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Engraved on the Eye

by Saladin Ahmed (Goodreads Author)

4.09 of 5 stars 4.09 · rating details · 77 ratings · 26 reviews

Stories to Captivate the Imagination: Welcome to the worlds of Saladin Ahmed
A medieval physician asked to do the impossible. A gun slinging Muslim wizard in the old West. A disgruntled super villain pining for prison reform. A cybernetic soldier who might or might not be receiving messages from God. Prepare yourself to be transported to new and fantastical worlds.

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Published September 13th 2012 by Ridan Publishing

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Oct 04, 2012 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: anthologies, science-fiction, fantasy

So many anthologies, whether a collection by one author or a mix of many, are an uneven mix of brilliance, mediocre, and just plain puzzling. This is one of the most uniformly high quality collections I've read in some time. While I'd stop short of "brilliance", the stories are all engaging, well-written, lovely little baubles.

I also want to avoid the word "exotic", which has far too much Orientalist baggage. But many of these stories play with settings, legends, and characters of Middle Easter...more

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Oct 02, 2012 Paul rated it 4 of 5 stars

Engraved on the Eye is a collection of short fiction by Saladin Ahmed, who is probably best known to readers for his debut novel Throne of the Crescent Moon. In Engraved, we get a number of pieces from him in a variety of universes.

In Where Virtue Lives ,we witness the first meeting between two of the main protagonists of Throne of the Crescent Moon, Rasheed and Doctor Adoulla, as the former’s arrival in Dhamasawaat coincides with a ghul problem the Doctor is dealing with.

In Hooves and the Hove...more Engraved on the Eye is a collection of short fiction by Saladin Ahmed, who is probably best known to readers for his debut novel Throne of the Crescent Moon. In Engraved, we get a number of pieces from him in a variety of universes.

In Where Virtue Lives ,we witness the first meeting between two of the main protagonists of Throne of the Crescent Moon, Rasheed and Doctor Adoulla, as the former’s arrival in Dhamasawaat coincides with a ghul problem the Doctor is dealing with.

In Hooves and the Hovel of Abdel Jameela, we trade his fantasy universe for a story that seems to be set in the Classic age of the Baghdad Caliphate. Abdel is a physician who has been reassigned to a remote small town, and is requested to perform a rather unexpected bit of doctoring for the local hermit.

Judgement of Swords and Souls is the second and final story of the collection set in the universe of Dhawasawaat, as we get a look into the Lodge of God, and how a young woman, Layla bas Layla, struggles with the politics of the Order with her own promises and beliefs. The story doesn’t make it clear if it takes place before or after the events in Throne of the Crescent Moon

In Doctor Diablo goes through the Motions, a supervillain discovers that even he has to deal with the mundane and quotidian problems of being a person of color.

General Akmed’s Revenge? is the story of a small time actor, Muhammad Mattawa, whose typecasting as an Arabic villain leads to a funny Lady and the Tiger ending.

Mister Hadj’s Sunset Ride brings a Muslim gunslinger to the Wild West, with more than a touch of the Weird West to the tale.

The Faithful Soldier, Prompted, the only science fiction story of the collection, gives a slice of life into a future world dominated by nanotechnology, implants, and one man’s abiding faith.

Iron Eyes and the Watered Down World is the anchor of the collection and my favorite. Ahmed creates a secondary fantasy world and characters,. that, if he wanted to, could certainly alternate with his world of Dhawsawaat. Its a realm that feels more than a bit like a take on Mythic China, as a group of wandering adventurers comes face to face with a problem from their past.

If you’ve been reluctant to try Throne of the Crescent Moon, or are one of those who prefer their fantasy in a shorter format, Engraved on the Eye is an excellent opportunity to get to know the work of Saladin Ahmed. Fans of Throne of the Crescent Moon will discover more about that world, and proof that he is far from a one-trick pony.
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Sep 21, 2012 Eric rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks, fantasy, science-fiction

This collection of short stories offers a departure from the usual science fiction and fantasy fare. Saladin Ahmed brings his unusual (for sf/f) viewpoint as a practicing Muslim and Arab American to the party and serves up a delicious buffet of refreshing stories.

The stories vary pretty widely. There is the story of the first case in which the characters Adoulla Makhslood and Raseed (from Throne of the Crescent Moon) work together. Another story set in the Crescent Moon Kingdoms deals with the i...more

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Sep 21, 2012 Matt Gilliard rated it 4 of 5 stars

One of the most unique new voices in the genre belongs to Saladin Ahmed. His debut novel Throne of the Crescent Moon was the very first debut novel I reviewed. So when I heard that Ridan Publishing was releasing a collection of Ahmed's short fiction, I was understandably excited. With a low price and an immediate release date, I snatched it up and blocked out some quality time with the e-reader.

Fans of Throne of the Crescent Moon will be pleased to know that Ahmed chooses to open this collection...more One of the most unique new voices in the genre belongs to Saladin Ahmed. His debut novel Throne of the Crescent Moon was the very first debut novel I reviewed. So when I heard that Ridan Publishing was releasing a collection of Ahmed's short fiction, I was understandably excited. With a low price and an immediate release date, I snatched it up and blocked out some quality time with the e-reader.

Fans of Throne of the Crescent Moon will be pleased to know that Ahmed chooses to open this collection with another story of Dr. Adoulla Mahkslood and Raseed bas Raseed. Where Virtue Lives tells the tale of the venerable ghul hunter's first meeting and subsequent adventure with the young dervish. Ahmed does an excellent job of showcasing the vastly different world views of these two signature characters while demonstrating the wisdom of their partnership. Fans of the series will be right at home, but Ahmed also provides just enough background detail to reveal the rich setting that is Dhamsawaat. As always, Ahmed has a moral in mind. Raseed's revelation that the virtue he prizes so highly might come from unexpected sources is the heart of this glimpse into the early days of our heroes.

The collection continues with two more stories set in the world of The Throne of the Crescent Moon. The first, Hooves and the Hovel of Abdel Jameela tells the story of a court physiker who is temporarily exiled from the Caliph's court to the backwaters of the kingdom because of his own impertinence. While in Beit Zujaaj, he hears of a hermit of questionable parentage who lives on the outskirts of the village and is the subject of all manner of small town suspicion and gossip. When he is called upon to help the hermit's ailing wife he is faced with something out of nightmare that promises him his heart's desire and a return to court besides. This entry reads like a fairy tale, and is rich with Ahmed's signature style. He definitely adds a new layer to the flavor of his most famous setting.

The final tale in a familiar setting is the excellent Judgement of Swords and Souls. Set in the Lodge of God, home of the blue garbed Dervishes, this story tells the tale of Layla bas Layla. She has come into conflict with many of the Shaykhs due to her choice to wear a red scarf handed down by her deceased mother against the traditions of her adopted family. Layla is caught in a power struggle between the current head of the order and those who would weaken his position, but chooses to stick by her oath to wear the scarf despite the objections of those who would persecute her for breaking an unwritten and obscure dictum. The clash that follows changes both the direction of the Lodge and the path of Layla's life and I, for one, hope that this character makes an appearance in the sequel to Throne of the Crescent Moon. Ahmed's choice to reveal more detail about the organization that shaped Raseed bas Raseed was inspired, giving us an insight into a beloved character while adding yet another layer of depth to the setting and hopefully another character as well.

The rest of the collection are unconnected to the world that has brought Ahmed such critical acclaim, but were all published previously. Some were even contenders for both the Nebula and Campbell awards. These accolades are well earned. These stories, perhaps more than Throne of the Crescent Moon, reveal more about the author and his thoughts on his place as an Arab-American dealing with a society that preaches acceptance on one hand and yet is so full of judgement and prejudice on the other. In Doctor Diablo Goes Through The Motions, Ahmed tells the story of a super-powered criminal who's observations on his fellows and adversaries is full of equal parts razor-sharp sarcasm and astute commentary on racial stereotypes and the criminal justice system. While I doubt this character could support a longer story, I found myself loving his wit and weariness and was saddened by the necessary brevity of his tale.

Given recent events on the global stage, I found General Akmed's Revenge? to be the most thought provoking tale in the collection. This story explores the dichotomy of an immigrant's love/hate relationship with his adopted home, shining a spotlight on the prejudices and stereotyping that is all too present in American society. As a Southerner, I'm all too familiar with the themes of this story. While I certainly don't share the reprehensible traits presented, the stark focus of this story made me more than a little uncomfortable. And that is the true strength of this story, which deftly balances commentary with unexpected humor. More than anything else contained in this volume, General Akmed's Revenge? begs to be read.

My favorite story of the collection was the surprising mash-up of Arab flavor and the Old West, Mister Hadj's Sunset Ride. Reminiscent of the Charles Bronson flick, Red Sun, Ahmed tells the story of a bounty hunter from 'Araby' and his young partner who is on the trail of a trio of deadly outlaws who hide their villainy behind a thin facade of Jesus-loving clap-trap. It wouldn't surprise me at all if this story didn't inspire the adventures of Raseed and Abdoulla. And like its more famous cousin, this story is full of magic, menace, and monsters. I was left wanting much more of this setting.

The final two stories in the collection, The Faithful Soldier, Prompted and Iron Eyes and the Watered Down World, center around devotion and importance of family. The Faithful Soldier, Prompted is the story of man who believes he is being led to a cure for his ailing lover by a long obsolete piece of in-bedded technology from his youth in the military. Besides being an interesting take on the 'ghost in the machine' concept, this story is at its heart a tale of the lengths one man will go to to protect the love of his life. Ahmed explores prejudice again here but takes a different tack, zeroing in on the bigotry that exists within racial bounds. This didn't impact me as much as the previous story, but is nonetheless right on the money.

Ahmed ends with a ghost story wrapped in an intriguing fantasy setting in Iron Eyes and the Watered Down World. This story follows a trio of adventurers as they try to recover a stolen memento from the world weary widower who is the wounded heart of their band. While the intensity of the protagonist's need to recover his cherished possession is all too understandable, the motivation for the theft seems arbitrary until the very end, where Ahmed wraps it all up nicely with a life changing revelation. After the hard-edged, thought provoking subject matter of the proceeding stories, it was a welcome relief.

All in all, I have rarely read a collection of shorts that was as well polished and satisfying as Engraved on the Eye. Both fans of Throne of the Crescent Moon and those unfamiliar with Saladin Ahmed would be doing themselves a disservice in passing up on this engaging and thought-provoking collection from one of the rising stars of the genre.

More Genre Reviews at http://www.the52review.blogspot.com (less)

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Jan 31, 2013 Mike rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

The widely praised Throne of the Crescent Moon isn't available as an ebook (at least, not in my region), so I thought I'd sample this short story collection instead. The first story is about the meeting of the two main characters in Throne, and I liked it enough that I'll be looking for the novel (probably at the library, since the publishers don't seem to want my money). In fact, I can see what the critical fuss is about: Ahmed writes smoothly and well, has interesting protagonists, and makes t...more The widely praised Throne of the Crescent Moon isn't available as an ebook (at least, not in my region), so I thought I'd sample this short story collection instead. The first story is about the meeting of the two main characters in Throne, and I liked it enough that I'll be looking for the novel (probably at the library, since the publishers don't seem to want my money). In fact, I can see what the critical fuss is about: Ahmed writes smoothly and well, has interesting protagonists, and makes their choices matter.

Early on in the collection, it looked as if all the protagonists were going to be young Muslims struggling with faith and ethical choices as well as with life, but later in the book we got a couple of stories where this wasn't the case (and another where it was). In all but the last story, though, a well-told sword-and-sorcery tale with an unusual ending (for sword-and-sorcery), the main character was either Muslim, a member of an ethnic minority, or both. "Write what you know" is good writing advice, and Ahmed does it well, and gives me (as a non-Muslim non-minority person) a degree of insight into a life experience different from my own. This is partly what I read speculative fiction for. I recognized at least one repurposed Arabic fable, too, and the story was none the worse for its classical roots.

Another thing that most of the main characters had in common was a strong emotional connection to a lost, threatened, unattainable, geographically distant or otherwise absent beloved (or, in one case, brother). This provided the plots with plenty of fuel, but the risk of this strategy is that the beloved becomes a McGuffin instead of a character. Again, in the last story, the lost beloved at least gets to speak, though not much more. This is a feature that's in danger of becoming a bug, in my opinion. I seem to remember that it's been mentioned as a criticism of Throne of the Crescent Moon.

These stories were certainly worth the $3.99 I paid. I only hope that Saladin Ahmed is getting his share of it; I notice that the publisher is Ridan, a small publisher which became infamous last year when they suddenly stopped paying their authors. (less)

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Oct 05, 2012 Greg rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is an excellent use for your days coffee money and will entertain much longer then anything at this price. Saladin's art as a storyteller shows clearly in his award nominated short fiction. These stories range from sword and sorcery to superhero, well villain actually, with some western and magical realism for spice. His Arabic/Muslim heritage forms a lot if the atmosphere for his work but so does his obvious love of superheroes, fantasy adventure and complex if broadly drawn characters.

T...more

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Sep 26, 2012 David(LA,CA) rated it 3 of 5 stars

A collection of eight short stories:

Where Virtue Lives : A prequel to the author's Throne of the Crescent Moon. The Doctor and the Dervish meet and share their first adventure together. As someone that enjoyed the novel, this was a highlight, and worth the price of this book.

Hooves and the Hovel of Abdel Jameela : I'm not exactly sure what this is supposed to be. An attempt at horror? Certainly the main character reacts as if he's encountering mind shattering events, but there didn't really f...more

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Oct 01, 2012 Alan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Engraved on the Eye is a very diverse mix of fantasy, science fiction and horror, and for most readers the stand out piece is "Where Virtue Lives," a prequel to Ahmed's superb debut novel Kingdom of the Crescent Moon. The books other standout piece is the closing story "Iron Eyes and the Watered Down World," a hilarious sword and sorcery send up with a dim witted warrior and his foul mouthed anthromorphic rabbit partner. In between are six stories that while occasionally lacking in consistency,...more

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Nov 08, 2012 Thousanth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 50-in-2012

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 10, 2012 April Steenburgh rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, short-stories

"Y'all ain't got to believe me for it to be the truth" (Engraved on the Eye, pg. 183).

But you will want to believe- in aloof bounty hunters who sing to stone and ribald ghul hunters who care far more than they let on.

From the city of Dhamsawaat Ahmed made familiar through 'Throne of the Crescent Moon', to a meeting of super villains as viewed by a rather jaded member, 'Engraved on the Eye' is an absolutely enthralling collection of the familiar mixed with the exotic and the strange. Readers are...more

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Sep 30, 2012 John Constable rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'd been waiting for Ahmed to release a short story collection since I was fortunate enough to get a bundle of his short stories as part of the Hugo Voters Packet last year, upon his nomination for the Cambell award.

I'd come across his work first via Podcastle, with their reading of 'Hooves and the Hovel of Abdel Jameela', a disturbing, haunting tale that was very '1001 Arabian Nights' and its own thing - as evocative of what little Arabic culture I'd seen as Ted Cheung's 'The Merchant and the...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Michael Cummings rated it 4 of 5 stars

Saladin Ahmed's "Engraved on the Eye" offers a nice sampling of Ahmed's short fiction. Collected in this volume are three short stories set in the same world as his first novel, The Crescent Throne, as well as a western, sci-fi, bunnies with swords, and an urban fantasy. Readers unfamiliar with the Crescent Throne will find the stories a good starting point, while fans of Saladin Adhmed's will enjoy the additional background on a certain ghul hunter and his blue clothed dhervish.

Tying the eight...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Jon Knight rated it 4 of 5 stars

Really very good and a pleasantly different perspective on fantasy and SF. One aspect that struck me particularly was the preponderance of faith, which in SF is rather rare.

The stories range from full on fantasy (complete with homicidal rabbit-women) to SF with a number of the stories set in the author's Arabian-nights flavoured fantasy novel setting.

You can read the afore-mentioned fantasy story on the author's blog and probably the genesis of the short story collection at http://www.saladinah ...more

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Oct 05, 2012 Nicholas rated it 5 of 5 stars

I bought this anthology because I recently purchased the author's book "Throne of the Crescent Moon" and heard there was some tie-in stories in this anthology. What I didn't realize was how much more I was getting. The fantasy genre as a whole is largely based in a medieval European/English setting, and while don't get me wrong I love this, such a distinct break from this mold is not only welcome but encouraged. Saladin Ahmed brings a life and a certain passion to his work and with stories cross...more

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Apr 23, 2013 Steven Poore rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: collections, fantasy

Fresh heroic fantasy stories without the heavy reliance on Westernised tropes. Some of the tales are very slight, but most are very good indeed, and none are too long or too heavy to support themselves. I would have loved to see Doctor Diablo's short story extended and further explored, for example. The Conan-esque Zok is also an interesting creation, but it is the first story, that introduces the ghul-hunting protagonist of Saladin's full-length debut novel, that will probably draw most readers...more

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Dec 27, 2012 Kenny rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, historical-fiction, swords-and-sorcery, epic-fantasy

An excellent collection of short stories, from the excellent author, Saladin Ahmed. His first novel is excellent, and this collection continues it. He includes a short story from that universe, chronicling how two of the main characters met. The other stories, the majority of which feature characters of Islamic faith and of Middle Eastern descent, an in a variety of settings, from the golden age of the Caliphate to fantastical, to the American West, and beyond. Highly recommended.

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May 02, 2013 Ghee rated it 4 of 5 stars

The rather short book contains a series of short stories that range from good to very good. There is classic fantasy, Arabian-inspired fantasy taking place in the same universe as Ahmed's novel, there is also weird western and contemporary. An eclectic mix thus, well written, lightweight but highly entertaining. I enjoyed the stories a lot.

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Sep 26, 2012 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: collections, kindle

Like all things by Ahmed, this is great story telling. Honestly the price of the entire collection is worth it just to get a chance to read some more of the story for Adoulla. Everything good i remember from reading Throne of the Crescent Moon is repeated and made better. Cant wait for the next novel to roll around.

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Jan 17, 2013 Robert rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very fun short stories that are not of the traditional European setting.

Some of the characters are further developed in additional books.

Definitely a book to pick up if you are a fan of short stories or want a different world view on some fun fantasy.

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Apr 10, 2013 Nicholas rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reading-differently-50, kindle, fantasy

I'm torn here. I'm not sure if I want to wish for more short stories by Ahmed or more novels. He's good. He's got an eye for scene that allows him to set up traditionally familiar stories and then focus on something different, whether it is power dynamics, religious details, or some clever joke that subverts the expected. I've read quite a bit of genre fiction, and I've come to the conclusion that Ahmed has chops that exceed most of what is out there.

In any case, if you enjoyed the Throne of th...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Chip rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Bought this for $2.99 because it was a cheap ebook collection of short stories from an author I'd heard good things about. It was fine, but nothing extraordinary. Will still probably read his (well-reviewed) debut novel at some point.

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Feb 03, 2013 Eric Brennan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wonderful collection of short stories, rich in Howardian touches, which is just short of being perfect. I eagerly await this author's later work.

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Jan 09, 2013 Jon rated it 4 of 5 stars

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.

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Oct 06, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Really excellent collection of Arabian Nights style fantasy (mostly). Looking forward to reading The Throne of the Crescent Moon once it's in softcover, since demons dervishes and filthy-minded wizards are awesome, and now I know the setting and the characters a little.

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Oct 07, 2012 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012ebook, fantasy, short-story

S.A. has definitely become an author on my "purchase immediately when anything new comes out" list.

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Sep 24, 2012 Ian James rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, short-story-anthologies

a great collection of short stories from a great author

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May 24, 2013 Alexander rated it 5 of 5 stars

May 23, 2013 Jack marked it as to-read

May 22, 2013 Heather marked it as to-read

May 17, 2013 Kristina Elyse Butke marked it as to-read

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About Saladin Ahmed

Saladin Ahmed was born in Detroit and raised in a working-class, Arab American enclave in Dearborn, MI.

His short stories have been nominated for the Nebula and Campbell awards, and have appeared in Year's Best Fantasy and numerous other magazines, anthologies, and podcasts, as well as being translated into five foreign languages. He is represented by Jennifer Jackson of the Donald Maass Literary A...more

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Books by Saladin Ahmed

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

Where Virtue Lives (included in Engraved on the Eye Anthology)

Book Three Saladin (The Crescent Moon Kingdoms, #3)

Book Two Saladin (The Crescent Moon Kingdoms, #2)

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