Harare Review of Books

130 pages.

First published in 2019.

Finished reading on June 4, 2021.

Genre: Speculative Fiction / Fantasy / Steampunk.

The Haunting of Tram Car 015 returns to the alternate Cairo of Clark’s short fiction, where humans live and work alongside otherworldly beings; the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities handles the issues that can arise between the magical and the mundane. Senior Agent Hamed al-Nasr shows his new partner Agent Onsi the ropes of investigation when they are called to subdue a dangerous, possessed tram car. What starts off as a simple matter of exorcism, however, becomes more complicated as the origins of the demon inside are revealed.

I don’t read much fantasy at all. I like my fantastical reads set on other planets (strictly without aliens). I don’t remember how I first stumbled on P. Djèlí Clark’s work, but I’m glad I did. Absolutely delightful!

This novella is the second of his I’ve read, and is set in a kind of alternate history Cairo. Steampunk is always fun, but here there are djinn, too! 🤩 So impressed am I with the author’s world-building that I looked him up after I finished this book, and was blown away to discover he’s an American historian. I’m just super impressed, and that’s pretty much it.

Great characters, fun and rather creepy story. I read A Dead Djinn In Cairo first, and recommend that you do, too.

Rated: 8/10