Dark Tales of Wonder

by Maliha Rao

A Jinn with a biscuit addiction.
A cursed mirror that really should’ve stayed covered.
Strange whispers from the forests of Hunza.
A friendship no one saw coming.
Forbidden love, rage, revenge, and a dash of whimsy.
These aren’t just stories; they’re real events… sort of.

Inspired by truths, twisted beyond recognition (like deadly candy) until only a glimpse remains, reshaped into something darker, stranger, and far more delicious.
Rooted in Pakistani myths and folklore, Dark Tales of Wonder is an anthology that peels back the veil on the supernatural.

Some stories will haunt you.
Some might make you laugh.
And some? You just might fall in love with

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy

185 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2025

About the author

Maliha Rao is a dark fantasy and horror writer whose stories live at the eerie crossroads of South Asian folklore and the fantastically weird. Her fiction conjures ghosts with grudges, jinn with existential crises, and monsters that giggle as they bite. With a deep love for the uncanny and the folkloric, Maliha crafts tales that are both bone-chilling and whimsically strange because horror doesn’t always have to scream; sometimes, it wears a crooked smile and dances.
Born and based in Karachi, Pakistan, Maliha is also a seasoned digital communication expert with two decades of experience in creative strategy, copywriting, and brand storytelling. When she’s not building digital narratives, she’s building fictional worlds. Her short horror stories have appeared in local anthologies, and her debut novel, a folkloric horror collection, was released in October 2025 by Liberty Publishing, Pakistan.
Beyond the page, Maliha is a passionate advocate for speculative fiction in South Asia. She’s on a mission to nurture a thriving community of fantasy, horror, and science fiction writers in Pakistan through writing clubs, workshops, and literary events. Whether she’s helping emerging authors find their voice or championing bold new narratives, she’s committed to preserving cultural storytelling while pushing its boundaries.
She lives with too many books, a few spoiled pets, and an unstoppable urge to create something strange.

Reviews

[Sadie Hartmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A debut collection of dark, whimsical, folklore fantasy & horror stories of South Asia and Pakistan. The tales range from spooky to scary and supernatural to paranormal.
My favorite story, Crumbs and Creatures is about a jinn with a cookie addiction-dark whimsy at its best.
It Lingers is about a family who must come together to battle a demon--a type of lower jinn, an offspring of a Shiqg.
I loved that the book has a glossary. All of the different kinds of jinn are listed there
I had such a good time with this book! Highly recommend :)

[Wajiha (Jiya) ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a spooky and fun read! It’s a collection of horror short stories, and for a debut, it’s genuinely impressive. The writing is strong and immersive. Also, some scenes actually gave me chills and I love when a book can do that.

I LOVE how deeply Pakistani folklore and myths were woven into the stories!! It was so interesting. From jinns to folktales to eerie settings, the book captures the cultural side of horror so beautifully. It’s spooky, but also rich with meaning and familiar elements that make it hit harder.

“The Wrath of Boyo” was my absolute favorite!! the Hunza setting and the folklore elements were just so good, and it gave the story a haunting beauty. “Crumbs and Creatures” was hilarious and creepy at the same time (a jinn with a biscuit addiction?? still can’t get over it), while “It Lingers” had that perfect dark-family, ritualistic horror vibe that genuinely spooked me.

Some stories felt a bit underwhelming, but overall I loved how the author balanced supernatural horror with deeper themes like power, trauma, and survival.

Overall, I’d say it’s a strong debut. It genuinely spooked me a few times, and I love how rooted it feels in Pakistani culture. Definitely recommend if you want a horror collection that’s both chilling and deeply rooted in culture.

[Zahra Syeda · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be fair to the book, it’s titled Dark Tales of Wonder—not Dark Tales of Horror—and that’s pretty accurate. There wasn’t much horror to be found, even in the stories that were meant to send a chill or two down the spine. The writing had moments of whimsy and imagination, though it did occasionally read as if it were aimed at a much younger audience. Still, the stories definitely sparked my curiosity about djinns, the folklore surrounding them, and other such mysterious entities. In that sense, it delivered exactly what it promised.

[Ayesha Muzaffar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having started Dark Tales of Wonder, I can say this collection is a vivid refresh of folkloric horror rooted in Pakistani myth and contemporary weirdness. Rao puts together ordinary lives and extraordinary terrors in a way that feels both grounded and uncanny. What I appreciated most is how she balances menace with subtle humour and human vulnerability. For readers familiar with regional horror this will feel intimate, for newcomers it opens a doorway into a lesser-explored terrain. What a delight!

[Anum Ahmad · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are so captivating you want to keep on reading until you’re finished!
I love how they are so relatable and engaging!
Definitely a recommendation for anyone who likes reading something original.

[Arooma · Rating 2 out of 5]

solid prose, as in it's properly written, enjoyed quite a bit of the tales, characterization is vvv flat and I don't think I can tell characters apart from the various stories, but considering it's the first work, it's fine. looking forward to what's next. would recommend!

[Rajaa Bokhari · Rating 4 out of 5]

the book runs across the country, bringing up tales and social configurations that show the author's dedication to research - and clearly sharp observations. The book requires you to use your imagination, and recall the ghost and jinn stories (or real-life encounters?!) of your childhood. It's also a special publication because something like this hasn't been done before, and makes me excited for the future of Pakistan's literary scene.

[Muhammad Samejo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been looking forward to this book for a year, and whatever I had thought of before starting, it turned out to be way, way better! This is a fantastic and fun-filled exploration into not just some of the scariest corners of desi supernatural lore, but also some vivid and diverse folk tales passed down through generations. I love the fact that the author has crafted these stories with a grounded realism, as the characters and their backstories are generously fleshed out to make the reader fully empathize with them. It also helps that many of these stories are set in contemporary urban locations, particularly Karachi, which is always a win for me, but there are some that offer a taste of rural and natural locations, and it’s amazing how the author creates a heady atmosphere with each page.

What’s truly fascinating is the different mythical and supernatural entities, many I’m ashamed to admit I had never heard of. That’s where these tales offer an honest and evocative experience of these characters, where readers are not just introduced to them for the first time, but also keep guessing as to their motivations and nature. Right from the first story, both the human and the mythical characters are sharp, effective, and memorable. The stories also portray some amazing camaraderie and loyalty among friends, families, neighbors, and the unknown. The bonds built here make these stories very wholesome, and the writing excels in keeping the reader hooked.

All in all, a superb book and highly recommended for readers of all genres!

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of Pakistani folklore is rooted in the supernatural, and even so the main themes revolve around horror and fear.
Dark Tales Of Wonder takes these stories and adds a touch of whimsy, turning these supernatural creatures into beings that have character and purpose, they are not just mindless evil, and I appreciate that.

Every story adds a refreshing touch and for a first book it is brilliant!

[Ana Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maliha has a stunning way with words. Her writing style is so mystical which is the perfect way to narrate the tales in this book. I especially love the Pakistani folklore creatures and stories. I have always heard about fairies in the northern areas bit I never knew there was this entire world of Pakistani horror lore. Who knew!!! Thank you Maliha for writing this book. I am super excited to see what you do next.

[Nazia Latif · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book single-handedly brought my love for reading back to life, and I am truly indebted to Maliha for writing this book ❤️

[Dhanak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written fascinating collection of short stories showcasing Pakistani folklore..
Every story was unique and thank goodness there was no animal harmed in any of them.

[Nargis Kalani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Posted my review here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXzgj6...

[Kehkashan Khalid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book, what a delight! I love Maliha’s writing, such a unique blend of whimsy and dark fantasy and horror. Truly a special voice emerging from Pakistan! Besides it’s such a gorgeous book to have on your shelf!