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mxsunny's review
4.0
Really enjoyable collection of short fantasy stories that center Muslim and Arab characters. Voice and setting for each story are well done and I was always interested in what would happen next.
andrewfontenelle's review
5.0
This is an excellent and somewhat unique collection of science fiction/fantasy tales by Saladin Ahmed. I would recommend this to sci-fi fans who are looking for something a little different.
nakiacookauthor's review
4.0
"Should be more." What can I day? I'm excited to see remnants of various familiar things in Saladin Ahmed's writing. I look forward to more.
wmhenrymorris's review
I like these stories. They are fun and interesting, and I enjoyed how Ahmed pulls from his ethno-religious background to add flavor and new twists to fantasy and sci-fi tropes. As of right now my favorite of the group is Mister Hadj’s Sunset Ride. I love how Ahmed takes the taciturn gunslinger type and posits that the taciturn strength behind him ties into faith rather than just being his natural disposition or born from some earlier pain (although there is pain there too).
curgoth's review
3.0
Range of short stories of Muslim themed SF/F. Some of the stories were great, some a little weak. Overall, quite good.
matthewreece's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty great stuff... Compelling worlds and characters. I could see many of these sketches expanded to full novels.
apocalyptus's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Violence
hornyforbooks's review
4.0
It was so nice reading fantasy and dystopian cyberpunk/post-apocalyptic stories set in worlds with different assumptions and cultural expectations than what I normally read. Such a lovely collection.
echotechne's review
4.0
I didn't realise this was a book of short stories when I originally picked it up (prompted by one of the many authors on Twitter), so I was a little surprised when the first chapter turned out to be the first story. Regardless, this is an excellent read. Fast-paced, punchy, enjoyable. The mythology is broadly Arabic and Islamic, which really does make a nice change from the usual fantasy fare I seem to end up reading. The magic systems the author uses are interesting, even if occasionally it does feel as though there are nods towards certain tropes and genres that are a bit too obvious. (There's a definite D&D party going on in the last story for instance.)
The story ideas themselves are fairly original, though a couple suffer from being crammed into the short story format. Mostly, they focus on ghul hunters and magical monsters (though there's a couple of dervishes and super-heroes thrown in for good measure), and a recurring theme of good people in unlikely packages. The language is fluid, the world-building rich, and the characters' voices have depth enough to make them likeable, even when they're not necesarily nice people.
Overall, it's a great intro to Ahmed's writing, and I very much look forward to getting his first full length novel when it's released in my area.
The story ideas themselves are fairly original, though a couple suffer from being crammed into the short story format. Mostly, they focus on ghul hunters and magical monsters (though there's a couple of dervishes and super-heroes thrown in for good measure), and a recurring theme of good people in unlikely packages. The language is fluid, the world-building rich, and the characters' voices have depth enough to make them likeable, even when they're not necesarily nice people.
Overall, it's a great intro to Ahmed's writing, and I very much look forward to getting his first full length novel when it's released in my area.
bungaku_shoujo's review
4.0
3.5
Where Virtue Lives 5/5
Hooves and the Hovel of Abdel Jameela 4/5
Judgment of Swords and Souls 3/5
Doctor Diablo Goes Through the Motions 3/5
General Akmed’s Revenge? 3/5
Mister Hadj’s Sunset Ride 3/5
The Faithful Soldier, Prompted 4/5
Iron Eyes and the Watered Down World 3/5
Where Virtue Lives 5/5
Hooves and the Hovel of Abdel Jameela 4/5
Judgment of Swords and Souls 3/5
Doctor Diablo Goes Through the Motions 3/5
General Akmed’s Revenge? 3/5
Mister Hadj’s Sunset Ride 3/5
The Faithful Soldier, Prompted 4/5
Iron Eyes and the Watered Down World 3/5