A mostly well-written science-fantasy novella featuring a skillful blend of ancient mythology, science, and character study.
The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday, by Saad Z. Hossain; 165 pages, published 2019

The story concerns an ancient and mighty king of the djinn, awakening after a long period of unconsciousness into a world changed vastly from his memories. A world in which the old ways are almost entirely forgotten, in which climate change and technological advances have reshaped the planet in ways every bit as great as the djinn themselves once managed. A world in which this former King of Djinns is determined to carve a new place for himself.
So far, so good.
The blend of mythology and science, especially the current scientific explanations for the ancient descriptions of the djinn’s magical abilities, are satisfying. The predictions of climate crisis and AI power, and their implications for human societies, ring true. The final confrontation and its denouement are largely satisfying, as are the machinations required to get there. As a story, it works.
It is not without its flaws, however. The character of the Gurkha is a fine mystery – but his strengths and abilities require a pretty substantial suspension of disbelief. The reader is prepared to suspend their disbelief in the face of a djinn, whether because of or in spite of some pseudo-scientific faff; it is after all a mythological being of untold power. But the Gurkha, however mythologized their abilities in their home culture, is still just a man. His understanding of his culture and his ability to manipulate the socio-economic environment of the story absolutely works. But his physical abilities, particularly relative to the magical and space-opera abilities of his opponents…well, I beg you to read and draw your own conclusions. I found it a pretty strong cup of tea.
The projection of current scientific, ethnological, and economic understanding into a future of an unknown remove from today is excellent. The author creates a truly interesting world, blending and acknowledging Middle Eastern, Indian, and Western social mores and projecting the arc of history with what feels like a satisfying probity. Especially for a Western reader, the depiction of those Eastern cultural norms in a science fiction setting is refreshing without being overwhelming or distracting.
In the end, there is nothing here to change your life, but plenty to offer a couple evenings of pleasant diversion.