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thenightofcups's review
4.0
Wow. So. What seems like forever ago I got an email from the author asking me if I'd be interested in a Middle Eastern Batman story, and I didn't just say yes, I said HELL YES! I may be a little biased because I'm a well known Batman lover, but I am so amazed by the final product. Recai's struggles (and brattishness) was so well written, it held my attention from start to finish.
Hasad is easily my favorite character. I loved the father role he took up for Recai, and I loved the way he was with his daughter.
I will say that this book is not for the weak of stomach or the faint of heart. It's a very realistic peek into what some people deal with as a daily part of their life. This isn't the stuff we see plastered on the news. This is real, and gritty, and wonderful. I encourage everyone to read this book, because in this day of media mania the only picture of Islam we get is a violent one. It's so important to remember that the vast majority of Muslims aren't violent, and dislike the twisted nature of their religion that the jihadists throw in the world's face.
Shadow on the Wall is a brilliant, heartbreaking, soulful, and informative look into the lives of everyday Muslims just trying to serve God and live their lives. Open your heart and give this book a chance. You won't regret it.
Hasad is easily my favorite character. I loved the father role he took up for Recai, and I loved the way he was with his daughter.
I will say that this book is not for the weak of stomach or the faint of heart. It's a very realistic peek into what some people deal with as a daily part of their life. This isn't the stuff we see plastered on the news. This is real, and gritty, and wonderful. I encourage everyone to read this book, because in this day of media mania the only picture of Islam we get is a violent one. It's so important to remember that the vast majority of Muslims aren't violent, and dislike the twisted nature of their religion that the jihadists throw in the world's face.
Shadow on the Wall is a brilliant, heartbreaking, soulful, and informative look into the lives of everyday Muslims just trying to serve God and live their lives. Open your heart and give this book a chance. You won't regret it.
raeanne's review against another edition
5.0
I won a copy through a giveaway from Fighting Monkey Press.
Content Warning : Rape (Explicit, In Scene, Multiple), Abuse, Bigotry,
If you’re religiously sentimental and cannot handle reading about other culture’s beliefs then I’d only recommended it if you’re willing to expand your horizons. It’s not like recruiting material or anything so I don’t see the problem personally. But I’m not religious so w/e. It’s just there as a part of the culture like Christian countries. People just don’t see how ubiquitous around them usually.
Okay, so I haven’t read the comics (just seen several movie franchises) but I’m loving Recai’s backstory so much more than Batman’s. His parent’s story alone is far more interesting than just shot in an alley and I’m SO looking forward to finding out the truth behind the mystery.
Plus, who was the woman at the bar and how did he end up in the desert?
Plus, we don’t see a lot of him being an irresponsible playboy, then he’s repentant and actually makes strives to change. He may have been a brat before this book starts but we start the journey with him as he starts tumbling down so eh.
Plus, him using women’s coverings (shit, forgot if it’s hijab or burka) to protect his identity? Brilliant and great symbolism. Hope he keeps it up.
Plus, his traumatic event and wayward path is…arresting. I do wish we saw more of this training but, eh that’s not usual and can be very dull and irritating since they’re regressed as characters.
Plus, this world, its building and decline, its politics and injustices is so much better than a flat city with vapid ubervillians “trying to take over the world”. It’s grounded. And heartbreaking.
[Spoiler Redacted] is shaping up to be a kickass "Catwoman". She’s darker. She’s a victim. She’s a predator. She’s a product of her environment and her own twisted mindset. She does use her sexuality but 1.) it makes sense, 2.) It’s shown how it’s a double-edge weapon (not in a victim-blaming way), 3.) Every woman doesn’t use it and finally 4.) her sexuality isn’t her Achilles’ heel or a flaw (same for other women).
Fuck yes, all the portrayals of women are fantastic!
I LOVE this Superhero, setting, and story. My only issue is it’s been 4 years since being published and there isn’t a sequel! FFS! :((((((
Content Warning : Rape (Explicit, In Scene, Multiple), Abuse, Bigotry,
If you’re religiously sentimental and cannot handle reading about other culture’s beliefs then I’d only recommended it if you’re willing to expand your horizons. It’s not like recruiting material or anything so I don’t see the problem personally. But I’m not religious so w/e. It’s just there as a part of the culture like Christian countries. People just don’t see how ubiquitous around them usually.
Okay, so I haven’t read the comics (just seen several movie franchises) but I’m loving Recai’s backstory so much more than Batman’s. His parent’s story alone is far more interesting than just shot in an alley and I’m SO looking forward to finding out the truth behind the mystery.
Plus, who was the woman at the bar and how did he end up in the desert?
Plus, we don’t see a lot of him being an irresponsible playboy, then he’s repentant and actually makes strives to change. He may have been a brat before this book starts but we start the journey with him as he starts tumbling down so eh.
Plus, him using women’s coverings (shit, forgot if it’s hijab or burka) to protect his identity? Brilliant and great symbolism. Hope he keeps it up.
Plus, his traumatic event and wayward path is…arresting. I do wish we saw more of this training but, eh that’s not usual and can be very dull and irritating since they’re regressed as characters.
Plus, this world, its building and decline, its politics and injustices is so much better than a flat city with vapid ubervillians “trying to take over the world”. It’s grounded. And heartbreaking.
[Spoiler Redacted] is shaping up to be a kickass "Catwoman". She’s darker. She’s a victim. She’s a predator. She’s a product of her environment and her own twisted mindset. She does use her sexuality but 1.) it makes sense, 2.) It’s shown how it’s a double-edge weapon (not in a victim-blaming way), 3.) Every woman doesn’t use it and finally 4.) her sexuality isn’t her Achilles’ heel or a flaw (same for other women).
Fuck yes, all the portrayals of women are fantastic!
I LOVE this Superhero, setting, and story. My only issue is it’s been 4 years since being published and there isn’t a sequel! FFS! :((((((
misamille's review against another edition
5.0
Another brilliant story from Pavarti! <3 Full review to come soon!!!!
xan_van_rooyen's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, Shadow on the Wall is quite a story. While I usually shy away from books with overt religious and political themes, I was immediately intrigued by the premise of this book. I love foreign settings and the sand bowl setting of this book (set in Turkey) did not disappoint.
This story could be considered controversial but I think the author handled the religious and political content with elegance. At no point did the story start to feel didactic. This is a story about the characters and a great cast they are. Each are flawed and each have their own unique strengths. This is not a traditional superhero story and I really loved that!
While the pacing was slow at times and the shifting POVs a little off-putting, this book was still a thrilling read and I recommend it to anyone who wants to experience something fresh and different. Be warned, the book does contain some fairly graphic violence so this is probably a book for 17+.
This story could be considered controversial but I think the author handled the religious and political content with elegance. At no point did the story start to feel didactic. This is a story about the characters and a great cast they are. Each are flawed and each have their own unique strengths. This is not a traditional superhero story and I really loved that!
While the pacing was slow at times and the shifting POVs a little off-putting, this book was still a thrilling read and I recommend it to anyone who wants to experience something fresh and different. Be warned, the book does contain some fairly graphic violence so this is probably a book for 17+.
ctorretta's review against another edition
4.0
Ok, now don’t go letting that synopsis throw you! I know it talks about Allah and I was wondering if it was going to be a deeply, overly religious book but I was pleasantly surprised! Yes it is about a culture who worships Allah and that is added in but it is not overly religious! Actually with how some of Recai’s powers work out there could probably be a little bit more praise and I still wouldn’t have been thrown off.
This is an intensely interesting story about a culture that is so very different from my own. It’s amazing and yet was easy to read. I literally tore through it. The first few pages were a little slow for me but I think it was mainly because I was waiting for the shoe to drop, for that religious aspect to rear it’s ugly head. But Pavarti K. Tyler does a remarkable job of adding in just enough religion to make the characters in this world believable and lovable.
Recai for instance is a really interesting guy. He starts out just like every other young, rich male, with no cause to support and then finds that there are indeed things that he wants to not only support but fight for. His growth is amazing to watch. The rest of the characters also matched him in intelligence and behavior. And although Recai is a great character without the support from other characters like Hasad, the aging older father figure, Recai wouldn’t have known the greatness that he found.
The villain in this book is great! I can not say anything but I loved it! Only downside for me were the politics and there was a LOT but the plot was really well planned and of course ended on a cliff hanger!! But it’s a dang good cliff hanger and it is making me wait for Sandstorm Chronicle #2 with bated breath!
This is an intensely interesting story about a culture that is so very different from my own. It’s amazing and yet was easy to read. I literally tore through it. The first few pages were a little slow for me but I think it was mainly because I was waiting for the shoe to drop, for that religious aspect to rear it’s ugly head. But Pavarti K. Tyler does a remarkable job of adding in just enough religion to make the characters in this world believable and lovable.
Recai for instance is a really interesting guy. He starts out just like every other young, rich male, with no cause to support and then finds that there are indeed things that he wants to not only support but fight for. His growth is amazing to watch. The rest of the characters also matched him in intelligence and behavior. And although Recai is a great character without the support from other characters like Hasad, the aging older father figure, Recai wouldn’t have known the greatness that he found.
The villain in this book is great! I can not say anything but I loved it! Only downside for me were the politics and there was a LOT but the plot was really well planned and of course ended on a cliff hanger!! But it’s a dang good cliff hanger and it is making me wait for Sandstorm Chronicle #2 with bated breath!
brokebybooks's review against another edition
5.0
I won a copy through a giveaway from Fighting Monkey Press.
Content Warning : Rape (Explicit, In Scene, Multiple), Abuse, Bigotry,
If you’re religiously sentimental and cannot handle reading about other culture’s beliefs then I’d only recommended it if you’re willing to expand your horizons. It’s not like recruiting material or anything so I don’t see the problem personally. But I’m not religious so w/e. It’s just there as a part of the culture like Christian countries. People just don’t see how ubiquitous around them usually.
Okay, so I haven’t read the comics (just seen several movie franchises) but I’m loving Recai’s backstory so much more than Batman’s. His parent’s story alone is far more interesting than just shot in an alley and I’m SO looking forward to finding out the truth behind the mystery.
Plus, who was the woman at the bar and how did he end up in the desert?
Plus, we don’t see a lot of him being an irresponsible playboy, then he’s repentant and actually makes strives to change. He may have been a brat before this book starts but we start the journey with him as he starts tumbling down so eh.
Plus, him using women’s coverings (shit, forgot if it’s hijab or burka) to protect his identity? Brilliant and great symbolism. Hope he keeps it up.
Plus, his traumatic event and wayward path is…arresting. I do wish we saw more of this training but, eh that’s not usual and can be very dull and irritating since they’re regressed as characters.
Plus, this world, its building and decline, its politics and injustices is so much better than a flat city with vapid ubervillians “trying to take over the world”. It’s grounded. And heartbreaking.
[Spoiler Redacted] is shaping up to be a kickass "Catwoman". She’s darker. She’s a victim. She’s a predator. She’s a product of her environment and her own twisted mindset. She does use her sexuality but 1.) it makes sense, 2.) It’s shown how it’s a double-edge weapon (not in a victim-blaming way), 3.) Every woman doesn’t use it and finally 4.) her sexuality isn’t her Achilles’ heel or a flaw (same for other women).
Fuck yes, all the portrayals of women are fantastic!
I LOVE this Superhero, setting, and story. My only issue is it’s been 4 years since being published and there isn’t a sequel! FFS! :((((((
Content Warning : Rape (Explicit, In Scene, Multiple), Abuse, Bigotry,
If you’re religiously sentimental and cannot handle reading about other culture’s beliefs then I’d only recommended it if you’re willing to expand your horizons. It’s not like recruiting material or anything so I don’t see the problem personally. But I’m not religious so w/e. It’s just there as a part of the culture like Christian countries. People just don’t see how ubiquitous around them usually.
Okay, so I haven’t read the comics (just seen several movie franchises) but I’m loving Recai’s backstory so much more than Batman’s. His parent’s story alone is far more interesting than just shot in an alley and I’m SO looking forward to finding out the truth behind the mystery.
Plus, who was the woman at the bar and how did he end up in the desert?
Plus, we don’t see a lot of him being an irresponsible playboy, then he’s repentant and actually makes strives to change. He may have been a brat before this book starts but we start the journey with him as he starts tumbling down so eh.
Plus, him using women’s coverings (shit, forgot if it’s hijab or burka) to protect his identity? Brilliant and great symbolism. Hope he keeps it up.
Plus, his traumatic event and wayward path is…arresting. I do wish we saw more of this training but, eh that’s not usual and can be very dull and irritating since they’re regressed as characters.
Plus, this world, its building and decline, its politics and injustices is so much better than a flat city with vapid ubervillians “trying to take over the world”. It’s grounded. And heartbreaking.
[Spoiler Redacted] is shaping up to be a kickass "Catwoman". She’s darker. She’s a victim. She’s a predator. She’s a product of her environment and her own twisted mindset. She does use her sexuality but 1.) it makes sense, 2.) It’s shown how it’s a double-edge weapon (not in a victim-blaming way), 3.) Every woman doesn’t use it and finally 4.) her sexuality isn’t her Achilles’ heel or a flaw (same for other women).
Fuck yes, all the portrayals of women are fantastic!
I LOVE this Superhero, setting, and story. My only issue is it’s been 4 years since being published and there isn’t a sequel! FFS! :((((((
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