Alif the Unseen

by G Willow Wilson
Alif the Unseen cover
Good Books rating 3.62
Fantasy
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  • ID: 4631
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-22
  • ISBN: 9780857895684
  • Publisher: Atlantic Books Ltd
  • Published: 2012-09-01
  • Reviews: 4

Alif the Unseen follows the journey of a young man known only as Alif, who lives in a city where the old world and the new collide. When his love, Intisar, is promised to another, she gifts him a mysterious book called The Thousand and One Days, which opens a portal to a realm of ancient magic and djinn. As Alif delves deeper into this hidden world, he attracts unwanted attention from both human and supernatural forces, forcing him to become a fugitive. His quest to uncover the secrets of the Unseen leads him through the crumbling streets of his city and into a dangerous adventure that will transform him irrevocably. The novel blends elements of modern technology and ancient mythology, creating a rich tapestry of intrigue and wonder. Alif's journey is not just a physical one but also a spiritual and intellectual exploration, as he grapples with the consequences of his actions and the power he has unleashed. With its unique setting and compelling narrative, Alif the Unseen is a captivating tale that explores themes of love, identity, and the blurred lines between the seen and the unseen.

Reviews
justonemorepaige.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2023-03-13
mixed 2.50

The reviewer appreciates the worldbuilding in Dragonflight, particularly the dragons and the unique environment of Pern. However, they found the characters uninteresting and the romance lacking chemistry, making them unsure about continuing the series.

The reviewer highlights the strong worldbuilding in Dragonflight, noting the prominent role of dragons and the unique environmental factors that shape the world of Pern. The blend of science fiction and fantasy elements is praised, with the story's setting and history being particularly engaging. However, the characters, especially F'lar and Lessa, were found to be uninteresting and lacked the chemistry needed for a compelling romance. The plot and ending were successful, but the reviewer is unsure about continuing the series due to the uninteresting characters.

Quick quotes

    The narrative spent more time with F’lar than I would have liked.

    The man “took her shoulders and shook her” so many times that Lessa actually made a joke about it.

    At this point, I’m not sure if I’ll be returning to Pern.

CL Siewert's Blog · 2013-12-28
strong 3.50

Characterization is a strong point, though the main character may not be entirely sympathetic.

This reviewer highlighted the strong characterization as a key strength of the novel. They noted that while the main character, Alif, may not be entirely sympathetic, this was likely intentional and in keeping with the author's vision. The reviewer appreciated the depth and complexity of the characters, which added layers to the story and made it more engaging. They also noted the unique blend of elements that made the novel stand out.

Quick quotes

    Characterization is a strong point.

    While I didn't find Alif an entirely sympathetic character, I believe that to be in keeping with Wilson's intention.

    The novel's unique blend of elements makes it stand out.

theguardian.com · Unknown · 2012-10-06
good 4.00

Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey is the first in a long-running fantasy series, featuring a unique premise and a strong protagonist. However, its short length and lack of character depth leave something to be desired, making it a somewhat underwhelming start to the series.

Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey is a significant work in the fantasy genre, introducing a compelling premise and a headstrong protagonist, Lessa. The story follows Lessa as she discovers her unique abilities and navigates a war-torn future where humanity has colonized another planet. While the premise is intriguing and the dynamic between Lessa and F'lar is engaging, the book's short length and lack of character depth detract from the overall experience. The plot, though interesting, lacks the necessary pace and tension to keep readers fully engaged. Additionally, the brevity of the book means there isn't enough time to build a rich lore or develop the characters fully. Despite these shortcomings, McCaffrey's writing and the solid foundation she lays make Dragonflight a noteworthy start to a vast series. It's clear that McCaffrey is a legend in the fantasy genre, and while this first book may leave readers wanting more, it sets the stage for the many books that follow.

Quick quotes

    Dragonflight has a generally really cool premise — without spoiling too much of the plot — as I mentioned before, we follow Lessa as our main character as she attempts to work her way up to become useful during a war — along the way, she realises she has a very powerful ability that means she could end up helping win the war.

    It’s a plot that had a lot of potential and could, for some, keep them very interested for a while but it just lacked a real sense of pace or tension to keep me truly interested.

    Anne McCaffrey is a legend of the fantasy genre and led the way for many fantasy authors after her. Dragonflight is the first in a vast series and at times it does feel like the first. It’s got some great writing and a great idea with some solid characters but its shortness and lack of character depth or plot unfortunately left me feeling a little underwhelmed after reading it.

Reader Dad · 2012-08-08
exceptional 4.50

The novel seamlessly blends technology and mythology, creating an exceptional debut. It's a must-read for fans of the genre.

This reviewer was captivated by the way the author wove together modern technology with ancient mythology. They found the result to be both astounding and exceptional, making it a standout debut. The reviewer believes this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys stories that blend these elements. They particularly appreciated the unique perspective and the way the story unfolds, making it a memorable reading experience.

Quick quotes

    Willow Wilson has produced an exceptional debut novel that seamlessly melds technology and mythology to astounding effect.

    A must read for fans of the genre.

    The novel is a standout debut that blends modern technology with ancient mythology in a way that is both astounding and exceptional.

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