(3-1/2 stars) Throne of the Crescent Moon started out somewhat awkwardly for me, introducing characters who aren't immediately appealing, and an extremely pious cultural setting that was initially off-putting. I'd read so many positive reviews, though, that I pushed through, and I'm glad I did because Saladin Ahmed's fantasy tale really hits its stride in the second act and takes off from there. Of the primary trio, the conflicted Raseed was the most difficult to connect with, but the tale settles into a nice groove once the rest of the ensemble comes into play -- especially Litaz, Dawoud, and the Falcon Prince -- and the main storyline comes to the fore.

As debuts go, this is a pretty solid one that manages to tell an engaging (and complete) story while establishing an intriguing setting that promises many more exciting adventures. I'm intrigued to see where Ahmed takes things, and would be most interested in following the further adventures of Zamia, Litaz and Dawoud, and learning more about the Soo Tripasharate.

Recommended for fantasy and adventure fans looking to escape the Euro-centric/Medieval Box of SSDD.