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Kingdom of Peacocks: Mists of Time
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It is the year AD 1510 and young Zahran wants to be a sailor more than anything in the world. As Portuguese caravels arrive to seize his town of Calicut, India, stories begin circulating about the legendary one-eyed pirate and smuggler, Dayjur, who is known for his reckless bravery. Enchanted by the stories, Zahran dreams of joining the infamous corsairs of the Arabian Sea and has his first encounter with Dayjur.
As the Portuguese blast Calicut into rubble, Zahran is left orphaned after his entire family is killed. Now with his city in ruins and thousands dead, Zahran plans a daring scheme to seek revenge for his family that leads him to Dayjur’s ship, the Jahanam, where the pirate’s and teen’s lives become entangled in a twist of fate. After Dayjur reluctantly adds Zahran to his crew as a cabin boy, the Jahanam gallops into the open ocean. As Zahran’s adventure begins, he must battle to survive and get along with his crusty crewmates—all while learning the tale of Dayjur’s fascinating life journey fueled by vigilance, peril, and escape.
Kingdom of Peacocks shares a young corsair’s retelling of the swashbuckling story of smugglers and pirates who stood against the Portuguese oppression in the early sixteenth century.
"
It is the year AD 1510 and young Zahran wants to be a sailor more than anything in the world. As Portuguese caravels arrive to seize his town of Calicut, India, stories begin circulating about the legendary one-eyed pirate and smuggler, Dayjur, who is known for his reckless bravery. Enchanted by the stories, Zahran dreams of joining the infamous corsairs of the Arabian Sea and has his first encounter with Dayjur.
As the Portuguese blast Calicut into rubble, Zahran is left orphaned after his entire family is killed. Now with his city in ruins and thousands dead, Zahran plans a daring scheme to seek revenge for his family that leads him to Dayjur’s ship, the Jahanam, where the pirate’s and teen’s lives become entangled in a twist of fate. After Dayjur reluctantly adds Zahran to his crew as a cabin boy, the Jahanam gallops into the open ocean. As Zahran’s adventure begins, he must battle to survive and get along with his crusty crewmates—all while learning the tale of Dayjur’s fascinating life journey fueled by vigilance, peril, and escape.
Kingdom of Peacocks shares a young corsair’s retelling of the swashbuckling story of smugglers and pirates who stood against the Portuguese oppression in the early sixteenth century.
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322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2016
About the author
Fadel Almheiri
3 books8 followersFadel Al Mheiri is an Emirati filmmaker. He graduated from the American University of Sharjah.
Al Mheiri began making films at age 14. He has made six short films since 2001. In 2005, Al Mheiri produced the documentary Under Construction, which was about a construction worker waiting to be paid.
He wrote the drama A Corsair's Tale in 2007. It portrays two battles of Ras al-Khaimah where the British bombed the city of Julphar. The movie takes place in Ras al-Khaimah and India.
Al Mheiri founded his own production company, Tent Pictures Productions, in 2013. His feature film, Abood Kandaishan, was filmed guerrilla-style with a small budget that was raised mostly from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Al Mheiri created Abood Kandaishan to show what life is like in Emirati homes. The film premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival in December 2014.
Al Mheiri wrote the book, Kingdom of Peacocks – Mists of Time, the first of a trilogy, which is about the Portuguese invasion of an imaginary kingdom in the Persian Gulf in the early 1500s as an allegory to today's extremist groups
Al Mheiri began making films at age 14. He has made six short films since 2001. In 2005, Al Mheiri produced the documentary Under Construction, which was about a construction worker waiting to be paid.
He wrote the drama A Corsair's Tale in 2007. It portrays two battles of Ras al-Khaimah where the British bombed the city of Julphar. The movie takes place in Ras al-Khaimah and India.
Al Mheiri founded his own production company, Tent Pictures Productions, in 2013. His feature film, Abood Kandaishan, was filmed guerrilla-style with a small budget that was raised mostly from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Al Mheiri created Abood Kandaishan to show what life is like in Emirati homes. The film premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival in December 2014.
Al Mheiri wrote the book, Kingdom of Peacocks – Mists of Time, the first of a trilogy, which is about the Portuguese invasion of an imaginary kingdom in the Persian Gulf in the early 1500s as an allegory to today's extremist groups
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 3, 2017
This was not a smooth read, it needed a bit of editing.
The book starts into Zahran's story and how his life changes dramatically- set in the Gulf and India in the 1510s it was a good introduction.
But at one point we are transported into the backstory of one of the characters and the whole rhythm of the book changes - and it feels out of place, I could not feel the time or area.
Sometimes I would get confused especially during some dialogues, some didn't make any sense. Also I'm not sure the first person narrator worked here, sometimes he is not even in the same place or time.
The characters themselves were confused, most noticeable Joseph's feelings towards Alyasmynah. And Zahran was obviously confused about how he joined the pirates and about Dayjur's story.
And what's with the character reveal in the end!
Am I supposed to be surprised
Actually I'm surprised that Zahran was surprised.
Because honestly nothing was more obvious.
A few Arabic words were used without giving any explanation to their meaning.
I was mostly annoyed with the use of the word A Khudam, which would refer to a singular person but it actually is NOT.
Not sure about the whole paragraph explaining diving, it was so out of place.
It did drag and I was left bored, but the overall idea was an interesting one.
The book starts into Zahran's story and how his life changes dramatically- set in the Gulf and India in the 1510s it was a good introduction.
But at one point we are transported into the backstory of one of the characters and the whole rhythm of the book changes - and it feels out of place, I could not feel the time or area.
Sometimes I would get confused especially during some dialogues, some didn't make any sense. Also I'm not sure the first person narrator worked here, sometimes he is not even in the same place or time.
The characters themselves were confused, most noticeable Joseph's feelings towards Alyasmynah. And Zahran was obviously confused about how he joined the pirates and about Dayjur's story.
And what's with the character reveal in the end!
Am I supposed to be surprised
Actually I'm surprised that Zahran was surprised.
Because honestly nothing was more obvious.
A few Arabic words were used without giving any explanation to their meaning.
I was mostly annoyed with the use of the word A Khudam, which would refer to a singular person but it actually is NOT.
Not sure about the whole paragraph explaining diving, it was so out of place.
It did drag and I was left bored, but the overall idea was an interesting one.
April 23, 2019
لغة الكاتب رائعة ولكن ليست كفيلة بجعل الكتاب ممتع.
لم أستمتع بقصة الكتاب ووجدت صعوبة في إكماله, تكثر فيه التفاصيل غير المهمة وكأنها هناك لحشو الكتاب, وتوجد مشكلة حفظ الأسماء, فهي كثيرة وتُذكر بداية الكتاب ولكن تشارك في نصف الكتاب أو نهايته بعد أن تنسى الاسم.
كَثرت القصص المفصولة ولكن أتفهم أنه جمعها في النهاية لأنني لم أفهم الحبكة إلا عند إنتهاء الكتاب.
لا أجد أن ذوقي في الكتب يميل لكتاب مغامرات تاريخية وليست حقيقية, لربما إذا كانت قصة حقيقية لاهتممت أكثر.
لم أستمتع بقصة الكتاب ووجدت صعوبة في إكماله, تكثر فيه التفاصيل غير المهمة وكأنها هناك لحشو الكتاب, وتوجد مشكلة حفظ الأسماء, فهي كثيرة وتُذكر بداية الكتاب ولكن تشارك في نصف الكتاب أو نهايته بعد أن تنسى الاسم.
كَثرت القصص المفصولة ولكن أتفهم أنه جمعها في النهاية لأنني لم أفهم الحبكة إلا عند إنتهاء الكتاب.
لا أجد أن ذوقي في الكتب يميل لكتاب مغامرات تاريخية وليست حقيقية, لربما إذا كانت قصة حقيقية لاهتممت أكثر.
May 15, 2020
لم استمتع بقراءة الكتاب و كان ثقيلا علي النفس و لم استطع
إكماله للأسف.
يحتوي تفاصيل مملة
و تداخل كثير بين الشخصيات.
إكماله للأسف.
يحتوي تفاصيل مملة
و تداخل كثير بين الشخصيات.
December 23, 2025
It was hard to follow. I was interested in Zahran's story, but suddenly the story shifted and it was not about Zahran anymore. I don't see why first person was used when it's not his story.
October 25, 2016
Such a great effort for a first novel. The cover design is very intricate and mesmerizing. The description of the surroundings and characters was very detailed that we could truly image it. I'm looking forward to read the coming parts! Great job!
October 15, 2017
its one of best stories I ever read I cant wait what gonna happen next , I loved how writer create those ppl its feels that u inside the story of those ppl , he added culture of middle eastern ppl <3
May 17, 2017
إطلعت على النسخة الإنجليزية للرواية لكني استمتعت بقراءة الرواية باللغة العربية أكثر. سهلة القراءة وممتعة
أحداث الرواية تشد القارئ وتجعله يرغب في معرفة ما الذي سيحدث لاحقاً في القصة.
في انتظار الجزء الثاني!
أحداث الرواية تشد القارئ وتجعله يرغب في معرفة ما الذي سيحدث لاحقاً في القصة.
في انتظار الجزء الثاني!
July 30, 2023
The story telling was impressive. He oscillated from past to present very smoothly until he built up to the climax. The characters and backdrop were based on the nuances of the Arabic tradition and environment which I liked very much.
August 19, 2019
I tried.. I really tried, but I couldn't so I asked mom to spoil the ending for me. Blah.
DNF at 60%
DNF at 60%
Read
August 12, 2017رلاالي
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews