This isn't a book I would normally pick up for myself but The Mary Sue book club is reading it for March and I joined in. I'm glad I read it, it was surprising and interesting. Alif the Unseen is about ordinary people who get caught up in a rush to protect a special object from those who would misuse it.

This is a contemporary fantasy with an excellent set of characters who respect one another and experience a change in perspective. Wilson created a rich setting in the real, online and jinn worlds. She was able to put together a story where multiple religious and philosophical orientations can coexist peacefully, which is a feat that always leaves me feeling comfortable and satiated. I come away feeling like I can bring this sense of wholeness and diversity to my day-to-day perspective.

I found myself lost and uninterested when the main character went into long explanations of his coding activities. I'm not sure if it wasn't accessible in laymen's terms or if it's just something that I couldn't bring myself to focus on. I'm interested to know how theoretically accurate the coding is in the book.

I would recommend this book to lovers of stories where fantasy blends seamlessly with the contemporary world and to people who enjoy seeing the world through the eyes of a variety of characters with diverse motivations and beliefs.