The principle problem with this entry in the series, is that for large sections Marîd reads like he's had his balls cut off. While this may make sense in terms of plot, it also greatly diminishes the reading experience found in the first book. Now that the protagonist that I liked in the first instalment is a shadow of his former self. His shoulders are unable to support some of the failings in the narrative that at times insult rationality. This isn't the same a plot reveal displaying a few large craters. The characters openly hone in on a perpetrator at one point and instead of following through, they sit on the problem until it blows up. Considering the people featured in the story are supposed to be the movers and shakers in the world, I simply don't buy they would be that stupid. Another consequence of Marîd's new life, is the city that once was so well realised now seems like a decaying husk. I'm not sure whether this is because of the tone of the book or some way to symbolise Marîd's psychology. But either way, all the life seems to have been squeezed out it. Instead of an image of a city, the image in my mind was a vacuous hovel that only featured the places Marîd visited. Very disappointing considering I loved the first book. I hope the next one is able to save the series's overall standing.
4.0 stars. Very good sequel to When Gravity Fails and Book 2 of the "Budayeen Nights" novels that take place in a near future world of the Middle East (think Blade Runner in Saudi Arabia). The book is a "noir" style SF detective fiction starring Marîd Audran, a once small time hustler that is now working for the most influential man in the city of major crime boss of city.The most interesting SF element/concept of the novels is the use by most of the population (at least those who can afford it) of computer software that can be inserted directly into the brain once it has been "pre-wired" for it. This comes in two main forms: (1) "daddies" (slang for "add-ons") which is software chips that can provide a person unique skills like languages translation, accounting or even street fighting; and (2) "moddies" (slang for modules) that contain whole new personalities that a person can assume either for pleasure (e.g., a movies star) or for work (e.g., a famous detecitive for crime solving). Overall, good writing, fast-paced plot, good main character and interesting world building/SF elements. Recommended!! Nominee: Hugo Award for Best NovelNominee: Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel
In some ways I thought the plot was a bit weaker than in the first book, for example there was an incredibly convenient incident where Marîd ended up in an alley with the moddy of the big bad guy that gave him tons of information that he needed and tons of leverage. But in other ways it was very satisfying, I still just love the atmosphere and the characters. Marîd is still struggling with the tension of being more and more isolated and yet longing for connections with the people he cares about, and it's quite touching to see how be deals with that. All in all the world just feels so real, it's a complete escape.
—Cathy
I didn't realize till recently that these books were written in the 80s. Effinger kept the techno-speak to a minimum which made these more timeless than they would have been otherwise. They're like hard-boiled detective noir that just happen to be set in the future Arab world. There's a lot to love here; unique culture, language, names that are just music (I did listen to this book), a main character that is delightfully flawed, yet still moral and an unfamiliar world to sink your teeth into. I don't expect that this series is particularly popular these days, but there's no reason it shouldn't be.
—Kelly
I gave this series such a high ranking first because at this time no one had even considered writing anything remotely like this... (or if they had, you couldn't tell). Only in recent years have I found a series that touches on the theme of Islam surviving into the future and... title escapes me this moment, think biotech, insects, gene-manipulation... Infidel, and God's War... that's it, by: Kameron Hurley. Okay, I admit, I cheated and looted it up. Nevertheless, also a good series, but Effinger's work... If phenomenal.
—Moebius Machiavelli
