Publishing Information: Kindle
Publisher: Penguin Publishing
ISBN: 0756407117
ASIN: B0064VQDHI
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson
Amazon US/ UK
Synopsis: "From Saladin Ahmed, finalist for the Nebula and Campbell Awards, comes one of the year’s most anticipated fantasy debuts: THRONE OF THE CRESCENT MOON, a fantasy adventure with all the magic of The Arabian Nights.
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."
Throne of the Crescent Moon is one of those most anticipated novels. From the first moment you see that cover you know you want to read the book. Problem is that it just did not live up to the hype. I really wanted to enjoy this novel and unfortunately it just never happened.
First of all, there were the characters. Raseed bas Raseed, the young apprentice, was my favorite character in the novel and he just never got around to doing what he was written to do. He is suppose to be this incredible swordsman but it just never came to fruition. I really wanted to see his prowess as a master of the blade and either it was not written well or I missed it and it never came to be. That said, I did like the character's other traits. A warrior monk was a nice change of pace from what you usually read when it comes to swordsmen.
Then there is Doctor Adoulla Makhslood, the last ghost (or Ghul) hunter. He never got around to proving just how good he really is. I know that he vanquish quite a few demons in his time and in the novel, but right after the "fight" all he wanted was to take a nap. Now I know that he is considerably older that the other characters and that his time is coming to a close, but he was not to my liking or enjoyment.
Finally, there is Zamia Badawi, a tribeswoman with the ability to transform into a powerful lioness. I really liked this character, she was vulnerable and brash. About the only thing I enjoyed in the novel was her. She felt real and I enjoyed all the scenes she was in.
The setting was also great. It is nice to be in the middle east and also a breath of fresh air to find the Muslim faith not portrayed as the enemy, but as the de facto religion and that they were ordinary people like you and me.
The style of the novel was also a little slower than my liking. While there was several scenes of action it was few and far between. A few too many portions of the book dragged on before things moved on.
What it all comes down to is that I really wanted to enjoy the Throne of the Crescent Moon. It had a lot of things going for it. Great setting, a few interesting characters, and my full attention. What ended up happening was a story that had a hard time keeping my interest, and very few moments in the novel that actually felt original enough to want me to continue to read the story. I know that a lot of other reviews praise this novel, but I found it a chore to read and looked forward to the end of the book.
Plot 8/10
Characters 6.5/10
Style 6/10
Overall 6/10
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