Book Review: A Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark

A Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark is a Hugo novel finalist and has gathered a bit of attention lately. I've been curious about it and seeing it so broadly praised decided to give it a read. Here's the Goodreads blurb:

Cairo, 1912: Though Fatma el-Sha’arawi is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, she’s certainly not a rookie, especially after preventing the destruction of the universe last summer.

So when someone murders a secret brotherhood dedicated to one of the most famous men in history, al-Jahiz, Agent Fatma is called onto the case. Al-Jahiz transformed the world 50 years ago when he opened up the veil between the magical and mundane realms, before vanishing into the unknown. This murderer claims to be al-Jahiz, returned to condemn the modern age for its social oppressions. His dangerous magical abilities instigate unrest in the streets of Cairo that threaten to spill over onto the global stage.

Alongside her Ministry colleagues and her clever girlfriend Siti, Agent Fatma must unravel the mystery behind this imposter to restore peace to the city - or face the possibility he could be exactly who he seems....

Read on for my spoiler-free review.

Book Review: Network Effect by Martha Wells

Network Effect is the 5th book in the Murderbot series and the first full length novel. I've been enjoying the series and reading them on and off between other books. Here's the blurb from Goodreads: 

I’m usually alone in my head, and that’s where 90 plus percent of my problems are.

When Murderbot's human associates (not friends, never friends) are captured and another not-friend from its past requires urgent assistance, Murderbot must choose between inertia and drastic action.

Drastic action it is, then.

Read on for my spoiler-free review.

Book Review: The Return of Fitzroy Angursell by Victoria Goddard

This book pretty much immediately follows The Hands of the Emperor and while it is very different in scope and tone, you can consider it a bit of a sequel and should start with the former.

Artorin Damara is the Last Emperor of Astandalas and present Lord Magus of Zunidh. He is respected as a great mage, revered as a living god, regarded as the embodiment of power and wealth and majesty. Few have seen him in anything but the most resplendent garments; fewer still have ever looked him in the eyes.

He is possibly the last person you would expect to find breaking into the tomb of the first Emperor of Astandalas. He could, after all, have entered it legitimately.

Read on for my spoiler-free review.

Book Review: The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard

This book came highly recommended from a good friend of mine and caught me at a good time when I wanted to try something new. I had heard about it, but hadn't really committed to reading it. I am glad I did. Here's the Goodreads blurb for some context:

An impulsive word can start a war.
A timely word can stop one.
A simple act of friendship can change the course of history.

Cliopher Mdang is the personal secretary of the Last Emperor of Astandalas, the Lord of Rising Stars, the Lord Magus of Zunidh, the Sun-on-Earth, the god.
He has spent more time with the Emperor of Astandalas than any other person.
He has never once touched his lord.
He has never called him by name.
He has never initiated a conversation.

One day Cliopher invites the Sun-on-Earth home to the proverbially remote Vangavaye-ve for a holiday.

The mere invitation could have seen Cliopher executed for blasphemy.
The acceptance upends the world.

Read on for my spoiler-free review.

Book Review: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

Elantris is Brandon Sanderson's first published novel and one that I've read now maybe 3 times. It's a standalone fantasy which makes it easy to pick up. The particular version I first got was a paperback whose blurb was very character-centric with almost no premise to the story. It wasn't until I read the short prologue that I actually picked it up to read. Regardless, after reading it a few times I realized I hadn't written a blog for it. So here it is.

Read on for my spoiler-free review.

Book Review: A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine

This is the second book in the Teixcalaan series by Arkady Martine and follows a few months after the prior, A Memory of Empire. Here is the Goodreads blurb:

An alien armada lurks on the edges of Teixcalaanli space. No one can communicate with it, no one can destroy it, and Fleet Captain Nine Hibiscus is running out of options.

In a desperate attempt at diplomacy with the mysterious invaders, the fleet captain has sent for a diplomatic envoy. Now Mahit Dzmare and Three Seagrass—still reeling from the recent upheaval in the Empire—face the impossible task of trying to communicate with a hostile entity.

Whether they succeed or fail could change the fate of Teixcalaan forever.

Read on for my spoiler-free review.

Book Review: The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan

The Shadow Rising is the 4th book of The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. I've been slowly re-reading the books and have watched the new TV series as well. While there is a much I didn't remember, some aspects of Book 4 I did actually recall to some degree. Also, having recently re-read Dune by Frank Herbert, I can't help but see all the parallels between these two series.

Read on for my spoiler-free review. Note that as part of a series, the prior books are considered fair game for spoiler material.

Book Review: Cytonic by Brandon Sanderson

Cytonic is the third book in the Skyward series by Brandon Sanderson, following Skyward and Starsight. For some reason I thought this was a trilogy but it is at least 4 books long. There's also a handful of collaborative novellas in this universe as well, though I have yet to read those. Regardless, this is a very interesting sci-fi series from an author better known for fantasy.

As part of a series, the prior books are fair-game when it comes to spoilers, but I'll avoid major ones here.