Alif the Unseen in Multiculturalism in YA,Fantasy, Sci FI,Paranormal and fun books ;p

Feb 23, 2014 Craig Laurance rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

"Wonder and awe have gone out of your religions. You are prepared to accept the irrational, but not the transcendent."

Alif the Unseen is not just one kind of novel. It starts out as cyber-thriller Neal Stephenson kind of novel and turns into a Neil Gaiman styled fantasia involving the world of djinn. But that's just the plot. It's multi-layered, with treatises on religion and politics. In fact, I would say the novel is as much a political allegory--a kind of magical version of the "Arab Spring" ...more

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Apr 01, 2016 Abby Goldsmith rated it it was ok

Shelves: sff, did-not-finish, middle-eastern

When my interest in a book wanes, I don't finish it. That's what happened here, about 50% of the way through.

Urban Fantasy isn't my thing, and if not for my SF/F book club, I wouldn't have picked this one up. This book is full of Urban Fantasy creatures--not werewolves and vampires and fae--but jinn that seem, to me, like a Middle Eastern take on werewolves and vampires and fae. The magical rules are very murky and vague. The magical creatures are cloaked in mystery. The wall between seen and u ...more

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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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