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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
novella42's review against another edition
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
4.0
Excellent worldbuilding!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Gore, and Violence
Minor: Misogyny, Miscarriage, Blood, Medical trauma, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Body horror, and Animal death
surdiablo's review
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.0
That was pretty fun! It's not as great as Ring Shout but considerably better than the previous 2 short stories set in the same universe, with more fleshed-out details and intriguing detective work. As usual, the setting/environment stands out most, and the book had me laughing occasionally which was a pleasant surprise. The lack of djinns/angels was noticeable since they took a backseat this time, and the main character is somewhat lackluster, but the side characters and plot are interesting enough to keep you entertained still. I'm eagerly looking forward to reading the next book, as I believe this world has the potential to be something even more amazing as a fully-fledged novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Sexism
rorareads55's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Cursing
Minor: Animal death and Gore
vivavia's review
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Misogyny, Child death, Death, Pregnancy, Slavery, and Injury/Injury detail
rowan_reviews's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Haunting of Tram Car 015 is about two men who are investigating a.. well, a haunted tram car, and it's not as straight forward as they thought it'd be.
I enjoyed how the seemingly unrelated background cultural/societal/political information was woven within and throughout the story, with all the loose ends neatly tied up. The story takes a few twists and turns, which adds to the fun.
All in all it was a satisfying and quick read.
I enjoyed how the seemingly unrelated background cultural/societal/political information was woven within and throughout the story, with all the loose ends neatly tied up. The story takes a few twists and turns, which adds to the fun.
All in all it was a satisfying and quick read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood and Animal death
thereaderfriend's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Had higher expectations for this :/ the potential was there but not executed well. Did like the wacky mysterious vibes. Didn't like the women's suffrage subplot to the main plot. That wasn't good. Didn't like the MC but the rest of it was decent. Definitely a starting novella for the author. Liked the monster action and world building. Looking forward to Fatma's book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Sexism, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Violence, Gore, and Animal death
Minor: Blood, Misogyny, and Xenophobia
aardwyrm's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
I really like Clark's work and all the weirdness and reflection on human frailty and fundamental potential for goodness and cool monster action is here, though you can kinda tell it's an earlier work (lot of "as you know, Bob" dialogue), the exposition dumps sit lightly because the bizarre worldbuilding is a large part of the draw.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Pregnancy, Sexism, Blood, Cannibalism, and Gore
ellenareads's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
- 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
I LOVED this novella. I quite enjoyed the first short story in this series and fell in love with the world and hoped to read more from those characters. This one was no different. I hope there are more fiction coming from Hamed and Onsi . Can't wait to expand on this world and find out more about Fatma in the next novel from this universe.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Blood and Animal death
awpatton's review
adventurous
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Sexism
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, and Gore