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breadandmushrooms's review
adventurous
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
2.5
midici's review
3.0
~spoilers~
Did I go looking for this right after I read The Haunting of Tram Car 015? Yes, yes I did. And I found it here: https://www.tor.com/2016/05/18/a-dead-djinn-in-cairo/
This is another mini prequel, similar to the first one I read, though chronologically this story comes first. However, at the end of The Haunting of Tram Car 015 Hamed is asking Fatima to tell him what happened in her super secret investigation that involved angels - aka A Dead Djinn in Cairo. So reading this directly afterwards had the lovely effect of picking up almost exactly where the last one left off.
This is a story about Fatima, who works the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities. An investigation into a djinn who committed suicide becomes a much bigger problem when the suicides turn out to e related to a rash of ghul attacks, and an attempt to open a portal to let in 'dark gods'. It's fun, and I liked learning more about Siti, who is a key character in the Tram investigation as well. The two of them flirting throughout the story was fun; Fatima's little story about wearing an English suit so she can look "exotic" was a nice touch.
The Tram story gave me a lot of excellent worldbuilding in this universe. Fatima's story provides a bit more detail on the mess that is religion in a world where magic and beings that call themselves angels exist alongside humans.
Did I go looking for this right after I read The Haunting of Tram Car 015? Yes, yes I did. And I found it here: https://www.tor.com/2016/05/18/a-dead-djinn-in-cairo/
This is another mini prequel, similar to the first one I read, though chronologically this story comes first. However, at the end of The Haunting of Tram Car 015 Hamed is asking Fatima to tell him what happened in her super secret investigation that involved angels - aka A Dead Djinn in Cairo. So reading this directly afterwards had the lovely effect of picking up almost exactly where the last one left off.
This is a story about Fatima, who works the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities. An investigation into a djinn who committed suicide becomes a much bigger problem when the suicides turn out to e related to a rash of ghul attacks, and an attempt to open a portal to let in 'dark gods'. It's fun, and I liked learning more about Siti, who is a key character in the Tram investigation as well. The two of them flirting throughout the story was fun; Fatima's little story about wearing an English suit so she can look "exotic" was a nice touch.
The Tram story gave me a lot of excellent worldbuilding in this universe. Fatima's story provides a bit more detail on the mess that is religion in a world where magic and beings that call themselves angels exist alongside humans.
greys's review
adventurous
dark
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
3.5
bebe4l's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
a_reader_obsessed's review
4.0
4 Stars
The blurb really does say it all - 1900’s historical setting imbued with paranormal elements in a classic case of a whodunnit.
Look. I have a weird penchant for steampunk and that gets a book automatic bonus points.
Admittedly, I didn’t always recognize names or terms in this alternate Cairo. However, it doesn’t hurt that the female protagonist is resourceful, smart, and faces misogyny on a daily basis. One could tell she has a stalwart inner strength, knowing that she constantly has to prove herself, and I can’t help but admire such resilience.
Overall, a great introduction to this world and a heroine to root for. I definitely will be checking out the other installments in this series!
The blurb really does say it all - 1900’s historical setting imbued with paranormal elements in a classic case of a whodunnit.
Look. I have a weird penchant for steampunk and that gets a book automatic bonus points.
Admittedly, I didn’t always recognize names or terms in this alternate Cairo. However, it doesn’t hurt that the female protagonist is resourceful, smart, and faces misogyny on a daily basis. One could tell she has a stalwart inner strength, knowing that she constantly has to prove herself, and I can’t help but admire such resilience.
Overall, a great introduction to this world and a heroine to root for. I definitely will be checking out the other installments in this series!
minchowski's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5