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The Time Trilogy #1
Before Time
His eyes told her what his tongue could not.
Nineteen-year-old Onaiza Shahid is a loner and a dreamer, bookish and socially isolated. A chance ramble into a chatting software changes everything. The words of a stranger compel her. Addicted and falling fast, their secret love changes her life. But will the idealistic teenager get her happily ever after?
Nineteen-year-old Onaiza Shahid is a loner and a dreamer, bookish and socially isolated. A chance ramble into a chatting software changes everything. The words of a stranger compel her. Addicted and falling fast, their secret love changes her life. But will the idealistic teenager get her happily ever after?
170 pages, ebook
First published November 22, 2014
2 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Xunaira J.
5 books63 followersAs a thirteen year old teenager, Xunaira J. aspired to be an author someday. From short stories to novellas, she has written them all but as an adult now, she has published two short stories and is now aiming to publish her first Novel, Before Time, scheduled for November release. Xunaira resides in Islamabad, Pakistan and enjoys a hot cup of cappuccino, a good romance novel and her favorite music from the 80’s. Apart from that, when she’s not working on her current literary project, she loves developing mobile applications and studies as a software engineer.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 12, 2015
When reality becomes too much for a young Pakistani woman, because her hopes and dreams seem to be secondary to the wishes of others, she turns more and more to the world of internet chat. Here she can speak freely, here she can be as beautiful as she wants and those she chats with take on more importance than those she interacts with in “the real world.” Onaiza lives in an isolated world, unhappy with her appearance, her life and relationships. A chance encounter online introduces her to a young man who shares his wisdom, his feelings and his thoughts regarding his opinion of Onaiza, which she takes to heart. She finds herself waiting for when he will be online, almost pining for the moment she sees his name. They each share intimate secrets, with Onaiza becoming addicted to his words, falling in love with her idea of this man. He, in turn punishes her by disappearing when she has displeased him or his melancholy gets the better of him. Have they crossed the line between the world of the internet and reality? Can they truly feel love for each other or is it the dream they chase?
Xunaira J. has taken a compelling look at the ups and downs of chat rooms, forgoing reality for a screen and a keyboard with Before Time as a young woman falls deeper and deeper into a world where she can be free. Interestingly enough, set in Pakistan, with its deeply-rooted customs and traditions the contrast with the high tech world of cyberspace makes this an even more intriguing read, not to mention that clearly love and the human need to feel connected is a universal desire.
With characters that echo the feelings and emotional needs of life, Xunaira J. has dug in deep and etched pain, excitement, confusion and joy into each page as she brilliantly depicts an actual chatroom feel, as if we too are online with Onaiza. Serious, sometimes dark and extremely thought-provoking, this is an incredible read.
I received this copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Time Trilogy - Book 1
Publication Date: November 22, 2014
Publisher: Xunaira J.
Genre: YA | Coming of Age
Print Length: 171 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Xunaira J. has taken a compelling look at the ups and downs of chat rooms, forgoing reality for a screen and a keyboard with Before Time as a young woman falls deeper and deeper into a world where she can be free. Interestingly enough, set in Pakistan, with its deeply-rooted customs and traditions the contrast with the high tech world of cyberspace makes this an even more intriguing read, not to mention that clearly love and the human need to feel connected is a universal desire.
With characters that echo the feelings and emotional needs of life, Xunaira J. has dug in deep and etched pain, excitement, confusion and joy into each page as she brilliantly depicts an actual chatroom feel, as if we too are online with Onaiza. Serious, sometimes dark and extremely thought-provoking, this is an incredible read.
I received this copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Time Trilogy - Book 1
Publication Date: November 22, 2014
Publisher: Xunaira J.
Genre: YA | Coming of Age
Print Length: 171 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 7, 2015
Xunaira Javed is an emerging Pakistani author. Though I haven't read her previous works, I was always keen to know more about her through her writing.
I thank her for bestowing an opportunity upon me to read and review her third book, 'Before Time'. Here's my review about it.
'Before Time' is a part of a Trilogy (The Time Trilogy) as the author says.
It is a story about a girl named Onaiza Shahid who lives with her parents and siblings in Islamabad, Pakistan. She is a complete loner and likes to keep everything to herself. She is subject to criticism amongst her community as she believes she's ugly and fat.
During her vacation break, she's set to enjoy her freedom. She logs into an online chat portal named mIRC where she chats with random people without giving out her personal information. There she encounters an estranged person Asher who visits the chat portal with the nickname Impassioned. She starts chatting with him on irregular basis and soon become attached to him. He overlooks her personality and physical appearance and wants to see deep inside her heart. Without meeting in real life, they become good friends over online chats. Onaiza feels he is too dense and doesn't believe in living life to the fullest whereas Asher feels she badly suffers from lack of confidence.
Their online chats progress and they exchange dummy numbers with each other; though they only talk once over the phone in their entire relationship prescribed in this book. While reading it, I could not wait for the moment when the two of them would meet but I guess I have to wait till the next part.
This book will be widely enjoyed among the lovers of the Young Adult genre.
After going through the Prologue of its second part, After Time, I was amazed to find Asher and Onaiza confronting each other after marriage. Lots of events are expected to unfold in the next part.
The flow of writing was beautiful. I could not stop but gawk at how marvelous Xunaira has worked with the words. Apart from some tedious and repetitive online chats between Asher and Onaiza, I found the rest of the book quite gripping.
I wish her the best!
I thank her for bestowing an opportunity upon me to read and review her third book, 'Before Time'. Here's my review about it.
'Before Time' is a part of a Trilogy (The Time Trilogy) as the author says.
It is a story about a girl named Onaiza Shahid who lives with her parents and siblings in Islamabad, Pakistan. She is a complete loner and likes to keep everything to herself. She is subject to criticism amongst her community as she believes she's ugly and fat.
During her vacation break, she's set to enjoy her freedom. She logs into an online chat portal named mIRC where she chats with random people without giving out her personal information. There she encounters an estranged person Asher who visits the chat portal with the nickname Impassioned. She starts chatting with him on irregular basis and soon become attached to him. He overlooks her personality and physical appearance and wants to see deep inside her heart. Without meeting in real life, they become good friends over online chats. Onaiza feels he is too dense and doesn't believe in living life to the fullest whereas Asher feels she badly suffers from lack of confidence.
Their online chats progress and they exchange dummy numbers with each other; though they only talk once over the phone in their entire relationship prescribed in this book. While reading it, I could not wait for the moment when the two of them would meet but I guess I have to wait till the next part.
This book will be widely enjoyed among the lovers of the Young Adult genre.
After going through the Prologue of its second part, After Time, I was amazed to find Asher and Onaiza confronting each other after marriage. Lots of events are expected to unfold in the next part.
The flow of writing was beautiful. I could not stop but gawk at how marvelous Xunaira has worked with the words. Apart from some tedious and repetitive online chats between Asher and Onaiza, I found the rest of the book quite gripping.
I wish her the best!
March 27, 2015
Big thanks to Xunaria for an ARC copy for review.
I do love a good secret love affair between star crossed lovers, but I couldn't really connect with this story. It just didn't draw me in like I hoped it would. I am just not a big fan of online romance, so it was hard for me to feel the chemistry and romance between Onaiza and Ash. I thought Onaiza was a great narrator, but unfortunately this one just wasn't for me.
I do love a good secret love affair between star crossed lovers, but I couldn't really connect with this story. It just didn't draw me in like I hoped it would. I am just not a big fan of online romance, so it was hard for me to feel the chemistry and romance between Onaiza and Ash. I thought Onaiza was a great narrator, but unfortunately this one just wasn't for me.
December 21, 2014
Great read!! This is a wonderful book that is very well written. The author has done an amazing job in keeping the reader intrigued and glued to the pages. A wonderful mixture of emotions that made me want to read a lot more. The characters are very likable and very believable. I would highly recommend this book
April 13, 2015
This entire book is fucking pointless. It's just a long drawn-out mIRC conversation. It's nearly two hundred pages, but that's all it is. Just online chat bullshit. It just never goes anywhere. I kept hoping for something to happen in the real world, but it never did.
This story is about twenty-year-old Onaiza and her online boyfriend. Okay, he's not really her boyfriend. He's just some random stranger on mIRC who suddenly becomes very interested in her. Or maybe he's not interested in her at all. Because he's so fucking aloof.
He tells her over and over in chat that she shouldn't care for him. That he's a cold-hearted asshole. That she should never trust anyone on mIRC, especially not him. He tells her that she definitely should NOT tell him any of her secrets. No, anything but that. Please.
Apparently, that's the best way to get some innocent girl to tell you everything about herself. Because that's what she does. She immediately tells him everything about herself. How she's an ugly fat whale. How she's probably better off dead. Because nobody cares about her. Awwww.
Seriously, she's such a cry baby. She sounds more like a 13-year-old than a twenty year old. I mean, I'm really not sure who's being catfished here. Because the dude sounds like he's probably in his forties. If he is in fact a dude. So maybe they're double catfishing. Ha! Wouldn't that be something?
If you don't know what catfishing is, for fuck's sake man, turn on the TV for once in your life. There's a movie called Catfish which spawned a TV show that is on its third season now. It's about people who pretend to be someone else on the internet. Sometimes they do it because they're really in love, but are ashamed of who they really are. Other times, they just like fucking with people.
So that's really what I assumed this story was. A catfish story. But I really couldn't tell who was being catfished. If either of them was. Because they talked about life, and love. About sex, and orgasms. About how she's beautiful on the inside. And how she should really lose some weight, man. Because, damn.
But nothing ever really happened. There was no conclusion at all. Except for them both telling each other off. Fine, don't love me. I didn't like you anyway. Oh yea? Well... Well, you're a fat whale. So there! Neener, neener. Okay, maybe the guy isn't some forty-year-old creep. More like ten.
This story is about twenty-year-old Onaiza and her online boyfriend. Okay, he's not really her boyfriend. He's just some random stranger on mIRC who suddenly becomes very interested in her. Or maybe he's not interested in her at all. Because he's so fucking aloof.
He tells her over and over in chat that she shouldn't care for him. That he's a cold-hearted asshole. That she should never trust anyone on mIRC, especially not him. He tells her that she definitely should NOT tell him any of her secrets. No, anything but that. Please.
Apparently, that's the best way to get some innocent girl to tell you everything about herself. Because that's what she does. She immediately tells him everything about herself. How she's an ugly fat whale. How she's probably better off dead. Because nobody cares about her. Awwww.
Seriously, she's such a cry baby. She sounds more like a 13-year-old than a twenty year old. I mean, I'm really not sure who's being catfished here. Because the dude sounds like he's probably in his forties. If he is in fact a dude. So maybe they're double catfishing. Ha! Wouldn't that be something?
If you don't know what catfishing is, for fuck's sake man, turn on the TV for once in your life. There's a movie called Catfish which spawned a TV show that is on its third season now. It's about people who pretend to be someone else on the internet. Sometimes they do it because they're really in love, but are ashamed of who they really are. Other times, they just like fucking with people.
So that's really what I assumed this story was. A catfish story. But I really couldn't tell who was being catfished. If either of them was. Because they talked about life, and love. About sex, and orgasms. About how she's beautiful on the inside. And how she should really lose some weight, man. Because, damn.
But nothing ever really happened. There was no conclusion at all. Except for them both telling each other off. Fine, don't love me. I didn't like you anyway. Oh yea? Well... Well, you're a fat whale. So there! Neener, neener. Okay, maybe the guy isn't some forty-year-old creep. More like ten.
January 4, 2015
Well, this book was quite interesting. I would absolutely go crazy if I were Onaiza with nothing to do all day long except sleep!! Onaiza is an ordinary college-age young lady looking for her place in life. It doesn't matter the country, everyone is looking for their place. I can't imagine living in a country so steeped in tradition that you are not truly free to make the choices that some societies take for granted. I am no expert on the subject, but this book makes you think about some of those things. I mean, we just can't survive without all our social connections and all our gadgets!
I found it funny how easily the computer conversations flowed between Onaiza and Asher. There is no denying that Onaiza found herself completely addicted to this stranger and what he was saying to her. Some of the conversations they found themselves having were crazy! Their conversations pushed the envelope. I guess Onaiza felt comfortable talking to him because it wasn't face-to-face; that tends to make a person more bold. So much of this book was their actual back-and-forth conversations on the computer and they were quite interesting. I kind of found myself giggling at some of their interactions. Skipping around in topics and I find myself doing the same thing sometimes.
Somewhere along the way they both began to feel a strong connection. It was crazy how comfortable they felt talking to each other. Or was it all just on Onaiza's end? Maybe she was imagining things to be what they weren't? Only "TIME" would tell.
I can not wait for the next chapter in Onaiza's life. Will there be a happily ever after in her future?
I found it funny how easily the computer conversations flowed between Onaiza and Asher. There is no denying that Onaiza found herself completely addicted to this stranger and what he was saying to her. Some of the conversations they found themselves having were crazy! Their conversations pushed the envelope. I guess Onaiza felt comfortable talking to him because it wasn't face-to-face; that tends to make a person more bold. So much of this book was their actual back-and-forth conversations on the computer and they were quite interesting. I kind of found myself giggling at some of their interactions. Skipping around in topics and I find myself doing the same thing sometimes.
Somewhere along the way they both began to feel a strong connection. It was crazy how comfortable they felt talking to each other. Or was it all just on Onaiza's end? Maybe she was imagining things to be what they weren't? Only "TIME" would tell.
I can not wait for the next chapter in Onaiza's life. Will there be a happily ever after in her future?
March 1, 2015
This was an enjoyable story which kept me intrigued, even though it was far different from the genres I typically read. In this story, we meet Asher (26) and Onaiza (20) but the story is told in first-person through Onaiza's viewpoint.
The two meet in an anonymity-based online chat room and soon develop a sense of trust in each other. They share things about themselves - even their photos and real names - and even go as far as to speak to each other on the phone.
As a reader, I watched as their connection grew and learned things about each of them through the messages they typed to each other. I was drawn into the story and, each time I set the book aside, I looked forward to picking it up again to see what developed between them next.
I witnessed the conflict they had within themselves and the conflict which developed between them, largely stemming from the internal conflicts they both faced. I must admit to truly wondering how everything would turn out for them, in the end.
I finished the book a short while ago and already look forward to reading the second book when it becomes available.
The two meet in an anonymity-based online chat room and soon develop a sense of trust in each other. They share things about themselves - even their photos and real names - and even go as far as to speak to each other on the phone.
As a reader, I watched as their connection grew and learned things about each of them through the messages they typed to each other. I was drawn into the story and, each time I set the book aside, I looked forward to picking it up again to see what developed between them next.
I witnessed the conflict they had within themselves and the conflict which developed between them, largely stemming from the internal conflicts they both faced. I must admit to truly wondering how everything would turn out for them, in the end.
I finished the book a short while ago and already look forward to reading the second book when it becomes available.
December 15, 2014
Are you read for an adventure in modern Pakistan. Xunaira J. gives us a fine book, billed as first in a trilogy, that is full of exotic flavor as our heroine comes of age in today's Pakistan.
But wait: nineteen-year-old Onaiza Shahid is a bookish young woman, a dreamer, bookish and socially isolated. Internet chat rooms change her life. There she meets the words of a compelling stranger. She's soon addicted to their digital love affair. Her life changes.
But is her world changing for better, or worse? Is this man the love she's yearned for, or something much worse?
Follow this teenager as she hunts for a life to live happily ever after in a culture changing moment by moment.
This would be a good book without the Pakistani influence on character and story; with it, the book whirls you away into a seldom-glimpsed world.
But wait: nineteen-year-old Onaiza Shahid is a bookish young woman, a dreamer, bookish and socially isolated. Internet chat rooms change her life. There she meets the words of a compelling stranger. She's soon addicted to their digital love affair. Her life changes.
But is her world changing for better, or worse? Is this man the love she's yearned for, or something much worse?
Follow this teenager as she hunts for a life to live happily ever after in a culture changing moment by moment.
This would be a good book without the Pakistani influence on character and story; with it, the book whirls you away into a seldom-glimpsed world.
February 23, 2015
Reviewed for Hooked on Books---3 stars!
When reality becomes too much for a young woman, her hopes and dreams seem to be unimportant, she turns to the world of internet chat. She's allowed to speak free here. She's unhappy with the way she looks and her whole life in particular. A surprising encounter online introduces her to a man who shares his knowledge, his feelings and his thoughts regarding his opinion of Onaiza, which she takes personal. She becomes almost obsessed waiting for him to return online. They share personal secrets and she finds herself falling in love with the idea of this man. He, in turn punishes her by disappearing when she has made him mad.
This book was interesting. I won't say that I thoroughly enjoyed it but I am curious to see what happens next.
When reality becomes too much for a young woman, her hopes and dreams seem to be unimportant, she turns to the world of internet chat. She's allowed to speak free here. She's unhappy with the way she looks and her whole life in particular. A surprising encounter online introduces her to a man who shares his knowledge, his feelings and his thoughts regarding his opinion of Onaiza, which she takes personal. She becomes almost obsessed waiting for him to return online. They share personal secrets and she finds herself falling in love with the idea of this man. He, in turn punishes her by disappearing when she has made him mad.
This book was interesting. I won't say that I thoroughly enjoyed it but I am curious to see what happens next.
February 23, 2015
Reviewed for Hooked on Books---3 stars!
When reality becomes too much for a young woman, her hopes and dreams seem to be unimportant, she turns to the world of internet chat. She's allowed to speak free here. She's unhappy with the way she looks and her whole life in particular. A surprising encounter online introduces her to a man who shares his knowledge, his feelings and his thoughts regarding his opinion of Onaiza, which she takes personal. She becomes almost obsessed waiting for him to return online. They share personal secrets and she finds herself falling in love with the idea of this man. He, in turn punishes her by disappearing when she has made him mad.
This book was interesting. I won't say that I thoroughly enjoyed it but I am curious to see what happens next.
When reality becomes too much for a young woman, her hopes and dreams seem to be unimportant, she turns to the world of internet chat. She's allowed to speak free here. She's unhappy with the way she looks and her whole life in particular. A surprising encounter online introduces her to a man who shares his knowledge, his feelings and his thoughts regarding his opinion of Onaiza, which she takes personal. She becomes almost obsessed waiting for him to return online. They share personal secrets and she finds herself falling in love with the idea of this man. He, in turn punishes her by disappearing when she has made him mad.
This book was interesting. I won't say that I thoroughly enjoyed it but I am curious to see what happens next.
December 15, 2015
"Before Time" was an online romance set in Pakistan that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the fact that the story was so easy to read and because of this it was a very light entertaining book to sit down with. :)
However, the best part about this particular novel is the way the author uses her narrative to describe the Pakistani culture so astutely and in such fine detail. From Wedding Celebrations to Society's expectations from young women, the author captured it all.
I recommend this for all those who like Romance with a bit of exotic culture thrown in the midst or if you live in Pakistan and want to read a Romance set in the country. =D (Y)
However, the best part about this particular novel is the way the author uses her narrative to describe the Pakistani culture so astutely and in such fine detail. From Wedding Celebrations to Society's expectations from young women, the author captured it all.
I recommend this for all those who like Romance with a bit of exotic culture thrown in the midst or if you live in Pakistan and want to read a Romance set in the country. =D (Y)
December 1, 2014
"Before Time (The Time Trilogy Book 1)" by Xunaira J, is the first in a new series set in modern Pakistan, the first book of its sort I have read. From the very first pages, as an internet romance leads our heroine to adventure, this book is multi-faceted, more than a simple romance. It's a colorful, exciting genre-mixing story with an engaging story line. Join Onaiza Shahid as she discovers what may be the lover of her dreams on line...
Wonderfully realized, this first book in a series is completely satisfying on its own, but I'm glad to learn there will be more.
Wonderfully realized, this first book in a series is completely satisfying on its own, but I'm glad to learn there will be more.
December 15, 2014
Full of excitement, passion and yearning
Before Time (The Time Trilogy Book 1) ... Xunaira J.
A really interesting and great read from Xunaira which will easily connect with late teens but will also appeal to many age groups.
The book highly engages the reader in this 'toss and turn' love story set in Pakistan - full of excitement, passion and yearning.
An unfolding of love and dreams makes this a book you won't want to put down!
A sensational love 'Before Time' 5*****
Before Time (The Time Trilogy Book 1) ... Xunaira J.
A really interesting and great read from Xunaira which will easily connect with late teens but will also appeal to many age groups.
The book highly engages the reader in this 'toss and turn' love story set in Pakistan - full of excitement, passion and yearning.
An unfolding of love and dreams makes this a book you won't want to put down!
A sensational love 'Before Time' 5*****
January 7, 2015
This is the first book in trilogy based in Pakistan. I found it to be quite the page turner. Looking forward to book two as I need to see where this blossoming young relationship is headed. Well-written with characters you can relate to. You won’t be disappointed by this exciting read. I highly recommend!!!
September 13, 2021
Whilst I was flipping pages, It didn't give me a spark of interest nor curiosity as to what might happen next. Maybe it was not for me.
July 31, 2016
Review
I finished reading ‘Before Time’ by Xunaira J. last night. The writer sent me an e-copy of the book to review and share my thoughts regarding the story. She is an emerging Pakistani writer and possesses a great passion for writing. Before Time is her first book in Time Trilogy series and she is working on its sequel.
The story is about a girl Onaiza Shahid who is 20 years old introvert and lives in Islamabad with her parents. She likes being alone and use internet (mIRC) excessively. She believes that she is ugly and everyone is trying to crack jokes about her plus size. That somehow leads her deeper into depression and sickness state. One day, she meets a stranger (Asher as a nick Impassioned on mIRC) online in a chat room and that’s when her life begins to change. She starts falling for his words and gets gradually addicted to him. Asher is a single man of age 25 and working in a telecommunication company in Dubai. A tragic incident of his life changes him into a completely new person. He also feels love in his heart for Onaiza but unable to express it to her.
I am not giving out any more details about this story as I solemnly swear not to be a spoiler for others.
My Thoughts:
I didn’t like the story very much as it lacked depth according to me and roved around mIRC chat. I also had an impression of reading someone’s chat while reading this novel. 75% of the novel based on chat/conversation between Onaiza and Asher. I felt Onaiza was a bit psycho because of her weird habits like drinking and her previous sleeping experiences with 3 different guys. Asher’s character was better than her but he also seemed melancholic and kind of a fake person at times who was more interested in arguing about s*x roles.
I finished reading ‘Before Time’ by Xunaira J. last night. The writer sent me an e-copy of the book to review and share my thoughts regarding the story. She is an emerging Pakistani writer and possesses a great passion for writing. Before Time is her first book in Time Trilogy series and she is working on its sequel.
The story is about a girl Onaiza Shahid who is 20 years old introvert and lives in Islamabad with her parents. She likes being alone and use internet (mIRC) excessively. She believes that she is ugly and everyone is trying to crack jokes about her plus size. That somehow leads her deeper into depression and sickness state. One day, she meets a stranger (Asher as a nick Impassioned on mIRC) online in a chat room and that’s when her life begins to change. She starts falling for his words and gets gradually addicted to him. Asher is a single man of age 25 and working in a telecommunication company in Dubai. A tragic incident of his life changes him into a completely new person. He also feels love in his heart for Onaiza but unable to express it to her.
I am not giving out any more details about this story as I solemnly swear not to be a spoiler for others.
My Thoughts:
I didn’t like the story very much as it lacked depth according to me and roved around mIRC chat. I also had an impression of reading someone’s chat while reading this novel. 75% of the novel based on chat/conversation between Onaiza and Asher. I felt Onaiza was a bit psycho because of her weird habits like drinking and her previous sleeping experiences with 3 different guys. Asher’s character was better than her but he also seemed melancholic and kind of a fake person at times who was more interested in arguing about s*x roles.
December 27, 2014
I received an electronic copy of this book for an honest review. I was not a fan of the format of this novel, as I thought that the constant switch between Onaiza's real life and her online romance ruined the continuity of the novel. I thought that the author should have chosen to focus on one aspect of Onaiza's life at a time. I was able to make it through this book quickly, but it left me wanting to know more.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews