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Saira Zariwala is Afraid
'Akaash, where are you?'
Saira is thrilled about getting her own phone. What she's not so thrilled about is that most of the messages that arrive on it are for somebody called Akaash. As the messages get stranger, Saira's irritation gives way to curiosity. Who is Akaash? How has he disappeared so entirely that even his friends and family don't know where he is? Is he connected with the horrors that the police have unearthed in a fancy Mumbai building?
Saira and her friends decide to play detective. But the light-hearted adventure soon turns dark and sinister. Someone is watching their every move. Someone thinks Saira knows much more than she does. Someone has killed once and is willing to kill again. Curiosity killed the cat. Will it kill Saira?
Saira is thrilled about getting her own phone. What she's not so thrilled about is that most of the messages that arrive on it are for somebody called Akaash. As the messages get stranger, Saira's irritation gives way to curiosity. Who is Akaash? How has he disappeared so entirely that even his friends and family don't know where he is? Is he connected with the horrors that the police have unearthed in a fancy Mumbai building?
Saira and her friends decide to play detective. But the light-hearted adventure soon turns dark and sinister. Someone is watching their every move. Someone thinks Saira knows much more than she does. Someone has killed once and is willing to kill again. Curiosity killed the cat. Will it kill Saira?
- GenresMysteryYoung Adult
356 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
8 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Shabnam Minwalla
21 books34 followersShabnam Minwalla writes books for children.
These include:
`The Six Spellmakers of Dorabji Street'
`The Strange Haunting of Model High School'
`The Shy Supergirl'
`Lucky Girl'
`What Maya Saw'
`Nimmi's Spectabulous Schooldays'
and
`When Jiya Met Urmila'
Her short stories are included in numerous anthologies. She is also a journalist and columnist with a number of Indian newspapers and magazines. She is a former Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India in Mumbai.
Shabnam did her Masters in Journalism at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
She did her Bachelors in Economics, Statistics and Mathematics at St Xavier's College in Mumbai.
These include:
`The Six Spellmakers of Dorabji Street'
`The Strange Haunting of Model High School'
`The Shy Supergirl'
`Lucky Girl'
`What Maya Saw'
`Nimmi's Spectabulous Schooldays'
and
`When Jiya Met Urmila'
Her short stories are included in numerous anthologies. She is also a journalist and columnist with a number of Indian newspapers and magazines. She is a former Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India in Mumbai.
Shabnam did her Masters in Journalism at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
She did her Bachelors in Economics, Statistics and Mathematics at St Xavier's College in Mumbai.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 20, 2021
Maybe I'm being too pedantic in this review, and this book probably wasn't meant for people older than 15, but I still believe this is one of the worst books I've ever had the misfortune of reading.
I had entered this book with an expectation that I'd relate to it, with all the parts about urban Indian society, overprotective mothers, homework and what not. However, this book may as well have been set in a fantasy land on Mars because I couldn't relate to one word of it.
I do not believe that I, or anyone I know was this thick in the head at 15. For being part of Gen-Z, the protagonist is woefully technologically illiterate. Each and every single one of her problems could have been solved if she'd been like 99% of the population who encounter this very common problem, and changed her SIM number. Or at the very least, kept her instagram account private and share her whatsapp display picture only with contacts.
This story has such wild inconsistencies! How are the readers supposed to believe that parents who'd been so strict about getting their child a phone would not tell her about social media and privacy concerns. As for the protagonist's relationships with her friends, I think she'd be better off being asocial. I can not fathom that a person who is supposed to be smart chooses such horrible friends even though she clearly dislikes them, and has better people to hang around. Further, she clearly wasn't too endowed in the brain, or she'd have solved the "mystery" within 100 pages.
As for the mystery itself, you could see this coming from 50 kms away. The author was really brave in making the most detestable and obviously deranged people the culprits, like who would have thought! Agatha Christie could never 🥶💯
(The weird shared supernatural element was also really off-putting, and made no sense)
Anyway, I would not recommend this book to anyone with functioning brain cells
I had entered this book with an expectation that I'd relate to it, with all the parts about urban Indian society, overprotective mothers, homework and what not. However, this book may as well have been set in a fantasy land on Mars because I couldn't relate to one word of it.
I do not believe that I, or anyone I know was this thick in the head at 15. For being part of Gen-Z, the protagonist is woefully technologically illiterate. Each and every single one of her problems could have been solved if she'd been like 99% of the population who encounter this very common problem, and changed her SIM number. Or at the very least, kept her instagram account private and share her whatsapp display picture only with contacts.
This story has such wild inconsistencies! How are the readers supposed to believe that parents who'd been so strict about getting their child a phone would not tell her about social media and privacy concerns. As for the protagonist's relationships with her friends, I think she'd be better off being asocial. I can not fathom that a person who is supposed to be smart chooses such horrible friends even though she clearly dislikes them, and has better people to hang around. Further, she clearly wasn't too endowed in the brain, or she'd have solved the "mystery" within 100 pages.
As for the mystery itself, you could see this coming from 50 kms away. The author was really brave in making the most detestable and obviously deranged people the culprits, like who would have thought! Agatha Christie could never 🥶💯
(The weird shared supernatural element was also really off-putting, and made no sense)
Anyway, I would not recommend this book to anyone with functioning brain cells
November 18, 2021
I love Shabnam Minwalla’s YA books. They have this VIBE that I could live in all my life. A tinge of real life representation that’s super homely, a LOT of weird and eerie feels that keep you awake all night and some cliché moments that make you laugh.
“What Maya Saw” was a book that dug into Mumbai’s history to solve the mystery of an elixir of life. From tracing clues laid down by a dead priest to getting to know the City of Dreams in a completely different way, it was a win win.
And now, “Saira Zariwala is Afraid” is another blockbuster that proves to be creepier, intenser and darker. It has this super solid plot that actually scares you out of your guts, and with topics like hallucinations, blackmailing, stalking and murders, it leaves no stone unturned to show the brutality of the reality as it is. It keeps you hooked throughout, and very conveniently leads you to believe everything about it.
Shabnam Minwalla has a knack for writing books that have some of the most unbelievable elements of the paranormal land, greatly woven with today’s world. But still, you never want to refuse to actually be lead down that rabbit hole. You’re in the moment you read the first page.
November 10, 2021
The blurb of Saira Zariwala is Afraid by Shabnam Minwalla intrigued me, so I picked it up. I am glad I did because I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Saira Zariwala gets a new phone on her 15th birthday. However, her excitement about getting a new phone dwindles as soon as she starts getting messages from anonymous people. Eventually, Saira realizes that these messages are meant for somebody named Akaash who has disappeared in a trice. Saira's curiosity to find out Akaash's identity leads her to a whirlwind of adventure. Along with her friends, Saira decides to play detective. But will Saira be able to find out about Akaash or get herself into trouble?
The best part of Saira Zariwala is Afraid is the writing style of the author. Shabnam Minwalla was successful in keeping the mystery element of the story until the end. Her writing style is full of wit and humor and helped me connect more with Saira. Saira is not a perfect girl, but I think many girls will be able to relate to her. Apart from Saira, I also loved the character of Tia who is one of Saira's best friends. Although I cringed while reading some of the creepy portions of the book, it was still enjoyable. I must say that the book was very engaging. It also had the whodunit factor that kept the reader curious throughout the book.
All in all, I would say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading Saira Zariwala is Afraid and would recommend this book to the fans of Young Adult Fiction.
Saira Zariwala gets a new phone on her 15th birthday. However, her excitement about getting a new phone dwindles as soon as she starts getting messages from anonymous people. Eventually, Saira realizes that these messages are meant for somebody named Akaash who has disappeared in a trice. Saira's curiosity to find out Akaash's identity leads her to a whirlwind of adventure. Along with her friends, Saira decides to play detective. But will Saira be able to find out about Akaash or get herself into trouble?
The best part of Saira Zariwala is Afraid is the writing style of the author. Shabnam Minwalla was successful in keeping the mystery element of the story until the end. Her writing style is full of wit and humor and helped me connect more with Saira. Saira is not a perfect girl, but I think many girls will be able to relate to her. Apart from Saira, I also loved the character of Tia who is one of Saira's best friends. Although I cringed while reading some of the creepy portions of the book, it was still enjoyable. I must say that the book was very engaging. It also had the whodunit factor that kept the reader curious throughout the book.
All in all, I would say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading Saira Zariwala is Afraid and would recommend this book to the fans of Young Adult Fiction.
July 31, 2023
For the longest time, I used to have a weakness for Indian Young Adult books in urban settings with strong (mostly female) teen protagonists. One of those I continued to hold on to, long after I’d outgrown my awkward late adolescent phase, was What Maya Saw by Shabnam Minwalla. This being a strikingly ornate mystery with its battle between superficial-but-shadowy cool and true good — which also doubled as a love letter to Mumbai, and a far more intricate one than Lonely Planet. It remains among my all-time favourite books of the 2010s.
A couple of years later, the next such book from the author, Saira Zariwala Is Afraid — with its subtle, sinister WhatsApp-inspired cover — kept popping up in my Kindle recommendations. But I resisted the urge to buy it, trying to not be swept up into another murky Mumbai mystery pitting good kids (um, teenagers) against glamorous, evil forces. Until one Saturday in July 2023, at three in the morning, I didn’t. (Best decision ever.) And then went as far as ordering the physical book from Amazon.in and shipping it all the way to my home in Singapore. (BEST. DECISION. EVER.)
The titular character best sums up her life in an opening chapter: ‘I am Saira Zariwala. My father is a Hindu. My mother is a Muslim. My brother is a pain. I am an Indian. (Her religion, by the way.)’ This kid — Shabnam’s first attempt at first-person narration — then locks you inside the crazy theatre of her head with her pacy, racy, self-deprecating horror-humour, and doesn’t let you out till you’ve spent a good four hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon watching this matinee murder mystery. I don’t think you could ask for a much better narrator than her, what with her deftly walking the tightrope (don’t let her fall!) of mastering teenage lingo and trying to fit in among the cool kids, amidst the grave threat to her life.
From her humdrum Dadar home, where nosy neighbours are too close for comfort, to the safe dullness of ninth-grade life which is then thrown headlong into a scandalous murder case — this girl gets the essence of living in Mumbai as an awkward teen down pat, and then some. And the dialogues are as devilishly delicious as they come — I’ve made a list of them, they’re that awesome. Cultural references range from The Police (whose songs’ lyrics are big clues on their own) to Ogden Nash’s ‘prepoceros’ to Hindi songs from Aaiye Meherbaan to Jai Ho. And food items are as diverse as Haribos (Happy Cherries, Cream Kiss, Berries), Hershey’s Kisses, sriracha honey noodles and apricot-flavoured KitKats. Sometimes I felt like this was an everyday girl’s journal with a murder mystery tossed in!
You ask: but what’s a good horror book without things that make you shiver and shudder? Saira’s been afraid of heights — and kids falling to their deaths — all her childhood, and only after numerous rounds of hush-hushed counselling for her anxiety fits did her life return to semi-normal. But there’s much more at stake: a missing actor called Akaash Mehrotra, whose phone number has now become hers; a villainous ‘Listener’ who has her/his/their eyes on every misstep of hers; a swish set of young, flippant Bollywood actors who care only about flaunting the good life; her annoying-but-loyal BFF Tia and her frenemy-of-sorts Amara, and so much more in this spicy, scalding cauldron of intrigue.
If there were a book that completely portrays how it is to be both naïve and brave, both scared and sassy — in short every unsure teen ever — in the depths of Dadar and the pavements of Prabhadevi and also the hoity-toity rich kids’ circles of Bollywood, this is that supercalifragilisticexpialidocious book. (As you can expect with Saira’s mastery over the English language. I want her to start her own Spotify podcast of murder stories, with yummy treats thrown inside!)
A couple of years later, the next such book from the author, Saira Zariwala Is Afraid — with its subtle, sinister WhatsApp-inspired cover — kept popping up in my Kindle recommendations. But I resisted the urge to buy it, trying to not be swept up into another murky Mumbai mystery pitting good kids (um, teenagers) against glamorous, evil forces. Until one Saturday in July 2023, at three in the morning, I didn’t. (Best decision ever.) And then went as far as ordering the physical book from Amazon.in and shipping it all the way to my home in Singapore. (BEST. DECISION. EVER.)
The titular character best sums up her life in an opening chapter: ‘I am Saira Zariwala. My father is a Hindu. My mother is a Muslim. My brother is a pain. I am an Indian. (Her religion, by the way.)’ This kid — Shabnam’s first attempt at first-person narration — then locks you inside the crazy theatre of her head with her pacy, racy, self-deprecating horror-humour, and doesn’t let you out till you’ve spent a good four hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon watching this matinee murder mystery. I don’t think you could ask for a much better narrator than her, what with her deftly walking the tightrope (don’t let her fall!) of mastering teenage lingo and trying to fit in among the cool kids, amidst the grave threat to her life.
From her humdrum Dadar home, where nosy neighbours are too close for comfort, to the safe dullness of ninth-grade life which is then thrown headlong into a scandalous murder case — this girl gets the essence of living in Mumbai as an awkward teen down pat, and then some. And the dialogues are as devilishly delicious as they come — I’ve made a list of them, they’re that awesome. Cultural references range from The Police (whose songs’ lyrics are big clues on their own) to Ogden Nash’s ‘prepoceros’ to Hindi songs from Aaiye Meherbaan to Jai Ho. And food items are as diverse as Haribos (Happy Cherries, Cream Kiss, Berries), Hershey’s Kisses, sriracha honey noodles and apricot-flavoured KitKats. Sometimes I felt like this was an everyday girl’s journal with a murder mystery tossed in!
You ask: but what’s a good horror book without things that make you shiver and shudder? Saira’s been afraid of heights — and kids falling to their deaths — all her childhood, and only after numerous rounds of hush-hushed counselling for her anxiety fits did her life return to semi-normal. But there’s much more at stake: a missing actor called Akaash Mehrotra, whose phone number has now become hers; a villainous ‘Listener’ who has her/his/their eyes on every misstep of hers; a swish set of young, flippant Bollywood actors who care only about flaunting the good life; her annoying-but-loyal BFF Tia and her frenemy-of-sorts Amara, and so much more in this spicy, scalding cauldron of intrigue.
If there were a book that completely portrays how it is to be both naïve and brave, both scared and sassy — in short every unsure teen ever — in the depths of Dadar and the pavements of Prabhadevi and also the hoity-toity rich kids’ circles of Bollywood, this is that supercalifragilisticexpialidocious book. (As you can expect with Saira’s mastery over the English language. I want her to start her own Spotify podcast of murder stories, with yummy treats thrown inside!)
October 18, 2022
Saira Zabriwalla Is Afraid is a whodunit with the display picture of a YA novel. I was particularly amazed by how quickly it pulls the reader into the mystery. It is full of twists and turns, with clues hidden at each corner. Sure, there are several red-herrings set to confuse and distract you, but if you are smart and attentive enough, you will be rewarded by the big reveal(s) at the end.
That being said, the book is more of a "puzzle" itself than a story, the characters themselves and their interactions with each other are not much to relate to or care about. Some parts are not very believable and feel rushed, almost like the author put them in as patchwork because she couldn't find any other way to make something happen in the story, which was a shame, especially considering how well a few other things fit in hindsight. Also the "adolescent" and "mental illness" elements, such as the main character's relationships with friends and crushes and her past with panic attacks, seem like they have been put in just to tick off some boxes, acting as fillers to the story without really contributing to it. There are also some anecdotes and random things the protagonist includes that also don't contribute to the story and just seem annoying (do fifteen-year-olds really talk and think like that?). But given the pace of the story, it is easy to skip these bits (at the risk of missing a vital clue).
One thing that stands out about the book is that it involves a good bit of world-building, despite being set in the very real, present day. The whole thing about the "Bad Dolls" was a great bit of creativity on behalf of the author, showing a good deal of understanding of pop culture, and fit perfectly well with the story too. In the end, Saira Zabriwalla Is Afraid is a mystery done right, with more than enough thrills, some interesting villains, a premise very relatable to today's Mumbai crowd, and fair dose of wit and humour. Recommended to all those who want to tickle their brain.
That being said, the book is more of a "puzzle" itself than a story, the characters themselves and their interactions with each other are not much to relate to or care about. Some parts are not very believable and feel rushed, almost like the author put them in as patchwork because she couldn't find any other way to make something happen in the story, which was a shame, especially considering how well a few other things fit in hindsight. Also the "adolescent" and "mental illness" elements, such as the main character's relationships with friends and crushes and her past with panic attacks, seem like they have been put in just to tick off some boxes, acting as fillers to the story without really contributing to it. There are also some anecdotes and random things the protagonist includes that also don't contribute to the story and just seem annoying (do fifteen-year-olds really talk and think like that?). But given the pace of the story, it is easy to skip these bits (at the risk of missing a vital clue).
One thing that stands out about the book is that it involves a good bit of world-building, despite being set in the very real, present day. The whole thing about the "Bad Dolls" was a great bit of creativity on behalf of the author, showing a good deal of understanding of pop culture, and fit perfectly well with the story too. In the end, Saira Zabriwalla Is Afraid is a mystery done right, with more than enough thrills, some interesting villains, a premise very relatable to today's Mumbai crowd, and fair dose of wit and humour. Recommended to all those who want to tickle their brain.
September 30, 2021
When there is a mysterious texter, a teenage girl with anxiety trying to uncover the mystery, Indian mom's meddling with every decision, and a group of friends who makes stupid decisions together when there's murder involved? I mean how can I not read this book??
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My Rating [ 4.5/5 ] 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
.
Saira was the kind of character who would do the right thing ecen when she was scared shitless. I really liked how the author had portrayed her history with mental health, and the decisions she made regarding the mystery person. The book started really well. The writing style was quirky, witty and made me laugh at inappropriate times. It was so teen angst filled, that the actual crime and mystery didn't feel depressing to read about. (I mean that in a very good way). The list Saira made every time she needed to make a decision ? I connected with that personality so well!
.
Coming to the writing style and character development, I think Saira was one of my favorite characters even though she made stupid decisions. She was determined, scared, wanted to do the right thing and dealt with her mental health all by herself. She was perfectly flawed and I loved her development throughout the story! The mystery part of the story was done really well. The writing kept me guessing as to who might be the killer, and the little threats and the extra pov gave it an extra layer of ominous effect (which I absolutely loved). My favorite part of the book was the few chapters before the ending. The pacing was quite good and the chapters were linked together in a very cohesive way that will make you binge the whole book.
.
Overall, this book is a cosy crime thriller with a flawed main character who is determined to find the truth even as she knows the curiosity might kill the cat, with really good writing style and good pacing! It's a crime thriller I would love to read when it's raining!
.
Thank you @afterschooltales & @harpercollinsin for the gifted review copy!
.
My Rating [ 4.5/5 ] 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
.
Saira was the kind of character who would do the right thing ecen when she was scared shitless. I really liked how the author had portrayed her history with mental health, and the decisions she made regarding the mystery person. The book started really well. The writing style was quirky, witty and made me laugh at inappropriate times. It was so teen angst filled, that the actual crime and mystery didn't feel depressing to read about. (I mean that in a very good way). The list Saira made every time she needed to make a decision ? I connected with that personality so well!
.
Coming to the writing style and character development, I think Saira was one of my favorite characters even though she made stupid decisions. She was determined, scared, wanted to do the right thing and dealt with her mental health all by herself. She was perfectly flawed and I loved her development throughout the story! The mystery part of the story was done really well. The writing kept me guessing as to who might be the killer, and the little threats and the extra pov gave it an extra layer of ominous effect (which I absolutely loved). My favorite part of the book was the few chapters before the ending. The pacing was quite good and the chapters were linked together in a very cohesive way that will make you binge the whole book.
.
Overall, this book is a cosy crime thriller with a flawed main character who is determined to find the truth even as she knows the curiosity might kill the cat, with really good writing style and good pacing! It's a crime thriller I would love to read when it's raining!
.
Thank you @afterschooltales & @harpercollinsin for the gifted review copy!
May 15, 2021
❤The image is recreated by my 9-year-old daughter Kamala❤
𝕊𝕒𝕚𝕣𝕒 ℤ𝕒𝕣𝕚𝕨𝕒𝕝𝕒 𝕚𝕤 𝔸𝕗𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕕 𝕓𝕪 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕓𝕟𝕒𝕞 𝕄𝕚𝕟𝕨𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒 - @shabnamminwalla 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆
A teenage girl lacking self-confidence, with a history of anxiety, being constantly bullied by 'friends' and supported by two few real friends.
Saira Zariwala is all about her - Saira
I know her. She is there inside me, you and everyone. The insecurities we breed.
Saira gets a new phone. But soon the happiness of having a new gadget fades because the number she got has been used by someone else, who is astounding, who had numerous secrets and a bunch of friends with a can of worms. Without any practical support from the police, Saira decides to start her search for Aakash.
Thenceforth unfolds an eerie, nail-biting, heart-thumping set of events.
ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴠᴇ ɪs ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴛᴀɢᴏɴɪsᴛ
The plot is guided and kept in that by the style of narration. Quirky anecdotes of Saira would pull the readers to sail in a shaky boat anchored with humour amidst unrelenting rain and storms.
Saira defines the people around her in a character craft that reminded me of Arundhati Roy.
I can go on and on about the book because this is one piece of literature that made me lose my sleep over it. I read and re-read the passages to.fully imbibe the beauty of it.
#indianbookreviewer #bloggersunite #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammersunite #indianbookreviewer
#bibliophilereviews
#bibliophilesonly
#rjreview
#outsetbookreviews
𝕊𝕒𝕚𝕣𝕒 ℤ𝕒𝕣𝕚𝕨𝕒𝕝𝕒 𝕚𝕤 𝔸𝕗𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕕 𝕓𝕪 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕓𝕟𝕒𝕞 𝕄𝕚𝕟𝕨𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕒 - @shabnamminwalla 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆
A teenage girl lacking self-confidence, with a history of anxiety, being constantly bullied by 'friends' and supported by two few real friends.
Saira Zariwala is all about her - Saira
I know her. She is there inside me, you and everyone. The insecurities we breed.
Saira gets a new phone. But soon the happiness of having a new gadget fades because the number she got has been used by someone else, who is astounding, who had numerous secrets and a bunch of friends with a can of worms. Without any practical support from the police, Saira decides to start her search for Aakash.
Thenceforth unfolds an eerie, nail-biting, heart-thumping set of events.
ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴠᴇ ɪs ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴛᴀɢᴏɴɪsᴛ
The plot is guided and kept in that by the style of narration. Quirky anecdotes of Saira would pull the readers to sail in a shaky boat anchored with humour amidst unrelenting rain and storms.
Saira defines the people around her in a character craft that reminded me of Arundhati Roy.
I can go on and on about the book because this is one piece of literature that made me lose my sleep over it. I read and re-read the passages to.fully imbibe the beauty of it.
#indianbookreviewer #bloggersunite #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammersunite #indianbookreviewer
#bibliophilereviews
#bibliophilesonly
#rjreview
#outsetbookreviews
April 22, 2021
Saira Zariwala is Afraid by Shabnam Minwalla is a fast paced thriller, mystery novel set in the town of Mumbai, in small building Smriti Bhavan of Dadar and near Shivaji Park. We see a school girl named Saira Zariwala, who is very excited to receive her very own first phone with a new number and WhatsApp.
But things suddenly take a change, when she starts getting enormous texts in the name of Akaash, she is settled on one thing, that is to know who this Akaash is and why has he suddenly disappeared? Saira takes helps of his friends and play the detective. There is a ghotic element of a blackmailer she names "The Listener".
I am surprised with the amount of thrill and twists and turns this book owns. I expected it to be an average thriller, but this one was quite good. The building is slow in the start but the funny elements of Saira's thoughts are also good to read about. And I practically stay near Shivaji Park and now I am going to remember this thriller everytime 😂
The book and writing of Shabnam Minwalla is really good. This is my first book by the author and I quite liked it. Saira is a very relatable school girl, who is curious and also very smart at the same time. The ending was slightly rushed because it wasn't clear how the culprit was actually catched. But nontheless, the book was quite good and I enjoyed reading it. It was unputdownable.
3.5 Stars
But things suddenly take a change, when she starts getting enormous texts in the name of Akaash, she is settled on one thing, that is to know who this Akaash is and why has he suddenly disappeared? Saira takes helps of his friends and play the detective. There is a ghotic element of a blackmailer she names "The Listener".
I am surprised with the amount of thrill and twists and turns this book owns. I expected it to be an average thriller, but this one was quite good. The building is slow in the start but the funny elements of Saira's thoughts are also good to read about. And I practically stay near Shivaji Park and now I am going to remember this thriller everytime 😂
The book and writing of Shabnam Minwalla is really good. This is my first book by the author and I quite liked it. Saira is a very relatable school girl, who is curious and also very smart at the same time. The ending was slightly rushed because it wasn't clear how the culprit was actually catched. But nontheless, the book was quite good and I enjoyed reading it. It was unputdownable.
3.5 Stars
May 30, 2021
Shabnam Minwalla’s books pull me towards them with an invisible thread, pulling me towards their amazing writing and descriptions. They reach into the depths of my heart and bring out emotions that I have never felt before, they make me feel alive, they make me feel better. Maybe it's not her books that make me feel better but the sheer presence of the characters. How they seem to loom over your shoulders and chuckle as they read about themselves. Those are the little things that make my day, those are what make her books special.
Favourite Character-
I loved Tia as she was a good friend, unlike Amara and she also helped Saira a lot. She never judged Saira for her hallucinations and was always supportive, also her fashion sense was on point!
Things I didn’t like in the book-
Absolutely nothing! This book was amazing!
Age Rating- 10/11+
Rating the Book- 5 Stars
Favourite Character-
I loved Tia as she was a good friend, unlike Amara and she also helped Saira a lot. She never judged Saira for her hallucinations and was always supportive, also her fashion sense was on point!
Things I didn’t like in the book-
Absolutely nothing! This book was amazing!
Age Rating- 10/11+
Rating the Book- 5 Stars
March 27, 2023
This was definitely a 5 star read, it will take you to a different world, and you will be so engaged in the book, you can’t keep until you finish it and actually know what happened to Akash, Saira Zariwala is a cute character and i fell in love with her.
March 28, 2021
A nicely done mystery which is genuinely spooky in parts and very atmospheric too.
Good fun!
Good fun!
August 2, 2022
It was an intriguing read. Although as an adult I would prefer Saira to have got herself another SIM card but if I were to think like a teenager, I do get the plot :-)
December 11, 2022
I was not expecting the story to turn out the way it did.
April 3, 2023
review soon. really loved it :)
April 23, 2024
Highly recommend !!!!!
Someone pls borrow this frm me
want to discuss this!!!!!!
Someone pls borrow this frm me
want to discuss this!!!!!!
June 29, 2024
Three stars for the premise of this book and what it set out to do...to write for urban Indian young adults, who desperately crave representation in books. There is none. They complain about how none of the books have characters with names like them or are set in places they know. The books Indian authors have been writing for this audience are often set in bygone times. So I was excited to see this book, with its incorporation of social media, etc. But I can't imagine really recommending this book to any half-decent reader, not even a teen reader. It's not that the language is poor, but the plot is so implausible that not even a preteen would be taken in by it. I wish this were a more successful attempt. We need more books with intentions like these for our teens.
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