Point of View

A Master of Djinn is told in the third-person limited perspective. The first chapter follows the character of Archibald Portendorf, Lord Worthington’s second-second-in-command within the Brotherhood of al-Jahiz. This specific narrative focus allows the author to establish the antagonist, their powers, and Lord Worthington’s involvement. Thanks to Archibald’s perspective, the reader learns that many people around Worthington did not actually believe in his mission and were merely humoring him for the sake of their jobs and prestige. Since Archibald is given just enough time for the reader to sympathize with him, his death shows what the masked man is willing to do for his supposed ideals.

Once Archibald is killed, Fatma takes over as the narrator and she is followed for the remainder of the novel. This maintains the mystery behind the masked man while showing each of Fatma’s steps to...