scarlett commented on scarlett's review of Aab-e-Hayat/آبِ حیات
Last year I read Peer-e-Kamil and it became my all time favourite book. But I was really hesitant to pick up the second installment because I was quite content with the ending of the first book but also because I heard a lot of people saying that it was unrealistic and unnecessary. Also being a slow reader I was intimidated by this 728 pages book. Well, I picked it up and I don't regret it.
This book is perfect in every aspect. It was worth every second I spent reading it. I felt every kind of emotion while reading it- anger, happiness, hysterical, nervousness, sadness, irritation. So much happened in this book, it was a complete journey.
So many important things and issues were highlighted in this book like domestic abuse, mental health, losing loved ones, poverty, dysfunctional families, dishonesty, violation of human rights, negligence as a child, gaslighting, trauma cycle.
At first I thought it was only going to revolve around Salaar and Imama but I was wrong. There were so many side characters in this book and each one of them was given a back story and depth. It was so interesting to read about how they affected the lives of the main characters.
The unexpected twists in this book was taking kept knocking me off my feet. Like the characters just couldn't catch a breath. Just when things were going right BAM! a new problem served on a golden platter. I was on my toes the entire time. Especially while reading pages 714 to 722, I was holding my breath. I was legit afraid that the ending was going shatter my heart.
Salaar is mainly known for being an excellent husband and father. It is often ignored how he he fought for the people of Congo and protected their rights, fully funded a school and hospital in a poor village, opened the first Islamic bank and so on. He is the most well-rounded and perfect man.
Also can we also talk about how amazing his kids are? Hameen, Jabril, Anaya and Raeesa carried the second half of the book. We read about them being kids and them growing up into teenagers and adults, making their own path. It was so heart-warming to read.
The romance in this book is chef kiss.
Firstly Salaar & Imama : Do I even need to explain?
Then Ayesha & Jabril: There wasn't a lot written about them but what small amount was written was so lovely. Jabril is such an incredible man. He saw the sadness and hurt in Ayesha's eyes. He was so respectful in approaching her and building her trust in men and Islam again
Then Anaya & Abdullah: They knew each other since they were kids and reading their journey was so incredible. Props to Abdullah for his love for Anaya. Like this man loved her since he was eleven and waited so many years for her, changed his religion and habits, became a better man for her. This is the standard.
Then Raeesa & Hasham : They had such a cute first introduction. Can you believe that Hasham was ready to give up royalty to marry Raeesa. Yeah, the bar is in the space.
I am simply in love with book. It just amazing and gorgeous. It breaks your heart into pieces, stomps on it, fixes it only to shoot it again. I am so attached to the characters and I want to keep reading about them over and over again.
I read about Salaar and Imama from when they were 20 to them turning old. I read about them starting a family, suffering in every phase of their life, their kids growing up, their parents. You can just imagine the emotional attachment.
This book will always live in my heart and memory. This duology is single-handedly the best thing I have ever read so far in my life. It is perfect.
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The descriptions are so well written it's like smelling the soil after rain. You can't get enough of it and you just want to eat it 😔
Post from the Gallant forum
The descriptions are so well written it's like smelling the soil after rain. You can't get enough of it and you just want to eat it 😔
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