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A review by anna_hepworth
Fire Boy by Sami Shah
4.0
I initially received this as a free ebook from BookBub or similar marketing site; I have subsequently purchased a physical copy
Tightly written, beautifully realised urban fantasy. Deft weaving of political, religions, and personal aspects of the lives of the characters. Religious aspects are possibly a little heavy handed for those who are already familiar with Islam, but as a reader from a different religious tradition, I found it helpful. Similarly, I suspect some of the level of detail in the setting would be excessive for people familiar with Karachi and the way of life of its upper classes, but for me, it was useful to give a sense of place. The characterisation is good, but not great - I had difficulties with distinguishing some of the up-and-coming young men from scene to scene, and even the villains were a little mechanical at times, but the main character came through quite clearly as the spoiled only son of a somewhat wealthy family.
My main complaint is the ending - the story just seemed to stop, without any really clear idea of having achieved more than setting the scene for a bigger story. Given that this is part one of two, I have hopes of the sequel.
Tightly written, beautifully realised urban fantasy. Deft weaving of political, religions, and personal aspects of the lives of the characters. Religious aspects are possibly a little heavy handed for those who are already familiar with Islam, but as a reader from a different religious tradition, I found it helpful. Similarly, I suspect some of the level of detail in the setting would be excessive for people familiar with Karachi and the way of life of its upper classes, but for me, it was useful to give a sense of place. The characterisation is good, but not great - I had difficulties with distinguishing some of the up-and-coming young men from scene to scene, and even the villains were a little mechanical at times, but the main character came through quite clearly as the spoiled only son of a somewhat wealthy family.
My main complaint is the ending - the story just seemed to stop, without any really clear idea of having achieved more than setting the scene for a bigger story. Given that this is part one of two, I have hopes of the sequel.