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A review by bridge_overbooked
Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was surprised that I had never heard of this book before I included it as part of a Read Around the World Challenge - it won the 2013 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel! I enjoyed some aspects of this book, especially the mythology and learning more about Arabic and Islamic cultures. However, the pacing was extremely uneven, the supporting character development was weak, and the technology was not coherent. I was interested in how the book unfolded, but I was ultimately not satisfied with the ending and expected more.
"Alif the Unseen" is a blend of cyberpunk and fantasy set in an unnamed Middle Eastern city on the brink of revolution. The story follows Alif, a young Arab-Indian hacker, who finds himself entangled in a dangerous web of politics and magic after his forbidden relationship with a woman from a higher social class is discovered. With the help of a jinn and a group of rebels, Alif must navigate a world where technology and ancient mysticism collide while fighting against a corrupt government and powerful adversaries. As he discovers the true extent of his abilities and the secrets hidden within the digital realm, Alif learns that liberation can only be achieved through embracing his identity and confronting the forces that seek to control him.
"Alif the Unseen" is a blend of cyberpunk and fantasy set in an unnamed Middle Eastern city on the brink of revolution. The story follows Alif, a young Arab-Indian hacker, who finds himself entangled in a dangerous web of politics and magic after his forbidden relationship with a woman from a higher social class is discovered. With the help of a jinn and a group of rebels, Alif must navigate a world where technology and ancient mysticism collide while fighting against a corrupt government and powerful adversaries. As he discovers the true extent of his abilities and the secrets hidden within the digital realm, Alif learns that liberation can only be achieved through embracing his identity and confronting the forces that seek to control him.