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Fallen Kainat

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Mirror, mirror on the wall,
He's the devil who’ll burn them all,
She's the moth drawn to his flame,
And I'm just here to watch their game…

Huzayn Sinwar is the kind of killer I admire. Swift. Talented. Ruthless.

The Ifritin are, after all, the most malevolent of the Djinn — known for their immense strength and ability to wield fire. Huzayn has been stranded on Earth ever since the destruction of the portal to our homeland, Qafriya. So he needs something, badly.

And I need him.

Sergeant Kainat Pirani is a betrayed woman in search of new beginnings. Despite her mother’s warnings, she follows her military instincts — and Huzayn chooses Kainat to be his personal security detail. So much the better. She may just be the missing key to…everything.

And I? I am Ramad. This is the beginning of my revenge.

Fallen Kainat is a steamy dual POV, dark dystopian romance, with revenge vibes, soulmates, and magical beings.

610 pages, Paperback

Published March 24, 2025

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About the author

Jawairia Ali

3 books30 followers
Jawairia Ali is a Pakistani-American author of the new novel Days of Revenge. She is a self-taught artist and claims writing to be a work of art. She dabbles in contemporary, dark, and fantasy romance with characters who are alpha heroes and classy heroines. Her stories are filled with steam and heart-wrenching angst with a dash of childhood trauma to make the novel more enticing. When not sitting in front of her computer at two in the morning, she enjoys being a mom to her three kids and reading for fun.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Chasing Silhouettes.
389 reviews30 followers
April 1, 2025
3.5🌟

"A love that transcended fate's cruelty" (pg 498)

Fallen Kainat (Fallen Shu'al Book 1) by Jawairia Ali (pub: 03.24.2025), 607 pages, eARC Review.

Dark Dystopian Romance . Magical Realism . Romantasy . Enemies to Lovers . Military x Secret Agent . Magical Beings . Forced Proximity . Piano Smut . He Falls First . Feminine Rage . Political Romance

This is a story of a man, a magical being, who is heartbroken by loss and fueled by revenge.

""My name is a promise, a threat, and a reminder all in one. It's what keeps people on edge. They're not sure whether to fear me, respect me, or run."" (pg 346)

And a woman who had endured such a great injustice upon her who struggles, but still fights with everything she has.

"Huzayn was my anchor in a world that didn't make sense to me any more. He was the compass in my storm -- the steady strength I never knew I needed until I found him." (pg 475)

This is not an easy story for either of them, in the midst of a war and seemingly on the opposite ends of it. There is a battle within and without, but somehow, they are brought together. Their challenge... fight together and fight fate, or use one another for their own agenda and gain, possibly to the detriment of the other.

It was a slow read with heavy content -- quite a lot of backstory, world-bullding, details, and descriptions. It was likened to a reimagined Snow White and the Huntsman, but I thought the "mirror, mirror" reference throughout was a tad bit much. Aside from small bits and pieces within the plot, I found it to be a moderate abstraction from Snow White and the Huntsman.

Loved how Kainat's strength of character and endurance was portrayed. There was good banter, connection, and spicy chemistry between her and Huzyan. Also, there is a good amount of tension and conflicts to keep it interesting.

eARC review
Profile Image for Silvia Martinez.
123 reviews26 followers
March 28, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. Jawairia Ali always knows how to keep me HOOKED! The world building in this book was so good, the romance was so cute and honestly left me Swooning for Huzayn Sinwar 💕. Of course Kainat Piriani was no slouch as she is a mercenary who is a bad ass and of course brings him to his knees ❤️ . I loved everything about this book and everytime I read a book by Jawairia I remember why she will always be an auto author for me 💕

Thank you to Happily booked PR and Jawairia for the E-ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Anjana (bookishscrolls).
74 reviews
March 25, 2025

“Fallen Kainat” is a mesmerizing blend of dark fantasy, action, and romance. Jawairia Ali crafts an immersive world filled with political intrigue, magical beings, and a slow-burn romance that delivers both heat and heart.

Kainat Pirani is a fierce, resilient heroine, while Huzayn Sinwar, the brooding Ifrit Djinn, commands every scene. Their chemistry is electric, with tension, banter, and vulnerability that make their relationship deeply compelling. The world-building is rich, the magic system well-developed, and the emotional beats hit just right.

The last portion packed a punch, and the ending left me eager for more. If you love enemies-to-lovers, military fantasy, and intense character dynamics, this book is worth picking up!
Profile Image for Charlene (pageandplace).
497 reviews29 followers
March 16, 2025
Book 1 in the Fallen Shu’al series, this story focuses on Huzayn- the son of a fallen King and out for vengeance.

After accepting a mission of personal security the characters find they are more connected than they realize and Kainat may be the missing key to it all.

“I never wanted to be the villain in your story.”
There is a uniqueness to the characters and story that makes it very interesting however I could not get into it. The book felt too long and I really had to push myself to continue. As always, I do recommend checking the book out for yourself! The book is dual POV, dark romance with a revenge plot and has magical beings! 🧞‍♂️ This is a dark fantasy with a hefty amount of trigger warning so check them out prior.

The cover of this book absolutely caught my eye and I was immediately drawn to the Snowwhite/Huntsman vibe. The book is peppered with the mirror quotes that progress along with the story and draw you in to where the characters are at during that moment.🪞 I absolutely loved that!

Thank you to author, Jawairia Ali, and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read this book. I received an epub and am leaving my review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Bookish Boy.
155 reviews24 followers
March 22, 2025
I don’t usually read Political Fantasy Romance, but this one really intrigued me because of its representation, tropes, and trigger warnings. I'm glad I read it! This book is extremely heavy on plot and world-building, featuring multiple plots and characters. The formatting of the book also caught my attention; it was divided into different parts, which was very engaging.

I loved the dictionary mentioned at the beginning of the book—it made me laugh out loud. While the characters could have had more development, they are still likable. Both of the main characters, Kainat and Huzayn, have undeniable sexual tension. There are plenty of scenes and dialogues where the characters strike a balance between being unserious and serious, which had me giggling.

And can we talk about the chapter titles? 😂 The spicy scenes were exceptional, especially when she calls him a "good boy." 🤭 The use of some desi slang (like "madarchod" and "tharki") and delicious desi foods (such as biryani, chicken kebab, and chai) throughout the story added to the fun and made me happy because of the representation.

The plot and characters were a bit challenging to follow since there was so much going on, but I appreciate that—it makes the story special. The last 15% of the book was quite emotional and twisting, I’m really looking forward to the next installment!
Profile Image for Laurie.
456 reviews42 followers
March 24, 2025
This author is unprofessional and lies
Profile Image for Mars Rads.
528 reviews12 followers
April 1, 2025
4.5 Stars

I was really drawn in by this book because it just seemed unlike anything I have read. The basic story, at the very heart of it, seemed familiar, but the characters and the lore behind them was so different. I have always been fascinated by the lore and mythology of other cultures, so when I saw this was a book where on of the main characters was a Djinn, I got so excited to see what world the author would build for these characters. I was not disappointed. While this does take place on Earth, the whole element of these other beings stuck on this plane after the portal to their home was destroyed, brought with it a whole new fantasy aspect that made this such an interesting book to read. I am a sucker for a dystopian romance, so this book really gave me so many things that to enjoy. It was not a super easy book that you would read just to not think for a while. It really took my entire brain to get lost in this world. But that is exactly what I look for when I want to read a book with a fantasy element.

The character development in this book is amazing. The main characters have such wonderful depth and they are the type of characters you can really get invested in. Kainat is the strong FMC that I love to read. She is a military woman, which I have so much love and respect for females in the military. She has such tremendous growth throughout this book and her journey to deal with her past trauma creates such a dynamic character. Huzayn was such a powerful character from the very beginning. But his interaction and banter with Kainat was so great. These two had such dynamic chemistry, it made the spicy scenes so amazingly spicy. I was fixated on this story and this world.

This book was so different from a lot that I’ve read in the past and I was very happy to get the chance to read this. I really appreciated getting a view of a different culture and I absolutely appreciated the glossary at the beginning. It was a life saver while reading this story. I really enjoyed this book and was happy to get the opportunity to read it. This is not a simple, mindless read but if you enjoy intense world building and characters with intense passion and wonderful depth, this is a great book to read.
Profile Image for Morgan Jacques.
179 reviews3 followers
March 31, 2025
Tropes:
✨ Dark Romantasy
✨ Shadow Daddy
✨ Magical Beings
✨ Muslim/Desi Rep

Holy smokes this book was absolutely fantastic. But please please please check your trigger warnings because there are a lot

This book revolves around Kainat and Huzayn. Huzayn is this well known killer. Kainat is a Sergeant in the military. After going through life altering situations, she gets put on a security detail. Not knowing who it is before she accepts the mission, she comes to find out it’s none other than Huzayn.

After spending time with him, Kainat releases there is more to Huzayn than his reputation says. She battles feelings for him all the while learning secrets about her family. Now she must battle which side to choose, her mothers and the only side she has ever known, or the man she has fallen for and his group of soldiers.

There is so much that goes on in this book but it is all beautifully woven together. Though a big part of this book is romance, you also get so much character building. You learn about so many secrets. You also get the whole jealous ex thing, which was actually enjoyable I’m not gonna lie.

Kainat is such a strong FMC and I absolutely love her. She deals with a traumatic event right off the bat and she learns to cope with it. But I was so proud of her for sticking to what she wanted. And I was so happy she finally found what she deserves.

Huzayn has a tough exterior but is a such a sweetheart inside. And he’s a shadow daddy. Nuff said. But I LOVED how he took care of Kainat and gave her everything she wanted and more. I mean can I say book boyfriend goals.

I loved the dynamic of them and everything this book has to offer. I cannot wait for the next book and see where this story goes.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
131 reviews9 followers
March 24, 2025
Rating: 3.5 / 5 ⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

As a king I might rule my domain but, before my queen, I would surrender it all.

Fallen Kainat built a unique world that blended fairy tale elements with a modern setting. The subtle imagery combined with some storyline elements worked seamlessly with the military setting of the book. That being said, the world building was lacking a little. The author did provide a dictionary which helped with some cultural barriers but I’d have loved to know more about the Ifrit.

I really enjoyed getting to know Kainat even if she drove me crazy a little bit. She started the book physically strong, but seeing her heal and come out the other side mentally and emotionally strong was beautiful. I did struggle with some of the things she said because they didn’t match her actions at all. I was like “girl, do not remember ____?”

The romance storyline was okay. We had forced proximity and a hint of enemies to lovers. I did enjoy the healing journey they both went on but some of it felt forced and awkward timings. Also, show me he’s a shadow daddy. Don’t just call him a shadow daddy.

The pacing was inconsistent for me. Some parts of the book moved very slow while other sections I couldn’t put down. The speed overall improved around 60% into the book but still had some pacing issues towards the end of the book. However, there were definitely a few points where the dual POV (literally one of my favorites) was killing me and I wanted to skip ahead. There were definitely a couple twists that caught me off guard but I felt like more of them were predictable.

Overall, the book was enjoyable even if parts of it were tough to get past and a touch cringey. I definitely want to see what happens next!

P.S. This is the first book I’ve ever read where the author is serving piping hot tea in the Author’s note. Honestly, every book should start this way.

Thank you to Jawairia Ali and Happy Booked PR for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Delaney.
222 reviews1 follower
March 16, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received a copy of this book from the Happily Booked PR and am voluntarily leaving this review. All opinions are my own.

Holy shit i love this book and i am so excited for the rest of the series. The dynamic between Kainat and Huzayn is not what I had expected and is everything I never knew I needed. I also adore that Kainat is in the military, I feel like you always see a serial killer or assassin for FMCs but never the actual military. She is such a badass and I loved seeing her work through her trauma and grow. I just love her so much. Again, I love the relationship between Kainat and Huzayn, they are characters with flaws but still communicate like adults, and that is so rare. I adored the fantasy elements in this book, the magic system and magical beings. The politics of this book were also so interesting. This book never bored me, and the story genuinely captivated me. This is not plot-related, but this book also had a glossary at the beginning, for which I am so thankful. It helped me get a basis on all the magical beings and even simple things like what certain clothing items are called. This is so helpful when a book is based on a faith I am not well-versed in. Having such an in-depth glossary with pronunciation guides and definitions at the beginning made it so much easier to understand everything when you are thrown right into the world. It is also lovely to have footnotes at the end of every chapter that give you translations of the phrases used in the book. But back to the plot of the book, this book sucked me in and did not let go. I am so excited for the next book; the last 20% of this book had me sobbing. This book was excellent, and I need everyone to read it. RIGHT NOW!

🍎 Snow White and The Huntsman Vibes
🗡️ Mild Enemies to Lovers
🎖️ Military x Secret Agent
💫 Magical Beings
🗡️Dystopian
❤️‍🔥 Forced Proximity
👑 He Falls First
🔥 Feminine Rage
❤️‍🔥Revenge
🏛️Political Romance
Profile Image for Crystal DeBoard.
480 reviews24 followers
March 7, 2025
First, let me say that I love this cover! This somewhat spicy dark romance offers dual pov, soulmates, magical beings, and revenge. This was a unique read with original characters. Trigger warnings are included in the beginning, so be sure to check those if you need to. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Profile Image for Katlyn Armstrong.
236 reviews8 followers
March 18, 2025
It took me awhile to get into this book and for the plot to pick up (like 60-70%). There was a lot of build up and information in the beginning and sometimes it was hard to follow.

When the plot finally picked up it was a great read and the plot twists were very unexpected. This may just suffer from first in series where it has to be a bit dry to set the scene.
Profile Image for Chasity Trimble.
674 reviews40 followers
March 31, 2025
I am freaking obsessed with this book. Already ordered the physical copy. This is the first book in the series Fallen Shu’al and is also the first book I’ve read by this author. Needless to say, I’m a fan!

This is such a fascinating story and the author brilliantly webbed together the world building and magical beings. The writing was characterized by a masterful and beautiful intricacy where I felt completely immersed within the story.

Kainat Pirani, FMC, is a fierce and resilient mercenary, who is healing from trauma and who is searching for new beginnings. Huzayn Sinwar, MMC, is the broody, ruthless, djinn prince who is on his own relentless path of vengeance.

The character development was impressive, they each had so much depth to them, made them so easy to connect with. I adored the explosive chemistry between Kainat and Huzayn and could not get enough of the banter. I loved their dynamic and how Huzayn was head over heels for her. *swooning*

This book had a chokehold on me, I couldn’t put it down. Needless to say I lost much sleep last night. This story was gripping, intense, emotional, heartbreaking, spicy 🥵, heartwarming and I was all for it! And the ending?!? Augh!!! This gal NEEDS book 2!! This will be in the top reads for me this year!

If you are one to enjoy dark, steamy romances, look no further! And this story comes with a **bonus** - it has Snow White & The Huntsman vibes, fantasy elements and magical beings sprinkled in — you are going to want to read this! An exceptional read, no other way to put it!!

*Note to Author - The Dictionary at the beginning of the book was helpful and appreciated!
Profile Image for Sachin Karnik.
Author 5 books12 followers
March 20, 2025
"Fallen Kainat by Jawairia Ali: book Review of The Dystopian Romance You Can’t Put Down!"

Hey, book lovers! 📚 Today, I’m diving headfirst into a whirlwind of emotions, mysticism, and revenge with Fallen Kainat by Jawairia Ali. If you’re a sucker for dark dystopian romance with a magical twist, then buckle up because this book has "Ifritin-level" heat! 🔥

Ali masterfully weaves a tale of two souls colliding in a world drenched in betrayal and longing. The dual POV gives you a front-row seat to the chaos of Huzayn Sinwar's mysterious world and Sergeant Kainat Pirani's quest for a fresh start. Trust me, their chemistry is as explosive as it gets. ⚡

What makes Fallen Kainat special isn’t just the steamy moments (although those are 🔥🔥🔥) but how the author seamlessly blends magic, mystery, and raw human emotions. The writing is so vivid that you’ll feel the ache, the anger, and the unrelenting passion dripping from every page. It’s like Ali bottled up a storm and unleashed it in this book!

Fallen Kainat isn’t just a book—it’s an experience. This book is your next obsession if you’re into soulmates, revenge, and the tantalizing push-and-pull of two lives colliding. So, grab your favorite reading spot and let yourself be swept away.

Dive in, and don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s fangirl (or fanboy) together! ✨

#FallenKainat #JawairiaAli #FallenShualSeries #DystopianRomance #SoulmatesAndRevenge #DarkFantasyReads
Profile Image for Madyson.
49 reviews
March 21, 2025
Thank you to the author and Happily Booked PR for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book took me on a whirlwind of emotions to say the least. But overall I was pleasantly surprised by the story and the book overall.

Starting with the positives, the idea behind the book is pretty fantastic. The mix between a classic fairytale like Snow White and influences from the authors culture is something that the author does very well. The banter between the FMC and the MMC had me giggling, kicking my feet and cackling all on the same page. The world that the story is set in, although a bit confusing at first, isn’t too complicated to understand but is still something unique. The last 20% had me on the edge of my seat and I did get a little teary eyed. Overall as far as the story goes, again it was a pleasant surprise.

My main critique of this book would have to be the pacing and some of the interactions with the characters. There were times where it felt very choppy and some of the scenes, mainly in the beginning, felt out of place and out of character. There are also some structural and grammatical issues that I found while reading but I was able to overlook them.

Overall, I’m unsure as of this moment if I would continue the series but at the same time I’m dying to find out what happens next.
Profile Image for Poorvi.
264 reviews5 followers
March 18, 2025
Huzayn Sinwar is the kind of killer. Swift. Talented. Ruthless. The Ifritin are, after all, the most malevolent of the Djinn — known for their immense strength and ability to wield fire. Huzayn has been stranded on Earth ever since the destruction of the portal to our homeland, Qafriya. So he needs something, badly. Sergeant Kainat Pirani is a betrayed woman in search of new beginnings. Despite her mother’s warnings, she follows her military instincts — and Huzayn chooses Kainat to be his personal security detail. So much the better. She may just be the missing key to…everything.
I love how how the characters felt so real and raw. Their development in the story was so good. The twist & turn and the story was really good , it just felt too long. I love Zayn he was like literally head over heals for her. They both have flaws but I like how they both communicated like an adult. Their bickering was top tier. Kainat is such a badass, I love seeing her work through her trauma and grow. Her sassy replies, how she stands up for herself. The last few chapter were so emotional. And the ending..I am so excited for the next book!!!
I love the Ramad character. His witty commentary makes the story so much more enjoyable.
Profile Image for Jules.
189 reviews
March 27, 2025
Hey it’s me, the self-appointed President of Jawairia’s fan club back at it to tell you how much I LOVE her books. 😍😍

For those of us who want Snow White & The Huntsman Vibes crossed with a modern day fantasy, this book is absolutely ✨FOR YOU✨

The dual POV brings you impeccable world building, sort-of enemies to absolute SOULMATES 😍😍, and only the best snarky sidekick (in the form of a winged panther, might I add).

Kainat and Huzayn, where do I begin?! These two have gone through some serious shit. Literally kidnapped, tortured, and traumatized soldiers (with Huzayn having the added benefit of being royalty torn away from his kingdom and his loved ones).

These two may have been pitted each other in the beginning, but they found true love once they trusted themselves enough to trust each other!

And a spoiler-free spoiler: Holy HELL that ending, Jawairia!!!

While these two have my heart in their own little universe, I could read an entire novel on Ramada’s snarky side comments. (Have I mentioned how much I love that winged panther, yet??)

(Shoutout to Jawairia for indulging me in my live reactions as I tore through this book😂 The real MVP for sure!)

Much love to Jawairia and Happily Booked PR for the ARC
Profile Image for Maricela.
18 reviews
March 31, 2025
The story has a fantastic premise, and I was really excited to dive in! I was expecting more of a romantasy vibe, but it turned out to be more of a revenge-driven plot.

While it was a bit confusing at first and hard to follow at times, the world-building is unique and not overly complicated. However, there was so much happening that it was tough to keep track of the storyline and the multiple characters, especially without enough character development to make them feel fully fleshed out.

The plot itself is intriguing, and the dynamic between the FMC, Kainat, and the MMC, Zayn, is full of great banter that keeps things entertaining. There’s also a strong focus on mental health and overcoming trauma, particularly with the FMC addressing her struggles in a healthy and progressive way.

I appreciated the cultural elements woven into the story, and there’s a fair amount of spice along with some trigger-warning content, so this is definitely not a book for the faint-hearted.

Some moments are beautifully written, with vivid detail that will pull readers right into the pages. However, the main plot and its subplots tend to shift frequently, leaving the overall direction of the story a bit unclear.

I’m definitely curious to see where lies next in the story from here!
Profile Image for lauren dedinsky.
595 reviews4 followers
March 11, 2025
What to expect:
- dark dystopian romance
- magical beings
- dual pov
- snow white and the huntsman vibes
- forced proximity
- he falls first
- military x secret agent

i saw the tropes to this one and immediately wanted to read it. see i am the kind of girl who notices tropes and then goes into the book blind. its more fun that way😂 so i really didnt know what to expect going in storywise and man did that make me enjoy this even more. (i wont lie, the cover also drew me in).

this was my introduction to this author and man am i happy about that. i really liked the writing style. the whole book was really unique with fun characters. there are trigger warnings in the beginning of the book so make sure to check those out to make sure its right for you.

i loved the vibes in this book! there so many twists and turns that really keep you hooked. but it also had me hooked from the very beginning.

dark romance is definitely still newer to me but every now and then i like to dabble into that genre. but all in all i really enjoyed this book and would absolutely read the next book in this series.

thank you happilybookedpr for gifting me this arc to read for an honest review
Profile Image for JPreads7.
227 reviews24 followers
March 19, 2025
3.75 ⭐️

This book was a whirlwind of emotions lol. It took me a second to get into it, but I did enjoy the book and it had an interesting plot.

The world building was not too complicated, though I did still find myself confused at times with the timeline and the magic system. There were also quit e a few characters and I feel like some were made to seem important in the beginning and then they were only mentioned like one more time.

I did enjoy the main characters for the most part as well. The indecisiveness of the FMC did start to get on my nerves a little at one point though lol. The MMC was very charismatic and I did love him throughout the entire book.

Some of the plot seemed unrealistic at times or was a little confusing with the back and forth, but there was a lot going on. This was one where I felt like the spice did overshadow the plot a lot of the time, but the scenes were done tastefully for the most part with a little bit of cringe language lol.

I am not sure if I will read the next one or not but I did enjoy this one and would recommend if you want a spicy unique magic system book!
Profile Image for Em.
381 reviews8 followers
March 22, 2025
📖✨ Book Review: Fallen Kainat by Jawairia Ali ✨📖

⭐ 4/5 Stars | 🔥 Spice: 4/5

It took me a while to get into this book, and the plot really picked up around the 60-70% mark. The beginning had a lot of buildup and information, which sometimes made it hard to follow. But once it clicked? I could not put it down!

The character development was top-tier. Every twist and turn kept me hooked, even if the pacing felt a little long at times. Kainat? A total badass. Watching her work through her trauma and stand up for herself was everything. And her sassy comebacks? 10/10.

Now, let's talk about Zayn—this man was absolutely head over heels for her, and I loved their dynamic. Flawed, but mature. Their bickering = chef’s kiss 💯. And of course, Ramad stole every scene with his witty commentary.

But we all know who owns this book… Huzayn. The ultimate shadow daddy. His words? Spellbinding. His hands? Lethal (in the best way possible). And the spice? Oh, it was definitely spicin’! 🔥

The last few chapters hit hard—so emotional and beautifully written. And that ending?! I NEED the next book immediately.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Victoria Murphy.
17 reviews
April 7, 2025
I was originally an arc reader for this book but fell way behind schedule. In all honesty this book wasn’t one that was for me. I enjoyed the banter and the ending was great.

As far as the story goes I felt there were a lot of plot holes and the pace was very odd. I had to personally stop reading once a chapter (if not more) to process why anyone would say some of the things said and how any of these things could actually happen.

I don’t like leaving negative reviews but honestly this book in my opinion was hard to get through. I acknowledge I had an arc copy so there were some mistakes which hopefully didn’t make it into the final copies but they were atrociously bad. Towards the end it felt like a plot twist was added just for the sake of having one and the protagonist isn’t rational at all.

I come from a military family and when I spoke with my mother (army) about certain aspects of this book she practically laughed me out of the room.

I appreciate and don’t want to discourage anyone from writing and publishing, and this story had so much potential. I felt like it needed to be polished a bit more and some light restructuring for pacing and to fix plot holes.
Profile Image for Silvia LD .
155 reviews27 followers
March 19, 2025
Fallen Kainat is truly a first-of-its-kind read for me—an urban dark romantasy set in a military Pakistan, infused heavily with Middle Eastern and Desi mythology. A unique combination, I know, but I absolutely love exploring different cultures, mythologies, and folklore. And this book delivered on all fronts.

The story follows Kainat, a military woman raised from birth to be the best of the best. She is on a mission to capture a mysterious man, but something happens to her that halts her pursuit. She then finds herself tasked with rescuing this man... that's not a man after all. Hussein is an Ifrit, a powerful and often malevolent djinn from Middle Eastern folklore.

What made this book stand out for me was its unique blend of military strategy, urban fantasy, and prominent folkoristic elements. I’ve never read a book set in a military environment before, so it took some adjustment, but I found the mix of fantasy and realism incredibly compelling. The plot twists were jaw-dropping, and let’s not forget...it was hella spicy!
Profile Image for Brandi.
295 reviews7 followers
March 26, 2025
The world-building in this was so magnificently done. It was immersive and not at all overwhelming. I loved how the mirror mirror quotes were peppered all throughout the book. Kainat's whole journey was fraught with betrayal and was so heartbreaking. Kainat was manipulated throughout the entirety of her journey. Whereas Huzayn was on an unrelenting path of vengeance. The character development for each of these characters was amazing. Their lives were so raw, real, and emotional. This tale truly kept you at the edge of your seat with all of the twists and turns. The dark romance was so intense and kept me turning the pages. I was breathless after this read. And that ending was so intense and insane. I need the next book like I need my next breath. I will say that this book has me hooked from page one. The author's note was amazing too and I honestly sometimes don't remember those. I also loved the explanation of the author's personal beliefs in the very beginning. I love and respect that honesty.
Profile Image for Kats.
169 reviews5 followers
April 8, 2025
In the first quarter of this book I wasn't sure where it was going, there was a lot going on and lot of names and places. But once the action really started it was a pretty fast paced dark fantasy, with a shadow daddy MMC and a bada$s FMC. The mythology and insight into other cultures was really interesting, along with the military side of things. It was such a varied story with so many different aspects, but they all blended together really well.

Huzayn was very charismatic and the banter between him and Kainat was top notch. He's definitely a dark character, but so is Kainat so they match well. There were "touch her and ☠️" moments and I cannot spoil it but he's a great gift giver. Ramad, the panther like "fahdari" who very much dislikes being compared to a cat, brought quite a lot of humour. There is intrigue, mystery and betrayal - the twists just kept coming. Definitely a recommended read for me!

Thank you Jawairia Ali and @happilybookedpr for the advance copy, my opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Erica Cole.
12 reviews2 followers
March 15, 2025
What a phenomenal ride! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book seamlessly blends the cultural richness of Pakistan with an empowering portrayal of resilient women. Jawairia Ali masterfully explores trauma and healing, making Kainat’s journey of self-discovery both raw and breathtaking. Watching her reclaim herself piece by piece was an emotional and rewarding experience.

And, of course, it goes without saying—Huzayn is the ultimate shadow daddy. His words? Spellbinding. His hands? Lethal (in the best way possible). The spice was definitely spicing🔥🔥🔥

I want to give a special shoutout to Ramad and Jannat, two of the most unforgettable side characters I’ve ever read. Their scene-stealing moments were pure gold, adding depth and charm to an already incredible story.

Overall, Fallen Kainat is a beautifully crafted Romantasy with a touch of enemies-to-lovers, a lush modern fantasy world, and a narrative that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommend! 💕
Profile Image for Maran.
161 reviews6 followers
March 21, 2025
I was graciously gifted a copy of this book by the author and Happily Booked PR and I am excited to leave a review.

I enjoyed this book. This is the first book in the seven book series, The Legend of the Grieving King. Jawairia Ali does a great job of entertaining the reader with this Snow White and the Hunstman inspired story set in a modern day dystopian Pakistan while also including notes on terms or phrases that the reader may not be familiar with (although, truth be told, Google was still my friend in terms of visualizing the various garments described).

Kainat and Huzayn are both relatable and likeable. You are cheering both of them on as you read the book and want the best for them. I absolutely did not see the ending coming and am definitely interested to see how the rest of the series pans out.
Profile Image for Emma :).
338 reviews19 followers
March 24, 2025
Fallen Kainat is a gripping, dark romantasy book that has elements of dystopia, political tension, and magical influences. This book has so many tropes, such as enemies-to-lovers romance, age gap, and forced proximity. The chemistry between the main characters, their banter, and their love for eachother is electric. It kept me hook to every page!

The romance in this book is great, but so is the amazing storytelling! I loved every second of this book, from the spice, the tension, the playlist, Ramad, and every single thing inbetween. This book is an easy five star read from me.

If you have read Jawairia before you will love this book, and if you are new to Jawairia, you will completely fall in love with how she writes her characters! I totally reccomend this book to all romance lovers, and especially those who love dark romantasy books!
Profile Image for Maddy.
91 reviews5 followers
March 25, 2025
Too many characters and no real character development. I wanted to love this book because it represents my culture and beliefs but :(

The 3 stars are for the romance and 🌶️.

Initially I didn’t think I would make it through the book because there was a lot of stuff happening and it was hard to keep track of the story line and multiple characters without sufficient character development or effective world building.

Once the romance story line was added I was drawn in and that kept me motivated.

However, the plot “twist” at the end lost me again. I couldn’t get myself to do anything but skim through what seemed like a hastily written ending.

Honestly, if all you’re looking for is spice and a good romance that hits your tropes — read it. If you’re looking for a good romantasy — don’t waste your time.

Thank you Happily Booked PR for sending me an early release copy of this book!
Profile Image for Librosentrelazos.
322 reviews2 followers
March 31, 2025
This book was uniquely refreshing. I enjoyed the contrast between the military world that was set in and the elements of magic and fairytale. The politics and magic system were easy to follow and super intriguing.

Kainat is a very strong character. I really liked her, and I appreciate character growth, not only physically but emotionally. She is flawed and very real, so seeing her dealing with her trauma and growing was really beautiful.

Huzayn is such an interesting character. I think he was perfect for Kainat, showing her a different side of what she is accustomed to. I loved that he challenged her but also took care of her in the way she deserved.

This book is so intriguing, and I will definitely be reading the next installment. Thank you, Happily Booked PR and Jawairia Ali, for the advanced copy.
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