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emily_mh's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was another fantastic novella from Clark set in his alt-history steampunk 1910s Cairo! I’m truly in love with the setting of this world, and in this book it was really brought to the forefront, the plot being focussed on this Cairo’s network of aerial trams!!
The plot further expands the world-building in how it ties in the religious and political diversity and tensions of the setting. There’s a particular focus on women (and how AMAZING they are), as Egypt’s women are fighting for suffrage, and womanhood is otherwise tied into the story. Ironically, our MC and his investigative partner are men, though they are very endearing ones at that. Furthermore, the pacing of the plot was once again well-executed.
I was really intrigued by the brief commentary on this Cairo’s thinking machines. The narrative poses the question: if they can think, are they beings in their own right, and thus is our use of them enslavement? The parallels were AI are striking.
Overall, this was thoroughly enjoyable and well-done.
Rep: Muslim Egyptian MC, Egyptian SCs
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Kidnapping, Violence, Child death, and Animal death
Minor: Alcoholism, Addiction, Death, Misogyny, Infertility, Blood, Gore, Vomit, Gun violence, Ableism, Alcohol, Racism, Colonisation, Mental illness, Slavery, and Fire/Fire injury
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