Masculine–Feminine Gay Couple: Fatma likes to wear really nice Western men's suits with a bowler hat and cane, eschewing traditional women's clothing of Egypt, including hijab, while having a job too that's conventionally male as a detective. On the other hand, her lover Siti is more feminine, though she does have short hair, wearing beautiful, elegant and expensive dresses with a casually graceful air. An Arm and a Leg: Ahmad foil's Abigail's plans by biting off her hand, the Ring of Power she's wearing included. Hardly fair. But fair usually accounted for little in dealings with immortals. Her mind worked to find a solution. This Marid had lived countless lifetimes and was very good at this. But she was a Ministry agent. That meant protecting people from the world of the supernatural and the magical—even when they ran stupidly headlong into it. Government Agency of Fiction: The Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities, the Egyptian agency in charge of dealing with all things magic.

Secret Relationship: Fatma is secretly lovers with Siti, another women, as same-sex relationships remain taboo in Egypt. Siti sneaks in and out of Fatma's apartment by the window so the building's doorkeeper, a notorious gossip, doesn't spot her going inside. A few people know and are fine with the fact, keeping their secret. The Marid turned his horned head, that fiery gaze scrutinizing. “You have been in the company of other djinn.” His sharp nose inhaled and wrinkled in distaste. “Among other creatures. Are you a mortal enchantress?”

See a Problem?

But the kid was already brandishing the emptied bottle at the djinn. “You! Look at me! I’m the one who freed you!” The Marid, who had been silently gazing across the room, turned his fiery gaze. That should have been enough to make anyone cower. But the kid—quite stupidly—stood his ground. “That’s right! We freed you! Saeed and me! You owe us now! Three wishes!”

Meanwhile, Fatma – who’s run off every official partner she’s previously been assigned – has a new partner in the form of Hadia, one of the few other female agents in the Ministry and one who looks up to Fatma, an appreciation that Fatma does her best to stomp into pieces. And Fatma’s in a strange place with her lover Siti: Siti has secrets, is difficult to pin down, may or may not be interested in an actual long-term relationship, and is right in the middle of Fatma’s investigation, helpful and infuriating by turns.Everyone Has Standards: Portendorf, though “racialist” too, thinks Dalton's theory of ancient Egyptian rulers having been Caucasian is still absurd. And I found it pretty hard to care for Fatma. She just wasn’t a very compelling protagonist, despite the swagger and supposed badassery. I kept feeling like I’m really observing her from the distance. And that focus on her suits gave it less of a swagger vibe, honestly, and more of a parody feel. Maybe it’s supposed to show that she’s grounded in reality, as she alluded to in the end, but it seemed a bit too superficial and distracting. That was implied!” But even as she said the words, she knew the fault was hers. You had to be careful when bartering with djinn. They took every word literally. Why so many of them in this age made good lawyers. She cursed her mistake and tried to think straight.