A review by mat_tobin
The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi
3.0
It's twelve-year-old Farah's birthday. Alongside having to entertain her younger brother, Ahmad also has her friends to attend to. She needn't worry though as her favourite aunt has arrived with a special gift just for her. When Farah finally manages to find the time to open it, she and her friends, Essie and Alex discover it is not what her aunt had promised: a book. Instead it appears to be an altogether different object: a game-board imbued with magical properties (Jumanji-style). Not only does the game expand and grow but it also whisks them away to a realm created and ruled by the Architect. Excitement soon gives way to fear though since the game has taken Farah's brother. Not only that, the rules of the game mean that if any challenge is failed then the contenders must remain in The Gauntlet for all time.
Riazi's novel is quick and pacy and I thought that the first half set the scene well. Each of Farah's friends are different yet potentially engaging but her brother borders on annoying rather than sympathetic (he has ADHD but the condition is sweepingly considered rather than focused on). The games themselves within the Gauntlet are, for the most part, exciting but at times emotions and pace are confused and lost to other details. The rich world often overshadows time spent on character-building and growth.
For all these faults though, it was deeply refreshing to find another Muslim protagonist and some impressive world-building.
Riazi's novel is quick and pacy and I thought that the first half set the scene well. Each of Farah's friends are different yet potentially engaging but her brother borders on annoying rather than sympathetic (he has ADHD but the condition is sweepingly considered rather than focused on). The games themselves within the Gauntlet are, for the most part, exciting but at times emotions and pace are confused and lost to other details. The rich world often overshadows time spent on character-building and growth.
For all these faults though, it was deeply refreshing to find another Muslim protagonist and some impressive world-building.