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alice_speilburg's review against another edition
5.0
Wilson took the fantastic elements that I love — ancient myths, magic, a fine line between reality and imagination — and built them into an entirely new setting, a setting that’s real and contemporary, but so far from home that I could not imagine it without Alif as a guide. This book made me think about why a woman chooses to wear a veil and why Western people would immerse themselves in an Eastern culture. It included enough familiar references, like The Golden Compass and the story of Aladdin and the lamp, that encouraged me to find the common denominator between the cultures, even though their mythical creatures were strange ethereal images flashing between beast, monster and man.
The deft blending of familiar and foreign wrapped me up into this tale, and left me wanting more. Honestly, when left with the choice to read about orcs or a jinn called Vikram the Vampire, who wouldn’t be more curious about the latter?
The deft blending of familiar and foreign wrapped me up into this tale, and left me wanting more. Honestly, when left with the choice to read about orcs or a jinn called Vikram the Vampire, who wouldn’t be more curious about the latter?
jackierabbit's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
squirrelsohno's review against another edition
5.0
Um, loved it of course, but I feel like it leaves room for more.
4.5/5
4.5/5
amshmobr's review against another edition
4.0
The combination of fantasy/ancient beliefs with hacker culture and espionage, set against the backdrop of the Arab Spring makes for a damn fine story. And the author pulled it off spectacularly. A very unusual and entertaining story.
imaant's review against another edition
3.0
4 stars for the unique fantasy world Willow Wilson created
3 stars for the characters and plot (I’m looking at you Alif)
An average of 3.5 stars for this novel
It’s a rare fantasy novel that’s based in the middle-east. It shows the diversity in the Muslim world, and doesn’t follow the western narrative of portraying Muslims as terorrists (who would’ve thought). I guess it’s this reason that makes this book popular because even though the protagonist (Alif) is a mysoginistic idiot, it takes back the Muslim narrative, creates a unique fantasy world and represents the middle eastern culture - the good and the bad - honestly.
I found the characters to be a bit mechanical, and some parts of the plot to be random.
All in all, I would recommend this book because it’s a lovely alternative to the western based fantasy novels we have atm but beware of the plot-holes and the flat characters.
3 stars for the characters and plot (I’m looking at you Alif)
An average of 3.5 stars for this novel
It’s a rare fantasy novel that’s based in the middle-east. It shows the diversity in the Muslim world, and doesn’t follow the western narrative of portraying Muslims as terorrists (who would’ve thought). I guess it’s this reason that makes this book popular because even though the protagonist (Alif) is a mysoginistic idiot, it takes back the Muslim narrative, creates a unique fantasy world and represents the middle eastern culture - the good and the bad - honestly.
I found the characters to be a bit mechanical, and some parts of the plot to be random.
All in all, I would recommend this book because it’s a lovely alternative to the western based fantasy novels we have atm but beware of the plot-holes and the flat characters.
bibliofish's review against another edition
couldn't get into it, plus I'm so tired of the whole white people writing non white stories but marrying into the culture for immunity
waqasmhd's review against another edition
3.0
I give it 3.5...
..because despite I felt it was tad childish, it kept me interested enough till end. No amount of reviews could've prepared me for this book. Its unique, it is fun thriller and an easy read. But although it tried to mix a lot of Islamic/religious and real political stuff, it still felt like modern aladdin type of story.
One nitpick- since this is story about computer techie/hacker, it uses a lot of tech jargon, which at times sound pretentious and silly.
..because despite I felt it was tad childish, it kept me interested enough till end. No amount of reviews could've prepared me for this book. Its unique, it is fun thriller and an easy read. But although it tried to mix a lot of Islamic/religious and real political stuff, it still felt like modern aladdin type of story.
One nitpick- since this is story about computer techie/hacker, it uses a lot of tech jargon, which at times sound pretentious and silly.
emilypeartree's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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
2.5
pizzamyheart's review against another edition
2.0
After just over 200 pages, it's time to throw in the towel. I had so much hope for this book. In short, Alif the Unseen is about a hacker named Alif who gets into trouble with the government. While on the run he receives an ancient copy of One Thousand and One Nights, and meets a real life Jinni. It's part quest, part love story, part retelling, part love story, part hot mess. I was really into the plotline, but I couldn't get behind the cast of characters. Most of it seemed rather predictable, and the other pieces just made little sense. I read a summary of the second half and am glad to be throwing in the towel. Most of it made me roll my eyes.
I'd be interested to see this made into a teen tv series. The rest of the book is a hard pass
I'd be interested to see this made into a teen tv series. The rest of the book is a hard pass
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
3.0
A fantasy novel with a contemporary urban Arabian setting that combines computer hacking and jinns in an unlikely but mostly successful blend. The book also contains romance elements that were, likewise, mostly successful. I liked Alif, the young protagonist well enough, and liked several of the secondary characters more, including Vikram and Sheikh Bilal. I found the software technobabble a little unconvincing and the book maybe in need of a little tightening, but I enjoyed it.