Preliminary Blurb for Saladin Ahmed's THRONE OF THE CRESCENT MOON


Here's the preliminary blurb for Saladin Ahmed's Throne of the Crescent Moon:

One of the year's most anticipated fantasy debuts, from a finalist for the Nebula and Campbell Awards.

The Crescent Moon Kingdoms, land of djenn and ghuls, holy warriors and heretics, Khalifs and killers, is at the boiling point of a power struggle between the iron-fisted Khalif and the mysterious master thief known as the Falcon Prince. In the midst of this brewing rebellion a series of brutal supernatural murders strikes at the heart of the Kingdoms.

Doctor Adoulla Makhslood, the last real ghul hunter in the great city of Dhamsawaat, just wants a quiet cup of tea. A fat old man who has grown weary of hunting monsters and saving lives, he's more than ready to retire from his dangerous vocation. But when an old flame's family is murdered, Adoulla is drawn back to the hunter's path.

Adoulla's young assistant Raseed, a hidebound holy warrior whose prowess is matched only by his piety, is eager to deliver God's justice. But even as Raseed's sword is tested by ghuls and manjackals, his soul is tested when he and Adoulla cross paths with the tribeswoman Zamia.

Zamia Badawi, Protector of the Band, has been gifted with the power of the Lion-Shape, but shunned by her people for daring to take up a man's title. She lives only to avenge her father's death. Until she learns that Adoulla and his allies also hunt her father's killer. Until she meets Raseed.

When they learn that the murders and the Falcon Prince's brewing revolution are connected, the companions must race against time - and struggle against their own misgivings - to save the life of a vicious despot. In so doing they discover a plot for the Throne of the Crescent Moon that threatens to turn Dhamsawaat, and the world itself, into a blood-soaked ruin.

8 commentaires:

Cursed Armada said...

I really hope that they have different covers for this... I love the middle eastern setting, and this sounds like a fun book, but man what a terrible cover...

Anonymous said...

There'll probably be an okay-looking cover for the UK version...

Mark Lawrence said...

I like the zombie-things! Plus I have a soft spot for fantasy with an arabian flavour - looks worth checking out.

Daniel said...

Sounds a bit awesome.

PeriklisB said...

Not final cover according to the author: http://saladinahmed.livejournal.com/20215.html .
And yes, it looks interesting...

Kirshy said...

I've read most of this guys short stories, from links that Pat provided. The author has a really great feel for telling stories and a strong voice. I will be looking for this book when it comes out.

Kirshy said...

I've had the chance to read a number Saladin's short stories, many of them based in the world of his forthcoming novel, and they were all great. I will be looking for this book when it comes out.

Anonymous said...

So that's what Patrick Stewart would look like with a beard and a pot belly.