From the Bookshelf of Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge…

Alif the Unseen

G. Willow Wilson

Why we're reading this: For the "Set in the Middle East " category.... this is great!…more
[close] For the "Set in the Middle East " category.... this is great!

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What Members Thought

Jul 25, 2014 Cathy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Such fun! Digital intrigue, an Arab Spring-like uprising, supernatural beings, and even a mild-mannered romance. A quick, enjoyable read that got me through a week sick in bed. For that, I'm thankful. My only real complaint is that the religious aspect got pretty heavy-handed at times. I don't really need morals spelled out for me. However, the book was such a fun little adventure that I'll let that flaw slide. ...more

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Jan 19, 2015 Roman Colombo rated it really liked it · review of another edition

For the most part, I rally enjoyed it, but it had a few issues. One, though I don't mind a long, I do mind when it could be shorter. There was a bit that could be cut and the pacing was awkward because of it. Wilson's style was fine, but the story moved slowly. Secondly, Alif was not that interesting a character, and all the characters around him were a lot more interesting. It was hard to root for him. But it was those other characters that made the book so enjoyable, and enough to make me want ...more

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Feb 14, 2017 Julianne Dunn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: immersive-escapism-list

Bahhh I love this book. I love this author. The plot is about a Middle Eastern hacker that stumbles upon an old book, Thousand and One Days. But the title definitely gives it away as the themes of this book are really about what is unseen. It has plenty of religious and ethical considerations and imagery. The writing is exquisite and I love the slow reveal of the story. I could read this again.

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