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wanderinglynn's review against another edition
2.75
This book was just okay. I'm a bit baffled on how it won so many awards.
The setting is Cairo in 1912 and djinn and other supernatural elements have been "released" into the world. Maybe because I didn't read [book:A Dead Djinn in Cairo|29635542] first, but I thought the world-building was a little clunky. And I guess because it's a novella that it just comes right out with the fact the tram car is haunted. Of course, the title also gives that away, but I thought that there might be more investigating to it.
Upon entering chapter 2, there's a clunky transition with the women’s suffrage movement. The synopsis also mentions secret societies—I don't think I'd call it a secret society. It was more of a ritual that has been dismissed by the academics/scientific community.
Again, maybe because it was a novella, I thought that the main characters had a rather easy time of it. A bit too easy. They just happened to be overheard by someone who could help them. Someone who did something bad just happened to confess. It was all too convenient. And the character development was just okay.
An easy read. Nothing spectacular—definitely a let down from the hype I've heard.
The setting is Cairo in 1912 and djinn and other supernatural elements have been "released" into the world. Maybe because I didn't read [book:A Dead Djinn in Cairo|29635542] first, but I thought the world-building was a little clunky. And I guess because it's a novella that it just comes right out with the fact the tram car is haunted. Of course, the title also gives that away, but I thought that there might be more investigating to it.
Upon entering chapter 2, there's a clunky transition with the women’s suffrage movement. The synopsis also mentions secret societies—I don't think I'd call it a secret society. It was more of a ritual that has been dismissed by the academics/scientific community.
Again, maybe because it was a novella, I thought that the main characters had a rather easy time of it. A bit too easy. They just happened to be overheard by someone who could help them. Someone who did something bad just happened to confess. It was all too convenient. And the character development was just okay.
An easy read. Nothing spectacular—definitely a let down from the hype I've heard.
trin's review against another edition
4.0
Likable characters and highly entertaining world-building, even though some of the exposition is awkwardly presented, likely due to this novella's novellaness. This feels very much like a piece of a much larger story, which I can only hope Clark writes.
meggles801's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
chemifox's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
3.75
Fun read! Loved the world building and the central mystery, but it felt too short for me to fully connect with. I look forward to reading the novel set in the same universe.
atlantisfrost's review
adventurous
funny
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? No
5.0
Really enjoyed this novella! I love that Arabic terms are used throughout - I'm learning a lot. It feels like the author is intimately familiar with Egypt's geography, history, and language. The author also has such a vivid, lush vision of this steampunk, alternate-history Cairo - it feels like a real place! And Onsi's ramblings of historical details are such a nice addition. Can't wait to read more in the Dead Djinn universe.
thechanelmuse's review against another edition
5.0
The Haunting of Tram Car 015 is a historical fantasy-detective-steampunk adventure set in an alternate Cairo in 1912 where agents Hamed Nasr and Onsi of the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities investigate a haunted tram car juxtaposed in this bustling city with an Egyptian suffrage movement (women on the brink of gaining their right to vote). This novella has some witty moments and the worldbuilding is excellent.
pheebs1776's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
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
olyts's review
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.5