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.