Locus Award for Best First Novel winner
Hugo Award for Best Novel finalist
Nebula Award for Best Novel finalist
David Gemmell Morningstar Award finalist
"Ahmed is a master storyteller in the grand epic tradition." —N. K. Jemisin
The Crescent Moon Kingdoms, home to djenn and ghuls, holy warriors and heretics, are 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. It is up to a handful of heroes to learn the truth behind these killings.
Doctor Adoulla Makhslood, "the last real ghul hunter in the great city of Dhamsawaat," just wants a quiet cup of tea. Three score and more years old, he has grown weary of hunting monsters and saving lives, and is more than ready to retire from his dangerous and demanding vocation. But when an old flame's family is murdered, Adoulla is drawn back to the hunter's path.
Raseed bas Raseed, Adoulla's young assistant, is a hidebound holy warrior whose prowess is matched only by his piety. 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 near- mythical 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.
Industry Reviews
"Readers yearning for the adventures of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser will delight in the arrival of Adoulla and Raseed. In addition to these two marvelous characters, Saladin Ahmed has given us the wonderful, colorful city of Dhamsawaat, ghuls and demons and manjackals, and the ferocious tribeswoman Zamia, who gives new meaning to the words 'wild girl.'"
-- Walter Jon Williams, Nebula award-winning author of Deep State "Throne of the Crescent Moon is colorful, magical, exciting, and moving. Saladin Ahmed delivers a beautiful story of a demon hunter in an Arabian Nights setting. An excellent first novel!"
-- Kevin J. Anderson, international bestselling coauthor of Hellhole
"This promising debut offers a glimpse of a dusty and wonderful fantasy city through the eyes of three engaging, unconventional protagonists."
-- Elizabeth Bear, Hugo award-winning author of Grail
"Ahmed is a master storyteller in the grand epic tradition. Swashbuckling adventure, awesome mystery, a bit of horror, and all of it written beautifully. A real treat!"
-- N. K. Jemisin, Locus award-winning author of The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
"A genuinely brisk, bold, and colorful diversion.... Flashing swords, leaping bandits, holy magic, bloodthirsty monsters, and sumptuous cuisine... what more do you want me to do, draw you a map? Read this thing."
-- Scott Lynch, Sydney J. Bounds award-winning author of The Lies of Locke Lamora
"Ahmed's debut masterfully paints a world both bright and terrible."
-- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"This trilogy launch will delight fantasy lovers who enjoy flawed but honorable protagonists and a touch of the exotic."
-- Library Journal (starred review)
"An arresting, sumptuous and thoroughly satisfying debut."
-- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Throne of the Crescent Moon is the best fantasy swashbuckler of the year so far.... If you love smart escapism, don't miss out on this book."
-- io9.com
"Bottom line: If you're a fantasy fan - and it doesn't matter if you're a fan of paranormal fantasy, epic fantasy, dark fantasy, etc. - chances are very good that you'll find Throne of the Crescent Moon to be one of the best novels you read this year."
-- B&N Explorations
"There's a wonderful soul to Throne of the Crescent Moon and, with all the skill and eloquence he showed in his short fiction, Ahmed has brought to life a wonderful cast of characters and introduced readers to a thrilling and interesting new world to explore."
-- A Dribble of Ink
