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pagesofash's review against another edition
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
3.0
2.5 Stars: the best story is the one I read before starting this collection so a bit disappointed.
jonmhansen's review
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
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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
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.
tregina's review against another edition
4.0
I'll admit I loved some of the stories more than others (such as "Judgment of Swords and Souls" and "Mister Hadj's Sunset Ride"), but there was nothing in this collection I didn't at least like.
tbr_the_unconquered's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first book by Saladin Ahmed and was impressive enough for me to decide that I want to read more by him. A delectable collection of short stories that range far and wide in their settings and are almost all of them focussed on the feeling of wonder. As I mostly do with short story collections, here is what I thought of them.
Where Virtue Lives : Among all of the stories, this was the meatiest one. Set in a Muslim world, the author had beautiful prose to bring this place to life. Among all the marvels and knick-knacks of the place, we find an aging monster hunter who is tailed by a naïve but talented wannabe apprentice. The first adventure that brings the two together is terrifying and hilarious by turns. 4 stars.
Hooves and the Hovel of Abdel Jameela : Set in another far flung corner of the world from the first story, this one was more of a twisted parable. The lesson that kindness pays is taken and bent out of shape by the author by pitting the protagonist in a dire situation. There are some embellishments with magic and a sprinkling of the horrific. 3 stars.
Judgement of Swords and Souls : Swashbuckling adventure, court intrigues and betrayals. This was a tad predictable although it can only be read in a feverish pace. 3 stars.
Doctor Diablo Goes Through the Motions : What exactly can you do if you are a smart supervillain caught in a world where the only rule is the rule of brawn ? 3 stars.
General Akmed’s Revenge ? : Set in a post 9/11 America, this one captures a xenophobic mood through the eyes of the characters. A dark comedy with a hilarious twist in the end. 3 stars.
Mister Hadj’s Sunset Ride : A Muslim gunslinger in the wild west who goes up against a dark wizard and a recently turned Zombie ? Yes, please. 4 stars.
The Faithful Soldier, Prompted : A post-apocalyptic world with technology playing an interesting role in the life of the very few left. While this did have the potential for expansion to something bigger like a novella, the ending was a tad too predictable. 3 stars.
Iron Eyes and the Watered Down World : Three mercenaries in search of a stolen artefact. Here again it left me with a feeling that the author could have expanded more on these story and the world that surrounded it. 3 stars.
The feeling that this collection left me with was dissatisfaction for all the right reasons as I wanted more of the world in which these stories were set in. They are full of wonder and magic, terror and mayhem and yet hold an allure like the best of fantasy worlds.
Recommended !
Where Virtue Lives : Among all of the stories, this was the meatiest one. Set in a Muslim world, the author had beautiful prose to bring this place to life. Among all the marvels and knick-knacks of the place, we find an aging monster hunter who is tailed by a naïve but talented wannabe apprentice. The first adventure that brings the two together is terrifying and hilarious by turns. 4 stars.
Hooves and the Hovel of Abdel Jameela : Set in another far flung corner of the world from the first story, this one was more of a twisted parable. The lesson that kindness pays is taken and bent out of shape by the author by pitting the protagonist in a dire situation. There are some embellishments with magic and a sprinkling of the horrific. 3 stars.
Judgement of Swords and Souls : Swashbuckling adventure, court intrigues and betrayals. This was a tad predictable although it can only be read in a feverish pace. 3 stars.
Doctor Diablo Goes Through the Motions : What exactly can you do if you are a smart supervillain caught in a world where the only rule is the rule of brawn ? 3 stars.
General Akmed’s Revenge ? : Set in a post 9/11 America, this one captures a xenophobic mood through the eyes of the characters. A dark comedy with a hilarious twist in the end. 3 stars.
Mister Hadj’s Sunset Ride : A Muslim gunslinger in the wild west who goes up against a dark wizard and a recently turned Zombie ? Yes, please. 4 stars.
The Faithful Soldier, Prompted : A post-apocalyptic world with technology playing an interesting role in the life of the very few left. While this did have the potential for expansion to something bigger like a novella, the ending was a tad too predictable. 3 stars.
Iron Eyes and the Watered Down World : Three mercenaries in search of a stolen artefact. Here again it left me with a feeling that the author could have expanded more on these story and the world that surrounded it. 3 stars.
The feeling that this collection left me with was dissatisfaction for all the right reasons as I wanted more of the world in which these stories were set in. They are full of wonder and magic, terror and mayhem and yet hold an allure like the best of fantasy worlds.
Recommended !