Farkhod Dadajanov

What I Loved: The story unfolds with a magnetic pull! Each chapter deepens the mystery and keeps you riveted. Especially the revelation of Sophia’s true identity toward the end injects fresh emotional depth and recontextualizes much of the mystery! What I Didn’t Like: Although almost all of the main characters are Muslim, the book sometimes appears to normalize actions such as handshaking between non-mahram men and women, as well as lying—presenting them as ordinary, everyday behaviors. These moments are portrayed without any indication of the characters’ inner feelings, such as discomfort or remorse. Given their faith, one would expect them to at least feel ashamed of such actions. It would have been far more impactful and educational if the author had shown that some of Hamzah’s trials were a consequence of his own sins—such as committing adultery or lying—highlighting the moral and spiritual dimensions of his struggles.