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Sirens of Memory
"A gripping psychological thriller about the real horror that can come from the people you let in while also hitting the sweet spot between page turner and searing authenticity."
-Mike McCrary, author of RELENTLESS and HARD HEARTS
"Guha writes with authority and grace, intrepidly tackling life's harshest realities and warmest hopes in this tour-de-force thriller."
- Jamie Mason, author of THE HIDDEN THINGS
In the wake of the Gulf War, Kuwaiti bride Mariam leaves her abusive husband for dead after learning that she is pregnant. After hiding out in an Indian refugee camp, she is airlifted and builds a new life with Raj, who lost his wife during the Iraqi occupation. Twenty-five years later, this life is rocked when Mariam's past trauma returns to haunt them.
A character-driven international psychological thriller that combines Cape Fear with a refugee story during the Gulf War from Amazon bestseller Puja Guha.
The story is grounded by the author's real experiences in Kuwait, featuring a strong female protagonist and diverse well-developed supporting characters.
Sirens of Memory explores the extent to which psychological turmoil can impact our everyday life. For Mariam, her suppressed memories essentially turn into a stalker of her own making. As she finally confronts these parts of herself, she shows both the vulnerability and strength required to overcome such trauma.
After being beaten nearly to death by her husband Tareq, Mariam awakes in a hospital to the two most frightening words, "You're pregnant." Fearing for her unborn child's safety, Mariam plans her escape only to have it complicated by the invasion of Iraqi troops into Kuwait. In the chaos, she leaves Tareq for dead and hides out in a refugee camp where she is helped by Raj, a young man who lost his wife in the mayhem of the Gulf War. Together they begin to build a new life, with Raj raising Mariam's daughter Aliya as his own. Fast forward twenty-five years and their perfect world is turned upside-down when the past catches up to them, threatening everything they've salvaged from the ruins, including Aliya.
-Mike McCrary, author of RELENTLESS and HARD HEARTS
"Guha writes with authority and grace, intrepidly tackling life's harshest realities and warmest hopes in this tour-de-force thriller."
- Jamie Mason, author of THE HIDDEN THINGS
In the wake of the Gulf War, Kuwaiti bride Mariam leaves her abusive husband for dead after learning that she is pregnant. After hiding out in an Indian refugee camp, she is airlifted and builds a new life with Raj, who lost his wife during the Iraqi occupation. Twenty-five years later, this life is rocked when Mariam's past trauma returns to haunt them.
A character-driven international psychological thriller that combines Cape Fear with a refugee story during the Gulf War from Amazon bestseller Puja Guha.
The story is grounded by the author's real experiences in Kuwait, featuring a strong female protagonist and diverse well-developed supporting characters.
Sirens of Memory explores the extent to which psychological turmoil can impact our everyday life. For Mariam, her suppressed memories essentially turn into a stalker of her own making. As she finally confronts these parts of herself, she shows both the vulnerability and strength required to overcome such trauma.
After being beaten nearly to death by her husband Tareq, Mariam awakes in a hospital to the two most frightening words, "You're pregnant." Fearing for her unborn child's safety, Mariam plans her escape only to have it complicated by the invasion of Iraqi troops into Kuwait. In the chaos, she leaves Tareq for dead and hides out in a refugee camp where she is helped by Raj, a young man who lost his wife in the mayhem of the Gulf War. Together they begin to build a new life, with Raj raising Mariam's daughter Aliya as his own. Fast forward twenty-five years and their perfect world is turned upside-down when the past catches up to them, threatening everything they've salvaged from the ruins, including Aliya.
Audiobook
First published June 15, 2021
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About the author
Puja Guha
12 books76 followersPuja Guha draws upon her experiences from traveling and living around the world in her writing. She has lived in Kuwait, Toronto, Paris, London, and several American cities including New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco. Each of these places and many more show up in her writing as her travel to places such as Mozambique, South Africa, Vietnam, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Guinea-Bissau inspire more and more story ideas. She also uses her experience working in international finance and development with the World Bank and Oliver Wyman to delve into global political themes in both her thrillers and literary fiction.
She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with work experience in finance and health care consulting, along with master's degrees in public policy from London School of Economics and Sciences Po. She has published two books, international spy thriller AHRIMAN: THE SPIRIT OF DESTRUCTION and literary fiction piece THE CONFLUENCE.
She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with work experience in finance and health care consulting, along with master's degrees in public policy from London School of Economics and Sciences Po. She has published two books, international spy thriller AHRIMAN: THE SPIRIT OF DESTRUCTION and literary fiction piece THE CONFLUENCE.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
October 6, 2021
Sirens of Memory by Puja Guha was a very harrowing physiological thriller/crime book that explored domestic violence and abuse in an arranged marriage in Kuwait. It was a very gripping, complex and moving story. I listened to the audiobook that was narrated wonderfully by Samira Amani. It was quite tense at times but also very touching at other times. I could not pull myself away. I was drawn in immediately and listened anxiously as the story unfolded.
Mariam was a young, naive nineteen year old woman when her father married her off in an arranged marriage. Her mother had died and her father lacked concern or interest in her. Mariam learned very quickly that her new husband, Tareq, had a temper and was extremely controlling. Tareq often physically, mentally and verbally abused Mariam. She was afraid of Tareq and tried hard to stay out of his way and to say what he wanted to hear. Tareq had no shame in what he did to Mariam. Finally, Mariam was not able to stand another minute in her abusive marriage. Her family had turned their backs on her so Mariam ran to her cousin’s home to escape Tareq. Unfortunately, Tareq discovered where she was and came and attacked her with such rage and violence that an ambulance had to be called. In the hospital, Miriam discovered that she was pregnant. Mariam knew that there was no way that she would ever go back to Tareq now. At that time, Iraq had invaded Kuwait and the Iraqi soldiers were going door to door and arresting and killing the people of Kuwait. Mariam, her cousin, Dinah and her maid managed to escape to a refugee camp. It was in the refugee camp that Mariam met Raj. Mariam and Raj grew close and fell in love. When Raj discovered that his wife of one week had been killed by the Iraqi soldiers he offered Mariam her identity. Mariam and Raj got married and moved to the United States. After moving around to various cities they finally settled in Austin, Texas. Twenty-five years later, Mariam still suffered from PTSD and from the trauma of victimization. She was seeing a therapist and making some progress in learning how to let go of her past and reject “victim hood”. Then a visit, a celebration and an introduction opened a door to what Mariam had dreaded most her whole life.
I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Sirens of Memory by Puja Guha. This was the first book that I have read by Puja Guha but it will not be my last. I have a close friend that used to provide shelter to battered and abused women in a woman’s shelter. I always admired my friend for all she and her organization did for these women. No woman should ever feel like they have to stay in an abused marriage or relationship. I admired Mariam’s character. Abused women often feel like they provoked the abuse. Although Mariam wrestled with her decision to leave Tareq and questioned whether she was strong enough to escape his abuse she knew she had to for the sake of her unborn child. Mariam was always looking over her shoulder afraid that Tareq would appear. She had a very hard time putting her past behind her. Her years of therapy finally made her realize that she was no longer a victim and that she was stronger than she thought. Sirens of Memory was a story of survival. It was well written and the chapters alternated between past and present. I recommend this book very highly.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Sirens of Memory through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Mariam was a young, naive nineteen year old woman when her father married her off in an arranged marriage. Her mother had died and her father lacked concern or interest in her. Mariam learned very quickly that her new husband, Tareq, had a temper and was extremely controlling. Tareq often physically, mentally and verbally abused Mariam. She was afraid of Tareq and tried hard to stay out of his way and to say what he wanted to hear. Tareq had no shame in what he did to Mariam. Finally, Mariam was not able to stand another minute in her abusive marriage. Her family had turned their backs on her so Mariam ran to her cousin’s home to escape Tareq. Unfortunately, Tareq discovered where she was and came and attacked her with such rage and violence that an ambulance had to be called. In the hospital, Miriam discovered that she was pregnant. Mariam knew that there was no way that she would ever go back to Tareq now. At that time, Iraq had invaded Kuwait and the Iraqi soldiers were going door to door and arresting and killing the people of Kuwait. Mariam, her cousin, Dinah and her maid managed to escape to a refugee camp. It was in the refugee camp that Mariam met Raj. Mariam and Raj grew close and fell in love. When Raj discovered that his wife of one week had been killed by the Iraqi soldiers he offered Mariam her identity. Mariam and Raj got married and moved to the United States. After moving around to various cities they finally settled in Austin, Texas. Twenty-five years later, Mariam still suffered from PTSD and from the trauma of victimization. She was seeing a therapist and making some progress in learning how to let go of her past and reject “victim hood”. Then a visit, a celebration and an introduction opened a door to what Mariam had dreaded most her whole life.
I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Sirens of Memory by Puja Guha. This was the first book that I have read by Puja Guha but it will not be my last. I have a close friend that used to provide shelter to battered and abused women in a woman’s shelter. I always admired my friend for all she and her organization did for these women. No woman should ever feel like they have to stay in an abused marriage or relationship. I admired Mariam’s character. Abused women often feel like they provoked the abuse. Although Mariam wrestled with her decision to leave Tareq and questioned whether she was strong enough to escape his abuse she knew she had to for the sake of her unborn child. Mariam was always looking over her shoulder afraid that Tareq would appear. She had a very hard time putting her past behind her. Her years of therapy finally made her realize that she was no longer a victim and that she was stronger than she thought. Sirens of Memory was a story of survival. It was well written and the chapters alternated between past and present. I recommend this book very highly.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Sirens of Memory through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 17, 2021
If you thought that "Behind Closed Doors" was a anxiety-inducing read, wait till you read this one! It takes domestic violence and the resultant psychological trauma to a whole new level. 😕 After a long, long time, I found an Indian thriller that actually thrilled me and scared me and unnerved me, thereby forcing me to go through its pages as fast as possible.
Story:
1990, Kuwait. A few days before the Gulf War. Mariam, a nineteen year old Kuwaiti Arab forced into marriage the previous year, dreads living with her abusive husband Tareq. Beatings and rape and emotional abuse are the standard features of her daily routine. After the war begins, she gets a golden opportunity to escape from the relationship after presuming her husband to be dead. She begins a new life in America under a new identity. But has she really escaped the demons of the past? You can guess the rest.
The story comes to us from two distinct timelines and places: Kuwait in 1990 and Austin, Texas in 2015. Both the narratives are crisp and fast-paced and fraught with tension. The focus remains on the main characters from start to end. This serves the book well as any sidetracking would have taken away from the pace. After every 2-3 chapters, the author skips over to the other timeline and you groan in frustration, because the transition inevitably occurs at a traumatic or tense point in the narrative and you are so worried about what happens next.
Reading this book wasn't easy for me. The war-related atrocities were painful enough to go through. But the chapters that have Tareq mentioned created tremendous stress. Tareq is a psychopath with double standards. He proves himself to be a typical chauvinist who holds one standard of conduct for himself and another for the women in his life. To put it bluntly, the description of his behaviour is so brutal at times that I couldn't help flinching in horror. The violence with which he approaches Mariam every single time is appalling. The way he psychologically manipulates everyone, and even convinces himself that his thoughts and beliefs are correct, is outright scary. What makes all this worse is that I know such monsters exist in real life too.
This is not a book you'll want to read for its language or writing style or secondary character development. The book falls a little short on all these points. There's no flowery writing, there's no descriptive detailing of the locations or local customs, there's no background to any character except the main ones, there are a couple of farfetched plot twists, there's a fair amount of predicability. In spite of these shortcomings in the quality of writing, I simply couldn't keep the book aside. I felt compelled to reach the ending soon and this made me turn the pages as far as I could. Though the story would have worked wonders in the hands of a more seasoned author, this book was still a worthwhile read for me, wracking my nerves with every subsequent chapter. The climactic chapter was the slight disappointment because it felt straight out of a Bollywood potboiler. Ah well, I did want a satisfactory ending too! :P
I don't know to what target reader I'd recommend this traumatising book. If you tend to get emotionally invested in the characters, better to stay away. But if you can stand the stress, this is a very interesting and quick-paced domestic thriller by a contemporary Indian author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Polis Books for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
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Story:
1990, Kuwait. A few days before the Gulf War. Mariam, a nineteen year old Kuwaiti Arab forced into marriage the previous year, dreads living with her abusive husband Tareq. Beatings and rape and emotional abuse are the standard features of her daily routine. After the war begins, she gets a golden opportunity to escape from the relationship after presuming her husband to be dead. She begins a new life in America under a new identity. But has she really escaped the demons of the past? You can guess the rest.
The story comes to us from two distinct timelines and places: Kuwait in 1990 and Austin, Texas in 2015. Both the narratives are crisp and fast-paced and fraught with tension. The focus remains on the main characters from start to end. This serves the book well as any sidetracking would have taken away from the pace. After every 2-3 chapters, the author skips over to the other timeline and you groan in frustration, because the transition inevitably occurs at a traumatic or tense point in the narrative and you are so worried about what happens next.
Reading this book wasn't easy for me. The war-related atrocities were painful enough to go through. But the chapters that have Tareq mentioned created tremendous stress. Tareq is a psychopath with double standards. He proves himself to be a typical chauvinist who holds one standard of conduct for himself and another for the women in his life. To put it bluntly, the description of his behaviour is so brutal at times that I couldn't help flinching in horror. The violence with which he approaches Mariam every single time is appalling. The way he psychologically manipulates everyone, and even convinces himself that his thoughts and beliefs are correct, is outright scary. What makes all this worse is that I know such monsters exist in real life too.
This is not a book you'll want to read for its language or writing style or secondary character development. The book falls a little short on all these points. There's no flowery writing, there's no descriptive detailing of the locations or local customs, there's no background to any character except the main ones, there are a couple of farfetched plot twists, there's a fair amount of predicability. In spite of these shortcomings in the quality of writing, I simply couldn't keep the book aside. I felt compelled to reach the ending soon and this made me turn the pages as far as I could. Though the story would have worked wonders in the hands of a more seasoned author, this book was still a worthwhile read for me, wracking my nerves with every subsequent chapter. The climactic chapter was the slight disappointment because it felt straight out of a Bollywood potboiler. Ah well, I did want a satisfactory ending too! :P
I don't know to what target reader I'd recommend this traumatising book. If you tend to get emotionally invested in the characters, better to stay away. But if you can stand the stress, this is a very interesting and quick-paced domestic thriller by a contemporary Indian author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Polis Books for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
June 30, 2021
Author Puja Guha gives us a gripping psychological thriller with Sirens of Memory.
It is 1990, the year of the Iraqi invasion. After the death of her mother, Mariam a 19 yr old Kuwati woman is married off by her father, to Tareq an extremely abusive man. Once she discovers she is pregnant she must escape from her husband to protect her unborn child.
Mariam meets Raj at an Indian refugee camp and assumes the identity of his dead wife in order to leave Kuwait. Together Mariam and Raj settle in Austin, Texas where 25 years later the memories of her abusive husband and the Gulf War still haunt her.
Her constant fears are justified when her ex-husband suddenly appears and wants her back.
Mariam's story is a story of survival. A well-written, realistic and emotional roller coaster ride.
An empowering read!
Thank you to NetGalley, Polis Books/Agora Books and Puja Guha for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
It is 1990, the year of the Iraqi invasion. After the death of her mother, Mariam a 19 yr old Kuwati woman is married off by her father, to Tareq an extremely abusive man. Once she discovers she is pregnant she must escape from her husband to protect her unborn child.
Mariam meets Raj at an Indian refugee camp and assumes the identity of his dead wife in order to leave Kuwait. Together Mariam and Raj settle in Austin, Texas where 25 years later the memories of her abusive husband and the Gulf War still haunt her.
Her constant fears are justified when her ex-husband suddenly appears and wants her back.
Mariam's story is a story of survival. A well-written, realistic and emotional roller coaster ride.
An empowering read!
Thank you to NetGalley, Polis Books/Agora Books and Puja Guha for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
February 7, 2023
New year, New author!!
This story is basically about domestic violence.
The author did a good job of portraying the life trauma and the dynamics of domestic violence.
Domestic violence is very revelant all around the world. Same violence, same story same pain and shame.
The audiobook was a little flat in some parts but the message was strong and clear!!
This story is basically about domestic violence.
The author did a good job of portraying the life trauma and the dynamics of domestic violence.
Domestic violence is very revelant all around the world. Same violence, same story same pain and shame.
The audiobook was a little flat in some parts but the message was strong and clear!!
March 29, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this advance listener copy in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed this story. It was a great domestic thriller with a unique story. Living during the time of this Ukrainian invasion, having a subplot of the story being the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq was interesting. I was hooked from the very beginning.
This story follows Mariam, a woman who escaped Kuwait in 1990, leaving behind an abusive husband for dead. Twenty five years later, she is living in Austin, Texas with a fellow refuge, Raj. When the invasion happened, Raj's new wife was killed and he helped Mariam assume her identity in order to escape. Although she believes her ex-husband to be dead, she still lives in fear, and, rightfully so, as her ex-husband, Tariq survived.
I really liked the characters and the story. This book had me on the edge of my seat for multiple reasons. Told in alternating timelines between 1990, 2015 and 2016, the entire scope of the story is explained bit by bit. I enjoy a good alternating timeline story and this is definitely one of those. The audio was great. I really liked the narrator. She really brought the characters to life. 3.75 stars.
I enjoyed this story. It was a great domestic thriller with a unique story. Living during the time of this Ukrainian invasion, having a subplot of the story being the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq was interesting. I was hooked from the very beginning.
This story follows Mariam, a woman who escaped Kuwait in 1990, leaving behind an abusive husband for dead. Twenty five years later, she is living in Austin, Texas with a fellow refuge, Raj. When the invasion happened, Raj's new wife was killed and he helped Mariam assume her identity in order to escape. Although she believes her ex-husband to be dead, she still lives in fear, and, rightfully so, as her ex-husband, Tariq survived.
I really liked the characters and the story. This book had me on the edge of my seat for multiple reasons. Told in alternating timelines between 1990, 2015 and 2016, the entire scope of the story is explained bit by bit. I enjoy a good alternating timeline story and this is definitely one of those. The audio was great. I really liked the narrator. She really brought the characters to life. 3.75 stars.
December 15, 2024
4.5 stars
Wow, right out of the gate we get into some heavy topics in this book as stated in the synopsis. We meet young Mariam in Kuwait before the Gulf War and in an all around abusive marriage with her husband, Tareq. Guha almost does too good of a job immersing the reader into Mariam’s life because I definitely felt the fear, anxiety and feeling of walking on eggshells Mariam was going through. We do get to experience happy moments as well as we cut back and forth between two timelines. One where she is in Kuwait in the 90’s and one where 25 years have passed since her escape when the Afghan invasion occurred. Remarried and living a new life, we walk through the process of healing from trauma, ptsd and self healing with Mariam as she is forced to reconcile with the past and all that she has been through.
Trigger Warnings for domestic violence and sexual assault
Wow, right out of the gate we get into some heavy topics in this book as stated in the synopsis. We meet young Mariam in Kuwait before the Gulf War and in an all around abusive marriage with her husband, Tareq. Guha almost does too good of a job immersing the reader into Mariam’s life because I definitely felt the fear, anxiety and feeling of walking on eggshells Mariam was going through. We do get to experience happy moments as well as we cut back and forth between two timelines. One where she is in Kuwait in the 90’s and one where 25 years have passed since her escape when the Afghan invasion occurred. Remarried and living a new life, we walk through the process of healing from trauma, ptsd and self healing with Mariam as she is forced to reconcile with the past and all that she has been through.
Trigger Warnings for domestic violence and sexual assault
September 29, 2021
3.5⭐️
Physical abuse is a tricky thing. It has personally haunted me for years. It rears it head like a talisman, reminding me of my failures and insecurities. It’s never easy to explain because it’s so crazy when it happens.
Sirens of Memory was like that. Abuse even once is to much but when you feel trapped it’s a very fearful lifestyle. Told in dual timelines this will take you on a journey of war, abuse and how a person begins to deal with it. The story made me mad and there is definitely a trigger warning here. But I identified with this story and thought it was told well.
It’s a realistic view of what many people are facing and I’m glad it was shared. We do not have to be victims anymore. 👋🎤
I chose to listen to this book on audio and the narrator was good. This audiobook is 7 hours and 45 minutes.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via Netgalley.
Physical abuse is a tricky thing. It has personally haunted me for years. It rears it head like a talisman, reminding me of my failures and insecurities. It’s never easy to explain because it’s so crazy when it happens.
Sirens of Memory was like that. Abuse even once is to much but when you feel trapped it’s a very fearful lifestyle. Told in dual timelines this will take you on a journey of war, abuse and how a person begins to deal with it. The story made me mad and there is definitely a trigger warning here. But I identified with this story and thought it was told well.
It’s a realistic view of what many people are facing and I’m glad it was shared. We do not have to be victims anymore. 👋🎤
I chose to listen to this book on audio and the narrator was good. This audiobook is 7 hours and 45 minutes.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via Netgalley.
July 4, 2021
"I can never get away from him, I can never get away from this life."
Trigger warning: psychological and physical abuse, trauma
This was a very... Uncomfortable ... read for me. However Puja Guha has written a taut,well thought out psychological thriller that many will enjoy. Mariam escapes an abusive marriage only to find she can't escape the scars it has left in her. Can she triumph? Will she ever escape? Recommended 4/5
[ Disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
Trigger warning: psychological and physical abuse, trauma
This was a very... Uncomfortable ... read for me. However Puja Guha has written a taut,well thought out psychological thriller that many will enjoy. Mariam escapes an abusive marriage only to find she can't escape the scars it has left in her. Can she triumph? Will she ever escape? Recommended 4/5
[ Disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
July 31, 2020
3.5 stars
An emotional story. Not as much of a psychological thriller, as I'd been led to believe based on the blurb, but still a good read. Key themes of abuse could be a potential trigger for some readers. It was empowering to read Mariam's journey from abuse to freedom. The active pace keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.
An emotional story. Not as much of a psychological thriller, as I'd been led to believe based on the blurb, but still a good read. Key themes of abuse could be a potential trigger for some readers. It was empowering to read Mariam's journey from abuse to freedom. The active pace keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.
July 4, 2020
I am without words... Gut wrenching, heartbreaking, fear, happiness. This book has it all!
It's about a woman in Mariam, who is married off in an arranged marriage by her father after her mother passes away. Her husband is very violent and very very abusive. At a certain point Iraq invades Kuwait and this is the beginning of a secondary story more or less. Eventually she manages to get to the USA, but her memories come back to haunt her time and time again.
I didn't know what to expect of this book, but I had difficulty putting it down. I myself am thankful not to have ever been in the situation Mariam finds herself in, but the author takes us with her in Mariam's story so much, she feels like a friend. You want to help and protect her. There are several points of view in the story, but that only adds to the beauty (if you can call it that) of the book.
Thank you Puja!
It's about a woman in Mariam, who is married off in an arranged marriage by her father after her mother passes away. Her husband is very violent and very very abusive. At a certain point Iraq invades Kuwait and this is the beginning of a secondary story more or less. Eventually she manages to get to the USA, but her memories come back to haunt her time and time again.
I didn't know what to expect of this book, but I had difficulty putting it down. I myself am thankful not to have ever been in the situation Mariam finds herself in, but the author takes us with her in Mariam's story so much, she feels like a friend. You want to help and protect her. There are several points of view in the story, but that only adds to the beauty (if you can call it that) of the book.
Thank you Puja!
June 28, 2020
This is a heart wrenching tale of a Kuwaiti woman, Miriam, married off against her wishes, at 19 years old into a toxic relationship. Her husband is a vicious and abusive man who physically, mentally and sexually assaults her. The invasion of Kuwait by Iraq sets the stage for her to escape this relationship. Believing him to be dead, Miriam escapes to India and subsequently to the United States.
The author provides with a visceral account of the effects suffered by women in abusive relationships. Although there is a satisfying end to the book, it is a call to all levels of governments around the world to put a stop to abusive relationships and provide the resources to allow the victims to escape from the abuse and also the need to enact and enforce adequate penalties to the abusers.
Thank you to the author who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The author provides with a visceral account of the effects suffered by women in abusive relationships. Although there is a satisfying end to the book, it is a call to all levels of governments around the world to put a stop to abusive relationships and provide the resources to allow the victims to escape from the abuse and also the need to enact and enforce adequate penalties to the abusers.
Thank you to the author who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2021
Sirens of Memory is a psychological thriller that explores the trauma of an abused woman. After an arranged marriage, Tareq abuses his nineteen year-old wife, Miriam, and tries to control her every activity. Miriam takes the abuse until she can no longer stand it. She hides in her cousin Dinah's home as Tareq searches for her. Adding to the turmoil, the Iraqi army invades her home country of Kuwait and begins home-to-home violence. After a murderous encounter with Tareq, Miriam, Dinah, and a housekeeper take refuge in an Indian refugee center. With the help of Raj, an Indian, she and her cohorts manage to escape to the United States. Twenty-five years later, Miriam is married to Raj, her rescuer, is undergoing therapy for her PTSD, resulting from her life in Kuwait. She needs no overcome her feelings of victimhood and her guilt for not standing up to Tareq. Simultaneously, Raj is having qualms about his wife who dies in Kuwait during the first weeks of their marriage - is Miriam a stand-in for the wife he never really knew. The traumas of both parties play against each other and must come to a resolution for them both to realize full happiness. Unfortunately, an unexpected visitor from the past threatens to destroy what they have built. The discussion of the traumas and their results make for a thoughtful read, while the conclusion is somewhat disturbing.
Note: I received this book from the author and am providing this review freely.
Note: I received this book from the author and am providing this review freely.
June 21, 2021
Sirens of Memory - a review by Rosemary Kenny
The story of Mariam, a young Kuwaiti woman forced into an arranged marriage by her widowed father, beaten (literally), down into submission and forced to use a dead woman (Ritika's), identity, (plus the support of a close female friend and her household) to save her life in every possible way, is very poignantly, brutally honestly and incredibly bravely unravelled, in Puja Guha's Sirens of Memory.
I found myself sharing Mariam's domestic 'torture chamber' existence and, like her saviour and friend Diana, (internally) screaming at Mariam/Ritika to get out while she still could; later also feeling the blind terror when, (having escaped another - literal and metaphorical - invasion of violent men), her abusive, sociopathic tormentor of a husband seemingly returned from the dead - long after she'd believed herself free and safe at last - threatening the lives of her new family and loved ones once more.
So intense it will steal your breath away and 100% unputdownable - grasp your own redemption by buying a copy of Sirens of Memory by the very special author, Puja Guha today!
The story of Mariam, a young Kuwaiti woman forced into an arranged marriage by her widowed father, beaten (literally), down into submission and forced to use a dead woman (Ritika's), identity, (plus the support of a close female friend and her household) to save her life in every possible way, is very poignantly, brutally honestly and incredibly bravely unravelled, in Puja Guha's Sirens of Memory.
I found myself sharing Mariam's domestic 'torture chamber' existence and, like her saviour and friend Diana, (internally) screaming at Mariam/Ritika to get out while she still could; later also feeling the blind terror when, (having escaped another - literal and metaphorical - invasion of violent men), her abusive, sociopathic tormentor of a husband seemingly returned from the dead - long after she'd believed herself free and safe at last - threatening the lives of her new family and loved ones once more.
So intense it will steal your breath away and 100% unputdownable - grasp your own redemption by buying a copy of Sirens of Memory by the very special author, Puja Guha today!
March 25, 2022
A very well-intentioned novel about a woman who takes another identity to hide from her abuser, and how it goes awry when he reappears in her life. I appreciated how it was not centered on any of the white American characters (the leads are Kuwaiti, and the protagonist's current husband is from India), but ultimately I found the cast two-dimensional. The villain in particular seems to have no other personality traits other than violent misogyny, and while there are likely guys out there like that, it does not make for compelling fictional characterisation.
August 23, 2020
Puja Guha’s latest book is an interesting and exciting story in two parts about Mariam, a Kuwaiti woman faced with a bad arranged marriage that haunts her for most of her life. The first part of the book takes place just prior to and during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Mariam’s husband Tareq repeatedly beats her but she manages to escape and hides within an Indian settlement that is treated slightly better by the Iraqis than how they treat Kuwaiti people. She eventually gets to leave Kuwait while posing as the wife of Raj, an Indian man whose real wife was killed by the Iraq invaders.
The second part of the book takes place 25 years later when Mariam is now really married to Raj and living in the United States. Despite living a good life, she still fears her abusive husband, seemingly seeing him around every corner.
To me, this reads like two related books combined into one. The first half of the book is more of a historical character-driven story about the struggles of a young Kuwaiti woman in a bad marriage also faced with the hardship of invasion by the Iraqis. The second half of the story is a psychological thriller of Miriam’s struggles with her past and present. Although the first part, wasn’t as much thriller, I really enjoyed reading about the Kuwaiti and Indian people in Kuwait during this time as contrasted in the second part to what appeared at times to be too much of an attempt to create suspense it the somewhat contrived way of some books, movies and television shows. Overall though, I highly recommend this book.
I first became interested in reading books by Puja Guha after hearing her discuss her personal adventures and her books at Bouchercon in September 2018. This is the second book that I have read by Ms. Guha and one that is very different than the first one I read, Resurgence of the Hunt, the third book in the Ahriman Legacy series. I enjoyed both of the books, but as I mentioned above, the character driven, less thriller-like first half of the book is where I feel the writer was at her best. That probably says more about me as I’m not a huge thriller fan. Nonetheless, I hope she writes more in that style in the future.
Thanks to the author for providing me a complimentary copy of this book for this honest review.
The second part of the book takes place 25 years later when Mariam is now really married to Raj and living in the United States. Despite living a good life, she still fears her abusive husband, seemingly seeing him around every corner.
To me, this reads like two related books combined into one. The first half of the book is more of a historical character-driven story about the struggles of a young Kuwaiti woman in a bad marriage also faced with the hardship of invasion by the Iraqis. The second half of the story is a psychological thriller of Miriam’s struggles with her past and present. Although the first part, wasn’t as much thriller, I really enjoyed reading about the Kuwaiti and Indian people in Kuwait during this time as contrasted in the second part to what appeared at times to be too much of an attempt to create suspense it the somewhat contrived way of some books, movies and television shows. Overall though, I highly recommend this book.
I first became interested in reading books by Puja Guha after hearing her discuss her personal adventures and her books at Bouchercon in September 2018. This is the second book that I have read by Ms. Guha and one that is very different than the first one I read, Resurgence of the Hunt, the third book in the Ahriman Legacy series. I enjoyed both of the books, but as I mentioned above, the character driven, less thriller-like first half of the book is where I feel the writer was at her best. That probably says more about me as I’m not a huge thriller fan. Nonetheless, I hope she writes more in that style in the future.
Thanks to the author for providing me a complimentary copy of this book for this honest review.
July 21, 2020
Mariam is a young Kuwaiti woman who was forced to marry her husband, Tareq, following the death of her mother. As we meet her we discover that she is in a very traditional family and community where the women’s lives are often strictly controlled by the men. Mariam has always to dress conservatively, has very restricted reading materials and totally subjugated by her husband. Allied to this she is forced to conceal the fact from family and friends that Tareq is extremely violent towards her, beating her severely and raping her. She tries to hide this coercive control from her friends. Her sister rejected these allegations when Mariam tried to confide in her how bad her husband was.
Then Iraq invades Kuwait and she is forced to hide with her servant and her friend, three women defenceless in the madness that is the Iraqi invasion.
What interested me most in this book was the invasion – I clearly remember the news coverage of this at the time and it was revealing to have this insight. What horrified me, of course, is the way the women not only live, but survive under such treatment.
As we meet up with Mariam years later her life is completely different but we are witness to the long lasting terrible effects of her abuse. I was not as convinced by these later events as I believed they lacked the power of the earlier episodes. That said, I couldn’t wait to finish it to see what happened.
Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
Then Iraq invades Kuwait and she is forced to hide with her servant and her friend, three women defenceless in the madness that is the Iraqi invasion.
What interested me most in this book was the invasion – I clearly remember the news coverage of this at the time and it was revealing to have this insight. What horrified me, of course, is the way the women not only live, but survive under such treatment.
As we meet up with Mariam years later her life is completely different but we are witness to the long lasting terrible effects of her abuse. I was not as convinced by these later events as I believed they lacked the power of the earlier episodes. That said, I couldn’t wait to finish it to see what happened.
Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
September 29, 2020
Mariam, a woman in Kuwait, survives terrible abuse at the hands of her husband. She leaves him when she discovers she is pregnant. After a harrowing escape, during which her husband Tareq gets shot and left for dead, Mariam makes it out of the country by using a dead woman's identity. Raj, an Indian man, helps her and they end up staying together.
She makes it to America and settles into a nice life. She has her daughter, Aliya, and Raj raises her as his own. Mariam still blames herself for Tareq's abuse and has never told her family what happened. She still lives in fear of her real identity being revealed and Raj is getting frustrated with her secrets. Mariam ends up going to a therapist to help her with her fears.
Mariam's cousin invites her to a party for Kuwait refugees. Mariam's therapist and Raj talk her into going. Little does she know, Tareq is also going to be there.
Sirens of Memory is a stunning look at domestic abuse and how far it can really go. The story is so real, I felt like I was living through this with Mariam. Puja Guha is just amazing! I will be looking for more of her work.
She makes it to America and settles into a nice life. She has her daughter, Aliya, and Raj raises her as his own. Mariam still blames herself for Tareq's abuse and has never told her family what happened. She still lives in fear of her real identity being revealed and Raj is getting frustrated with her secrets. Mariam ends up going to a therapist to help her with her fears.
Mariam's cousin invites her to a party for Kuwait refugees. Mariam's therapist and Raj talk her into going. Little does she know, Tareq is also going to be there.
Sirens of Memory is a stunning look at domestic abuse and how far it can really go. The story is so real, I felt like I was living through this with Mariam. Puja Guha is just amazing! I will be looking for more of her work.
June 14, 2021
Thank you to the author, Polis Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the heart-wrenching story of a young Kuwaiti woman who suffers greatly in the course of her arranged marriage (TW: domestic abuse), and who makes the difficult decision to flee (difficult compounded by the fact that as a woman she has no rights, and her passport is held by her husband) - and then Iraq invades Kuwait. The story is told in two different timelines, one as the events described above happen, and one 25 years later - she lives in the USA, is married to an Indian man and believes her first husband died in the war. However, she is still troubled by nightmares and has never shared her past with her husband or daughter. They encourage her to start seeing a therapist, which helps her to work through the trauma of her past - but ultimately leads to her first husband finding her again. The characters were well-drawn, the plot flowed smoothly (although there were a few gaps) and the book was had me hooked.
This is the heart-wrenching story of a young Kuwaiti woman who suffers greatly in the course of her arranged marriage (TW: domestic abuse), and who makes the difficult decision to flee (difficult compounded by the fact that as a woman she has no rights, and her passport is held by her husband) - and then Iraq invades Kuwait. The story is told in two different timelines, one as the events described above happen, and one 25 years later - she lives in the USA, is married to an Indian man and believes her first husband died in the war. However, she is still troubled by nightmares and has never shared her past with her husband or daughter. They encourage her to start seeing a therapist, which helps her to work through the trauma of her past - but ultimately leads to her first husband finding her again. The characters were well-drawn, the plot flowed smoothly (although there were a few gaps) and the book was had me hooked.
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August 14, 2020This is a terrific book and I highly recommend it.
It was heart-wrenching to read Mariam's journey from an abusive relationship to freedom. The brisk pace of the storyline kept me totally engaged and wanting to learn about the ending.
Mariam, a Kuwaiti woman is married off against her wishes at age 19, to a man who totally abuses her, physically, emotionally, mentally, and sexually assaults her.
In the bleakness of the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, it provides Mariam an avenue of escape from her toxic relationship with her husband. Using the identity of a dead woman, Mariam manages to flee from Kuwait and start her new life.
Just when we thought that Mariam manages to get away and start a new life safe and free in Austin, her abusive husband tracks her down and threatens the lives of her new family members.
Summary :
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mariam's story of survival. It was an emotional roller coaster ride but one that was well appreciated. The story was well written, characters were well described and easy to relate to. Kudos to Puja Guha, looking forward to more great reads from you.
It was heart-wrenching to read Mariam's journey from an abusive relationship to freedom. The brisk pace of the storyline kept me totally engaged and wanting to learn about the ending.
Mariam, a Kuwaiti woman is married off against her wishes at age 19, to a man who totally abuses her, physically, emotionally, mentally, and sexually assaults her.
In the bleakness of the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, it provides Mariam an avenue of escape from her toxic relationship with her husband. Using the identity of a dead woman, Mariam manages to flee from Kuwait and start her new life.
Just when we thought that Mariam manages to get away and start a new life safe and free in Austin, her abusive husband tracks her down and threatens the lives of her new family members.
Summary :
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mariam's story of survival. It was an emotional roller coaster ride but one that was well appreciated. The story was well written, characters were well described and easy to relate to. Kudos to Puja Guha, looking forward to more great reads from you.
August 3, 2020
Not yet 20-years of age, Kuwait native Mariam Al-Salem is the victim of an arranged marriage with a man who abuses her psychologically and physically. It is 1990, the year of the Iraqi invasion. Believing her husband dead, Mariam escapes Kuwait and eventually arrives in the U.S. Pretending to be married to a man she met during her escape with a new name and a daughter, Mariam cannot escape feelings of guilt and fear. In time, she learns her fears are justified.
Puja Guha, author of a series of international thrillers, has moved into new territory with Sirens of Memory. She has constructed a complex psychological story around real world events with believable characters that we care about. Well-written with just the right amount of local vocabulary and culture, Sirens of Memory will keep you up past your bedtime.
Puja Guha, author of a series of international thrillers, has moved into new territory with Sirens of Memory. She has constructed a complex psychological story around real world events with believable characters that we care about. Well-written with just the right amount of local vocabulary and culture, Sirens of Memory will keep you up past your bedtime.
May 27, 2021
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. I totally see this book being made into a movie. At some points, my heart was racing and trembling with terror while I read on to see what would happen. The book is written from many points of view, which Guha's talent is able to pull off. While I started reading this book to see how Islam and Kuwaiti and Indian cultures are represented, that is not the focus of this book. It is packed with suspense, and the constant shifts in time add to that effect. Those who have escaped from abusive relationships or even war can identify with this book; however, readers should be aware of the triggers: rape, domestic violence, war scenes. The therapist in the book gives solid advice to victims, and I will be recommending this book to the counselors in my circle of colleagues. Thank you for a happy ending!
August 7, 2020
Sirens of Memory is a new thriller by author Puja Guha. Ms. Guha has created an extremely exciting story. Set in Kuwait and the U.S., the suspense builds throughout the book. She portrays the culture of Kuwait in a very authentic way and takes the reader there. She also realistically describes the issue of domestic abuse, the terrible plight of women in those circumstances, and the lasting effects that abuse has on women and families. Her protagonist is trying to escape from an abusive relationship and finds herself in the middle of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, which amps up the suspense even more. There are chilling scenes later in the book as it builds to a thrilling climax. I thought it was a terrific book and recommend it highly.
June 24, 2021
A pregnant and abused young women is trying to escape her abusive husband and ends up in a refuge camp as she keeps trying to find a safe place for her expected child to be born. She turns out to be stronger than she thought she was and she keeps searching.
The word usage is very good and the plot is really good. There are only half a dozen main characters and they are all good.
You will enjoy following her struggles that start in Kuwait and continue to a final safe haven.
The story takes you with her on a dangerous trip to find a new home and you think you are close to the end but the story picks back up after 25 years and the end of the book has a nice twist. I very much enjoyed reading this book.
The word usage is very good and the plot is really good. There are only half a dozen main characters and they are all good.
You will enjoy following her struggles that start in Kuwait and continue to a final safe haven.
The story takes you with her on a dangerous trip to find a new home and you think you are close to the end but the story picks back up after 25 years and the end of the book has a nice twist. I very much enjoyed reading this book.
July 4, 2020
Guha has written a thriller that puts you in the shoes of Mariam Qarami, who flees an abusive relationship at the start of the first Gulf War, assumes the identity of her future husband's dead wife to leave Kuwait, and finally settles in Austin, TX. She remains troubled by nightmares and takes the advice of her husband and daughter to go into therapy. After a visit to Washington, DC, her first husband discovers that she is still alive and is determined to make her come back to him.
The novel was exciting, interesting, and I couldn't put it down. I eagerly followed Mariam's journey. Guha's writing was thrilling and kept me hooked throughout the book.
The novel was exciting, interesting, and I couldn't put it down. I eagerly followed Mariam's journey. Guha's writing was thrilling and kept me hooked throughout the book.
June 2, 2021
I loved this book. I'm so glad book my fiftieth book of the year was one as awesome as this! SIRENS of MEMORY by Puja Guha is available June 15, 2021. I rated this thriller 5/5 stars! Miriam is a survivor of two major traumas: the invasion of Kuwait and and the emotional, physical, sexual, and verbal abuse of her husband. The novel alternates between the invasion and her life twenty five years later, where she is forced to confront memories that she were buried. I thought the characters were unique and well developed, the premise was original and terrifying, and the depiction of trauma was really honest. I was on the edge of my seat in anticipation and fear.
August 15, 2020
Mariam is married to Tariq. He is extremely abusive. Like most women in abusive relationships she blames herself. When she is admitted into the hospital for a concussion and cuts on her arms because he threw her through a glass table, she assures everyone that she will be fine, that because of her clumsiness she tripped and fell on the table herself. It is during this hospital visit that she is told she is pregnant. Now her focus is on escaping her husband and protecting her child at all costs.
A poignant story of abuse, love, sisterhood and reclaiming self back from being victimized.
A poignant story of abuse, love, sisterhood and reclaiming self back from being victimized.
June 30, 2021
Puja Guha is one of the Best New
Writers I have come across !!
She has a Brilliance in her Way with Words and her Books come to Life in front of your eyes !!
Mariam's story could be many women's story. It is full of her Tragedies, Triamphs and how she Overcame with the help of her Family and Good Friends !
A Must Read !
You will also want to check out Puja,s , The Ahriman Series !!
The trilogy is full of Espionage and Mystery !! I could hardly put these down!!?
Writers I have come across !!
She has a Brilliance in her Way with Words and her Books come to Life in front of your eyes !!
Mariam's story could be many women's story. It is full of her Tragedies, Triamphs and how she Overcame with the help of her Family and Good Friends !
A Must Read !
You will also want to check out Puja,s , The Ahriman Series !!
The trilogy is full of Espionage and Mystery !! I could hardly put these down!!?
July 11, 2021
Marian is a nineteen year old woman forced to marry by her father. Her husband is a very abusive person and a psycho. He thinks in his mind that she loves him even though he is very mean to her. She finds out she is pregnant and knows she must get away from him. She stays in a refugee camp and with help from Raj gets away from Tareq. I really enjoy the authors' style of writing and she lures you into cheering for the underdog.. You really need to read this book and I hope to read more from this author. I was given this by the author in exchange for a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2021
An ARC of this audiobook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
This was an interesting and reasonably suspenseful story. I enjoyed most of the plot and major characters, and it wasn’t a difficult one to get lost in for a little while. The ending, especially part of the epilogue, almost felt like some of the details were wrapped up a bit too perfectly and easily, but that didn’t take away too much from the effectiveness of the story for me, and I’m still happy about my overall experience with it.
4.5 stars
This was an interesting and reasonably suspenseful story. I enjoyed most of the plot and major characters, and it wasn’t a difficult one to get lost in for a little while. The ending, especially part of the epilogue, almost felt like some of the details were wrapped up a bit too perfectly and easily, but that didn’t take away too much from the effectiveness of the story for me, and I’m still happy about my overall experience with it.
July 24, 2020
This was one the best books I’ve read in a very long time. It’s an absolute page turner from start to finish. Mariam’s journey pulls you in from the very first pages throughout her heart wrenching physical abuse at the hands of her cruel sadistic husband. I won’t give away any of the story away. I would highly recommend reading her story and see for yourself. Puja has become one of my new favourite authors and will be looking out for more of her books.
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