In conjunction with the release of Saladin Ahmed’s new novel Throne of the Crescent Moon, featuring characters who debuted in his story “Where Virtue Lives” in BCS #15, and the BCS giveaway for a copy of Throne of the Crescent Moon, BCS did a micro-interview with Saladin, asking about the story compared to the novel.
BCS: How have Dr. Adoulla and Raseed, and the world of the Crescent Moon Kingdoms, changed or evolved from the debut story to the novel?Ahmed: Throne of the Crescent Moon takes place two years after “Where Virtue Lives.” As the novel opens, Raseed – who has been apprenticed to Adoulla all this time – is perhaps a bit more used to the Doctor’s heterodox ways. But as he’s grown into a man, he’s begun to question both his training and Adoulla’s teachings anew.
And Adoulla himself is even wearier and more fatigued. His relationship with Miri, hinted at in “Virtue,” comes to a wrenching crisis point in Throne.
The tone of the novel is darker and a bit less... picaresque than “Virtue,” though there’s still some hopefully funny stuff in there. And of course, at the novel level, one can explore everything – the world, the magic, the monsters, the city – more extensively.
So Throne is sketched in greater detail, darker, and wider in scope than “Virtue.” Adoulla and Raseed wrangle with larger threats and greater self-doubts. But I think anyone who enjoyed this story will like the novel even more!
To enter to win a copy of Throne of the Crescent Moon, check out the giveaway. Enjoy (re)reading the story and the novel!