Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers, Grove Press, for providing an advanced copy of The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson!

First of all, the premise: The Bird King is set in Granada in 1492, a period of time about which I know pitifully little, but was interested to know more. It's astonishing - and unfortunate - how little we learn about Spain during the time of Muslim rule. I don't think I even knew there had been Muslims in Spain until I was in my late teens.

It is 1492, and the era of Muslim rule is coming to an end, due to Isabella and Ferdinand who wish to create the Catholic nation of Spain - which, of course, means driving the Sultan out of Granada, the last part of Spain yet to be conquered.

It is here that we meet Fatima, the Sultan's concubine, and Hassan, the royal mapmaker. Fatima has lived in the harem all her life under Lady Aisha, the Sultan's mother. Hassan is her best friend, and he has the ability to create rooms and walkways from the maps that he creates. Together they tell the story of The Bird King from an unfinished old book of Lady Aisha's.

When a delegation from Isabella arrives, Fatima befriends Lady Luz, but soon discovers that she is from the Inquisition and that they plan to capture and torture Hassan, who is considered a sorcerer and a threat. The two flee in the middle of the night along with the palace dog - who, it transpires, is a jinn named Vikram.

What follows is a long and difficult journey across the harsh terrain of southern Spain, as they aim to find a boat that will take them away from the people who wish to torture Hassan. While I did enjoy their journey, and the constant scrapes they got into, I do feel it could perhaps have been shortened a little.

One thing I must mention is Wilson's writing, as it was absolutely marvellous. She is truly accomplished in her prose, which was rich and fascinating but never verging towards either dreary or flowery.

I also enjoyed the character of Fatima, who was often driven by her anger and who refused ever to give in, especially when the fate of her best friend Hassan was at stake. Hassan is another favourite. He is gay, and never does this conflict with his faith or his friendship with Fatima, and his own acceptance of himself was a breath of fresh air.

The Bird King was a beautiful book to read; I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy, particularly historical fantasy. I enjoyed the characters we met near the end of the novel, and seeing them come together and the sacrifice a certain character made was wonderfully done.

I do feel, however, that the novel ended rather abruptly. I would have liked to have read a little more about what happened on the island, even if it was just one more short chapter or epilogue. As it was, I was left feeling rather bereft at the sudden ending; perhaps I simply didn't want to leave this world, and I find myself hoping that perhaps in the future there will be more stories set in this world of subtle magic and jinn.

Overall, I gave The Bird King four stars, because it really was a joy to read - especially, as the synopsis reads, it takes place in a world before the Muslim world and the West were separate. The characters were diverse both in ethnicity and faith, and it makes me wonder what could have been, had this divide never become so wide. The themes of love and freedom were well-considered, and this book has certainly left me with much to think about.

The Bird King will be released in March 2019, and I look forward to getting my hands on a finished copy. Thanks again to Wilson, Netgalley, and Grove Press.

Having recently reviewed a history of Islamic Spain, I couldn't resist this work of historical fiction. The best thing I liked about this book were the protagonists, whose predicament captures the reader's attention from the outset and holds on to it for the length of the book. I also found the historical details to be rich and mostly accurate. Overall it was a wonderful read.

Advance readers copy from NetGalley—
I downloaded this book back in September, and my only complaint about it is the formatting— it’s hard to read the paragraphs when they aren’t tabbed in, and some of the italicized words jumped lines, so it could be difficult to read in spots. I’m hoping a lot of that gets fixed before this is released.

However, I really enjoyed this story. It was great to read a story that features a strong woman and in that period in Spanish/Moorish history (late 1400s), with some magic and fantastical elements thrown in— magic mapmakers, jinns, and seers. If you like that sort of thing, you’ll enjoy this story too.

This book was absolutely gorgeous. Filled with lovely, detailed descriptions of the characters, the setting, and everything else, this novel pulled me in from the very first few sentences. It's worth noting that this is a fantasy novel that takes place within a very real setting (the last state of Muslim Iberia), making for some interesting bits of history thrown in with the magic.

The main character, Fatima, is so very strong, but not so strong that it gives the other characters nothing to do, and that balance is so crucial to how this story progresses and, eventually, meets its end. Each character was fully fleshed out and crafted into the story. Each character stood out all on their own, but the two main characters, Fatima and Hassan truly make the book magical. They were full of both strength and vulnerabilities, making them both utterly believable and relatable. I felt as though I was living these moments and reacting with them.

Touching on issues of freedom, consent, and happiness, this book managed to make both the fantastic journey the characters undertake and those social issues equally important parts of the story. The ending wasn't exactly a happy ending, but it was satisfying nonetheless, and I would've expected nothing less "real" from this novel.

The writing was amazing, the characters believable, the world magical, and the story fantastic. The best way to describe this book is a wonderful balance of everything you want in a story.

I loved this story and will recommend it to anyone who will listen.

I feel very conflicted about The Bird King. There were many things I liked, things I didn't like. While reading it I felt incredibly frustrated and when I finished I felt underwhelmed. The Bird King was beautifully written and well research and it was obvious a great deal of effort and care was put into writing it. But I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to. There is nothing technically wrong with the story or the characters or the plot but it wasn't what I expected and wasn't for me.

80% of the reason I read this was because the summary said there was a jinni. And while there were jinn in the story I felt incredibly underwhelmed. If you read the summary and think this is a fantasy story it is NOT, or more so, if you go into it expecting a fantasy novel you will be disappointed. I'm not sure exactly which category this falls into, but I would consider it a historic fiction with fantasy elements rather than a fantasy in a historic setting. The characters were well written and authentic but they not to my taste. I found them incredibly immature and frustrating to read about.

This wasn't for me but not technically bad. I'm sure there is tons of subtext, deeper meanings, symbolism and allegory which I didn't understand. I think if you don't mind a slow plot, or the characters and like analyzing the symbolism in literature you will enjoy this more than I did.

The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Set in 1491 Grenada, most of this novel reads like a devoted historical novel where the Muslim world is mixed with the Christian at a time when the Spanish Inquisition is running strong and the last Emirate is about to fall.

Fatima, the last concubine, and her friend Hassan, a mapmaker with the ability to open up doors to the Other, transforms this novel from a strict historical to an outright fantasy. But it happens slowly. The historicity of the world is rich and lush and it introduces the world of the Jinn and magic in pure magical realism style, later becoming an outright adventure to find the Bird King.

The old world has died. The only course now is survival. Perhaps happiness. But mostly, it's just finding a place to survive, and if it is with the help of the Jinn and all the creatures under Allah, so be it. Allah made all.

I liked the message at the end of the book.

I also happened to like G. Willow Wilson's Alif the Unseen a lot more. But that being said, there's a lot to love right here.

The year is 1491. Granada, the last emirate in the Iberian Peninsula, is losing its battle against the Kingdom of Spain. It is only a matter of time before the sultan finally capitulates to the Spanish monarchy and ends their dynasty’s 250 year-old rule. At the heart of the story are Fatima, a royal concubine, and her friend Hassan, the palace mapmaker who can draw maps of places he hasn’t yet seen. However, his ability brings him into trouble with the Spanish Inquisitors who view it as sorcery and a threat to Christian rule. Fatima helps him escape, and together they set on a journey to find the place they only learned from childhood stories: the place of the Bird King.

I am not familiar with either the history of Spain as a newly-established kingdom or the Spanish Inquisition, and so it was fascinating learning a bit about this particular time period; I also thought it suited the fictional setting of the novel quite well. The discourses on war, religion, and life in general are all thought-provoking, although noncommittal. The story gives off a philosophical vibe to it that doesn’t come out preachy and also integrates a bit of folklore or myth with its made up parable about a bird king, which is central in the story.

Though there are parts in the middle of the book that read slow and unexciting, it was a good thing something remarkable usually happens every time there is a dull gap. I first thought this was also more historical than fantasy, but reading along I realized the historical time period was merely a backdrop to highlight the story’s fantastical element, which disappointed me a little because as a historical fiction enthusiast I had actually hoped for a committed historical story. The last few pages seem oddly rushed, and the conclusion somehow fails to validate the plot and its historical element, but overall I liked the characters and the novel’s mature take on cultural and religious dissonance.

I love G Willow Wilson and her books, so I was all prepared to love this, too, and for the first half I did. I thought the world building was fantastic, the writing superb, and the characters really well drawn. It has some interesting, nuanced thoughts on friendship, agency, opression that masquerades as freedom, and complex relationships that contain both dark and light.

The second half, though, was puzzling. All the subtlety with the characters and the central relationship kind of peters out. Things feel like they're happening.. just because. Because the author decided they needed to. The same ideas keep being repeated without any real development to get you to the point where you actually believe them.

The story also kind of takes a left turn in the latter half that leads to a conclusion I found to be overall very unsatisfying.

Set in 14th century Iberia, The Bird King (which comes out in March) is a fable, steeped in magical realism. Yet despite its enchanting otherworldly trappings, it is primarily a novel of ideas. It grapples with who we are, how we love, why we worship, and why a world of co-existence—perhaps even of Convivencia—seems so far beyond our reach.

In prose so vivid and original that one can only read it with envy, The Bird King tells the story of Fatima, a Circassian concubine, mistress of the last Emir of Granada, and Hassan, the only person she loves in the world, a mapmaker whose homosexuality imperils his existence under the Inquisition. As the fall of Granada comes to pass, Fatima and Hassan are guided only by Hassan’s ability to make maps out of myths—what he draws comes to pass, a sorcerous talent that sharpens the eye of the Inquisition, and places a target on his back. Terrifying jinn, stalwart Christian knights, wayward monks, and others beguiling creatures are encountered along the route of Fatima and Hassan’s escape to the island of the Bird King. But this is really Fatima’s story—the story of a young woman whose greatest desire is the freedom to make her own choice. Without the Emir’s power to protect her, Fatima has nothing—is nothing, yet through the force of her convictions, she makes a place and a world for herself.

https://www.tor.com/2018/11/12/five-sff-books-drawn-from-neglected-histories/

[this review will be up on my blog, acquadimore.wordpress.com, on December 1, 2018]

The Bird King is a historical fantasy novel which follows a Circassian concubine in the royal court of Granada. It's a beautifully written book, and - as far as I know - also a well-researched one; it mentioned a lot of things I know from reading nonfiction about Genoese history (the Genoese were the ones who sold Circassian slaves to rich people, including Sultans - just one of the many awful things they did to make money).

Unfortunately, this kind of slow-paced, detailed historical fiction with just a hint of magic isn't my thing (I find it boring, but I think it's not in any way this book's fault), and I don't want to force myself to read something that isn't working for me. However, I do recommend it if this genre appeals to you - I think it's a very good book.

The writing in the novel is absolutely gorgeous with moments of great insight. The plotting, however, didn't do the writing justice. I loved the fairytale feeling and the magical realism. But, when the rules of the magic established in the story were violated, it broke the veil of the story for me. The second half of the book was not nearly as strong or engaging as the first for these reasons.

I received a free e-copy of The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson from NetGalley for my honest review.

Thank you G. Willow Wilson for this beautiful and enchanting novel, written with rich history. The writing is absolutely magical and rich with emotion. The kind of writing that makes you go back and re-read parts of it just for the sheer joy.

Fatima is the last sultan’s concubine in a kingdom falling down to the Spanish Inquisition. Her friend, Hassan, is in danger for his crafting ability of drawing maps. Hassan's maps can open secret passages for places he has never even seen. Fatima runs away with him and a Jinn. A story of love, friendship and culture.

I struggled at the beginning of this book, took me a while to get into it.
But once I did, I enjoyed the story.

I would rate this book with 3.5 stars but I bumped it to 4 because of the authors beautiful storytelling. The first part of the book was very thought provoking and I couldn’t put it down. I felt I read the novel quickly as trying to regain momentum; however, I could never fully regain the wonder that captivated me in the beginning. Characters turned cold and the plot twisted so much that I felt completely lost. I also felt that the meaning of certain elements were lost on me. The ending was disappointing and didn’t quite fit within the story itself and I am left wanting and my curiosity has turned to confusion.

The one thing I will praise is the amount of passages that make you stop and think, the following is one that stuck out for me:


<i> Why should I believe you?” Fatima rubbed her arms, her teeth chattering.
“I never lie,” said the dog-man. “Lies are for those who are afraid or ashamed of what they are, and I am neither.” </i>


I received this book from Netgalley and Grove Atlantic in return for an honest review.

There's just something about this book that was so magical to read. We follow a gifted mapmaker who can create worlds in a time where conquest is all the rage. This book is just teeming with adventure that goes beyond the pages and whisks you to worlds that seem only possible in the imagination.

A beautiful book, masterfully weaving together Muslim beliefs and mythology with historical fiction.

Fatima is a concubine in the harem of Alahambra, the last stronghold of the dying Iberian Muslim empire. Dying, because the disparate groups of Iberia have united into one, Catholic country: Spain. And with the rise of Spain and the rule of Isabelle and Ferdinand, comes the Spanish Inquisition. When envoys from the Spanish court come to Alahambra, it is only a matter of time. And when one of them, a particularly terrifying woman named Luz, learns that the sultan's mapmaker, Hassan, has supernatural abilities--abilities that allow him to create new spaces and paths through drawing maps--she offers up a deal: hand over Hassan in exchange for the return of the sultan's ransomed children. It's a deal he can't pass up. But Fatima, who loves Hassan like a brother, refuses to let the Inquisition take him. The two run away in the night, assisted by a shape-shifting jinn named Vikhram. Their only goal is to escape the clutches of Luz and the Spanish Inquisition, but soon a more hopeful destination comes to mind: the land of the Bird King, a mythical figure Fatima and Hassan have been making up stories about for years. Along the way, they are tested to their limits as they try to stay ahead of their pursuers, accidentally kidnap a Catholic monk on a stolen ship, and finally find the island of the Bird King. But who--or what--is the Bird King really? And will they finally be able to find the peace that they so long for?

I loved G. Willow Wilson's previous book, Alif the Unseen, so I was more than a little eager to get my hands on The Bird King. And it did not disappoint in the least. The prose is lush and really brings 15th century Spain to life. I knew so little of the history of the Muslim empire in Iberia and found it really fascinating to read about--especially to see it set just on the eve of its tragic downfall. I love the way historical fiction was mixed together with fantasy-- especially fantasy elements drawing on Muslim beliefs and mythology like the jinn. Wilson created such a rich world in The Bird King that it was easy to get lost in its pages. My only complaint is that it was a bit of a slow read for me-- maybe because of pacing or maybe something else--but overall I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd definitely recommend it for fans of fantasy, particularly if they also enjoy historical fiction.

This ebook has a slow pace, so you might hold on for a while because I could hooked in the story after finished chapter one. Then, the story ran smoothly for me. I like the character developement. And the writing style as well.

Much stronger than her debut novel, Alif the Unseen, G. Willow Wilson has traded the urban fantasy/cyber thriller in for a historical fiction novel (that of course features Djinn and magic) and I think that was a good choice.

Set during the last gasp of the emirate of Grenada, our heroine Fatima is a concubine in the royal court. Her only true friend is Hassan, a skilled mapmaker than can reshape the world with his maps. Being gay and possessing magical skill, Hassan is a threat to the Spanish Inquisition that looms over the court. Fatima sacrifices her comfort and the only home she's even known in order to save him, and they journey across Spain with the help of a mysterious jinn and a few companions we meet along the way.

I loved the setting, and Hassan and Fa were both interesting enough characters. The novel did have a bit too much YA flavor for my tastes, which was a bit surprising because I didn't see that mentioned in any of the descriptions or marketing for the novel. The pacing shifts about halfway through the novel and loses some of what made it so exciting in the first portion. I also feel like the villain, Luz, could've been handled with a bit more consistency? The last quarter or so of the book felt a tad rushed and underdeveloped, but overall I'd still say this is a worthy read.

3.5/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The description drew me in: "Hassan has a secret - he can draw maps of places he's never seen and bend the shape of reality." Secrets, maps, the bending of reality? Yes, please.

But I was utterly astounded when I started reading this book and was suddenly...not reading a book. I was there - with the feel of the palace floor beneath my feet, crying for a dog who was kicked by an Inquisitor, hot chills when I realized what they planned for Hassan - yes, even the Sultan who had been friends and depended on the mapmaker since childhood, how he betrayed him.

Fatima was so easy to identify with. She was trapped, but she was wild, and like all wild trapped things, she was going crazy in her prison, regardless of how pretty it was. She, too, has been friends with Hassan since childhood, and she loves him for being the only person who doesn't want to own her, who isn't "friends" with her because of her beauty. Hassan, in his own way, is wild as well, and not exactly thriving in his prison.

So when the generals and ladies come with the Inquisition to offer a "peace treaty" to the Sultan, and Fatima discovers that the Sultan has no loyalties, she warns Hassan and they flee.

With the Inquisition always nipping at their heels, they meet with a cast of characters including jinn, a monk, a shipwrecked doctor to kings, and always there is that lady from the Inquisition - Luz, whom Fatima cannot seem to shake. With only a ring given to her by the Lady Aisha (the sultan's mother), and a map to a place that may or may not exist and which no one has laid eyes on in hundreds of years if it does, Fatima and Hassan try to outrun the Inquisition.

This, was a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful novel. I try not to do that - so so so very very very. But this book was - it was so so so very very very beautiful beautiful beautiful. The language was delicious. I envy Wilson's prose like I'd envy the voice of a sultry singer. The descriptions made the whole world she built visible to me. The characters were believable, identifiable, even to the very end. The magic was, well, magical.

This is the first book I've read by Wilson, and I do so hope to read more in the future. Definitely a book I'll be buying a hard copy of and adding to my green suitcase.

How to begin! If I were to rate the first half of this book, it would definitely be 5 stars, yet beginning in the second half, I felt as though I was reading a completely different story, one that I couldn't follow and wasn't particularly interested in.
The first half held such beautiful prose, and I saved this particular passage because it struck so true for me. "She could not envision a God who demanded such particularity of belief, whose mercy and forgiveness were confined to such a precise segment of humankind."
The beginning of the book held everything I adore in a book: fantasy without being predictable, mystery and magic, and a female lead character.
Then suddenly, I felt I could no longer follow the story line.

Issues I had with Fatima and Hassan finding Qaf:
1) Fatima somehow finds the island, even though she isn't in possession of the map?! That seems to contradict the entire premise thus far. The pathway is open until they destroy the map now? That's different than when she couldn't locate the cave and was lost because of it.
2) When she washes up on shore, she seemingly has no concern for where Hassan and Gwennec are. She says nothing about it and we are unsure whether they lived for a significant amount of time. That doesn't seem to align with what we've understood about her character and priorities.
3). Fatima is the Bird King?! This was SUCH a reach for me! "You are the Bird King," she said to it. "I am the Bird King. Hassan Is. Even Luz. We all are, none of us are." Um, what?

I truly loved Fatima, Hassan, and Gwennec until the latter portion of the book, but couldn't get behind the island premise at the end.

I received a copy of this book as a courtesy of Net Galley and the Publisher