I read Gaie’s first two books, Babylon Steel and Dangerous Gifts, quite a while ago now and thoroughly enjoyed them, so it was good to come back and enjoy some more of Gaie’s writing.
Other than the lack of brothels and sex (can’t have everything we like), this book is certainly just as enjoyable, well written, with great characters, and certainly a must read for anyone who has enjoyed Gaie’s earlier books.
The fourth book in the Dead Djinn Universe and carrying straight on from where The Haunting of Tram Car 015 left off, with all our favourite characters involved, this really is some great writing.
This trilogy has been my first taste of Djèlí’s writing and i’m very impressed. His imagination is excellent and his ability to put that imagination into words for all us avid readers is simply marvellous. I’m certainly going to be reading more of his work in the future: i’m hooked.
All in all, a wonderful blend of steampunk, fantasy and folklore all thrown into an alternative history in Cairo with lots of shenanigans mixed will in. And it’s great to have main protagonists who are strong women, from different religions, who also happen to be in a same sex relationship.
The third book in the Dead Djinn Universe, and is very similar to A Dead Djinn in Cairo, although with mostly different characters and a lot more pages to enjoy.
Once again, wonderfully written, keeps on a moving, interesting characters, great descriptions.
The only thing left to do is to read A Master of Djinn, which is a rather good length novel that i’m so looking forward to devouring.
In the anthology, The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year: Vol 13.
Nine short chapters, each one a comment on each one of Washington’s false teeth that were taken from the mouths of dead slaves, with a nice touch of Djèlí style fantasy added to each.
I wonder how many people actually know that Washington was an avid enslaver of other human beings and owned over 577 slaves during his lifetime? These things should be told as they should never, ever, be forgotten and Washington’s name should always be associated with the evil he truly embodied in his actions and attitudes towards other human beings throughout his life.
All stories copyright 2018.
The first book in the Dead Djinn Universe, and what a good start it was. While it’s only a short story, 36 pages, it’s a very good short story and is packed with great hints as to what the rest of the series is going to be like in this alternative fantasy/steampunk Cairo.
The title gives the beginning away in that a Dead Djinn is found in Cairo by its lover. A special investigator from the “Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities” is brought in with a police inspector to investigate and then it’s just non stop until the end.
Then once you’re at the end of this i can’t imagine that any reader wouldn’t want to dive straight into The Angel of Khan el-Khalili, which is the next book in the series.
Great writing, great characters and just plain good stuff for those who like their fantasy mixed up with steampunk elements.
A reimagining of a most sickening and horrific history in that supernatural, fantastical, Djèlí style.
This book really made me feel deeply for people who have been — and still are being — treated in such barbaric ways simply for the colour of their skin. Racism cannot ever be allowed to succeed.
What struck me in this book is the end, where Maryse is sent back out their to cut down the next outbreak of racism. It reminded me of the United Kingdom, we stood up and beat down the National Front and the BNP and other vile racist groups back in the 20th century, and here we are in the 21st century with more of these sick and twisted fuckheads sprouting ever more groups to spread their hatred. But, as Djèlí says in the writing of this book, we cannot meet hatred with hatred, if we lower ourselves to their level we become exactly what they want us to be. We are better than that, we are better than them.
Djèlí’s writing is superb throughout and it’s hardly any wonder that it received the following accolades:
A 2021 Nebula Award Winner
A 2021 Locus Award Winner
A New York Times Editor’s Choice Pick!
A Booklist Editor’s Choice Pick!
A 2021 Hugo Award Finalist
A 2021 World Fantasy Award Finalist
A 2021 Ignyte Award Finalist
A 2021 Shirley Jackson Award Finalist
A 2021 AAMBC Literary Award Finalist
A 2021 British Fantasy Award Finalist
A 2021 Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy Award Nominee
A 2020 SIBA Award Finalist
A Goodreads Choice Award Finalist
Named a Best of 2020 Pick for NPR | Library Journal | Book Riot | LitReactor | Bustle | Polygon | Washington Post
And now i only have one of Djèlí’s books left to read, and that is If the Martians Have Magic from 2021.
