. He also interweaves sociopolitical issues throughout that are multilayered and complex, true to how they are in our own timeline. And then there are the many awards this book has won or been nominated for.