A Master of Djinn: 1 (Dead Djinn Universe)

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The Marid stared at the two, then uttered one word that rumbled and echoed: “Free.” He formed the word again between lips surrounded by a curling white beard. “Free. Free. Free.” Then he laughed, a low bellowing that set Fatma’s teeth on edge. We found it fishing. I was thinking it was meant to hold perfume or used by early alchemists. But this…” His hand went to a stopper at the bottle’s top, running along a jade ceramic seal engraved with a dragon. “Never seen its like before. Chinese maybe? Tang? Don’t recognize the writing either. And the wax is fresh, like it was just put on yesterday—” Frame-Up: Abigail framed her brother Alexander, implicating him for the different crimes she committed, though it's discovered by Fatma. My full-length novel, A Master of Djinn, was officially released a week ago from today on May 11 2021 by Tor.com Publishing. Though I’ve done this before, since it has (again) been a minute, this post is gonna recount the road that brought me here. Because mane, who knew?

Just a few more weeks, my dear.” A few more weeks and he would be on an airship heading home. How he would welcome seeing his “dreary little isle,” where it was a sensibly cold and rainy November. He’d walk its narrow streets and savor every foul scent. For Christmas, he would get smashingly drunk—on good, hard English whisky! I know this must be a difficult time for you. Your sister is an evil maniac bent on world conquest. She killed your father, which is just terrible. Plus, I don’t think this house has much resale value." I Work Alone: Fatma prefers to work alone, which is why she's unpleasantly surprised to learn the Ministry has assigned her Hadia as a partner. Genie in a Bottle: One appears at the beginning of the book, but the only wish he grants the humans who woke him up is to choose how they will die. Alternate History: It takes place in an alternate version of Egypt where magic is commonplace and was used to drive out the British colonizers.O.O.C. Is Serious Business: After being forced to strangle Fatma by the false Al-Jahiz's spell, Siti is distraught, plaintively asking if she's all right when they see each other again, with her having clearly been crying. This is quite the contrast with her usual energetic, teasing attitude. She's usually wholly fearless as well, but expresses profound terror at how he controlled her. was a big year. I’d lost my Mom to breast cancer in Spring 2014, gotten married in August 2014, and by Spring 2015 was casting around for fellowships to finish up the last year of my PhD. Landed a few. By that summer I was busily researching and dissertating in residence at the Library Company of Philadelphia. And I was planning for a two semester fellowship that would have me relocating solo to Pennsylvania for a year. Honestly, my story was out of sight, out of mind. Khallas!” Fatma hissed, leaning forward. “It’s over! Here’s what you need to know. There are four other agents in this room. See the man at the door?” She didn’t bother to turn as the two peered over her shoulder. “There’s another talking everyone’s ear off at a table to your right. And a third, enjoying his hookah and watching a game of tawla on your left. The fourth, I won’t even tell you where he is.” I am the Father of Mysteries.” He spoke in deeply accented English. “The Walker of the Path of Wisdom. The Traveler of Worlds. Named mystic and madman. Spoken in reverence and curse. I am the one you seek. I am al-Jahiz. And I have returned.” A stillness descended like a heavy shroud. Even Lord Worthington seemed at a loss. Lady Looks Like a Dude: Fatma gets mistaken for male more than once due to her gaunt face and rather masculine clothing, since she frequently wears Western men's suits. She's grown used to it.

She didn’t get to finish as she spotted a man walking toward them. In that red kaftan, not with Supernatural Forensics. At second glance, not a man either—a boilerplate eunuch. By its lithe frame and sleek gait, one of the newer messenger models. I bear a message for the recipient: Agent Fatma el-Sha’arawi. The sender is: Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities.”What is mortal honor to me? You try my patience, not enchantress. Make your offer worthy, or offer it not at all.” There will be no war,” Lord Worthington spoke. His voice rang with a quiet crispness that silenced the table. “We live in an age of industry. We manufacture vessels to traverse the seas and airships to roam the skies. With our manipulation of noxious vapors, and your country’s recovered skills of alchemy and the mystic arts? What new hideous weapons could this age create?” He shook his head, as if clearing away nightmarish conjurations. “No, this world cannot afford war. That is why I have aided your king on the coming summit of nations. The only way forward is peace, or we shall surely perish.” An Arm and a Leg: Ahmad foil's Abigail's plans by biting off her hand, the Ring of Power she's wearing included. When he reached Lord Worthington, the old man wasn’t alone. Edward Pennington was there, one of the most senior men in the company and a true believer, though half-senile. He sat between two others, nodding his wizened head as both spoke into his ears. Closet Gay: Fatma and Siti, two women, both keep the fact they're lovers a secret as same-sex love is taboo in Egypt, with only a few people in the know.

It is indeed, sir,” Archibald finished, placing the bundle atop the table. Every eye took in the dark cloth, their conversation dwindling. Even senile Pennington gawked. Collective Identity: "Al-Jahiz" is actually five people using illusion magic to Masquerade as the Unseen, led by Abigail Worthington.The kid was right, you know,” she said, eyeing him. “You didn’t have to tip me off. You could have kept that bottle for yourself. Tried to get your own wishes.” Over a two week period, I got it done. Called it, The Haunting of Tram Car 015. Unlike The Angel of Khan el-Kalili, this story was of a lighter fare. It was meant to be a bit silly, even absurd in some ways . It featured two new characters–Hamed and Onsi–but returned us to the Ministry of of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities. This more enhanced and fleshed out Cairo is stirring with suffragettes, secret societies, sentient automatons and more. There are also cameos from Dead Djinn, including an appearance by Fatma. Suit, bowler and all. Oh, and of course, a haunted tram car and Armenian candy. Like I said, a bit absurd. But fun. Even in the world left behind by al-Jahiz, it wasn’t every day you saw a Marid djinn simply… appear. The exact scenario Fatma had tried so hard to prevent was now playing out right before her. She allowed a momentary wave of panic, before finding her resolve again.