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harmonictempest's review
3.0
There should definitely be more Middle Eastern (is that the right term?) fantasy. I enjoy the setting, the unfamiliar mythologies and cultures, and the chance to see fantasy imagined from viewpoints less bound to Tolkiens legacy.
This one was competently written but I found nothing in particular to recommend or dislike about it.
This one was competently written but I found nothing in particular to recommend or dislike about it.
mastersal's review against another edition
3.0
Noting rating - review to come
Overall I liked the book - the PoV of having a 60 year old ghul hunter in an Arabian-esque setting was a great hook to keep reading.
Some shakiness in the plotting and especially the second half kept this book back from me but worth the read. I liked it.
Also I do wonder if the lack of a sequel is colouring my rating. Maybe I expected that some stuff would be explored in the next book and knowing there isn’t one is annoying me. Probably… because there are some great portion here which could have made this a solid 7 out of 10 for me if not higher.
Overall I liked the book - the PoV of having a 60 year old ghul hunter in an Arabian-esque setting was a great hook to keep reading.
Some shakiness in the plotting and especially the second half kept this book back from me but worth the read. I liked it.
Also I do wonder if the lack of a sequel is colouring my rating. Maybe I expected that some stuff would be explored in the next book and knowing there isn’t one is annoying me. Probably… because there are some great portion here which could have made this a solid 7 out of 10 for me if not higher.
rickwren's review
2.0
You know - meh.
I just couldn't get into it. I was continually distracted by more interesting things, like work or politics or what was on sale at Target.
I don't know if it was fantastic, because every time I looked at it the story vanished. I couldn't remember which characters were important or why. I couldn't hold the plot in mind. I couldn't understand what was going on.
Perhaps it's just one of those books I never connected with.
I just couldn't get into it. I was continually distracted by more interesting things, like work or politics or what was on sale at Target.
I don't know if it was fantastic, because every time I looked at it the story vanished. I couldn't remember which characters were important or why. I couldn't hold the plot in mind. I couldn't understand what was going on.
Perhaps it's just one of those books I never connected with.
thinkspink's review
3.0
It's really good for fantasy! Some great moments - mostly involving Raseed, an instantly memorable fantasy character who could have been very easily been an offensive stereotype.
Some major flaws as well though. Things start to drag about midway through the novel, and you get the Wheel Of Time-esque pit in your stomach when you realise that there is too much here to resolve in 1 or 2 novels. There will be at least 3 of these... And the bad guy's motivation could generously be described as sketchy.
But enough promise here that I will read the 2nd. It has a Scott Lynch quote on the front - I thought it was way better than that.
Some major flaws as well though. Things start to drag about midway through the novel, and you get the Wheel Of Time-esque pit in your stomach when you realise that there is too much here to resolve in 1 or 2 novels. There will be at least 3 of these... And the bad guy's motivation could generously be described as sketchy.
But enough promise here that I will read the 2nd. It has a Scott Lynch quote on the front - I thought it was way better than that.
umairah's review
2.0
This book was only 288 pages which is pretty short but reading it was the most tedious, frustrating chore imaginable
cediamond's review
5.0
An amazing first book of an upcoming trilogy. Ahmed does a fantastic job of creating a world of Arabic influence, decidedly different than the standard Euro-centric fantasy that dominates the field. I look forward to seeing Ahmed's next book.
raven_morgan's review
Part of the 2013 Hugo packet.
Started reading, for the sake of trying to read all of the novels, but didn't grab me within the first 10%. May come back to at a later stage.
Started reading, for the sake of trying to read all of the novels, but didn't grab me within the first 10%. May come back to at a later stage.
conlangen's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pagesofash's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0