Tiny Glimmers of Light

by Tanya Athar-Jogee (Co Author), Aqueel Al Athar

#1 AMAZON BEST SELLER

Pakistan, 2014: How far would you go for your family? When a knock comes in the half-light before dawn, the lives of 19-year-old Goha and his family are about to change forever.



Lured by a tantalizing opportunity to work for a secret organization that will release his family from poverty, Goha leaves his Karachi slum behind for the tribal areas of the North. But as he learns about the organization’s core beliefs and activities, his excitement starts to fade. His courage is tested when he is coerced into a physical relationship with his superior and faces other agonizing moral dilemmas and violence—all while falling in love with the local imam’s stunning ex-wife.

Rife with suspense and memorable characters, Tiny Glimmers of Light explores themes of identity, sexuality, religious nuances, education, class hierarchies, extremism, and institutional corruption. It will keep readers on the edge of their seats while they follow Goha as he faces threats to his survival and his family's fortune.

Hundreds of Urdu words in Tiny Glimmers of Light bring the sights, sounds, and scents of a tumultuous Pakistan alive on the pages and immerse readers fully into the country’s diverse geography, languages, and gender roles. The story will especially appeal to South Asian readers and anyone craving a deeper understanding of Pakistani culture and the temptations faced by a hard-working, lower-class family to improve the circumstances of their lives.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2025

About the author

Tanya Athar-Jogee was born in Calgary, Canada, and currently resides in Austin, Texas. She completed her undergraduate degree in journalism from Concordia University in Montreal, where she won the award for the most outstanding journalism graduate in her class. Tanya also holds an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University in Chicago. Her op-eds on social issues, culture, faith, and identity have appeared in Newsweek, Common Dreams, Truthout, and other national publications. She has also written features for Dawn, the oldest and largest English newspaper in Pakistan. Tanya is married with two children and a cat. Tiny Glimmers of Light is her debut novel, co-authored with her father.

Aqueel “Al” Athar grew up in Karachi, Pakistan. He received his PhD in clinical microbiology from the University of London and previously worked as the head of microbiology labs and director of infection control at the Calgary District Hospital Group in Calgary, Canada. His teaching positions included adjunct professor at the University of Calgary and faculty member at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois. Aqueel is an active Rotarian who has served as president of Rotary Clubs in Canada and the U.S. He has penned several books in English and Urdu. Aqueel has two grown, married daughters
(Yasmin Ahmed and Tanya Athar-Jogee) and four grandchildren. He currently lives in Bolingbrook, Illinois, with his wife, Ansa.

Reviews

[Michele Weldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb book by a father/daughter team who explore in this novel the realities and dangers of a Pakistan son who is recruited for a treacherous role with outlaws, leaving his extremely poor family behind. The dialogue is magnificent, the twists and turns of the plot are surprising and deal with loyalty, grief, promises, secrets, ancient nd modern traditions as well as honor killings, murder and love. I recommend this for book groups because there is so much to discuss. It is well-written and conceived and you will find yourself immersed in another culture possibly that will inform and intrigue you.

[Lindsey Schell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always looking for stories that can reveal a new understanding of a part of the world I know little about and this book does so in such a way as to make you feel like a welcome family member of the protagonist. It also shines a spotlight on the unique cultural influence of Pakistan within a region we Americans receive precious little awareness about. These characters move through life with raw pragmatism and a desire to improve their circumstances, fueled by a foundation of struggle very different from what we see in the US. This book is a fascinating feat of collaboration by a father-daughter writing team each of whom brings their own lived experience and observations within and adjacent to Pakistani culture, society and history.

[Nazia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiny Glimmers of Light is a bold and haunting exploration of the internal conflicts within a young soul — the relentless struggle between faith and doubt, love and shame, body and belief. Tanya Athar Jogee and Athar ‘Al’ Aqeel peel back the fragile layers of identity to reveal both the beauty and the brutality of being human. Set against the breathtaking landscapes of northern Pakistan, the novel captures how, even in life’s darkest moments, the possibility of redemption flickers — and reminds us that no one is ever entirely good or entirely evil.

I love how they have seamlessly woven Urdu phrases into the narrative, giving the story an authentic portrayal . Their descriptions of the generosity and warmth of the Pakistani people — and their sensitive inclusion of the Kalaash community, long marginalized and often misunderstood — brings cultural nuance and humanity to rhe story.

Order your copy TODAY- it’s a quick and fascinating read!

[Debbie Trenker · Rating 4 out of 5]

riveting

I learned a lot about Pakistan that I hadn’t expected and the book was written in a way that pulled you in and made you feel for the characters. A good read!

[Karen Aroian]

Among this novel's richly developed characters, each with their own aim, not one is completely angel or devil, and no one situation they confront is completely good or evil. The intriguing imbalances revealed in glimmers of danger and deception will keep you turning pages. Athar and Athar-Jogee are a brilliant father-daughter writing team. They bring both a caring and chilling world into view as our main character, Goha, a naively compliant Pakistani youngster, agrees to honor his parents and quickly learns the price of survival. Grab hold of a stunning cast of characters and watch how good and evil, loyalty and truth twist and turn through an allegorical tale of family, friendship, and country.

[Vinita · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a psychologist, I found Tiny Glimmers of Light both heartbreaking and deeply affirming. The story captures the way trauma shapes children’s lives, yet it also shows how memory, connection, and even the smallest acts of defiance protect their sense of self. It felt authentic — the fear, the silence, the quiet resilience — and it reminded me why bearing witness to these stories matters. This book is not only moving, it’s necessary.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is set in Pakistan and addresses many controversial issues, giving empathy to rhetoric and issues faced by Pakistani people. The characters are well developed and likable. The underlying love story adds a relatable element. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book.

[Daniela Quirke · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story! It's so rare to find English fiction about Pakistan by Pakistani authors. Tiny Glimmers of Light gives us a narrative about this complicated young country that loves and respects it's people and culture without flinching away from the challenges and issues they face.

The story begins in an impoverished, working class neighborhood in Karachi and follows the protagonist as he is recruited into a criminal organization in the northern areas bordering Afghanistan. Unlike many western attempts to depict Muslim people and societies, the authors of Tiny Glimmers of Light show how young people can be lured into these organizations without demonizing Islam or treating the characters as mere caricatures.

What impressed me most about this novel is the authenticity of it. These characters and their challenges are written as real people with loves, fears, and hopes, wrapped in the unique and beautiful culture of Pakistan.

The father-daughter team who wrote this book brought their different perspectives in age and gender. It's written in the confident voice of someone who was born and raised in Pakistan and knows the culture intimately, combined with the clear, straightforward voice of someone raised in North America who writes about this society in a way English readers can immediately grasp and relate to.

A must-read.

[Jennie Rosenblum · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars! Tiny Glimmers of Light is one of those books that draws you in from the very first scene and doesn’t let go. We meet Goha, a young man whose desperation to provide for his family pulls him into a world far more complex and dangerous than he ever imagined. What struck me most was the careful balance of suspense and heart—this is not just a thriller, but also a coming-of-age story wrapped in questions of morality, loyalty, and survival.

The authors paint Pakistan vividly, weaving in Urdu phrases that made me feel like I was walking alongside Goha through the bustling streets or into the remote tribal regions. Themes of poverty, faith, sexuality, and corruption are tackled with honesty and courage, making this a layered, thought-provoking read.

If you enjoy fiction that challenges you while immersing you in another culture, this book is a standout.

[Jibran Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this gripping novel. Tiny Glimmers of Light is an important story that transports you into a thoughtful, intricately created world. The characters are both well defined and immensely interesting. The authors did not shy away from portraying uncomfortable situations that are unfortunately a part of this society. The authors handled this with a beautiful level of craft and care. I was transfixed the minute the protagonist's journey began and could not put down the book. An absolute must read and my favorite novel of the year!

[Ayesha Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiny Glimmers of Light is a powerful debut from the father-daughter team of Aqueel Al Athar and Tanya Athar-Jogee, offering a perspective that feels authentically Pakistani and acknowledges cultural nuance, spirituality, and the emotional complexity of living between tradition, change, and resilience. The authors share grim realities while illuminating small but meaningful glimmers of light and hope, that persist in even the darkest of times. Highly recommend this book to anyone looking for reflective writing with heart and cultural depth!

[Tracy Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads for allowing me to win this book, as I have a deep appreciation for the author's thoughtful consideration of Pakistan and its people. This is a difficult book, as some of the storylines are incredibly dark and sad, but important to read to truly appreciate how the community survives. The author did a very strong job of presenting the various characters, their backgrounds, desires and challenges, and the story moves well and seeks to provide an optimistic ending. I will definitely look for other reads by this author.

[Amy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in a weekend, once you start, it is difficult to stop. The reader gets immersed in Pakistan and its deep and interesting history. The story is compelling and gripping and follows a young man through a series of calamaties, including a very complicated relationship. Highly recommend.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯

[Kylie Casas]

DNF @ 27%. Won through Goodreads Giveaways. The writing was fine, just a little heavy for me.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a Goodreads giveaway winner. Good story.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiny Glimmers of Light is an exciting, page turning drama about a young Pakistani boy who is lured to pursue financial gain to support his parents without understanding the real sacrifice and ask of the job. The story is a thrilling page turner where a reader is drawn to the bravery of the main character and story of his survival. It describes insight to the diverse culture and landscape of Pakistan that helps understand what the characters are facing. The descriptive writing intertwines languages and culture in a way that is informative pulls at your heartstrings to find out what happens.