Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
DAW (New York, 2012). 1st edition, 1st printing. 274 pages. $24.95.
Description
The Crescent Moon Kingdoms, home to djenn and ghuls, holy warriors and heretics, are at the boiling point of a power struggle between the iron-fisted Khalif and the mysterious master thief known as the Falcon Prince. In the midst of this brewing rebellion a series of brutal supernatural murders strikes at the heart of the Kingdoms. It is up to a handful of heroes to learn the truth behind these killings: Doctor Adoulla Makhslood, "the last real ghul hunter in the great city of Dhamsawaat," just wants a quiet cup of tea. Three score and more years old, he has grown weary of hunting monsters and saving lives, and is more than ready to retire from his dangerous and demanding vocation. But when an old flame's family is murdered, Adoulla is drawn back to the hunter's path.Raseed bas Raseed, Adoulla's young assistant, is a hidebound holy warrior whose prowess is matched only by his piety. But even as Raseed's sword is tested by ghuls and manjackals, his soul is tested when he and Adoulla cross paths with the tribeswoman Zamia.Zamia Badawi, Protector of the Band, has been gifted with the near-mythical power of the lion-shape, but shunned by her people for daring to take up a man's title. She lives only to avenge her father's death. Until she learns that Adoulla and his allies also hunt her father's killer. Until she meets Raseed.When they learn that the murders and the Falcon Prince's brewing revolution are connected, the companions must race against time -- and struggle against their own misgivings -- to save the life of a vicious despot. In so doing they discover a plot for the Throne of the Crescent Moon that threatens to turn Dhamsawaat, and the world itself, into a blood-soaked ruin.… (more)
Media reviews
Library Journal
Set in a quasi-Middle Eastern city and populated with the supernatural creatures of Arab folklore, this long-awaited debut by a finalist for the Nebula and Campbell awards brings The Arabian Nights to sensuous life. The maturity and wisdom of Ahmed's older protagonists are a delightful contrast to
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the brave impulsiveness of their younger companions. This trilogy launch will delight fantasy lovers who enjoy flawed but honorable protagonists and a touch of the exotic. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member Fledgist
So many fantasies riff on the Mabinogion or Norse myth that it has become tiresome. This, thank goodness, does not. It opens up a door into a very different mythology. It tells, furthermore, a fascinating story, with intriguing characters, interesting politics, and some nicely done complexities.
LibraryThing member questbird
This book reminded my of someone's (pretty good) Dungeons and Dragons campaign. It's set in a fantastic Middle Eastern-like setting, in the vein of Prince of Persia or the Arabian Nights. The protagonists are Ghûl hunters, servants of God. The heroes are well-written, if a bit monodimensional. The
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plot races along from confrontation to confrontation until the (literal) Throne Room Battle with the Evil Villain. Although neither the setting nor the plot were particularly original, what was good about this book was the motivation of the heroes (who did nevertheless seem a bit like a band of larger-than life D&D adventurers). Show Less
LibraryThing member lexilewords
Sword and Sorcery with Arabian Nights flare, THRONE OF THE CRESCENT MOON was a book I would gobbled up and read endlessly as a teen. Instead of the usual medieval society setting we have a the lush and evocative world of the Crescent Moon Kingdoms. Ruled over by the Khalif, but haunted by the
What drew me in the most by the book is that the language is so very different from many of the fantasies I read today. Even while tossing insults, trading barbs and outright insulting one and other the characters were formal in their speech and that intrigued me. Adoulla, our main character and an unlikely hero at the advanced age of 60, places great stock in the niceties, even while facing his foes.
Ahmed has a nice contrast between Adoulla's righteous, stubborn and sometimes reckless assistant Raseed, the vengeful, powerful and often violent Zamia and Adoulla's own arrogance and lassitude in regards to the future. This isn't to say Adoulla isn't keen to solve the murders, or find the Falcon Prince, but he's so confident he will that there leaves little room for doubt. He says it will be, so it will be.
For many this won't be their cup of tea--whether its Ahmed's choice of a hero or the more thoughtful, less action oriented tone of the book, this won't please everyone. For those who are looking for a fantasy with a different sense of magic, who's hero is confident in himself, and not some young pup fresh-faced and unseasoned...this will work wonderfully and make them eager for the next volume.
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master thief the Falcon Prince, the Kingdoms find themselves caught in the middle of the struggle even as the citizens are murdered by a terrifying supernatural force.What drew me in the most by the book is that the language is so very different from many of the fantasies I read today. Even while tossing insults, trading barbs and outright insulting one and other the characters were formal in their speech and that intrigued me. Adoulla, our main character and an unlikely hero at the advanced age of 60, places great stock in the niceties, even while facing his foes.
Ahmed has a nice contrast between Adoulla's righteous, stubborn and sometimes reckless assistant Raseed, the vengeful, powerful and often violent Zamia and Adoulla's own arrogance and lassitude in regards to the future. This isn't to say Adoulla isn't keen to solve the murders, or find the Falcon Prince, but he's so confident he will that there leaves little room for doubt. He says it will be, so it will be.
For many this won't be their cup of tea--whether its Ahmed's choice of a hero or the more thoughtful, less action oriented tone of the book, this won't please everyone. For those who are looking for a fantasy with a different sense of magic, who's hero is confident in himself, and not some young pup fresh-faced and unseasoned...this will work wonderfully and make them eager for the next volume.
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LibraryThing member mirrani
Finding an Arabian/Islamic based fantasy book was really very refreshing. There are so many fantasy novels that focus on some typically European setting that this was truly a happy surprise. The culture in this off-Earth story is very well defined, different enough to be somewhat foreign, but also
Each character has their own defined personality and we get to enjoy the journey of the story through each of their sets of eyes,in turn, which may sound confusing, but is actually very easy to follow. Everyone has their own emotional and social development and as you read, you really get a sense of the bond between various people. Language was used as a type of character development and I greatly enjoyed the raw conversations between some and the guarded conversations between others. There isn't any foul language, really, but there is a sort of uninhibited jabber among friends that is actually rather modernized for the setting and situation, which I found unique and enjoyable.
The story itself is somewhat typical of fantasy stories, where a hero or two group up with a few others that they meet on their journey and the group rushes off to save the world. This book was a little slower in the development of that story and there were a few times where I thought I'd had enough of the dithering and was ready for something to happen to move the plot along, but the writing is so enjoyable to read, you almost forgive that. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series and will happily snatch it up as soon as I can find it.
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very much like somewhere on earth, with slight changes to spelling or phrasing so that you easily understand what is meant and can continue seamlessly to the next page. The descriptions aren't heavy or thick, but you get a very deep feel for where things are and how they appear visually to the characters.Each character has their own defined personality and we get to enjoy the journey of the story through each of their sets of eyes,in turn, which may sound confusing, but is actually very easy to follow. Everyone has their own emotional and social development and as you read, you really get a sense of the bond between various people. Language was used as a type of character development and I greatly enjoyed the raw conversations between some and the guarded conversations between others. There isn't any foul language, really, but there is a sort of uninhibited jabber among friends that is actually rather modernized for the setting and situation, which I found unique and enjoyable.
The story itself is somewhat typical of fantasy stories, where a hero or two group up with a few others that they meet on their journey and the group rushes off to save the world. This book was a little slower in the development of that story and there were a few times where I thought I'd had enough of the dithering and was ready for something to happen to move the plot along, but the writing is so enjoyable to read, you almost forgive that. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series and will happily snatch it up as soon as I can find it.
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LibraryThing member heroineinabook
At first glance, it's easy to dismiss THRONE OF THE CRESCENT MOON as a typical sword and sorcery novel with not one, but many reluctant heroes in the guise of being presented by multiple points of view. But from the very first chapter, you realise you're in the presence of something much larger,
And boy does he have a lot say - THRONE OF THE CRESCENT MOON is an allegorical tale using Saladin's world as the mirror to our own and through his work, he is critiquing the problems that exist in our world. He underscores some of the larger and complex concepts with a very subtle humour that at first read through you miss until you realise what he's getting at -- very Dickensian. His voice is very passionate, very authentic, and very real.
And there was something else in this tale that I couldn't put my finger on until I read it on another review: Saladin's work has soul and a heart. A lot of fantasy I've read, and in the larger scope of my canon is actually much less than most, tends to have a hollowness to the world and characters - they seem to be missing their "humaness" about them we often need to make that connection within ourselves. There is certainly nothing wrong with that, not every novel needs to be a treatise on the human condition. But you don't realise how much you miss having a full bodied story until you get your hands on one again.
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grander, and more indepth than previous versions of this motif. You could read the story for what it is, a tale of an old man and his young charges righting the wrongs of the world, but you'd be missing out on much of what Saladin has to say. And boy does he have a lot say - THRONE OF THE CRESCENT MOON is an allegorical tale using Saladin's world as the mirror to our own and through his work, he is critiquing the problems that exist in our world. He underscores some of the larger and complex concepts with a very subtle humour that at first read through you miss until you realise what he's getting at -- very Dickensian. His voice is very passionate, very authentic, and very real.
And there was something else in this tale that I couldn't put my finger on until I read it on another review: Saladin's work has soul and a heart. A lot of fantasy I've read, and in the larger scope of my canon is actually much less than most, tends to have a hollowness to the world and characters - they seem to be missing their "humaness" about them we often need to make that connection within ourselves. There is certainly nothing wrong with that, not every novel needs to be a treatise on the human condition. But you don't realise how much you miss having a full bodied story until you get your hands on one again.
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LibraryThing member Queensowntalia
Saladin Ahmed is a promising new author who's produced many excellent short stories. In his debut novel, he presents readers with a vibrant, colorful world with an 'Arabian Nights' feel that's as much exciting and in parts terrifying as it is moving and heartbreaking.
'Throne' tells the story of an
Ahmed provides insight on all the major character's motivations - they all have their own burdens to carry, their internal conflicts, and it's interesting to watch each of them to see how they deal with their assorted problems. The monster-hunter himself yearns for his long-time love, who finally spurned him when he refused to marry her because of his job's demands. Seeing him cope with the loss is moving.
There are thrilling fight sequences for the action-lovers, though perhaps not as many as one might think. In many ways this is a character-driven book rather than a battle-driven one. That's not a bad thing, it's just interesting to me because of the nature of the plot.
Another thing that interested me is that here and there the storyline ventures into the horror genre. A couple of scenes inspired a sort of cold dread deep in my stomach, a very visceral reaction. I really felt that helped amplify the apparent peril of the situation, the truly sinister nature of the Bad Guy, and was well done.
I kind of felt like the origins of the Bad Guy in question were glossed over a bit, but perhaps I just didn't read carefully enough. Either way, it didn't detract much from my enjoyment of the tale.
Really enjoyable. I recommend it.
'Throne' tells the story of an
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aging monster-hunter who learns of a dire threat to his city and, with the aid of his apprentice (basically a paladin with Middle Eastern flavor), his friends and an unusual young girl, must do what he can to stop it – even as the city contends with a shadowy Robin Hood sort who's threatening rebellion. Ahmed provides insight on all the major character's motivations - they all have their own burdens to carry, their internal conflicts, and it's interesting to watch each of them to see how they deal with their assorted problems. The monster-hunter himself yearns for his long-time love, who finally spurned him when he refused to marry her because of his job's demands. Seeing him cope with the loss is moving.
There are thrilling fight sequences for the action-lovers, though perhaps not as many as one might think. In many ways this is a character-driven book rather than a battle-driven one. That's not a bad thing, it's just interesting to me because of the nature of the plot.
Another thing that interested me is that here and there the storyline ventures into the horror genre. A couple of scenes inspired a sort of cold dread deep in my stomach, a very visceral reaction. I really felt that helped amplify the apparent peril of the situation, the truly sinister nature of the Bad Guy, and was well done.
I kind of felt like the origins of the Bad Guy in question were glossed over a bit, but perhaps I just didn't read carefully enough. Either way, it didn't detract much from my enjoyment of the tale.
Really enjoyable. I recommend it.
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LibraryThing member kgodey
I first heard about Throne of the Crescent Moon on John Scalzi's blog - he has a series ("Big Idea") where sci-fi/fantasy writers talk about a recent book and the idea behind it. I was immediately impressed by Saladin Ahmed's thought process - bringing a Muslim perspective to fantasy, as well as
The first thing that struck me about this book is that it's really short - 274 pages. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though. Throne of the Crescent Moon is tightly plotted, action-packed and builds an interesting world. but the the characters aren't as well-developed and the world is not as well-detailed as I'd like (although we do get a sense of all the nearby realms, instead of just the kingdom that the story is based in.)
I loved the older protagonists Adoulla, Litaz and Dawoud. They seemed totally believable and likable - worldly and experienced enough to be cynical and pragmatic, but still retaining enough idealism to want to make a difference. I didn't care for the younger protagonists Raseed and Zamia as much; they didn't have much of a personality beyond being young and eager and attracted to each other. I did appreciate how their story ended, but I found their feelings for each other a bit implausible. It seemed to be born more of proximity and desperation (more like a crush than love) rather than any real depth of emotion. However, maybe that's how Ahmed meant it to come across, so I'll reserve judgement until the next book(s).
The plot was pretty predictable for most of the book, but the ending surprised me (in a good way!) I wish that it had been a bit more complex or the book had been longer and spread out over a longer span of time, but it was still pretty good. I'll definitely be picking up the next book.
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featuring a fat 60 year old protagonist, and breaking a few other clichés in the process. I immediately put it on my wishlist, and got around to buying it a few days ago.The first thing that struck me about this book is that it's really short - 274 pages. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though. Throne of the Crescent Moon is tightly plotted, action-packed and builds an interesting world. but the the characters aren't as well-developed and the world is not as well-detailed as I'd like (although we do get a sense of all the nearby realms, instead of just the kingdom that the story is based in.)
I loved the older protagonists Adoulla, Litaz and Dawoud. They seemed totally believable and likable - worldly and experienced enough to be cynical and pragmatic, but still retaining enough idealism to want to make a difference. I didn't care for the younger protagonists Raseed and Zamia as much; they didn't have much of a personality beyond being young and eager and attracted to each other. I did appreciate how their story ended, but I found their feelings for each other a bit implausible. It seemed to be born more of proximity and desperation (more like a crush than love) rather than any real depth of emotion. However, maybe that's how Ahmed meant it to come across, so I'll reserve judgement until the next book(s).
The plot was pretty predictable for most of the book, but the ending surprised me (in a good way!) I wish that it had been a bit more complex or the book had been longer and spread out over a longer span of time, but it was still pretty good. I'll definitely be picking up the next book.
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LibraryThing member patrickgarson
Ahmed has written a very enjoyable Arabian Nights/Sword and Sorcery novel. It has enough familiar elements to feel like an comfortable, old pair of shoes, and enough originality to make those shoes glittery with rhinestone.
Dr Makhslood is one of the last ghul hunters, a rare breed dedicated to
Throne of the Crescent Moon is just about as good as escapist fantasies get. The city of Dhamsawaat and its associated kingdoms is vivid and interesting. The invention of 'ghuls', their evil wizard masters, mythogologies and magics are original, but not byzantine or arbitrary. The same applies to the different cultures Ahmed has invented. This is solid world-building, but not flashy, and he avoids drowning the reader in details.
Even better than this is the mix of characters. Most unusually for a fantasy novel, several of the novel's characters are elderly. I loved this. It's so unusual to see a fantasy novel that has the courage to have characters aged over 50 that aren't wise sages or crones, let alone to make them (and their age-related priorities, struggles and relationships) so central to the plot. Coupled to the 'oldsters' are two younger characters, at the beginning of their journeys rather than the end. This gives the book and relationships a realistic, familial quality - but not in the sense of a powerful cadre of unique elites, rather, like an everyday family. It was so good, and so brave to make this choice in the genre. The themes the book gains by doing this lend the swashbuckling plot a surprising poignancy at times.
The plot itself is original, but fits within a fairly conventional arc. On the bright side, it's a stand-alone which is always a nice contrast to ten-book doorstoppers. Even here, though, Ahmed adds little flourishes and touches that you can appreciate. Whilst the villain is irredeemably evil, the corrupt caliph, the plucky rebel fighting him and their impact on the state is not so black and white.
With a satisfying conclusion, an exciting new world, and some very original characterisation, this has definitely been one of the best fantasies of 2012 for me.
Dr Makhslood is one of the last ghul hunters, a rare breed dedicated to
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sniffing out the evil demons and their masters. Retirement beckons as Makhslood is getting older and slower, but his latest case may be his most important. Throne of the Crescent Moon is just about as good as escapist fantasies get. The city of Dhamsawaat and its associated kingdoms is vivid and interesting. The invention of 'ghuls', their evil wizard masters, mythogologies and magics are original, but not byzantine or arbitrary. The same applies to the different cultures Ahmed has invented. This is solid world-building, but not flashy, and he avoids drowning the reader in details.
Even better than this is the mix of characters. Most unusually for a fantasy novel, several of the novel's characters are elderly. I loved this. It's so unusual to see a fantasy novel that has the courage to have characters aged over 50 that aren't wise sages or crones, let alone to make them (and their age-related priorities, struggles and relationships) so central to the plot. Coupled to the 'oldsters' are two younger characters, at the beginning of their journeys rather than the end. This gives the book and relationships a realistic, familial quality - but not in the sense of a powerful cadre of unique elites, rather, like an everyday family. It was so good, and so brave to make this choice in the genre. The themes the book gains by doing this lend the swashbuckling plot a surprising poignancy at times.
The plot itself is original, but fits within a fairly conventional arc. On the bright side, it's a stand-alone which is always a nice contrast to ten-book doorstoppers. Even here, though, Ahmed adds little flourishes and touches that you can appreciate. Whilst the villain is irredeemably evil, the corrupt caliph, the plucky rebel fighting him and their impact on the state is not so black and white.
With a satisfying conclusion, an exciting new world, and some very original characterisation, this has definitely been one of the best fantasies of 2012 for me.
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LibraryThing member JessLibrarian
High fantasy debut based in Middle Eastern lore…
Dearborn’s own Saladin Ahmed’s fantasy debut introduces the “last real ghul hunter of Dhamsawaat,” Dr. Adoulla Makhslood—an aging, overweight, boisterous man who is growing weary of his calling. He is also an honorable and gifted servant
The novel is a pleasure—with great description making the city a character in itself, strong world-building in a Middle Eastern-esque setting, great adventure and a truly scary foe. And then there are the fabulous characters. The pairing of Adoulla (weary, worldly and cynical) and Raseed (hidebound youth with a total lack of experience in the real world) in particular is both heartbreaking and comical. This is the start of a projected trilogy but reads as a solid stand-alone novel. I’ll lookforward to the sequel.
Dearborn’s own Saladin Ahmed’s fantasy debut introduces the “last real ghul hunter of Dhamsawaat,” Dr. Adoulla Makhslood—an aging, overweight, boisterous man who is growing weary of his calling. He is also an honorable and gifted servant
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of God, and when the love of his life requests his aid for her family he is pulled back into the hunt. But he and his friends find that the murder of a marsh family is only a small part in a larger, more terrible danger to the city and the rest of the Crescent Moon Kingdoms.The novel is a pleasure—with great description making the city a character in itself, strong world-building in a Middle Eastern-esque setting, great adventure and a truly scary foe. And then there are the fabulous characters. The pairing of Adoulla (weary, worldly and cynical) and Raseed (hidebound youth with a total lack of experience in the real world) in particular is both heartbreaking and comical. This is the start of a projected trilogy but reads as a solid stand-alone novel. I’ll lookforward to the sequel.
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LibraryThing member ladycato
I have been excited to read this book for months. As a teenager, I loved the Rose of the Prophet trilogy by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, and since then I have been dismayed at the lack of other Arabia-inspired fantasies. Ahmed's new novel is ambitious. It takes place off of Earth, but the world
However, by the time I was halfway through, the novel became a struggle.
He establishes a distinct cast of characters--three--and then adds two more, and the viewpoint keeps switching between them. The book is under 300 pages. It feels like too much hopping around, especially since the middle of the book feels empty of action. Too much of the time, it felt like space was taken up with the posturing of characters, or the two youngest characters being coy about their interest in each other, and the older adults musing about that. I liked the characters, but I just wanted more to happen--to dwell more deeply in the fascinating city of Dhamsawaat.
Also, this book has one of the most impressively accurate covers I have seen in recent months. The artist nailed everything, from clothing details to the forked sword.
In all, this Throne was a disappointment. However, I enjoyed the world so much, I might read the next book in the series if it had a more narrow focus on the characters.
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is steeped in the influence of Arabian mythology and Islam. I loved the world he created--it's fresh and exciting. However, by the time I was halfway through, the novel became a struggle.
He establishes a distinct cast of characters--three--and then adds two more, and the viewpoint keeps switching between them. The book is under 300 pages. It feels like too much hopping around, especially since the middle of the book feels empty of action. Too much of the time, it felt like space was taken up with the posturing of characters, or the two youngest characters being coy about their interest in each other, and the older adults musing about that. I liked the characters, but I just wanted more to happen--to dwell more deeply in the fascinating city of Dhamsawaat.
Also, this book has one of the most impressively accurate covers I have seen in recent months. The artist nailed everything, from clothing details to the forked sword.
In all, this Throne was a disappointment. However, I enjoyed the world so much, I might read the next book in the series if it had a more narrow focus on the characters.
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LibraryThing member JJbooklvr
If Arabian Nights was written as a Sword & Sorcery book you would have The Throne of the Crescent Moon. A fun read with interesting characters and a great setting.
LibraryThing member revslick
Growing up I was exposed to some amazing adventures within middle Eastern folklore and mythology. It began with tales of Sinbad and followed to Ali Baba with men who not just wielded action but faith. The language of God was led with an air of mystery, curse, and authority. These tales conjured
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within me both the excitement of adventure and action but also they piqued an interest of seeking God with nuance and flair. When I began reading Crescent Moon I was immediately transported to my childhood sense of adventure and found myself along for a fun ride. It is filled with an aged demon hunter, a female shape shifter, and a young disciple seeking vengeance only to be turned at each corner upon the quest Further twists and turns happen until the mystery unfolds with some tough choices before the conclusion. If you've been looking for an adventure then jump in for a fun ride. Show Less
LibraryThing member stefferoo
What fantasy readers would call "Sword and Sorcery", though with a touch of Arabian Nights. Started off very promising, but both plot and characters started wearing on me after a while. I feel it's one of those stories that could really be told in about fifty pages, and the main character was the
I also loved the writing, though sometimes the formal and almost lyrical style of it had the unfortunate effect of making the storytelling feel "flat" and seemingly uninspired.
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only one I found interesting and not irritating. The rest of the gang felt as formulaic as the plot line which is a shame, though the unique setting of the book went a long way in making up for this.I also loved the writing, though sometimes the formal and almost lyrical style of it had the unfortunate effect of making the storytelling feel "flat" and seemingly uninspired.
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LibraryThing member montsamu
4.5 stars: Ahmed's debut is a welcome new voice in fantasy. Beginning with a short, dark prologue of torture which introduces us to a powerful, evil raiser of ghuls known as "the gaunt man" and his jackal-faced assistant, we are then introduced to our atypical hero, Dr. Adoulla, ghulhunter: set in
In terms of the narration, Gigante's characterizations really are something here, from the voices of demonic jackal-ghuls to the somewhat pompous and sarcastic Adoulla, to a far-flung cast of characters from cross-eyed restaurateurs to the regal Falcon Prince, beggars, on and on. The principal narration is performed in a tone which fits both the dark and yet somehow also, in its way, playful content, as Ahmed's abiding love for heroic fantasy and D&D as source material are evident. I'm looking forward to more in this series.
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a teahouse rather than an inn; set with cardamon tea and a book of poetry rather than stew and a tankard of ale; set with a 60-year old, portly, tired protagonist who longs for retirement rather a group of young adventurers longing for fame and treasure. Haunted by a lingering dream of his beloved city run through by a river of blood -- a vision introduced in more sinister detail in the prologue -- Adoulla nonetheless finds the strength to... stand up from his tea and face the day and set off on one more ghul hunt.In terms of the narration, Gigante's characterizations really are something here, from the voices of demonic jackal-ghuls to the somewhat pompous and sarcastic Adoulla, to a far-flung cast of characters from cross-eyed restaurateurs to the regal Falcon Prince, beggars, on and on. The principal narration is performed in a tone which fits both the dark and yet somehow also, in its way, playful content, as Ahmed's abiding love for heroic fantasy and D&D as source material are evident. I'm looking forward to more in this series.
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LibraryThing member mossjon
I liked Throne of the Crescent Moon a lot. I loved the characters. I liked the setting, although the world building relied on references to Earth-like locations in our own Middle East, including the cultures and legends that thrive therein.
The magic found in this world contained some supernatural
A murder mystery with apocalyptic consequences. Lots of action sequences kept me turning the pages. And as much as our young dervish might strive mightily for stark black and white choices, all of the characters find themselves compromising their principles and morals for the greater good and survival.
I can't wait for the next installment in the Crescent Moon Kingdoms series.
The magic found in this world contained some supernatural
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elements: an Angel-touched shapechanger; something similar to a demon helping an undead (or reanimated) man create ghuls (vaguely like zombies but different) using pain, torture, etc. (blood magic or necramancy); some alchemy; some aura-like internal magic; and, an invocation style magic wielded by the main character. A murder mystery with apocalyptic consequences. Lots of action sequences kept me turning the pages. And as much as our young dervish might strive mightily for stark black and white choices, all of the characters find themselves compromising their principles and morals for the greater good and survival.
I can't wait for the next installment in the Crescent Moon Kingdoms series.
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LibraryThing member paperloverevolution
Criticisms made by other reviewers about this book are quite accurate: it's clunky, the romance is thin and implausible, and it could have been better fleshed out. I feel strangely charitable towards this book, however. It has a genuine charm, promising characters, and a real sense of potential.
So all in all, a worthwhile read - and while it could have been better, it's fun enough as is.
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Additionally, Throne shows a refreshing lack of the frat boys playing D&D mentality - swaggering brooding heroes, swooning maidens - that afflicts other popular clunkers, instead bringing us a fat grouchy old guy hero with some kick ass old people sidekicks. Like I said: charming!So all in all, a worthwhile read - and while it could have been better, it's fun enough as is.
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LibraryThing member JeremyPreacher
Totally delightful. The Arabian-esque setting worked very well, the characters were charming (and what a pleasure it was to read about 60 year old heroes rather than just 20 year old heroes for once) and the plot worked out reasonably well. I could quibble a bit with the pacing - there's a big
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chunk of fetching-plot-coupons in the middle that felt more like errand-running than adventure, and not all of it totally paid off - but it didn't drag enough to make me put it down for even a minute. I'm totally on board with these. Show Less
LibraryThing member LaPhenix
It was great to read a fantasy novel centered around an entirely different culture. Interesting and distinct characters, and an exciting plot made this novel entertaining and memorable.
LibraryThing member nnschiller
This is really an excellent book. I have been intrigued by Arab fiction since I discovered Naghib Mahfouz' Children of the Alley and I found the setting and the phrasing of the dialog to be enthralling. Though far from the main thrust of the work, I kept finding myself enthralled by the God-tinged
(Personal aside over, now to the book!)
The narrative here is, by some measures, standard and straight-forward: a diverse set of unlikely friends band together to fight against a dauntingly powerful enemy who threatens their city and their way of life.
Like Scheherazade, Ahmed shows us here that it is the telling, more than the tale that keeps us wanting more. The Doctor is wonderfully introspective and his worries and thoughts about himself and his apprentice provide a very rich look into the wise-but-jaded old master and the full-of-potential young idealist.
At first blush, All of his characters can be fit comfortably into existing tropes, but the way Ahmed puts them together makes these trope come alive, rather than succumb to cliche. Each character is conflicted in interesting ways, and they each deal with their internal conflict well. Nothing comes down to a simple black/white distinction and Mr. Ahmed gives us all a gift by treating these internal conflicts about how to best live our lives and make choices with respect. It is in how his characters deal with their conflicts and their choices that they are revealed to us and their beauty shown. All too many genre authors make the familiar mistake of reducing conflicts down to their resolution and leaving us with the false impression that the answers are more important than the questions. Ahmed avoids this and shows us richer and more human characters that reveal more about life and humanity than many others who fit into the same tropes.
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fatalism of the way the characters talk. "If God wills it" and its variants punctuate the speech of the characters and that highlights a humility and an awareness of their fate being in the hands of an ineffable force. One last comment on the humility that accompanies this kind of fatalism: none of the characters surrendered their will to this inexorable fate, they still strove and struggled and fought for life. The pervasive American Evangelical Optimism that surrounds me denies this and that denial rings false. We seem to believe that *WE* control everything and thus everyone's fate is deserved. It is an atmosphere that is a rejection of both compassion and humility. I'm afraid I am unable to be religious at this point of my life, but I'd prefer a capricious/ineffable deity to one who insists that the status quo was what the omnipotent intended from the moment of creation.(Personal aside over, now to the book!)
The narrative here is, by some measures, standard and straight-forward: a diverse set of unlikely friends band together to fight against a dauntingly powerful enemy who threatens their city and their way of life.
Like Scheherazade, Ahmed shows us here that it is the telling, more than the tale that keeps us wanting more. The Doctor is wonderfully introspective and his worries and thoughts about himself and his apprentice provide a very rich look into the wise-but-jaded old master and the full-of-potential young idealist.
At first blush, All of his characters can be fit comfortably into existing tropes, but the way Ahmed puts them together makes these trope come alive, rather than succumb to cliche. Each character is conflicted in interesting ways, and they each deal with their internal conflict well. Nothing comes down to a simple black/white distinction and Mr. Ahmed gives us all a gift by treating these internal conflicts about how to best live our lives and make choices with respect. It is in how his characters deal with their conflicts and their choices that they are revealed to us and their beauty shown. All too many genre authors make the familiar mistake of reducing conflicts down to their resolution and leaving us with the false impression that the answers are more important than the questions. Ahmed avoids this and shows us richer and more human characters that reveal more about life and humanity than many others who fit into the same tropes.
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LibraryThing member tronella
Entertaining Arabian Nights-ish fantasy book. It seemed like YA to me (probably because of the romance subplot) but apparently it isn't supposed to be? I enjoyed this, but I don't feel particularly compelled to look out for the sequels.
LibraryThing member Shrike58
Set in an imaginary world of Islamic flavor, this fantasy is notable for how all the point of view characters, be they old magic users or young warriors, are afflicted with either a sense of failed duty or of the wrong choices having been made. Eventually, the plot resolves into something that more
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resembles urban rather than epic fantasy, as doom falls upon the ruling house of Ahmed's re-imagining of Classic Baghdad. If I have a problem with this story it's that I have a hard time wondering how Ahmed is going to push forward, considering how dramatic the climax is. Show Less
LibraryThing member FCH123
I dropped it. It seemed a bit cartoonish to me. All the characters felt Mary Sue-ish, and right now I need meaty books.
LibraryThing member rrainer
I really enjoyed all the individual bits and pieces of this story, the characters, the setting, the style. It didn't quite all come together for me, when it came down to structure and pacing, but still a really interesting read and I look forward to more.
LibraryThing member imyril
I was fairly disappointed by this much-lauded Hugo-nominated breakthrough. After a great set-up and with an interesting world to explore, I felt this was derailed by poor character development, dodgy exposition and stilted dialogue.
On the plus side, it's very short.
On the plus side, it's very short.
LibraryThing member maribou
more like 3-and-3/4s stars? charming, reminds me of burroughs or leiber without the painfully objectionable bits.
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Novel — 2013)
Nebula Award (Nominee — Novel — 2012)
Locus Award (Finalist — First Novel — 2013)
IAFA William L. Crawford Fantasy Award (Finalist — 2013)
David Gemmell Legend Award (Shortlist — 2013)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2012-12-31
Physical description
274 p.; 6.36 inches
ISBN
9780756407117