redhead_witch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-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
4.25
emaretea's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
karinreadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
glkrose's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was fun! I was already familiar with the universe, but I felt like this was more fast-paced. Maybe because it was a novella. But really, full of interesting characters and lore. Definitely need to read the others.
jiaojiao's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
4.0
This review is broadly for P. Djèlí Clark’s A Dead Djinn in Cairo (free short story on tor.com), The Angel of Khan el-Khalili (free short story on tor.com), and The Haunting of Tram Car 015 (paid novella). Clark set this series in a magical alternate history steampunk Cairo that’s been dramatically transformed by the arrival of djinn and other beings previously only found in mythology. I’m not from any Arabic speaking or North African ethic groups, so I can’t speak to the authenticity of what was portrayed in the series.
Outside of that, Clark’s writing works really well for me, and I found all three short stories to be really quick reads. The series so far is really heavily driven by the plot. I find his characters lovable in their own ways. But, though they have their own personal stories, those stories aren’t as important to the plot. Instead, each plotline focused more on another layer of worldbuilding through a mystery that the MCs have to solve. A Dead Djinn in Cairo and The Haunting of Tram Car 015 in particular follow government agents as they investigate a conspiracy and a haunting, respectively.
I was really impressed with how much worldbuilding Clark was able to get to in such a short novella. I wouldn’t recommend his series if you’re really into introspective or character driven narratives. But if you like imaginative worldbuilding, alternate history steampunk, or magical steampunk with a diverse cast, I think you would like the series!
Outside of that, Clark’s writing works really well for me, and I found all three short stories to be really quick reads. The series so far is really heavily driven by the plot. I find his characters lovable in their own ways. But, though they have their own personal stories, those stories aren’t as important to the plot. Instead, each plotline focused more on another layer of worldbuilding through a mystery that the MCs have to solve. A Dead Djinn in Cairo and The Haunting of Tram Car 015 in particular follow government agents as they investigate a conspiracy and a haunting, respectively.
I was really impressed with how much worldbuilding Clark was able to get to in such a short novella. I wouldn’t recommend his series if you’re really into introspective or character driven narratives. But if you like imaginative worldbuilding, alternate history steampunk, or magical steampunk with a diverse cast, I think you would like the series!
spiderfelt's review against another edition
5.0
It’s difficult to succinctly describe all of the reasons I love this book. Th world building is clever, revealing itself incrementally, as needed, layering a mixture of original elements over known analogs that have existed in other times or places. I love decoding unfamiliar words, exclamations and expressions in context and with repetition. I intend to read everything written by P. Djeli Clark, and fully intend to foist his work into the hands of everyone I meet.
moonlit_shelves's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kawooreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I have been meaning to read more by this author since I read Ring Shout. This is an excellent little novella that takes place in early 20th century Cairo. As women fight for the right to vote, a possession is in progress in a tram high up in the sky. Two members of the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities must figure out what has taken control of this tram and why. It's like Ghostbusters, but in 1912 Egypt. I loved it, and it was nice to read a novella that felt complete, that didn't leave me with unanswered questions, and that didn't feel too short or lacking. Apparently, this story is part of a series of stories that take place in this world where djinns, machine-men, and humans live together in Cairo, which is the most developed city in the world. The stories can be read in any order, so now I must hunt down the rest!
wisecraic's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0