A Master of Djinn, by P. Djèlí Clark

The first novel in P. Djèlí Clark’s “Dead Djinn” universe, A Master of Djinn is an utter delight. An incredible feat of world-building with a wonderfully diverse cast of (mostly female) characters, it's set in an alternate universe of 1920s Cairo, where a tear in the veil between realities has unleashed djinn into our world. Clark interrogates imperialism, gender, and class, all while offering up an action-packed detective story which, in all earnestness, is the definition of a rollicking good time. This is for anyone who loves steampunk and mysticism and fierce protagonists uncowed by either godlike power or casual sexism.