SARAUNIYYA: Heartstrings

by Ishaq Yakubu

"Sarauniyya: Heartstrings" is the captivating first installment in the "Sarauniyya" series, an evocative narrative that delves deep into the rich tapestry of Arewa culture, friendship, and personal growth. The story follows Ameera Danasabe and her best friend Fatima-Zarah Jallo, two young women navigating the complexities of life, love, and identity in both their hometown of Abuja, Nigeria, and as students in London.

Ameera, the only daughter and youngest child of a prominent business family, and Fatima-Zarah, a rising top model and only daughter of an influential politician, share an unbreakable bond forged through years of shared experiences. As they settle back into their university life, they navigate the challenges of balancing their academic responsibilities with their personal lives.

Imran's arrival adds a layer of intrigue and complexity to the story. His growing relationship with Ameera unfolds with a mix of mystery and charm, highlighting the similarities between their not-so-different worlds.

The SARAUNIYYA Series by author Ishaq Yakubu launches in July.

Genres: Love, Romance

178 pages, Paperback

Published July 10, 2024

About the author

Ishaq Yakubu, also known as Prince Ishaq, is a Nigerian writer, creative artist, and internet public figure. His writing explores love, power, identity, and coming of age within contemporary African societies. He writes primarily within the genres of Young Adult and Coming-of-Age fiction, Romance, and Contemporary African Literature, with a distinctive voice that blends youthful candour, political awareness, and cultural heritage.

He is the author of the Sarauniyya series, a body of work that has steadily woven itself into Abuja’s contemporary literary and youth culture, marking his emergence as a significant young voice in Nigerian literature.

Beyond fiction, Ishaq is also a poet, known for a style influenced by lyrical maximalism. His work frequently returns to the theme of love — not merely as an ideal, but as a responsibility shaped by consequence, memory, and risk.

Alongside his literary career, Ishaq maintains a public presence under the moniker SuperstarIshaq across platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, where his documentation of youth culture, style, and luxury life in Abuja exists in conversation with the worlds he explores in his writing.

Prince Ishaq’s latest publication, Gambo Santuraki Street, marks a deliberate expansion of his literary scope, signalling the beginning of a broader narrative universe that bridges romance, political consciousness, and moral complexity within the Northern Nigerian space.

Ishaq lives and writes in Nigeria.

Reviews

[Ugonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
I really loved reading this book. There’s something about the way the author writes that makes you want to keep reading. I loved how the plot was executed and how the story is easy to read. It’s a really beautiful story about love and friendship. It’s funny, heartwarming and has the right amount of feistiness and drama, perfecto.

I can’t wait for the second book!

[Ice Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️s
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and beautiful friendship and romance.
What drew me in was the culture and lifestyle. It immersed me and i definitely get it now.
The sweet love blooming was amazing
I enjoyed it.

[Munira Lawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know a book is amazing when you stay up all night reading, I picked this book up and I couldn’t drop it down! A literal masterpiece! The characters felt so real I thought I knew them. Friendship and love has never been described so beautifully, the blend of northern culture and western lifestyle makes this a comfy, nostalgic read. I’ve traveled and experienced a lot within these pages. I hung to every word and I eagerly anticipate the next book!! Sarauniyya: Heartstrings is tucked away in the library in my heart and I can’t praise the talented author enough

[Ndigwe Ifunanya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book should have remained on Wattpad, so cringe😑

[TEMILOLUWA Babalola · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book to read.
In *Saurinya*, the love aspect is handled with a refreshing tenderness and authenticity that sets it apart from many contemporary novels. Unlike the often exaggerated or overly dramatized portrayals of romance found in other books, Yakubu Ishaq approaches love in a more subtle, yet deeply profound way. The relationships in *Saurinya* are not just about romantic attraction but about emotional connection, respect, and mutual growth.

The love stories in the book are not rushed or idealized; instead, they evolve naturally, mirroring the complexities of real-life relationships. Ishaq captures the quiet moments that make love meaningful—the unspoken understanding between partners, the small acts of kindness, and the challenges that test their commitment. This grounded portrayal of love gives the novel a sense of realism that feels like a breath of fresh air.

Moreover, the cultural backdrop adds a unique layer to the love dynamics in *Saurinya*. The characters navigate their romantic relationships while balancing familial expectations and traditional values, which adds depth and makes their love stories more nuanced and relatable. Ishaq shows that love is not just about passion, but about navigating the intricacies of life together, with patience and understanding.

In contrast to many books where love is often portrayed as a source of conflict or drama, *Saurinya* presents it as a source of strength and growth, making it a refreshing and heartwarming read. The love depicted in the novel is more about companionship, shared experiences, and emotional maturity, which offers readers a break from the typical cliche novels .

[Yasminn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“SARAUNIYYA: HEARTSTRINGS “is a beautifully written novel that offers a fresh perspective on adult romance in a unique setting. Ishaq yakubu’s storytelling is engaging and insightful, making this book a must-read for fans of romance and those interested in exploring the rich cultural landscape of northern Nigeria( Arewa).

SARAUNIYYA touches on themes of friendship, ambition, and the challenges of growing up, all while maintaining a light and enjoyable tone. It is a heartwarming read that will resonate with young adults and anyone who is trying to balance the challenging aspects of their teenage to adult lives.It’s a perfect blend of romance, leadership, self awareness, and coming-of-age, making it a standout in the genre.
But holy hell “I’ve done a very bad thing.” Is the cherry on top. Definitely an outstanding piece of literary work .

[Fareedah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hardly read books by African authors, but I’m a sucker for Northern romances and this book absolutely did not disappoint.

Ameera is a personable character that also makes the reader fall in love with her too. And the male lead (I forget his name lol) is almost every woman’s Arewa prince charming and it makes one wonder if there are truly men like this out there and if we can get exact gps coordinates because I for one need to cop one for myself please!

This is my first time reading something from the author, and I can confidently say that it won’t be my last time reading his work. I might as well get in on his other stuff while waiting for the second book to drop.

A five star in my books and I’m definitely recommending it to all my friends

[Sonia's Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story will leave you feeling delulu for the duration of your reading. 😂

The author's writing style is spot on! 👏

However, the cliffhanger at the end... I’m not a fan of stories that end with cliffhangers, and the way this one ends suggests that there's serious trouble. I can't wait to read the other books in the series! I also appreciate how the author explored the Arewa culture. Seriously, these Arewa people are wealthy oo and their men? FINISHED MEN!! God, abeg! I think I might be changing my mind about Igbo men. 🙂‍↔️😂

Another aspect that stood out for me is the friendship between Mimi and Faati. The author is male, and I was curious about how he gained insight into female friendships; it felt so relatable. By the way, I must state that IMO, a friendship triangle is not ideal.‼️ In Mimi's words, “Having my best friend befriend someone else…” I guess that’s why I don’t have a best friend; the thought of my best friend having her own best friend? Chineke! I was glad that Mimi and Faati didn't lose their friendship because of Zainab. That would have been a serious issue. They're the real Dynamic Duo! 👯

Overall, this was a beautiful story, and I highly recommend it!

Rating: 4.5🌟

[Hauwau Abubakar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is poetic— drawing me into the characters’ emotional worlds. Ameera’s journey, particularly, is captivating, she’s a well-developed protagonist with relatable struggles (the Uni parts of course) and heartfelt moments. Her friendship Fatima-Zarah is so beautiful, it also offers a refreshing portrayal of female companionship and support. Overall it was an amazing read, and I want me an Imran.

[Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book saruniyya is to much words cannot be used to describe how much I love the book,I first saw just the cover of the book on tik tok and I knew immediately I need to read this book,I read it and wasn't disappointed at all,the plot,the character,the details it's top notch everything is just lovely ishaq you did a great job!!! Shout out to you.

[DominicGrimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a story that intertwines romance with cultural exploration, giving two player games a rich backdrop for character development. The dynamic between Ameera and Imran promises to add layers of tension and development. This book looks like a compelling read for those interested in relationships, self-discovery, and cultural stories.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarauniyya is a romance book that is cliche without being cringe. For all my romance readers out there that are finding it hard to find no cliche books, this is the right book for you. The ending had a way of shattering all my ending predictions, what did zainab do? Can’t wait for part 2!!!

[Ahmed Zainab · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very interesting and I finished in 2 days because it was one of the most interesting and realistic arewa book from my perspective and I also love and dislike the way you left us on suspense 😊.

[Fatimah]

I just finished the book, and I’m honestly blown away. The way Ishaq brought each character to life was incredible—it felt like I was reading about people I've met in real life. Your storytelling is truly masterful, and I was completely immersed from start to finish.

[Asma’U Husna · Rating 5 out of 5]

My best read of the yearrr!!!

[Marilyn Madlion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the epitome of cozy. It brought a nostalgic feeling back to me with its northern roots and I cannot wait for its sequel!!

[Halima Abdullahi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read your book. I must say, it’s a masterpiece and I love it!!!

[Feerdy]

The book was a very good read. The emphasis on the significance of good friendship was everything for me. The author did a very good job, Masha Allah.

[Saph · Rating 1 out of 5]

So cringe, this is like early wattpad days story, "journey of self discovery" but the characters had no depth, nothing's going on

[Zeenatishaq22 Ishaq · Rating 4 out of 5]

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