Scan barcode
jeffkevlar's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this collection of short stories. Honestly, the only reason I didn't give it a five out of five is that the short story is not my favourite. I will always prefer full novels and the development of characters, settings and themes that can be achieved there.
That being said, each one of the stories in this collection was fun to read. Doctor Diablo Goes Through the Motions was a funny and fun look at the inner workings of an evil association of supervillians. I loved the Arabic/ 1001 nights feel of Where Virtue Lives and Judgement of Sword and Souls. And the mystical western was great.
This is the first I've read of Saladin Ahmed but it wont be my last.
That being said, each one of the stories in this collection was fun to read. Doctor Diablo Goes Through the Motions was a funny and fun look at the inner workings of an evil association of supervillians. I loved the Arabic/ 1001 nights feel of Where Virtue Lives and Judgement of Sword and Souls. And the mystical western was great.
This is the first I've read of Saladin Ahmed but it wont be my last.
kodermike's review against another edition
4.0
Saladin Ahmed's "Engraved on the Eye" offers a nice sampling of Ahmed's short fiction. Collected in this volume are three short stories set in the same world as his first novel, The Crescent Throne, as well as a western, sci-fi, bunnies with swords, and an urban fantasy. Readers unfamiliar with the Crescent Throne will find the stories a good starting point, while fans of Saladin Adhmed's will enjoy the additional background on a certain ghul hunter and his blue clothed dhervish.
Tying the eight stories of this volume are two themes existing fans will find familiar: the fantastical, told with a heavy Middle Eastern influence. If Bradbury had been Arabic and living in middle America, this is what his first story collection might have looked like, ghul's, djenn, and demons included.
Tying the eight stories of this volume are two themes existing fans will find familiar: the fantastical, told with a heavy Middle Eastern influence. If Bradbury had been Arabic and living in middle America, this is what his first story collection might have looked like, ghul's, djenn, and demons included.
pagesofash's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
shalot's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 Stars: the best story is the one I read before starting this collection so a bit disappointed.
jonmhansen's review against another edition
4.0
A collection of short fiction from Saladin Ahmed. I really enjoyed "Throne of the Crescent Moon," so reading this was a no-brainer. Quite good.
misssusan's review against another edition
3.0
huh. that was more interesting than i expected it to be
see i was in a weirdly specific mood last night where i wanted to read really traditional classic fantasy -- like the kind of thing sharon shinn or terry brooks writes
so i was combing through my unread books to find something that fit that description because i usually prefer authors who do something new in the genre
and then i was like WAIT. saladin ahmed! throne of the crescent moon wasn't original at all, THIS is the man i need
anyways. i think i got over the traditional fantasy craving quickly because the early stories set in the crescent moon verse proved to be some of the least interesting to me. luckily he branched out into different settings immediately after! i thought the stories were the perfect length honestly, you got these nice little genre bites -- western! contemporary! post-apocalyptic! supervillains! -- that didn't outstay their welcome. commonalities include focus on middle eastern culture and characters, old dudes who are 100% done with everything, and minimal women1
anyways based off this i think i'd probably be willing to give more of saladin ahmed's short stories a try. he's got a good sense of voice and it's nice to have an author who defaults to middle eastern over anglo. if nothing else i definitely got some joy out of getting to read a character in a novel wearing a gelabaya.
3 stars
1. look, i'm sorry but it's true. there's one female pov in the whole collection and while many of the men have female romantic interests they're all separated from them for various reasons -- iirc at least two are dead, one is dying, and two are unable to marry the dude for different reasons
see i was in a weirdly specific mood last night where i wanted to read really traditional classic fantasy -- like the kind of thing sharon shinn or terry brooks writes
so i was combing through my unread books to find something that fit that description because i usually prefer authors who do something new in the genre
and then i was like WAIT. saladin ahmed! throne of the crescent moon wasn't original at all, THIS is the man i need
anyways. i think i got over the traditional fantasy craving quickly because the early stories set in the crescent moon verse proved to be some of the least interesting to me. luckily he branched out into different settings immediately after! i thought the stories were the perfect length honestly, you got these nice little genre bites -- western! contemporary! post-apocalyptic! supervillains! -- that didn't outstay their welcome. commonalities include focus on middle eastern culture and characters, old dudes who are 100% done with everything, and minimal women1
anyways based off this i think i'd probably be willing to give more of saladin ahmed's short stories a try. he's got a good sense of voice and it's nice to have an author who defaults to middle eastern over anglo. if nothing else i definitely got some joy out of getting to read a character in a novel wearing a gelabaya.
3 stars
1. look, i'm sorry but it's true. there's one female pov in the whole collection and while many of the men have female romantic interests they're all separated from them for various reasons -- iirc at least two are dead, one is dying, and two are unable to marry the dude for different reasons
anonblueberry's review
4.0
A bit hit and miss, but I find that is generally the case with short story collections. That said, I'm glad I picked it up.
bethebookworm's review
5.0
A lovely book of short stories, and goes on my short list of good fantasy which thinks outside the European tropes. Looking forward to reading more by Saldin Ahmed.
mmelibertine's review
4.0
An absolutely lovely collection. There's humor here, and sorrow, and so very, very much beauty. 'Hooves and the Hovel of Abdel Jameela' has stuck with me since I read it. (I'm already looking forward to re-reading and finding new things to love.)
rodterez07's review against another edition
4.0
A Refreshing Change
Reading this collection of genre shorts by acclaimed author Saladin Ahmed was like slaking a thirst you didn't know you had.
It goes without saying the majority of speculative fiction (especially epic fantasy) is told from the perspective of White European traditions.
However, these collected stories are brilliantly told through a Middle Eastern cultural lens. They are original, provocative, exotic, and mesmerizing.
Engraved On The Eye is a shining testament to the need for the inclusion of more diverse cultural perspectives in speculative fiction. Both fans of the genre, and the genre itself, would be far more richer for it.
Reading this collection of genre shorts by acclaimed author Saladin Ahmed was like slaking a thirst you didn't know you had.
It goes without saying the majority of speculative fiction (especially epic fantasy) is told from the perspective of White European traditions.
However, these collected stories are brilliantly told through a Middle Eastern cultural lens. They are original, provocative, exotic, and mesmerizing.
Engraved On The Eye is a shining testament to the need for the inclusion of more diverse cultural perspectives in speculative fiction. Both fans of the genre, and the genre itself, would be far more richer for it.