Book Review: Aladdin and His Wonderfully Infernal Device

Aladdin and His Wonderfully Infernal Device

By:  Tee Morris

Publisher:  Imagine That! Studios

Publish Date:  February 19, 2012

Format:  eNovella, on Kindle

Genre:  Steampunk, fantasy, Fairy Tale Re-mix

Series:  Stand-alone

Recommendation:  Yes!  Keep in mind this is a remake of the old tale of Aladdin with steampunk machinery mixed as the magic.

Book Synopsis:
From the imagination behind the award-winning Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series comes a steampunk novella to a legend from A Thousand and One Arabian Nights.

Aladdin is a street-wise thief that finds himself under the tutelage of a world-renown illusionist.  He is escorted deep into the deserts in search of a treasure beyond his wildest dreams, and discovers instead something far more valuable - a destiny.

First Sentence:
Perhaps the marketplace at noon was not the best place to be - at least when you were poor.

My Thoughts and Summary:
We meet Aladdin in the market place where he has his eye on a polished gear amongst other desk clock parts in one particular shop.  A part he could use in his mechanical device he's creating at home.  Aladdin waits for his most opportune moment and with his quick hand, Aladdin is on the run from being caught in a world where a man (or boy) of sticky fingers is caught, he will soon become a one-handed beggar.  Aladdin's unknown, to him and his mother, "Uncle," Jaha, has called upon him, asking to take Aladdin on as an apprentice, in his world of illusions and "magic."  Aladdin hopes his dreams may come true, illusionists need devices, and now he was going with a master illusionist with his device.

Foremost, I have to say I love the writing style of Tee!  I was mesmerized by the ability to tell of Aladdin, his actions, and the world Aladdin exists in at the same time in his sentences.  I love when authors have this ability, it's one I wish to be able to do as well.

So I wanted to share two sentences I loved while reading. (Although, there were several in this novella I enjoyed.)
   "He was merely a shadow now, and soon he would be nothing but a wisp of sand disappearing in the wind."
   "Karim recognized Aladdin straightaway (as Aladdin recognized him), but the cafe owner's outward disdain disappeared as water under the noonday sun, surrendering to confusion as his eyes went from Aladdin to the magician."

There is no time wasted in this novella.  Tee has worked every word to his advantage, making it seem so easy.  I love this style and word usage!  Another wondrous feat is we see the town through Aladdin's actions, not just through descriptions of his eyes.

Now, I don't want to give to much away of the story as it is a novella.  But it was enjoyable reading this refreshing and new twist to an old tale.

We meet Aladdin, an exceptional thief, quick and of his home town as well.  We learn off the bat. this Aladdin is a tinker of sorts, with big dreams as all young have.  We learn of Jaha, and his plans for Aladdin through Aladdin's eyes and what he is to do.

Now, this is a steampunk style read.  So what would steampunk be without flying ships?  Yep, we have one, briefly.  AND... the flying carpet is present, with a twist, along with the genie.  I have to say the 'magic' present here is all visible and thought of as illusions and mechanical.   I loved the twist of mechanical to this story, Tee has made it all work and easy to believe.

I really loved the idea, and blend with steampunk here!

This book is well worth its price of $1.99.  Currently, the novella is only available on Amazon for Kindle apps or readers.  But being a Novella, and one you don't want to quit reading until done, it's a quick read.


I read this novella for my own enjoyment.