Official Review: The Guardians of Erum and the Calamitous...

[Eareeves99]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Guardians of Erum and the Calamitous Child of Socotra" by A Ali Hasan Ali.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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How far would you go to save your child? How many lives is your child’s life worth? Who gets to decide if one life is more valuable than another? A father's love versus a self-proclaimed protector of humanity. Which one will overcome? These questions are at the heart of The Guardians of Erum and the Calamitous Child of Socotra by A. Ali Hasan Ali, a fantastic tale of the Middle Eastern countries of Yemen and Oman set in ancient, pre-Islamic times.

The story begins on a modest farm inhabited by average people, a family of three: Fad, Nada, and newborn Dil. Behas, a famous jinn master, enters the scene in the dead of night, intent on killing little Dil. A mysterious rescuer interrupts Behas' plan, but the child goes missing without a trace. The race to find the child begins, with each party looking after their own interests. Fad, Dil's father, encounters one challenge after another, stretching himself both physically and psychologically, calling on a level of courage he didn't know he possessed.

I absolutely loved this book. I was initially a bit nervous in choosing a self-published first novel by a foreign author, but my concern was unnecessary. There were a few instances where the word order was mixed up, but it was minor and easily overlooked. I loved learning about the ancient history and beliefs of another part of the world. I admit, my knowledge of the Middle East is limited to major events in world history and what I see on the news. The author did a great job of describing terms and ideas that could be unfamiliar to readers of a different culture.

There isn't much I didn't like about the book. The only thing that stood out to me is the author's use of the words weird and creepy as descriptors; I think the only reason that stood out so much was that the vocabulary in the rest of the book was high-level.

I give The Guardians of Erum and the Calamitous Child of Socotra 4 out of 4 stars. Though self-published, the book seems professionally edited. Most errors I noticed are likely debatable and subject to personal preference. While the author’s national age classification system requires him to rate this book for ages 17+, I would recommend it for 13+. There is no erotic content, and the violence was not overly descriptive. Magic and spirits are discussed consistently throughout the book and watchful Christian parents should be aware that there are verses from the Quran in the Afterword; however, the author does not use these in a way that would influence a belief system.

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The Guardians of Erum and the Calamitous Child of Socotra
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[NetMassimo]

An interesting setting that reminds me of classic Arabic stories with elements that today we'd define as fantasy. Thank you for your great review!

[Bertha Jackson]

This sounds like a very good book about a father who loves his child. Thank you for the review.

[HannahsReads]

This book sounds fantastic. I enjoy reading books that are actually written by people who belong to the culture that the book represents, as I find them more authentic. I also love the questions the book poses. Thanks for your review!

[Yvonne Monique]

A different book, in an unusual setting. It looks like the author transmits his culture perfectly.

[Goral]

This sounds quite interesting. I already feel sympathetic with Dil and his parents, and I really wonder where he went. Hope to find out soon, thanks for the review!

[AntonelaMaria]

I learned years ago that self-publishing improved so much over the years. I like that this book has a unique setting. Thank you for your informative review.

[Brenda Creech]

This sounds like an interesting book although I don't believe it would be for me. How far a father would go for a child is anyone's guess. The biggest obstacle for me is the magic references in the book. I don't read anything pertaining to magic! However, your review is excellent!

[Deval Sodha]

Wow thats a fantastic story testing a parent's humanity and patience.
I loved the way author described the historical details. Will definitely read this book.
The review is great.
Congratulations on Botd

[ViviVivid]

A very interesting read. I'm curious about life in that era of middle-east. Adding magic and mystery makes it all the more intriguing. Perfect review!

[Ferdinand_Otieno]

This is an entertaining and fast-paced adventure novel highlighting family, sacrifice, a missing child, opposing objectives, and a race to find a child. The book has a free sample on Amazon Kindle and has a well-written OnlineBookClub review. Congrats on the BOTD selection.

[Aan Granados]

I think this is the first time I encountered a book set in Middle East pre-Islam. I am definitely interested. Thanks for your review. Loved it!

[Etienneza]

A masterful review! The careful dissecting of the contents provides a captivating result. A window into the challenges of a family in Arabia is narrated with respect and understanding for the bond between father and child.
Well done with BOTD! From the review it is clear that the author offers a script that is accessible to readers from other religious or cultural affiliations, extending the reach of the positive message possible.

[Michael Jerry_]

The love a father has for his children is just beautiful and special and I’d love to see the extent it can take a father in this book
Love the review as well the reviewer did a fantastic job

[Mvictoria]

This sounds like a really interesting book! I think the plot sounds intriguing and it’s great to see another part of the world through the eyes of someone who’s lived there! I’m not sure I would like the violence in this book, but you mentioned it’s not overly descriptive.