Vultures in the House of Silence: A Middle Eastern Fantasy Adventure Novel

by A.R. Latif

“The Witcher meets Avatar the Last Airbender in Medieval Baghdad”

“A blend of Persian epics and Shonen Manga”

A boy wakes up surrounded by corpses. Unable to move, he is assaulted by vultures who stop pecking at him only when he speaks. To survive this nightmarish ordeal, he tells them the story of how he ended up on their menu…

What follows is the wild tale of the young gardener Khurafa, coping with the aftermath of the Mongol invasion of Baghdad and the death of his parents amidst the bloodshed. After a vivid dream and several supernatural encounters, he becomes convinced that an ancient group of nine sorcerers called the Servants are bent on world domination. Accompanied by his scholarly mentor Shaykh Nariman, and the sly, uncannily perceptive Zakiyya, he seeks saintly help against the Servants, but finds mostly monsters instead.

Genres: Fantasy, Muslims, Fiction, Islam

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 29, 2024

Reviews

[Kaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is a 5 star read, hands down! From the blurb alone I was already intrigued, but the book itself blew my mind!

A boy named Khurafa wakes up surrounded by corpses, and is unable to move. He finds himself surrounded by vultures, ready to start pecking at him but stop once he starts talking. He decides to tell them the story of how he ended up in his situation.

The story is a wild one, full of adventure and risks. We have:
• Kuhrafa, who could sniff out pious, holy beings and objects. He's also been seeing and communicating with his neighbor-turned-mentor who's been dead for the past 12 years. The boy swore he was alive the entire time!

• Shaykh Nariman, Kauhrafa's mentor, who can shape shift & turns from apparition to mouse to worm, back to mouse.

• Zakiyya, a girl who can read minds. She's clever and very cunning, and helps a lot along the way

• Shahid, a strong sword-fighting, demon hunter who can absorb heat through is body and expel it through his hands, burn objects, perform exorcisms, and heal people.

• Demonic books, religious relics (like Moses's staff) demonic cults, monsters that appear to be corpses by day but are bloodsuckers by night, more monsters and demons..

Kuhrafa and his crew team up to try to rid the world of the evil Servants, who are finally resurfacing after many years. Kuhrafa's dreams are revelations and he relies on his friends and their gifts to guide them on this journey.

Thank you to A.R. Latif and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with this ARC!

[Zainab Bint Younus · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the VERY VERY VERY few self-published books that I found myself sucked into and enjoying despite the staggering amount of developmental editing and copy editing it needs.

The story is definitely unique and involves a lot of elements I love: young hero finds himself reluctantly on a quest; a mysterious mentor and a sidekick who turn into found family; Sufi mythical tidbits woven in; Big Bad Villains on a mission to do Terrible Things.

Khurafa is a young boy reeling from the aftermath of the Mongol invasion of Baghdad; all he has left is his family's stunning garden. Alas, even that is threatened - and Khurafa finds himself swept away by the wizened Shaykh Nariman, accompanied by a street-wise, wise-cracking girl named Zakiyyah. Together, their little band embarks on a mission to stop a terrifying group of long-ago villains from wreaking havoc on an already devastated world.

I am genuinely so impressed by the creativity of this story! I really wish it had been given the opportunity to go through developmental editors and copy editors, in order to really shine.

This is just book 1 of a series, so I'm hoping the author is able to fix this one up before also doing a better job with the next books!

[Kourtney Zacharias · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a hook like "avatar the last airbender meets the Witcher set in medieval Baghdad" I knew I had to read this.

Main character Khurafa has a dream that shows him he's destined for more. He goes on a spiritual journey collecting allies in pursuit of getting rid of an evil group of ancient sorcerers called the Servants.

I loved the supporting characters. Zakiyya is a little spitfire and has confidence where Khurafa does not. They have a very fun, sibling-like teasing relationship between the two. His mentor Shaykh Narimen supplies enough wisdom but doesn't interfere that much. Sweet cat Kedi that can sniff out the bad guys. Overall a wholesome cast. The pacing was great. I read the first 55% in one sitting. I was immediately engaged and cared about their quest. There's a plot twist about 80% through that switched up the story that I didn't like as much, but I know we're just being set up for a great book 2.

I haven't read YA in awhile and I was pleasantly surprised by this. The writing was engaging. I can't say that I read that many religious forward books, but found this very enjoyable. You don't need to know much about the Muslim faith going in. I felt like I learned something and expanded my preferences.

I highly recommend to any fans of YA, adventure novels, and religious/mythology retellings. I can't wait for the next book!

Thank you A.R. Latif, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and NetGalley. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amanda Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book "Vultures in the House of Silence" by A.R. Latif is a well-written and thoughtfully planned out book. Although it took me some time to get into it because of the religious aspects, I found that it wasn't as heavy as I originally thought. Once the story developed, it became harder to put down.

The story follows Khurafa's journey, which begins with a heavy tone but soon becomes sarcastic as he deals with the events happening around him while telling his story to the two vultures. The different magical creatures they encounter throughout their journey reminded me of "The Witcher," which is why I chose to read this book. Moreover, the dynamic duo of Khurafas and Zakiyya was enjoyable to follow.

I would like to thank A.R. Latif for writing such a great fantasy book!

[Kyle Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved fantasy books that draw from history and mythology for their setting and combine this with original characters and plots. Some of my favorites as a kid were Nancy Farmer's and Susan Cooper's books and the Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborne. Vultures in the House of Silence does this effectively, and the historical/mythological sources it draws from are rarely utilized in this genre (it is set in Baghdad and Mesopotamia after the Mongol invasion and draws from folklore from several parts of the Islamic world). This is exactly the sort of young adult book I'd have loved as a kid, and it's a great read as an adult as well. The protagonist, reeling from the death of his parents and the invasion of his hometown, has a vision in a dream that sets him on a quest to thwart some nefarious villains who are based on actual historical and folkloric figures. Guided by a supernatural sense of smell, the protagonist accumulates a crew of interesting allies, including the local wise man he has known for years but who turns out to be a shapeshifting djinn, a thief girl who can read minds, a cat who can detect monsters, and a mighty warrior missing some of his memories. The book's themes include grappling with one's duty and with helping others in need even when it is difficult. There are various fascinating narrative choices, like the frame story device in which the protagonist is narrating the story to vultures while laying in a Tower of Silence (a Zoroastrian building where the dead are left to be consumed by vultures), as well as some typical tropes turned on their heads, such as a revelation towards the end that the wise mentor figure has been misleading the protagonist all along, but due to good intentions. I would absolutely recommend this book to young adult and adult readers who enjoy fantasy quests and novels that teach you about history and mythology.

[Halime Omari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review and finished half of it in a day because I couldn’t put it down! It’s a fast-paced, dark fantasy with dystopian vibes, drawing heavily upon Sufism and other historic, Islamic themes. “Vultures in the House of Silence” is an easy read and packed with beautifully crafted prose that blooms throughout.

The banter between characters often had me bursting into laughter and the plot twists had me on the edge of my seat! There were turns in this book I did not see coming, especially in the beginning when Khurafa realized that everything he thought he knew about his companion and mentor, Shaykh Nariman, was wrong. Zakiyya’s mind-reading adds a layer of humor and insight with each turn of the page, and just when I thought things couldn’t get darker, they did. The relentless conflicts, the enchanted book, Jinn, and encounters with monsters interwoven with the characters’ search for saints and holy relics kept me captivated and fully invested.

“Vultures in the House of Silence” is part of a series, concluding with a satisfying sense of closure and anticipation for more to come. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading the next book.

[Michele Predmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and heartbreaking writing, and the themes are especially relevant to today's world. I cannot wait to read more from this author.

[Nina Moskowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating read!! I didn’t know too much about the plot when I picked up this ARC, barring that it centers historically accurate events like the Mongol invasion and adds a fantastical twist to it. What I didn’t know was how pivotal Muslim mythology and lore would be, and as a Muslim reader, I was giddy over how much research and heart went into this.

To keep it brief, this book was expansive, mystical, and had plot twists and emotional heart-wrenching moments that had me in my feels. The primary characters—Khurafa, Zakkiya, and Shaikh Nariman—all had my heart, and their interplay together was fabulous. Plus, I always love a frame story, so Khurafa telling these stories to the vultures hovering over his body was a fun narrative device. Also, shout out to Kedi the cat! We love you!

My primary gripe with the story that kept it from being rated higher is that there were elements of the novel that felt a bit repetitive. Khurafa and his crew were on the search for blessed people or objects, those with baraka, and while I was continuously curious about what the next blessed entity would be, the book felt like a cycle of search-hit an obstacle-fix it-back to the search. The plot twist at the end also felt a little bit rushed, but I know it was meant to set up the cliffhanger at the end, so I forgive it.

On the whole, I enjoyed this book and its beautiful representation of the Muslim world and its literature. I give this 3.5⭐, rounded up to 4 on Goodreads, and I recommend it to all!

*Thank you again to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

[A.S. Ember · Rating 4 out of 5]

Credited editor Erin Young needs to offer an abject apology and immediate refund, as every page of this novel has at least one glaring error. Luckily, the refreshing world-building, charming characters, and straightforward plot are compelling enough to overcome a lot, with the Iraqi mythos being the strongest draw. A unique and engaging debut!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for a review!

This book is beautifully written, Latif has real talent in the way they write and it shows through in the richness of this book. The setting is wonderful and unique, I haven't read anything like it before, and the writing style really allowed me to sink into Baghdad with these characters.'

While I found the writing itself beautiful in its detail and ability to help me envision the story, I found the plot itself to not be especially grabbing to me. I enjoyed the book, but am having a hard time thinking about something about the plot that truly stuck out to me.

[Heba Mustufa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an attention-grabbing debut novel by A .R. Latif sets us up for a high-stakes sequel. The plot reads like a video game where each character has some unique skill used to find the next item on a quest, and each location is the next 'stage' of the video game leading up to the 'main boss'. There's little cohesion between the quest items and how they tie into the main story, but the elements are there to tie it all together in the next book.

Overall, this is a great start, and I'm eager to see the author grow and expand their skills in the next book.

[Sam Gueli · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC through netgalley.

It took me 5 hours to read this over two months because it was an actual chore to get through this mess. This book is not ready for publishing. My main criticism is that the pacing is too fast. The author had a lot of good ideas but didn't let them breathe. Every conflict was resolved on the next page and then 2 pages later another conflict would happen, it gave me whiplash. It felt like every decision and action didn't matter because it would be fine on the next page. The writing was juvenile at best. For taking place in medieval Baghdad, they spoke like 21st-century Americans. There was no time to get to know the characters or for them to get to know one another because they were fighting monsters all the time. They would meet someone and decide instantly if they were friend or foe. My other main criticism is that the author tells us everything, never showing. There was no atmosphere to be seen. I never read the first book in a series before and thought, "yeah, I don't care what happens." I always complete series but I think I might break my rule for this case. I didn't break my DNFing rule, but I have never been so close before. This truly has potential, but it is NOT ready in the state that the ARC is in.

[Bre · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting read that was all over the place. The story had a lot of potential! My biggest issue was the pacing and lack of character development. The book starts off almost as a horror book the quickly becomes a fun YA. The pacing was not consistent and overall super slow for me. There would be very fast, fun moments that would quickly switch a dragging pace. It took me quite a while to get through the book.

As someone who has minimal knowledge of Islamic culture it was hard to keep up with- even with a glossary. The author attempted to explain cultural norms but it could have been done better. I enjoy reading about other cultures with their religion and mythology- but this was a chore to understand. The characters were interesting but I feel like we only saw major development in Khurafa.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A.R. Latif’s historical fantasy, Vultures in the House of Silence, has one of the grimmest opening scenes I’ve ever encountered. Our protagonist, Khurafa, is lying near death in an abandoned stone tower. Vultures pluck at the stumps where his hands used to be. They only stop when Khurafa speaks. To spare himself more pain before he succumbs to his wounds, Khurafa tells the story of how he got where he is...

Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.

[Kirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 312 page richly imagined Islamic fantasy is both engaging and compelling. It is too advanced for me to review as it weaves a complex tale based on history, religion, fantasy, and imagination. I do know that it was for the most part well written, I have some issue when the character's diction would include words that felt too contemporary slang, but it didn't happen too often. The pacing though, unfortunately for me, was definitely off. Undoubtedly the author has tremendous skill. The emotional pulls, the world building, the consistent cliffhangers at the end of each chapter, kept me curious to see what would unfold. The story beats just dragged more often than they should have for no clear reason in developing the plot, defining character arcs, or adding to the rising action. I don't think I ever stopped reading at the end of a chapter, those hooks were well placed, but when I stopped in the middle of the chapter, it often took four or five days for me to be motivated enough to open the book back up. I truly think it just needs a good editor to help cut certain scenes, and smooth out the tempo. The idea and layers are great, and if I, as someone who struggles with middle grade fantasy, couldn't walk away from this YA/Adultish read, I'm sure lovers of fantasy, jinn, monsters, Islamic history, found family, gray characters and action, will find this book an enjoyable read, even the slow parts, that I struggled with. So no this is not a negative review, I am hopeful my teenagers will read it and enjoy it, I just really hope the author will consider working with an editor to elevate the text as it truly has potential.

SYNOPSIS:

I don't know that I can retell the story, it has a lot going on and I'll probably inadvertently spoil something, so here is the summary from the back of the book:

"A boy wakes up surrounded by corpses. Unable to move, he is assaulted by vultures who stop pecking at him only when he speaks. To survive this nightmarish ordeal, he tells them the story of how he ended up on their menu…

What follows is the wild tale of the young gardener Khurafa, coping with the aftermath of the Mongol invasion of Baghdad and the death of his parents amidst the bloodshed. After a vivid dream and several supernatural encounters, he becomes convinced that an ancient group of nine sorcerers called the Servants are bent on world domination. Accompanied by his scholarly mentor Shaykh Nariman, and the sly, uncannily perceptive Zakiyya, he seeks saintly help against the Servants, but finds mostly monsters instead."

WHY I LIKE IT:

I love the opening, it really grabs you, the emotion of Khurafa and the loss of his parents and his predicament with the vultures connects you to him and his vulnerabilities. The twists are also well developed and keep the book interesting. I feel like the end needed more, and the middle needed less. SPOILERS: I didn't get the cat, or the going from village to village. All the names, and all the drama at each village, dragged for me.

It appears the book is meant to be a series, so I wonder if many of the characters that died will return, but I feel like the final battle was a little disappointing, and anti-climatic. All the build up and then it went so quick. I appreciated the full circle on the House of Silence, and the answering of some of the questions, but for all the emotion at the start, the end didn't mirror that in the cathartic way I hoped it would.

I say all this with full acknowledgement that I am not drawn to fantasy, I am not well versed in Islamic history, and it is absolutely possible, that I just don't get it. In brief, I am not the target audience.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I think this book could be a good book club selection, with some motivation to get to the end, I think readers will be happy that they did, and I would imagine they would be willing to read the next book in the series. For many I would imagine it would be the first Islamic fantasy they will have read that has the layers, richness, and intrigue that this book does, and inspire them.

[Curious Spirit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vultures in the House of Silence is one of the impeccable examples of historical and Islamic fantasy, coming forth as Harry Potter of this recently emerging genre. Taking place in the Arabian peninsula post-Mongol invasion, one of the most tragic years medieval people had ever seen, the novel narrates the moving story of young Khurafa setting on a journey to defeat the Servants threatening to unleash unimaginable evil.

The story begins with Khurafa coping with the loss of his parents during the Mongol invasion of Baghdad by tending the garden left behind them. Inspired by horrific dreams and visions, he sets on a mission with his spiritual teacher Nariman to warn humanity of the dangers awaiting. As he searches for the epitomes of good, the saints who can stop evil, he discovers his own superpowers and meets others possessing God-endowed opportunities called “firsat”. Along the way, he stumbles on places and people cursed and driven to chaos by the evil forces and saves innocent townsfolk by leveraging his ingenuity, sincere heart and magical items. As I could not help but devour the exhilarating story all night, the book ended at a major turning point which has already made me desperately want to read the sequel.

A. R. Latif masterfully weaves elements from the Islamic belief, culture and folklore, from items inherited from Prophets to medieval medicine. The level of fantasy feels just right where as a reader one feels in the real world unveiling mysterious events. The convictions of the medieval Muslims are effectively captured, be it possessions from djinns or God’s help manifesting in moments of difficulty. Yet, the story does not feel forced, merely attempting to integrate some Islamic notions. To the opposite, the novel reads like Harry Potter, building on the physics of the universe while fashioning a consistent world of magic and fantasy. Just this feat alone would make the Vultures in the House of Silence a Muslim novel classic for generations to come.

Does one need to be familiar with or interested in Muslim culture to enjoy this treasure? Quite the opposite - Latif introduces universal and intimately familiar issues with novel fantasy elements, adding to the thrill for diverse audiences. Themes include post-war trauma, longing for the lost, courage amidst uncertainty and the fight of the good and evil. The author crafts nuanced characters experiencing moral and philosophical dilemmas, emotional rollercoasters and spiritual enlightenment.

Kudos to A. R. Latif for this breath-taking story through the medieval Islamic world and I hope we won’t have to wait long for the sequel!

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book told me exactly how it would end in the first chapter, and yet I was still surprised by the ending (and emotionally wounded...I need the sequel immediately).

Vultures in the House of Silence is a fantasy that subverts the Chosen One trope and mixes a fun cast of characters with a fast-paced adventure. Firstly, I'd like to note that the storytelling narrative form is slowly becoming a favorite of mine. Similar to in The Ruin of Kings and The First Binding, the book is narrated by Khurafa retelling his story, and the reader knows where his adventure will end.
Speaking of adventure, I always forget how enjoyable classic adventure stories can be. Khurafa has a prophetic vision of the end of the world (which reminded me a bit of There Will Come a Darkness) and sets off to save the world with his mentor, Shaykh Nariman, and his new mind-reading friend, Zakiyya. It was extremely fast-paced and there were plenty of plot twists. I probably could have read it in one sitting if I tried to. And even though the ending is revealed in the first chapter, it still hurt me and I'm still upset.
I also absolutely adored the dynamics of the crew. I don't know how old Khurafa and Zakiyya are, but they bicker like siblings and I love it. Khurafa is also stupid enough that he continuously gets himself into trouble and Zakiyya rescues him every time. Shaykh Nariman is the embodiment of the "Would you love me if I was a worm" meme, and I love Kedi too because cats always give books bonus points. I didn't love Shahid, but I didn't hate him.
I don't know when the sequel is coming out, but I will read it immediately because you can't just leave me like that! If you're a fan of banter, adventure, and fantasy books that play with unusual tropes and narratives, Vultures in the House of Silence is a book you won't want to miss.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4.5/5

[stephanie cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

ohhhhh the cover of this book is beautiful!
Vultures in the House of Silence by A. R. Latif is a dark and thrilling story that mixes history with the supernatural. It begins with a young boy named Khurafa, who wakes up surrounded by dead bodies and attacked by vultures. The vultures only stop when he begins to tell them how he ended up in this terrifying situation.

The story then takes us back to Khurafa’s life after the Mongol invasion of Baghdad, where his parents are killed. He begins to have strange dreams and encounters that lead him to believe a powerful group of sorcerers, called the Servants, are trying to take over the world. Along with his wise mentor, Shaykh Nariman, and a clever girl named Zakiyya, Khurafa tries to find help, but instead, they meet more dangerous creatures and people.

Latif does a great job of building a mysterious and eerie world. The story is filled with unexpected twists and supernatural events that keep you on the edge of your seat. Khurafa is a strong character, motivated by the loss of his parents and a desire to understand what’s happening around him. His companions, Shaykh Nariman and Zakiyya, are interesting and bring their own strengths to the journey.

While the mix of real history and magic can be confusing at times, the book is still a captivating and emotional read. It’s a tale of survival, loss, and searching for the truth, set in a world where danger can come from both people and monsters.

[Sirad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plunge into the mesmerizing realm of A.R. Latif’s novel, where masterful world-building and a gripping narrative seize your imagination. This book highlights a profound platonic bond between Zakiyya and Khurafa that shatters conventional character dynamics. The subtle yet powerful infusion of Islamic motifs enriches the story, forging a deep connection to Khurafa’s life journey.

I absolutely enjoyed how mentorship takes center stage in the narrative, echoing the Islamic model of spiritual guidance in the Shaykh mouse! Khurafa’s path blazes under the guidance of his spiritual mentor, Shaykh Nariman, whose wisdom and encouragement become crucial in shaping Khurafa’s destiny. The novel’s quotes that stuck with me, such as “failure isn’t losing, despairing of hope is” and “when evil is awake, Justice cannot sleep,” strike a chord, imparting timeless lessons.

This novel offers a cozy, thought-provoking experience that captivates readers of all ages, particularly those in late middle school and early high school (which is the time I LOVED reading books like this). It invites you to immerse yourself in a rich historical context, igniting a passion to explore the era and the inspirations behind the story. A.R. Latif crafts a narrative that not only entertains but also holds historical significance, making it an essential read for anyone seeking a meaningful literary adventure. Thank you for writing this book Abdul!!

[Z. Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun story written by a talented writer, and I highly recommend it. It’s got the short and snappy pace and flow of contemporary genre fiction, so it’s an entertaining and pulse-pounding read. But it also has a poetry to it that really makes it stand out. The pacing is like genre fic but the sentences are poetry. It makes it easy to read and accessible and yet still beautiful.
It is definitely the first of a series, for good and ill. It has a lot of starts and stops, and we meet a lot of people. It’s hard to see how they all fit into the plot, but even if they don’t all fit in to this book, it's easy to get invested in the characters. Also the reference to Lovecraft's Necronomicon was an unexpected treat.
The world the author creates is unique. It is speculative fiction in the true sense of the word—our world, but not quite. Mystical powers seem to be uncommon but also not unknown, and mythical creatures are very real. Although it takes place in the past, it has an apocalyptic feel and it takes place in a sort of localized Apocalypse: a Muslim land recently taken over by the Mongols. All these things—an intense plot, realistic emotions, humor, poetry, apocalypse, and genre tropes—could very easily be messy, but Latif pulls it off deftly. Can't wait for the next one.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review.

One POV, Khurafa. He wakes to vultures pecking at him, so he proceeds to talk to them, tell them a tale so they will leave him be.

Khurafa works in the garden after the tragedy of his parents passing. After having a hearty meal, he takes a nap in the grass. But his dream is vivid and full of darkness. He seeks out his mentor Shaykh Nariman, to interpret his dream. Once he explains what he saw in the dream Kurafa discovers Shayhh is a jinn, and long passed. Shaykh reveals himself because Kurafa can only see and talk to him due to firsat. He can smell those of certain power.

Kurafa's dream sends him on a journey to take down The Servants, a deadly group whose main goal is power and control. Along his way, he teams up with Zakiyya, who can read minds, Kedi, a cat, and Shahid, calling themselves the five pillars. They search for Saints to help rid the world of satanic darkness.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so I am not a big fan of fantasy. Like at all. But I was really impressed with this book! Conceptually speaking, I was absolutely hooked from the moment this book popped up in my FYP on Tik Tok.

It definitely took some time to get into the book, as the world building and pacing was pretty slow at the beginning. admittedly, I did almost give up reading this book, but Latif’s characters and detailed exploration of Middle Eastern mythology kept me engaged. I enjoyed learning about the mythology throughout the book, and it was interesting to see how Latif integrated spiritual concepts into the storyline.

All of these things definitely paid off. The last 50 pages were enough to take this book from a 3 to a 4 stars pretty quickly, and I’m already excited to get my hands on the second book whenever it comes out. Latif’s plot twists felt genuinely surprising, and my heart was beating out of my chest at the escalation of events.

[Hasan Siddiqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Abdul Rahman's story-telling since listening to his 'Chronicles of the Crescent' podcast on Spotify. When I learnt of this upcoming novel, I was eager to get my hands on it and the unpredictable plots did not disappoint. Cannot wait for the sequels to this book.

Set in Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq), the book tells a tale of young gardener Khurafa and a scholar Sheikh Nariman's journey along the river Tigris. Together they look for allies and fight encounters with monsters to stop the return of The Servants, a group of sorcerers that rebelled against the Caliphate.

Tip: I found it helpful to keep track of the places using the map at the start of the book and using the glossary provided at the end of the book.

[Serene In Wonderland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this teen fantasy read. With a backdrop of medieval Baghdad post Mongol invasion, it's full of Islam and really clean. I liked the incorporation of Unani medicine at the end!


CONTENT:

Language: Minor like p*ssed and cr*p.

Romance: Only hinted at.

Fantasy: Super powers coming from barakah, either God gifted or from sainthood. Blessed objects with powers.

Faith: Hadiths, Salah and Islamic advice throughout

Other: Some violence, some scary monsters, magic and jinn.

Recommended for 11+. Though I think it's written more as a teen read, if the child has some solid aqeedah to distinguish the fantasy from the Islam and can handle the scary then it's more upper MG.

[Omar Elsayed-Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spirited adventure steeped in ancient middle eastern culture. This book is an easy recommendation for fans of young adult fiction or any kind of fantasy genre. Latif does a great job surrounding the story within the larger historical and cultural context without it feeling like a college lecture.

I would highly recommend this to anyone with any interest in a fantasy adventure in an ancient middle eastern setting.

[CR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those crazy stories that you cant help but read in one sitting. So I was really glad that this one was only just over 300 pages. It was the perfect story to devour for the summer. Exciting and thrilling and out there in the best possible way. I would have rated this 5 stars all the way if it wasn't for some of the story that for me was just kind of confusing. But overall, it was worth the read.

[Nesreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 12 year old son and I co-read the Vultures in The House of Silence by A.R. Latif, every night till the end of the book, and we cannot wait for the next book to come out.

Adam loved reading this novel because of the Jin, good people and people with powers, and it is the first well written fiction story he ever read with Islamic history background that takes place in Baghdad.

[WhatsSalvaReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review!

It did take me a while to get into it but that with almost all fantasy books since the world building in the first half can be quite much. Nevertheless I enjoyed reading the book. It does have a lot of religious vocabulary and elements which were quite exciting. Shahid gave off huge Witcher vibe and it was amazing! The most enjoyable part of the reading was the monster hunting.
The only thing that kinda threw me off was the way dialogues were conducted. It sounded very modern and 21st centuryish for a book that is taken place in medieval Baghdad.

[Sara Mcfadden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley. This book is now available

Holy mother of Pearl but this book was utterly magical. It is in my brain and my thoughts with spikes and won’t let go. The way the story ebbed and flowed off the pages was nothing short of raw talent.

[Sarah Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this. This was a beautifully written dark fantasy. I was on the edge of my seat while reading this. It is an intense read, but I also really enjoyed the humor that was weaved in as well. Looking forward to the next installment!