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A Master of Djinn (Dead Djinn Universe, #1)
P. Djèlí Clark
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Read at least 1 book in the Spring 2026 Readalong.
Serafel wrote a review...
There was so much to love about this book, but unfortunately, it divided its attention too much.
The setting is the bread and butter; steampunk Cairo is extremely interesting. I ate up every little tid bit about their technology, transportation, and inventions. Cairo felt bustling and alive.
Where the book lost me was the plot. I would've loved for the author to have leaned into political fantasy more—the combination of colonial politics and the relatively new introduction of magical races to Cairo had tons of potential, but it almost felt like a distraction instead. The murder mystery was the main conflict to solve, but none of the revelations Fatma made felt particularly unexpected or groundbreaking to me.
Overall I liked the story, I'm just sitting here wishing it were either a more complicated mystery, or it leaned into political intrigue instead, in order to do the setting justice.
P.S. Siti can step on me anytime.
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A Master of Djinn (Dead Djinn Universe, #1)
P. Djèlí Clark
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Swordcrossed
Freya Marske
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As Many Souls as Stars
Natasha Siegel
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As Many Souls as Stars
Natasha Siegel
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If I’m being honest, I never once looked at her in that way before that day. Really looked at her. But I’m a guy, and when a girl tells you she wants you, it plants the seed in your mind. Makes you think.
Only when she confessed a crush and after rejecting her horribly he notices her. Is this a me thing or does that actually sound horrible?
Serafel commented on a post
Like am I just illiterate??? Have I failed basic English reading comprehension??
“she placed a hand on her shoulder like a protective raft” what???
“He’d approached her like she was a disposable body he recognized across the street” i thought the requirement for being described as “disposable” was not being easily recognizable???
”They followed them through alpine meadows, mirroring the rows of caterpillars that crawled down the moss” what the fuck does this mean?
”The ceramic fox [cake topper] curled between buttercream and strawberries. His eyes were closed, his bushy tail a veil that hid him from the rest of the world” a veil is BY DEFINITION not “bushy”….
I’m really struggling with this. This book would be better if it didn’t try so hard to sound impressive and poetic.
***Note that these are from the ARC, and final wording is subject to change in the official version
Serafel commented on notbillnye's review of Paladin’s Grace (The Saint of Steel, #1)
Paladin's Grace is yet another non-cozy-cozy fantasy by T. Kingfisher that i found enjoyable, humorous, and "my kind" of romantasy.
less action-packed and world-building than I expected or typically like, I could still feel the story and romance had intention with more focus on healing old wounds, accepting our burdens, and opening ourselves to the love we deserve through the whacky, chaos of this world. while i am partial to the name Stephen, i found TK's character progression for both MCs home-y, compelling, and realistic to the story.
looking forward to the next and hoping for more foundational parts to the overall world and story as it continues 🤞🏼