433 pages
English language
Published July 1, 2012 by Emblem.
In an unnamed Middle Eastern security state, a young Arab-Indian hacker shields his clients, dissidents, outlaws, Islamists, and other watched groups, from surveillance and tries to stay out of trouble. He goes by Alif, the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, and a convenient handle to hide behind. The aristocratic woman Alif loves has jilted him for a prince chosen by her parents, and his computer has just been breached by the State's electronic security force, putting his clients and his own neck on the line. Then it turns out his lover's new fianceé is the head of State security, and his henchmen come after Alif, driving him underground. When Alif discovers The Thousand and One Days, the secret book of the jinn, which both he and the Hand suspect may unleash a new level of information technology, the stakes are raised and Alif must struggle for life or death, …
In an unnamed Middle Eastern security state, a young Arab-Indian hacker shields his clients, dissidents, outlaws, Islamists, and other watched groups, from surveillance and tries to stay out of trouble. He goes by Alif, the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, and a convenient handle to hide behind. The aristocratic woman Alif loves has jilted him for a prince chosen by her parents, and his computer has just been breached by the State's electronic security force, putting his clients and his own neck on the line. Then it turns out his lover's new fianceé is the head of State security, and his henchmen come after Alif, driving him underground. When Alif discovers The Thousand and One Days, the secret book of the jinn, which both he and the Hand suspect may unleash a new level of information technology, the stakes are raised and Alif must struggle for life or death, aided by forces seen and unseen.
I've had this book on my to read list since shortly after it was published, and it always felt like commitment reading. There's a slow pace to the book that held back the experience for me, but the characters, story, and blend of genres enchanted me and made me feel the commitment was fully rewarded.
A well-written and imaginative book. The imagery is cool, even scary sometimes, but it serves to grab you attention. Compelling fantastical characters.
I'd really like to say four and a half.
My friend Terra recommended this book to me based on my love for [a:Lyda Morehouse|40397|Lyda Morehouse|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1212688090p2/40397.jpg]'s [b:Fallen Host|71414|Fallen Host (LINK Angel, #2)|Lyda Morehouse|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1170760916s/71414.jpg|69158] and [b:Messiah Node|71415|Messiah Node (LINK Angel, #3)|Lyda Morehouse|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309203112s/71415.jpg|69159]. I can see why she would, because these books have a lot in common, namely:
All three books contain a character who is a Muslim hacker and computer genius who's in love with a girl who's out of his reach.
That said, the books cover very different territory. Wilson's world is an unnamed Middle Eastern country during an Arab Spring type uprising, and contains no supernatural elements from outside the Quran, as far as I know. (Jinn and demons.) Morehouse's world is a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk dystopia with angels and Universalist leanings; she gives all religions equal weight (she has a Buddhist archangel, for example, although most of her POV characters …
I'd really like to say four and a half.
My friend Terra recommended this book to me based on my love for [a:Lyda Morehouse|40397|Lyda Morehouse|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1212688090p2/40397.jpg]'s [b:Fallen Host|71414|Fallen Host (LINK Angel, #2)|Lyda Morehouse|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1170760916s/71414.jpg|69158] and [b:Messiah Node|71415|Messiah Node (LINK Angel, #3)|Lyda Morehouse|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309203112s/71415.jpg|69159]. I can see why she would, because these books have a lot in common, namely:
All three books contain a character who is a Muslim hacker and computer genius who's in love with a girl who's out of his reach.
That said, the books cover very different territory. Wilson's world is an unnamed Middle Eastern country during an Arab Spring type uprising, and contains no supernatural elements from outside the Quran, as far as I know. (Jinn and demons.) Morehouse's world is a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk dystopia with angels and Universalist leanings; she gives all religions equal weight (she has a Buddhist archangel, for example, although most of her POV characters follow Abrahamic faiths). Morehouse also includes LGBT characters.
The biggest difference, however, is the themes. Wilson's Alif is struggling with faith, ethics, and metaphysics, but--like the book itself--doesn't really stray outside of his faith. Morehouse's Page is struggling with issues of whether or not, as an electronic construct, he's a person with a soul. Mouse's arc is one of redemption and forgiveness. Those are both themes that appeal more to me, personally, as a reader.
Also: As much as I like Alif he loses points with me for being too much of a chick magnet. It never really felt realistic to me that all these women (and Jinn) would be fighting over some nerdy hacker boy.
