Scan barcode
infinitein's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
itmustbemiriam's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I liked this short speculative fiction/fantasy story showing an Egypt that embraced the magic of djinns and became a global power. In this world, we watch a couple of supernatural investigators solve the case of a haunted tram car while touching on social issues like patriarchy and women's suffrage. The story is tight and the writing style reminds me a bit of Murakami. I didn't enjoy the audiobook narrator, sadly, and it colored my perception of the piece as a whole.
alyzvp's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was such a fun little read. The title is pretty self explanatory, we're following Agent Hamed and Agent Onsi as they look into the haunting of tram car 015. I don't know about it being a satisfying mystery, since I don't read a lot of those, but i was a fun one. And I'm really interested to read what Agent Fatma was up to in A Master of Djinn.
wilcograb's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
geenyas's review against another edition
5.0
P. Djeli Clark has created a completely unique and fascinating alternate history/fantasy tale set in a Cairo of 1912 where humans live alongside djinn and semi-sentient automatons. Oh, and Suffragettes. Part steampunk, part paranormal, this short novella presents us with a completely imagined world where magic and Edwardian worlds collide. I loved it because it took me someplace I could not have imagined on my own. The characters are well-drawn and interesting. It left me wanting more adventures from Agent Hamed Nasr and his rookie sidekick, Onsi. The female characters (Abla and Agent Fatma) are promising, too, and we hope to see more of them in the future.
ihateprozac's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars
If you like Grimm or Supernatural, you'll like The Haunting of Tram Car 015. It's a procedural cop novella, but they're investigating supernatural occurrences in an alternate history steampunk Cairo!
This is set in the same world and time as [b:A Dead Djinn in Cairo|29635542|A Dead Djinn in Cairo|P. Djèlí Clark|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459173382s/29635542.jpg|49993780], but it's a different story following different Ministry employees. While it does reference the original story and has a cute cameo, Tram Car 015 is allowed the room to be its own story. As was the case with A Dead Djinn I looooooved this alternate Cairo and its blend of steampunk and supernatural, and I loved getting to follow another case in the weird and wonderful life of Ministry employees! This world is such a delight and being able to explore it through a Ministry lens is such a wild ride.
Where A Dead Djinn had a huge apocalyptic plot and felt like a full length novel in itself, this feels like a fun Monster-of-the-Week story. The plot isn't as sweeping but it's mysterious, action packed, and the arc is resolved really neatly. It had more comedy and hijinks than the previous novella, and Hamsa and Onsi felt like the adorably mediocre B-Team to Fatma's overachieving world saving A-Team. While I wasn't sure about Hamsa and Onsi initially, I grew to love these messy monster cops by the end of it.
This was a bundle of fun and I really hope P Djeli Clark writes more in this universe!
Representation: Everyone is a POC
If you like Grimm or Supernatural, you'll like The Haunting of Tram Car 015. It's a procedural cop novella, but they're investigating supernatural occurrences in an alternate history steampunk Cairo!
This is set in the same world and time as [b:A Dead Djinn in Cairo|29635542|A Dead Djinn in Cairo|P. Djèlí Clark|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459173382s/29635542.jpg|49993780], but it's a different story following different Ministry employees. While it does reference the original story and has a cute cameo, Tram Car 015 is allowed the room to be its own story. As was the case with A Dead Djinn I looooooved this alternate Cairo and its blend of steampunk and supernatural, and I loved getting to follow another case in the weird and wonderful life of Ministry employees! This world is such a delight and being able to explore it through a Ministry lens is such a wild ride.
Where A Dead Djinn had a huge apocalyptic plot and felt like a full length novel in itself, this feels like a fun Monster-of-the-Week story. The plot isn't as sweeping but it's mysterious, action packed, and the arc is resolved really neatly. It had more comedy and hijinks than the previous novella, and Hamsa and Onsi felt like the adorably mediocre B-Team to Fatma's overachieving world saving A-Team. While I wasn't sure about Hamsa and Onsi initially, I grew to love these messy monster cops by the end of it.
This was a bundle of fun and I really hope P Djeli Clark writes more in this universe!
Representation: Everyone is a POC
ssinforshort's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This was a delight!
I found myself, smirking, and laughing so much reading this. It was quick, but the characters are so developed and likable.
This is different than anything I've ever read. It felt like the pilot episode to a great TV series.
I found myself, smirking, and laughing so much reading this. It was quick, but the characters are so developed and likable.
This is different than anything I've ever read. It felt like the pilot episode to a great TV series.
mikilukee's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ceceewing_'s review against another edition
4.0
A monster-of-the-week story set in a well worn, beautifully expansive world. It is unique, charming, and deeply magical in a way that only asks for more stories to be told.
indiekay's review against another edition
5.0
Fun little mystery! Not necessary to read this one before reading the Master of Djinn.