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Cinnabar: An Aladdin Epic
‘An excellent story … absorbing … keeps one reading on eagerly.’ Andre Norton After waking up on a boat with no idea how he got there, Aladdin, along with his friends Christóbal and Crispin, wonders how on earth he’s going to get home. Three months earlier, Aladdin had found himself in Basra, visiting his old friend the Sultan. There he meets the Sultan’s bride-to-be, the beautiful Fatima. But all is not what it seems… Aladdin comes across an old dying man who rambles about the old fantasy land Cinnabar. Disaster strikes when the Sultan’s bride disappears, leaving him distraught. Aladdin knows he must find a way to get her back, and when the old dying man appears claiming he can do just that, Aladdin is prepared to bargain with him. However, the price to pay for saving Fatima is a high one. Aladdin must decide how much he is prepared to sacrifice in order to bring happiness to his old friend, and recover the princess. But just how far is the wise adventurer prepared to go in order save her? Cinnabar is a gripping historical fantasy of peace, loyalty, and love. In a tale that takes you deep into the depths of the unknown, Diamond’s novel follows one man who must contemplate how to save not just a princess, but a whole world. Praise for Graham ‘An excellent story … absorbing … keeps one reading on eagerly.’ Andre Norton ‘Graham Diamond has written a novel that stands out and dares to be different.’ Rising Shadow Graham Diamond began writing as a fantasy and science fiction author. He was born in Manchester, England, but was raised in New York City. He is best known for books such as The Haven, Lady of the Haven, The Thief of Kalimar, Slack Midnight, Chocolate Lenin and Forest Wars. He soon turned to other genres; including historical fiction, thrillers, and later a true story of a Holocaust survivor’s family during World War II, Maybe You Will Survive. Diamond was employed as an editorial artist by the New York Times for many years, and has also taught creative writing in both New York and California.
- GenresFantasy
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 1985
1 person is currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Graham Diamond
33 books47 followersIn 2015 Venture Press Ltd, UK contracted to reissue seven of Graham Diamond's most noted titles. Among them was THE HAVEN, Diamond's renown cult classic. Others include the EMPIRE PRINCESS series:
LADY OF THE HAVEN; DUNGEONS OF KUBA, THE FALCON OF EDEN, THE BEASTS OF HADES.
In addition, the two part SAMARKAND and SAMARKAND DAWN were released to new worldwide audiences.
Graham Diamond began writing as a fantasy and science fiction author. He was born in Manchester, England, after World War II, and his family moved to the United States when he was a young child. He was raised in New York City, on the Upper West Side, and graduated from the High School of Music and Art. He attended CCNY in NY, and the Art Students League of New York.
He worked for the New York Times as a production manager in Editorial Art for many years. He has also taught creative writing in New York and California.
-Wikipedia
LADY OF THE HAVEN; DUNGEONS OF KUBA, THE FALCON OF EDEN, THE BEASTS OF HADES.
In addition, the two part SAMARKAND and SAMARKAND DAWN were released to new worldwide audiences.
Graham Diamond began writing as a fantasy and science fiction author. He was born in Manchester, England, after World War II, and his family moved to the United States when he was a young child. He was raised in New York City, on the Upper West Side, and graduated from the High School of Music and Art. He attended CCNY in NY, and the Art Students League of New York.
He worked for the New York Times as a production manager in Editorial Art for many years. He has also taught creative writing in New York and California.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 12, 2024
Cinnabar: An Aladdin Epic by Graham Diamond
Originally published by Fawcett in 1985. 304 pages.
Reprinted by Lume in 2016. 287 pages.
Cinnabar is the second book by Fawcett that I have recently read that really just doesn't turn up second-hand very often. (The first was Black Viking by Bill Downey) I read the reprinted version currently available from Amazon. I encountered about a dozen typos in the reprint; probably from the transcription process.
When I think of Aladdin I think of adventure, magic, and the middle east. The protagonist of this story could go by any appellation because he is a generic fantasy hero. Aladdin is taken from the world he knows and is thrust into an underwater realm at war with its neighbors against his will. Instead of being a fish out of water, no pun intended, he rolls with everything that happens. He asks very few questions. The fact that he is able to communicate with this isolated, legendary people almost defies credulity. (if this part was addressed in the story, I was sleeping thru it) I also feel like any person from Aladdin's background that encountered such an advanced technology would be overawed with awe and possibly dumbfounded at some point. Not Aladdin.
Like a leaf in the wind, he is blown from one set piece to another.
My biggest pet peeve is the big reveal at the end. Because Aladdin doesn't ask questions this revelation doesn't pack the punch is should have. It left me gob smacked, but only because there didn't seem to be any foreshadowing for this whatsoever. I was left feeling, 'excuse me, what?!?'
In closing, I was sorely disappointed in this book. I have no interest in ever revisiting it, and I am frankly glad I do not have a physical copy. Another book from the past that should probably remain there.
Originally published by Fawcett in 1985. 304 pages.
Reprinted by Lume in 2016. 287 pages.
Cinnabar is the second book by Fawcett that I have recently read that really just doesn't turn up second-hand very often. (The first was Black Viking by Bill Downey) I read the reprinted version currently available from Amazon. I encountered about a dozen typos in the reprint; probably from the transcription process.
When I think of Aladdin I think of adventure, magic, and the middle east. The protagonist of this story could go by any appellation because he is a generic fantasy hero. Aladdin is taken from the world he knows and is thrust into an underwater realm at war with its neighbors against his will. Instead of being a fish out of water, no pun intended, he rolls with everything that happens. He asks very few questions. The fact that he is able to communicate with this isolated, legendary people almost defies credulity. (if this part was addressed in the story, I was sleeping thru it) I also feel like any person from Aladdin's background that encountered such an advanced technology would be overawed with awe and possibly dumbfounded at some point. Not Aladdin.
Like a leaf in the wind, he is blown from one set piece to another.
My biggest pet peeve is the big reveal at the end. Because Aladdin doesn't ask questions this revelation doesn't pack the punch is should have. It left me gob smacked, but only because there didn't seem to be any foreshadowing for this whatsoever. I was left feeling, 'excuse me, what?!?'
In closing, I was sorely disappointed in this book. I have no interest in ever revisiting it, and I am frankly glad I do not have a physical copy. Another book from the past that should probably remain there.
Displaying 1 of 1 review