Althingi: The Crescent and the Northern Star Anthology
In our increasingly polarized world there is an urgent need for cross-cultural conversations, bridges of understanding between people of different beliefs, and a recommitment to a common understanding of our shared history: the history not of any one particular group but of humanity itself.
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Creator: Josh Gillingham (co-editor), Ladda Shustova (Cover Artist), Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmad (co-editor)
Category: Anthology
Age Range: Adult
Vibes: Viking, Islamic Kingdoms, Historical Fiction
In Short: Editors Gillingham and Ahmad bring together fourteen original stories, set in the historical Althingi universe, about what happens to the rulers and travelers attending a meeting where futures will be decided.
What's It About: Althingi: The Crescent and the Northern Star, co-edited by Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmad (A Mosque Among the Stars, Islamicates) and Joshua Gillingham (The Gatewatch, Old Norse for Modern Times), is an anthology of historical fiction which explores the intricate and often-overlooked interactions between intrepid Viking voyagers and inquisitive emissaries from the powerful Islamic kingdoms. Featuring stories by an incredible slate of authors writing in the historical Althingi universe, Althingi: The Crescent and the Northern Star, offers a glimpse into a fascinating forgotten past and will prove a must-read for fans of both Viking and of Islamic history.
In our increasingly polarized world there is an urgent need for cross-cultural conversations, bridges of understanding between people of different beliefs, and a recommitment to a common understanding of our shared history: the history not of any one particular group but of humanity itself.
M.A. Ahmad
Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmad is an Affiliate Assistant Professor at the University of Washington and a Research Scientist focusing on AI. He has edited two anthologies focused on Science Fiction with Islamic themes or Muslim cultures: A Mosque Among the Stars and Islamicates. Muhammad is the founder and editor of the Islam and Sci-Fi project which he has been running since 2005. It is the most coprehensive resource on the subject.
Joshua Gillingham
Joshua Gillingham is a published author, board game designer, and freelance editor from Vancouver Island off Canada's west coast. Best known for his troll-hunting fantasy trilogy The Saga of Torin Ten-Trees, Joshua is also the Worldsmith of the transmedia historical fiction Althingi universe set in Viking Age Iceland which includes the card game Althingi: One Will Rise (with expansion Saga Heroes), an in-world anthology titled Althingi: The Crescent & the Northern Star co-edited with Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmad, and the full-length novel Ran's Daughters written Kaitlin Felix for which he served as editor. Joshua is also an assistant editor for Black Cat Books in Victoria, Canada and has a forthcoming serialized sci-fi audiodrama called The Dreadcore (released under the pseudonym Aran Voss) in collaboration with Scottish voice actor Alex C. Stewart. Connect with Joshua on Twitter at @JoshMGillingham and find out more about his upcoming projects at joshuagillingham.ca.