Just as Tolkien's novels take place in a fantasy world influenced by European culture and myths, this novel by Arab-American Saladin Ahmed draws on a fantasy world influenced by Middle Eastern culture and legends. Aged Adoulla has fought ghuls for several decades. Adoulla is sad because his beloved city Dhamsawwaat is now ruled by a Khalif, who exploits the people and inflicts harsh punishments for minor infractions of the law.
Click here to see the rest of this review...
Adoulla and his apprentice, Raseed, hear rumors of extremely powerful ghuls attacking small villages outside the city walls. They go out to the desert where they fight a ghul, winning the battle but sensing a sinister intelligence at work behind this creature. They find a lone survivor of a ghul attack on a small tribe. This survivor, Zamia, was shunned by her people because she is a shapeshifter, able to transform into a lion. Raseed feels attracted to Zamia, but tries to resist these feelings because he belongs to a strict celibate sect. The wounds these three suffer as a result of fighting ghuls are healed by Adoulla's good friends, Dawoud and his wife Litaz, both of whom also possess supernatural powers.
Adoulla and his allies learn that there is a connection between the ghul murders and a political conflict between the Khalif and a rebel known as the Falcon Prince. They enter the Khalif's palace where they battle against ghuls and the evil force controlling them.
Best part of story, including ending:
I enjoyed the setting of the novel, which carries an Arabian Nights flavor.
Best scene in story:
The scene where Zamia fully realizes her shapeshifting abilities and claims her lioness strength is very good.
Opinion about the main character:
I found it amusing that Adoulla is described as big-bellied and that he enjoys planning a feast for himself and his friends. Magicians and wizards are usually depicted as tall and lean, with little interest in mundane matters such as food.
