Felaheen

http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/155337.html

The third in Grimwood's Ashraf Bey trilogy, set in an early 21st century North Africa where the Ottoman and German Empires never fell (though Russia is nonetheless soviet) and which is otherwise not very different from our own time-line (to the extent of having the same computer operating systems). Apart from the alternate history aspect, other sf elements include the hero's electronic alter ego and the fact that Tunis is under international sanctions for unauthorised genetic manipulation experiments. I like this series as much for the sultry, sensual prose as for the intricate plot and striking characterisations. This one didn't disappoint. However now that Ashraf Bey has reached a certain point show more in his political career I hope his creator will move on to other things - as long as they are as enjoyable as this.

https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3784740.html

I'm sorry to say that I found it much more difficult to get into this time round, perhaps because I am more separated from the earlier books in the trilogy, perhaps I was just tired. I guess it's good that just a couple of years after 9/11, UK fans were ready to celebrate a book that engages positively with the Arab world by giving it the BSFA Award ahead of some other good candidates. show less

layered and bursting with different flavours, exotic and intricate; and fun!
galloped through this 3rd book in the trilogy, and it didn't seem quite as cohesive as the previous two, but in the end it did tie everything up nicely... would give 4.5stars so rounded up.

When I finished reading Felaheen I wasn't sure if I really wanted a sequel - there are a some loose threads left hanging, and not all of them tasty. At the other hand the whole setting - culture, characters, plotlines, the prose - leaves you wanting more.
To me, the logical conclusion was "so, OK, lets start again, from the beginning once more".
Weird, but read the books and you'll understand!
A pure reading pleasure.

A fascinating convoluted mystery set in an alternative Middle East in the city of El Iskandryis (Alexandria), third and last of a satisfying trilogy.