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From the Bookshelf of Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy…

Throne of the Crescent Moon (The Crescent Moon Kingdoms, #1)

Saladin Ahmed

Start date: May 21, 2013

Finish date: June 20, 2013

Discussion: Book Discussions

Why we're reading this: Group Conteporary Novel read for May 21, 2013
(Hugo & Nebula nominee, 2013)
[close] Group Conteporary Novel read for May 21, 2013
(Hugo & Nebula nominee, 2013)

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What Members Thought

Jun 24, 2012 Meran rated it really liked it

You've already read many reviews on this book. I'm sure you're familiar with the characters and plot line through them.

Here's what you may not know: One of the leads is a 60 yr old wiseman-wizard; two others, an older married couple of similar age; women are strong and valued fighters, knowledgable and certainly not "demure"; the monsters are new concepts, not the same old tropes seen in most adventure tales; the motivations are honorable, philanthropic, not monetary. This book is NOT your usu ...more

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Mar 07, 2012 Jeffrey rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, read-in-2012

Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed is an Arabian night fantasy that is the best book set in this type of land since the uncommon science fiction book When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger. Besides the fast paced plot and interesting magical system, we have the Doctor Adoulla Makhstood, a 60 + year old hero, with a great belly and great white beard, who is the last great ghul hunter in the Crescent Moon Kingdom. Ahmed takes a risk making the hero an old man, but in his capable hand Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed is an Arabian night fantasy that is the best book set in this type of land since the uncommon science fiction book When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger. Besides the fast paced plot and interesting magical system, we have the Doctor Adoulla Makhstood, a 60 + year old hero, with a great belly and great white beard, who is the last great ghul hunter in the Crescent Moon Kingdom. Ahmed takes a risk making the hero an old man, but in his capable hands, the Doctor is a captivating character.
The Kingdom is ruled by the Khalif, a ham fisted ruler, who taxes everything that walks. The people are suffering. Of course there is also a rebellion going on against the Khalif, led by the Falcon Prince, an acrobatic master of magic and thievery.

The Doctor is all that stands between the domination of the infernal ghuls and the population. He is old, he is tired, he is on the verge of quitting. He is part detective, part warrior and all hero. But although his job is heroic, he feels all the aches of his bones and body and suffers the pains of his position romantically as well. He may not wed as a ghul hunter and now, his lady love, is thinking of waiting no longer. He is not indefatigable and battles take more out of him. He is accompanied by a young holy warrior, the dervish Raseed bas Raseed, who is facing his own battle between holy zeal and romance, and Zamia Badawi, a young shapeshifter, whose people have been murdered by ghuls. Ghuls are monsters, but they have to be created by magic.

The Doctor runs into Badawi, when he is investigating a series of vicious attacks in the Kingdom. He soon discovers that the murders in the Kingdom are connected to the murder of Badawi's people. They join forces to try to thwart this new powerful magician, who is creating so many ghuls. While the Doctor searches for the master evil magician, Ahmed intersperses the novel with snippets from the perspective of a prisoner of the monster, all showing how horrible he is.

But its not only the evil master magician that the Doctor, his compatriots and two other older magicians who join up with him must face. Their investigation soon leads them headlong into the Falcon Prince and his attempt to take over the Kingdom. The Doctor, the Falcon Prince, the mad magician, and a demon all converge in a battle for the heart of the kingdom.

Filled with memorable characters, highlighted with a new magical world, and a fast paced plot, this debut is an excellent addition to your reading list.
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Jan 13, 2012 Patrick rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, sword-sorcery-fantasy

I like this story. It gave an interesting perspective on worldbuilding outside the generic western European centric that everyone and their grandmother writes to. Ahmed has created a very distinct world with interesting characters, though I believe that there were some problems with the book, mostly stemming from this is his first novel. He did well with the characters, settings and keeping things moving and gripping, but I felt that the story was almost entirely one long deus ex machina. This m ...more

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Apr 17, 2013 Kivrin rated it really liked it

A really good fantasy with some new (for me) perspectives as it has a Middle Eastern view point. Very vivid places and characters that are well written. I'm guessing there is more of the story to come, but it ended on a good note so that I'm not left waiting on pins and needles for the next one. ...more

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