I’ve been trying to read more short stories and this was one that I had heard about through a sci-fi recommendation newsletter. It seemed interesting enough and so, I thought I would check it out. I’m so glad I did because it was well worth it!
Synopsis (Goodreads): Egypt, 1912. In an alternate Cairo infused with the otherworldly, the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities investigate disturbances between the mortal and the (possibly) divine. What starts off as an odd suicide case for Special Investigator Fatma el-Sha’arawi leads her through the city’s underbelly as she encounters rampaging ghouls, saucy assassins, clockwork angels, and plot that could unravel time itself.
Review: This was such a fun and interesting book! I loved the worldbuilding that took place, and was surprised with the amount of detail that the author was able to include in such a short amount of time. The main character, Fatma, is unique and capable, which instantly made me love her. There wasn’t a great deal of steampunk in the story, but the elements that were there were developed quite well. I was definitely intrigued by the presence of djinn and angels and all sorts of other supernatural species in the story. If this were a full novel, I would definitely read it! If you are looking for a short fantasy/supernatural read, then consider this one! I’m giving it a solid 4/5 stars!
Happy reading ~
