Category Archives: dystopian

Jun27

Tyger by SF Said illustrated by Dave McKean

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Tyger by SF Said illustrated by Dave McKean

I don’t know that I’ve ever read a book like this 304 page middle grade fantasy, dystopian, highly illustrated adventure. It delves into philosophy, alternate universes, slavery, racism, politics, magic, identity, friendship, betrayal, human rights, education, following your dreams, saving the world, and a talking immortal tiger. It started a little stilted for me, but as the book progressed, I began to see that a lot of detail about all the above mentioned threads would make for a very adult, very lengthy read, and this is meant for 9-12 year olds, albeit they would need to be able to handle the darkness of the book at times, and caregivers, be aware there is a public hanging of a child. The author is Muslim, and the protagonist and a side character identify as Muslim.  There is not much about Islam, or shown in practice, but that they are afraid to learn and practice their faith is mentioned briefly. I think kids will enjoy the read, and not get hung up on threads unexplored as I did.  The illustrations really make it a book that feels exciting to spend time with, and one that will linger with the reader.  I look forward to sharing it when it releases soon in the US, as it was published in 2022 in the UK.

SYNOPSIS:

In short the book is about a boy, Adam, living “in an alternate London where the British Empire hasn’t ended and slavery was never abolished.” In a partitioned off Ghetto as a minority from the vague “Middle East,” who is unable to go to school, or even draw, he makes deliveries for his family to help keep them afloat. During one such delivery he encounters a tiger, an animal like so many others that is extinct, her name is Tyger, and she speaks.  She is an immortal searching for Guardians to help her heal and open a portal to the city.  When Adam, who is immediately connected to her, cannot find a Guardian, she begins to train him, time is short and when he discovers his friend Zadie, short for Scheherazade, has some training from her father, the two set out to open the doors of perception, imagination, creation, and  revelation, to save the day.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I really like that this book opens up larger discussions about society, self, literature, imagination etc, and can really be adapted to mean different things depending on what the reader brings to it. The book addresses these themes in a way that doesn’t talk down to the reader, and in many ways allows the simple bad guy of the story to not be the takeaway point, but rather the journey of understanding perspective, points of view, empathy, creating something, and hope to be far more important.

The identity of the characters being Muslim initially was just a label, one that just made Adam and Zadie more “other,” but a few cleverly crafted sentences about hiding their names, their skin color, and whether it worked or not, allow the reader to reflect on if denying yourself to appease others is effective or not, or rather more importantly knowing when and in which situations it could be a benefit or a selling out of who you are.  Zadie and her father seem to practice, and one point Solomon ( Suleiman), offers his prayers, he says Assalamualaikum and Bismilliah. Adam and his family on the other hand, have hidden their faith so as to fit in better, and thus it is simply an identity label.

I liked that the illustrations weren’t just stunning in their own right, but also highlighted the mood, and metaphysical elements of the story.  I feel like I could teach not just a few lessons on this book, but dozens, and who knows if they would be correct, but I think this book would be fantastic as a read aloud in a classroom for the story at hand and for the discussions.  The darkness, the excitement, the hope, really gripped me, and while I could opine on plot holes and lack of articulation, in some key scenes, I appreciate that over explanation would take away from all that the book gets right.

FLAGS:

Racism, oppression, colonialism, slavery, hanging, power imbalance, betrayal, lying, sneaking, fighting, killing, magic, fantasy elements.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

Where to even start, this book needs an educators guide, stat. I looked online and couldn’t find one and I hope that will be corrected soon because if you read my thought above, you know there is a lot to discuss.

Sep10

Crestar and the Knight Stallion: The Legend Begins by Robertson, Ahmad, Jasim, Gastonny, and Robinson

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Crestar and the Knight Stallion: The Legend Begins by Robertson, Ahmad, Jasim, Gastonny, and Robinson

This new comic book series combines a lot of exciting elements.  It is a comic book and soon to be live action movie, it is both action and comedic,  it features Desi (Pakistani) and Arab (Iraqi) representation in the title roles, as it is in part written and created by the “characters” themselves. There are Muslim hijabi side characters, cultural Islamic phrases, and a whole lot of saving the day in a plagued Dearborn, Michigan setting.  I admittedly am still very much an outsider to comic books, what all goes in to them, their target audience, and what norms and expectations they carry.  So, I say what I am about to say from a very non critical, simply informative stance, when I say it has what I would consider mature content for elementary aged kids.  The comedy found in the offhand comments, the profanities that are substituted with symbols, surprised me. I anticipated a level of violence and killing, and appreciate that this book doesn’t have the near naked females being shown as many comics do, but I don’t think it is appropriate for younger audiences, probably more middle school and up.  I have not seen the live action, in a different format it might hit different so to speak, but I’m sharing some pictures of the text so that families can decide if the comic books are a good fit for their readers or not.

I love the idea of Muslim rep superheroes, that one is an Iraqi immigrant having to find himself in American society and accept himself, that Crestar is mysterious and his background and motives not known, the cultural and religious infusions, and matchmaking stresses are all amazing subplots to the evil that is destroying the community.  Theft and killings are the norm, Crestar is fighting back, when he discovers Ali has survived an explosion, he begins testing him with the hopes he will join him as the Knight Stallion. The first book is an introduction to the characters, the setting, and the protagonists meeting, it ends hinting that Crestar and the Knight Stallion will be working together, which isn’t much of a surprise given the title of the series, but it sets the stage.

I am not going to write a full review, because I can’t. I just really don’t know if the superhero parts are new and unique or tired and tropey because I don’t know enough about comics to have a valid opinion.  There are trailers online and the first two comic books available are top industry quality in terms of graphics, binding, length etc.

Sep8

Fledgling: The Keepers Records of Revelation by S.K. Ali

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Fledgling: The Keepers Records of Revelation by S.K. Ali

fledgling

 

This 544 page science fiction dystopian fantasy is in my humble opinion S.K. Ali’s best work, and that is saying something.  A lot actually, especially considering I am a Muslim book reviewer and there is no Islam featured in the book. As my author friend Shifa Safadi articulately put it, “it is Muslim coded,” a much more succinct term to describe my rambling thoughts of how Islam seems to be just below the surface, never breaking through, but making the book seem OWN voice and authentic. The book is for ages 14 and up and stays fairly clean, allowing for complete immersion in to the story, the world, the future, and the characters’ lives, without any fear that something drastically detailed and haram, would suddenly appear and pull me out of the flow of the story.  There is a bride market where women can be bought and mention of lovers being taken, but it isn’t normalized, it is for a purpose, and the acts are not detailed.  From start to finish this book is a gift to readers.  The writing quality is superb. The book is told from nine (?) points of view,  and I never once felt the need to flip back to see who was speaking, as each voice is clear and unique. The twists, the heartache, the triumph is all palpable and griping.  The mix of genres works because the characters have multitudes and incredible storytelling made the lengthy book, not nearly long enough. I can’t wait for the second part of the duology, from the Underground to Upper Earth, the world was not one I left willingly, and I look forward to returning for the conclusion.

SYNOPSIS:

I really am not sure how to summarize the book without giving much away, I’m actually surprised myself that I’m writing a full review for a book by a Muslim author with no Islam present, so here we are.  As with all S.K. Ali books, this book starts with a possible “romantic” relationship, in this case though, it is an arranged couple meeting, and it isn’t going well.  But where comedy and faith might normally then enter the story, this book, veers from her norm, drastically.  Set in a dystopian future where scalplinks and mind control allow the “enlightened” to live a vastly different life than those on Lower Earth who’s resources have been plundered, the union is to be between Raisa, of Upper Earth, and Lein the crown prince of Lower Earth as an attempt at achieving peace.  Politics, greed, loyalties, love, all add in to the mix of a rebellion and the hope that comes from the Fledgling.

WHY I LIKE IT:

The book starts with a character list which is an incredible tool for readers as the first half of the book is forced to simultaneously balances character development, world building, and plot progression with a lot of moving parts. The style of memory records, announcements, current events, flashbacks, and changing povs keep the book’s pacing moving, but it really took about until the midpoint for me to be unable to put the book down. What at times early on could be perceived as cumbersome, became truly what makes the book stand out.  To see each character through their own eyes, through their own lived experiences, and to see their thoughts and feelings grow and change, really pulls you in and brings the humanity to life in a book that could have become more plot than character. It also emotionally ties you to the characters and the twists and revelations and loss, hurt a little more than I would have expected as days later I am unable to stop my head from returning to parts of the story that still have a hold on me.

FLAGS:

Death, torture, abuse, killing, murder, hunting, manipulation, lying, a love scene between a coded married couple, oppression, colonization, bride markets, misogyny, cheating, it is YA dystopian, fantasy, sci fi, romance, adventure, so there is some grit at times, but not for sensational vulgarity, it is always for a point and not taken lightly.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

This book would be incredible to read in a high school class: Islamic school, home school, public school, private school, you name it.  There is so much to discuss about colonization, oppression, rebellions, politics, and yet none of it comes at the expense of good story telling.  I would love to hear students discuss their favorite characters, opine on their motivations, and argue right vs wrong with citings from the text.  No two people would feel the same, I would almost guarantee it.