After a long hiatus following my disappointment with Abdullah 1, I reluctantly decided to read Abdullah 2. My reasoning was simple: I wanted to finish the books I had already purchased before adding more to my collection. However, my experience with this sequel only reinforced my earlier misgivings about the series.
The storyline in Abdullah 2 feels repetitive and lacks depth. Much like its predecessor, the narrative involves Abdullah and Sultan Baba traveling from one place to another, solving isolated problems before moving on to the next task. Unfortunately, this episodic structure comes across as disjointed and uninspired. Even more troubling is how some of the stories feel like blatant spin-offs of other works by the same author. For instance, Bakhtyar’s arc closely mirrors the character Parizaad, while Rehan’s story is reminiscent of the drama serial Ishq Zahe Naseeb. These parallels detract from the originality and creativity that one would expect in a sequel.
Furthermore, the lack of logic in the storytelling is frustrating. Many plotlines are riddled with inconsistencies and defy basic reasoning, leaving the reader questioning the authenticity of the narrative. The characters’ actions often seem implausible, making it hard to stay invested in their journeys.
Another glaring issue is the writing style. Every character—regardless of age, gender, or background—speaks in the same philosophical tone. This uniformity strips the dialogue of individuality, making it impossible to differentiate one character from another based on their speech. A good narrative thrives on distinct voices that reflect a character’s personality and circumstances, but this book fails to deliver that nuance.
From a thematic perspective, Abdullah 2 continues to glorify certain actions that are hard to justify, such as abandoning familial responsibilities in the name of spirituality. The idea of leaving a crying mother behind to pursue a so-called "divine path" felt deeply unsettling in Abdullah 1, and this sequel does little to address such concerns. It also perpetuates clichéd portrayals of love and spirituality, offering nothing fresh or meaningful to ponder.
In conclusion, Abdullah 2 fell far below expectations, much like its predecessor. The recycled plots, lack of logic, and monotonous writing style made it a tiresome read. While I may eventually muster the courage to read the third and final installment of this series, it won’t be anytime soon. For now, I’m rating this book one star and hoping for more fulfilling reads in the future.