Mazahl's Ascent

Mazahl's Ascent by S.V. Atla
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I have no conection to S. V. Atla.

I would have rates this book 3.5 stars simply as it took me so long to get I to it. It was the last 25% of the book that pushed this to round up. The story highlights the dark side of Saudi Arabia. Even today or especially today many if these issues are prominent. The discrimination faced by women, treatment of expatriates, and the poorer classes in general. There is a lot of darkness in this book so if you are offended by real world issues you probably will not enjoy this book.

After finishing the book I can see why it was more slow moving at the beginning, as Atla was developing Mazahl's character and "powers" slowly. I can understand and appreciate this though I was a bit too slow for me. The only other complaint I had about the book is almost in the same paragraph I was reading from one characters perceptive, then almost on the next line it changed to another characters perspective. I did get used to the the more of the book I read.

A good book full of not so hidden real world issues. One of the things I am glad Atla does point out in the later chapters is the issues are based on culture not religion. Even though religion is what is blamed or misquoted/twisted for bad people to justify the evil things the do. This book is more for people who do not mind controversial and dark themes in their books.

View all my reviews