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Amarbel/امربیل

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Amar Bail (English: Mistletoe) is a love story of Umar Jehangir and Aleezay Sikandar, set-up in the backdrop of Pakistani bureaucratic culture. It is a story of imbalanced relationships, broken families, lust for power, complexes, insecurities and amidst all problems of love, its intensity and sacrifices. It depicts the true face of our bureaucratic system, highlighting social evils like corruption, nepotism and injustice and how at times going against the law is the only way to punish the culprits. The novel touches your heart by its brilliant portrayal of human emotions and psychology.
Amar Bail was published in episodic form in Shuaa Digest from March 2000 to March 2003.

636 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2000

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About the author

Umera Ahmed

91 books2,052 followers
Umera Ahmed is one of the most widely-read and popular Urdu fiction novelist and screenplay writer of this era.
She completed her Masters in English Literature from Murray College, Sialkot. Later she became an English language lecturer for the students of O and A levels at Army Public College, Sialkot. However she left the job a few years back in order to devote her full attention to writing.
She began her writing career in 1998 at a quite young age. Her initial stories were published in monthly urdu digests and later came out in the form of books. She has written about 16 books , comprising of complete novels and compilations of short stories. However it was her novel "Peer-e-Kaamil (S.A.W.W)" which became her identity.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
Profile Image for Nazish Islam.
58 reviews29 followers
January 23, 2015
I have seriously no words for this piece. A corrupt bureaucrat system, social evils, nepotism, family oriented favours, broken families, A divorce in almost every family and wrong doings are amazingly portrayed in this novel. But, on the other side, A sacrificed love, an eternal wish of let your love happy forever, knows his weaknesses, a kind heart and storm of Silent feelings emerged from the other side.
Umer made Aleezah a mature, sensible and successful girl. I wish they both could led a happy married life.
Mai Aleeza ko pehle joy dun ga. Phir eternity
(The most touchy sentence which one can see on the very initial lines and in the end when everything vanished and Aleezah went to know that Umer loved her, too !! I cried bucket reading this and after finishing. The pain was unbearable. I can never forget Umer Jehangir. Like the foreword says, We cant hate these types of persons, knowing many weaknesses in them <3 This story will always remain close to my heart and Soul. Such a Masterpiece.
Profile Image for Abidah.
402 reviews75 followers
December 28, 2012
A story which will be close to my soul in all eternity!
Profile Image for Tahira.
40 reviews24 followers
August 8, 2014
There are some novels which we love no matter how much we hate it's ending, Amar Bail is one such novel.
It has brought the definition of 'love' to a whole new platform.No matter how much I hate Umar Jahangir for the choices he made,he made me realize that when we love someone truly we have to think about what's best for that person over what is best for us.I think I haven't read any story which had a hero who was so selfless that he would prefer someone else for the girl he loves because he knew he wasn't the best person for her.
an unforgettable book!
Profile Image for SA Dar.
3 reviews1 follower
August 14, 2017
I think Aleezah and Umar the two most stupidest lovers in the world. Same as Romeo and Juliet. The only reason for the whole fiasco was lack of communication in Romeo and Juliet's . And it wasn't lack of communication here. Aleezah told him straightforward how she felt. Unabashed without reserve. He had absolutely no excuse. Working in a corrupt civil service and blah blah blah. No excuse. Both of them were scarred and timid. Umar was a weak man. First afraid of his father, then afraid of uncle Ayaz, then afraid of the bureaucracy, then army, and then afraid of the uncertainty of life. He was weak and dumb. After 10 years he wanted to get out??? When Aleezah had suggested him to get out and live abroad he didn't take it. Because of the charm of power. He was against corruption and he was for corruption. He was a confused individual. And what they hell? Why are all the family members on Aleezah's ass. Throughout the entire book everything is Aleezah's fault. Whenever something wrong happens, the grandmother begins is sorry cries and bashing of Aleezah. And I've never seen a dull girl like Aleezah. She can't even stand by her own decisions. She does something irrationally and then back tracks. She doesn't keep her mind on one thing. And I don't like that the book doesn't give you closer. There's so many unanswered questions. Who killed Umar and why? He was going on extensive leave for 2 years. Why did they have to kill him? Was it uncle ayaz?

As far as portraying the bureaucrat landscape of Pakistan, yeh it did that. But it didn't provide any new insight. I don't understand the point of the book. What was the purpose for this being written. Maybe I didn't get a good glimpse because I read a translation, but seriously 600+ pages can't all be lost in translation. There are so many loopholes throughout the book, lots of displaced details and lots more that are unnecessary. The writer slows their way to the climatic point of the novel and everything begins to fall apart from that point on. It dredged on for so many pages and then it fell, like falling off a cliff. Many of the times its hard to point out where I am with regards to the timeline of the novel, the flashbacks are pitfalls. This isn't my first time reading an Urdu writer. I've read some of Mazhar Kaleem's work in his Imran series, and that was purely in Urdu. But I see some similarities in terms of writing. Both Umera Ahmed and Mazhar Kaleem write unnecessary details. It doesn't help in visualization or setting the scenery of the plot.

The entire Amar Bail novel was like having to sit through one of the dramas my mother is watching on TV. There's lots of typical family drama, hush hush romance, lots of unnecessary suspense and female protagonist that loves to cry. I didn't feel the depth of Aleezah or Umar's relationship, the "love" that they had for each other, their friendship as two displaced children in broken families was understandable, but they're love isn't. The entire story just made me depressed. And its not a workable depression, the kind you get after watching or reading a tragedy. Even tragedy has a purpose, and this novel negated the entire thing. Umar and Aleezah just become a helpless victim of fate, and if that's the case what's the point of knowing their story. This novel had potential, the theme it wanted to discover, and Umar could really have become Othello if Umera Ahmed tried, but sadly she falls extremely short of doing so. I was recommended this novel by a friend who praised it for being a classic novel portraying "classic love". But I didn't feel it. I don't mind that Umar dies in the end or that its revealed in the utmost end that he loves Aleezah, you figure that out as soon as the too are introduced to one another. But that tragic portion of the novel falls short of its purpose. The tragic plot of the novel lacks artistic purpose and form. I've ready every piece of tragedy written by Shakespeare and unfortunately had to spend hours scrutinizing for High School and College English classes, and that's why I'm so hard on Umera Ahmed. I can't say that Umar was coping with unfavorable circumstances because I don't know what they are. What was he battling? It's not clear. There were many flaws in the character, but what was his tragic flaw?

The entire book was like this review, utterly useless and a waste of time. Sorry for all you "oh my God, this is the best thing written in the histories of histories", but it wasn't, y'all obviously need to expand your reading palette if you think this is "social" novel or a "romance", its neither. It falls into the category of cheap paper back romance novels that you can find in the dollar stores or the free ebooks online, except this one wasn't explicit. It was bland. Like potatoes without salt, like boiled rice. It was Bland.
Profile Image for Ayesha.
64 reviews36 followers
July 22, 2021
Amar Bail is one the best novel I have ever read.

This is a story of corruption, nepotism bureaucracy, family crisis, desire of power, social evil, injustice, and at the end, it's a story of love!

Besides appreciating Umera Ahmed for the fantastic story I am against the death of Umer Jahangir.

Everyone knew a person with many good habits can be considered evil just because of one bad deed but here it's the opposite. A corrupt person who had killed many people, who was lier, betrayer and a drinker is considered as the best hero just because of one reason... DEATH!!!!

This does not mean I haven't cried on his death. I cried like a baby, I was very pitiful but I can't change the end.

I know Umer Jahangir had many good qualities, he was a good friend, a good lover and much more but is it enough to overcome his wrongdoings? (consider as it is happening in real life).

I oppose the death of Umer Jahangir but deep inside I too love him like others, I can't do anything, it's not in my hands!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ali.
18 reviews6 followers
April 5, 2013
The thing I liked about this book was its basis were not on romance/love, that's just a side plot. Umera Ahmed has brilliantly focused and conveyed the social , bureaucratic , political problems of pakistan. I really liked it.
Profile Image for subaha.
174 reviews36 followers
March 24, 2024
"just keep reading, it can't possibly get worse than this...." famous last words.
I hate-read this. If I had stopped reading at page 70 then I would've forgot it all in two days and move on but I read 600+ pages of this and have to let it out somehow. the book is 90% dialogues and the rest is just info dumps. especially the first half. the writer doesn't seem to believe in 'show not tell' and wants to dictate every minute thought that one might have while reading the book.

the book explores the lives of the members of a powerful family and their failed relationships and the consequences of years of being power hungry as the broken children. it is all set up with the Pakistan Bureaucratic backdrop. the writer's knowledge about the bureaucratic system seemed to have come form other novels and dramas. there is no insider pov. we're just told that it is what it is. it doesn't provide any new information or insight on why it is the way it is. it's all very superficial.

the dynamic between the two main leads was not a good look at all. first and foremost they first met when Aliza was a teenager and Omar was at a mature age of 26. and that gap stays with them throughout their lives. the novel covers a whole decade and they're unable to bridge that gap. the age difference wouldn't have bothered me that much if not for the fact that Omar used that as a comeback for everything Aliza did that he didn't like. how she's not mature enough, doesn't know how the world works, is a stay at home young woman who should leave the important matters to the men.

On one hand we have Aliza who's portrayed as a girl deprived of love and familial affection throughout her life and she just jumps at annyone who even talks to her kindly. like grabbing the whole arm of someone when offered a finger and that doesn't change even through she's suffered multiple times because of this habit (that affair in uni) and is even self aware of how much she emotionally depends on Omar. her relationship with Junaid is the same way. He suddenly shows up one day and starts taking care of her and she just latches on to him and when she gets the slightest hint that he's with her only because someone set him up with her (excuse me! it was an arranged marriage either way but whatever) she just ups and ends everything in the most immature way possible. it makes it seem like she's throwing a tantrum even though she has genuine reasons and concerns surrounding her relationship.

I absolutely despise fml that can't stand up for themselves and just keep sucking it in throughout like woman stand tf up!! this novel is the story of a despicable man who until his last breath kept on being a manipulator and a woman who is so inside her own bubble that she's incapable of having a single objective thought or opinion!! everything must pass through her and be personal for her for her to even grasp the meaning of it.

the fact that Omar tried to dictate and manipulate Aliza's relationship and how everyone in the novel was not only okay with it but was on board and actively tried to keep Aliza in the dark didn't sit right with me. and like a cherry on top at the end we come to another revelation of how he's been manipulating Junaid the same way. The presence that he had throughout the novel and how he remains so sure of himself that he is the only one who knows what's right for Aliza and even goes as far to set her up with his best friend. mimd you that's the girl that he rejected,, I can't even count how many times and mind you not kindly. he knows her thoroughly and knew where to hit to hurt her most and he didn't hold back. it was as if he was taking revenge on Aliza for loving him. all those talks about building herself up amd how she is the most important person to him and how she needs to stop caring about those who don't give a fuck about her and only focus on him. and then he made it seem like the girl dreamed it all up or something. How you gonna go and break all the parts of her that you helped heal?? how does that work...

I also didn't like how they made it seem like the only way he could ever redeem himself was through dying. all the problems, all the issues that Aliza has with him remain just that, unsolved... but the fact that he's dead and suddenly it makes everything okay... there's no confrontation either with Aliza or with Junaid. it's almost like the writer was so scared of how to fix everything or tie everything together that she's spent 500+ pages unraveling that she chose the most coward and the most easy way out. kill him! and then everything is solved! no actually just left like that!! I wasn't even hoping for a closure or anything but it just ends! there wasn't even significant character development. it added nothing new to the story or its advancement at all. instead it brought everything to a halt.

Omar's death wasn't a shock. they kept hinting that the story was gonna move that way but it would've made a much bigger impact if he died at about 75% mark and the rest should have focused on Aliza's healing journey on breaking out of it all but even with all the foreshadowing (and the voluntary spoiler that I gave myself just to have something to look forward to)... the scene of his death didn't happen till like the last ten pages. No joke!!

at the end all we're left with are two people mourning the person they loved the most in the world and are unable to even hate him for his betrayal.

overall this wasn't a well thought or even a well organized project. and tell why is this marketed as a romance in the first place?? I just want to go back to the time when I never picked it up. waste of time and waste of energy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ayesha.
110 reviews424 followers
April 12, 2016

I remember the time in eighth standard when everyone was gushing and crying buckets over Amar Bail and there was a constant fight in the school library . Everybody read it and obviously everybody loved,cried buckets over it and fell unconditionally,irrevocably in love with Umer Jehengir . Except me, because I used to be a snob and read Anna Karenina in those days. Well, Anna Karenina and Amarbail are written on the same line. How we are powerless about the people we love.

*eyeroll*
*facepalm*
*tsk tsk face*


To be honest, I don't know how to review books in Urdu or any books for that matter and this could be my laundry list. But still,
✏ Sixth Urdu book I read---->major achievement
✏ My Urdu typo is too weird. We'll need a cryptologist to decipher the strange things I'll come up with.

Umera Ahmed is an amazing woman who undoubtedly deserves all our praise. She, for years has educated masses of illiterate women through her Mahnama Digest writing skills. Digest reading also known recreational reading for the Paindu was revolutionized and became so much more than just a source of escapism for women/men who were too poor to get higher education. And don't forget she gave us the raw material for Zaroon Junaid.

I would've liked this more some years back when I was more impressionable about death in books. Game of thrones has certainly made us immune to deaths abouts MCs,Secondary characters and pets. Ugh, I still prefer Farhat Ishtiaq BBs over Umera Ahmed. I am to talk when I've met only five of them. *cynical eyebrow*

Oh Well Why don't I just mention my madri-zuban pet peeves:
✏ Not enough research on the said subject, in this case the filmy suicide case study.
✏ Tying to make love eternal in some way.
✏ Too long inner monologues.
✏ Excessive use of the phrase "kan akhiyon" and "min-mina-i"(Happy?Now don't make fun of me)
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD SOMEONE USE Min-mina-i IRL?

Profile Image for Palwasha Here.
246 reviews19 followers
September 1, 2025
عمیرہ احمد سا بلا شبہ کوئی نہیں لکھ سکتا۔ میری پسندیدہ ترین (بہترین) مصنفہ عمیرہ احمد ہی ہیں۔ ان جیسا مجھے کوئی بھی نہیں لگتا، لگ ہی نہیں سکتا۔ آپ عمیرہ احمد کے ناول میں گھس تو بہت آسانی سے جاتے ہیں لیکن ان میں سے نکلنا مشکل ہوتا ہے۔ امربیل کےمعاملے میں تو ایسا ناممکن ہے۔ بہت مشہور مقولہ ہے کہ آرٹ وہ ہے جو آپ کو ڈسٹرب کر دے۔

علیزہ اور عمر کزنز ہیں۔جن کی ملاقات اکثر علیزہ کی نانو کے گھر میں ہی ہوتی ہے۔ دونوں برہکن فیملیز سے ہیں۔ دونوں کے والدین اپنی اپنی شادیاں کر کے نئی فیملیاں بنا کر نئی زندگیاں شروع کر چکے ہیں۔ جبکہ علیزہ اپنے نانا نانو کے ساتھ رہتی ہے اکثر حالات کے اتار چڑھاؤ کے باعث عمر بھی یہاں آ جایا کرتا ہے۔ عمر علیزہ سے آٹھ سال بڑا ہے۔ دونوں کافی مختلف ہیں علیزہ انٹروورٹ ہے بہت کم دوست بناتی ہے جبکہ عمر بہت فرینڈلی ہے جس کے کئی دوست ہیں۔

اس ناول کی تعریف کرنا میرے لیے بہت مشکل ہے۔ ایک ناول کیسے آپ کو اتنا کچھ محسوس کرنے، اتنے جذبات سے گزرنے پہ مجبور کر سکتا ہے۔ یہ میں نے کئی سال قبل پہلی بار پڑھا تھا لیکن ابھی تک مجھے اس کے کئی مناظر اور مکالمے یاد تھے۔ لیکن اس بار پڑھ کر جیسے میں نے اسے محسوس کیا اس کا موازنہ کسی ناول سے نہیں کیا جا سکتا۔
عمر جہانگیر۔
صاف گو، ذہین، وفادار، مقنا طیسی شخصیت کا مالک۔
کرپٹ۔
اگر آپ کو کوئی بات قائل نہ کر سکے تو بس اس شخص کی خاطر یہ ناول پڑھ لیں۔ ایسا بھی نہیں، تو عمر اور علیزہ کی دوستی کی خاطر پڑھ لیں۔ یہ ناول اس سب سے بھی کہیں بڑھ کر ہے۔ اس میں کرپشن، بیوروکریسی، طاقت اور اس کا غلط استعمال، انصاف کی کمی، کئی عناصر پہ بہت خوبصورتی سے بات کی گئی ہے۔ میں اتنے ناول پڑھ چکی ہوں لیکن اس میں جو چند ایک مناظر ہیں وہ اسقدر پر اثر ہیں یوں میرے دل پہ ثبت ہوئے کہ ان کا کوئی جواب ہی نہیں۔ یہ آپ سے کئی مشکل سوال کرے گا اور آپ کوئی ایک صاف جواب نہیں دے پائیں گے۔

اتنے سادہ انداز سے اتنی پر اثر تحریر کیسے لکھی جا سکتی ہیں میں بس حیران ہوں۔ عمیرہ احمد لمبی چوڑی بات کر کے گھما پھرا (اکثر اردو ناولوں میں ایسا ہوتا ہے کئی بہت مشہور ناولوں میں ایسا ہی ہے) کر کبھی بات نہیں کرتی ایسی تحریر کتنی بھی خوبصورت ہو میں اکتا جاتی ہوں۔ عمیرہ احمد ٹو دا پوائنٹ بات کرتی ہیں۔ اف۔ جب جب عمر جہانگیر نانو کے گھر آتا تھا۔ میں بھی علیزہ جتنی ہی خوش ہوتی تھی۔ کئی باتیں ہیں دل میں جو میں کھل کر نہیں کر سکتی کہ سپوائل نہ ہو اور میں کہنا بھی نہیں چاہتی۔ بس ابھی تک میں اس ناول سے نکل ہی نہیں سکی۔
I can't move on from Amarbail.
I can't let go of Umar Jahangir.
I don't know what to do with myself.

SPOILER AHEAD
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What's next to ecstasy (Peer e Kamil + Aab e Hayat)

Pain (Amarbail)
Profile Image for Javeria.
107 reviews30 followers
February 24, 2016
Amar Bail a love story between Umar Jehangir and Aleezay Sikandar, two broken souls from problematic families whose journeys are intertwined. Umar is the son of a corrupt bureaucrat who uses him for his own personal gain, tries to distant himself from his father by returning to Pakistan. However, there is only so much he can do, despite the control he tries to free himself. Aleezay is an only child from a broken home, forced to live with her maternal grandparents because her parent’s ‘new’ lives do not accommodate her for a long period.

I finished this last Friday and I have had a hard writing a review. There were avalanches of emotions throughout the book, emotions I still am unable to control or identify. There was also a lot to learn: how dirty politics can be, the lengths one goes through to save his own skin, how sometimes the only way to punish culprits is going against the law, and etc.

Umar is a complex character, there is no black and white, he resides in the morally grey area. There are times you want to wrap him and take him far away from the corrupt world, and others when you want to smack him silly. There is something so raw and realistic about him that despite the wrongs he committed one can’t help but still root for him.

Aleezay is a cinnamon roll, one that I’m positive everyone would want to protect. The poor girl craved for love – love she did not receive from her parents nor grandparents. They all assumed by gifting her with materialistic possessions, or calling once a month, the fulfilled their duties. Her grandparents raised her in a very closed off environment. Her whole life revolved around keeping everyone pleased; she couldn’t even think for herself – she’d always have someone’s influence in her mind.

Aleezay and Umar’s relationship was beautifully written. Aleezay’s jealousy towards Umar, Umar not letting her jealousy get in the way of their friendship, Umar helping Aleezay become her own person, Umar making talking Nano (grandmother) out of getting Aleezay married at the tender age of 17, Umar sacrificing a life they could have together (because he believes he would not have made her happy), just everything is beautifully shown. I love the woman Aleezay became with Umar’s guidance. I just wished he believed more in himself and actually gave them a chance. His fear that marriage would destroy them did not spout out of the blue, and unfortunately his fear never diminished.

What’s really heart-breaking was finding out Umar repeatedly told his friend, Junaid, that he had to marry Aleezay…well more like convinced him to meet her with the prospect of marriage. Junaid was the best man he knew and he wanted Aleezay to have the best, even if it wasn’t with him. Also, even though there were moments which lead me to believe he loves Aleezay he never outright said so. We find out at the end that he did in fact love Aleezay.

Despite my love for Umar, I still fell in love with Junaid. He truly is a great guy, and his family is also amazing. Aleezay finally received the love she had been craving for through his family and him. And, despite everything Umar did do right by her. She was likely not going to marry into such a family had it not been for Umar.

I’m not even sure what I wrote, I still have a lot of incoherent thoughts left.

PS. I read the English translation of this. I am honestly grateful that Umera had it translated.

https://booksblurbsandbeyond.wordpres...
Profile Image for Nabaa Qamar.
51 reviews4 followers
August 5, 2022
Maine aesi depressing book kabhi zindagi mai nahi parhi. :')
Profile Image for Batool✨.
39 reviews
May 17, 2023
2.5.
So this was the most depressing book in umera's collection also best book in reader's point of view but sadly I don't think it is depressing or even best book in urdu language, i think this was a bad melodrama which is passed, the only reason i am rating it 2.5 star's is because of "omar Jahangir" and a little information about bureaucracy.

MAIN REASON OF MY NOT LIKING IT:

1.FEMALE PROTAGONIST (ALEEZA SIKANDER)
I hate it when protagonist is childlike, why do we always think that every girl need a princely boy to share her emotions, feelings, and make friendship with and at last ask him to marry,
This girl aleeza she was so far from self respect and i hate such peoples.

2. WRITING
i remember reading LA-HASIL i found it so hard to close it to realize i have finished, and now reading this book i felt nothing alike this was so dramatic not a slightest reality "except death" in this book the side character "granny" she was in her 50s but her dialogues as i can recall were like a "teenage notorious girl" every single dialogue and character was out of reality.

I think Umera was having some sort of crises back then that's why she'd written such novel,

Anyway i like her writing so i will surely not compare this book with her another work.
Profile Image for Zenab Ch.
9 reviews68 followers
September 13, 2013
My first and last Urdu novel. The pain was unbearable. I'll never forget Omer! The main female character was a bit hollow, needed more depth and a clearer pov.
Profile Image for Fatima Ali.
507 reviews13 followers
August 25, 2024
THIS IS PHENOMENAL! I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN! CAPTIVATING! Uff!!

I loved everything about this book, except- Umer and Aleezah 💀
Did I enjoyed reading them? 100%
Did I love the way they’re written? Absolutely!
Did I understand them? Bilkul!

UMER JAHANGIR….
He’s one of the most different character I’ve ever read. Such complexity, such kaminapan is insane! It’s really commendable how well his character is written!
Tbh I feel bad for him, he became everything he hated in the beginning . It’s totally understandable. In the particular environment he grew up in, He was bound to turn out the way he did. He did tried to break the binds but naturally, he failed. I loved that he was pessimistic realistic, which I also am😂.
Everyone I talked with about Umer, they were really mad at him for not taking a chance with aleezah despite loving her. But- it was his only decision which made me give him an ounce of respect😭 I usually hate “he loved her enough to let her go” trope. But in this situation? I embraced it with open arms! It was really mature and brave selfless and hard decision by him. This was the best decision he could make in aleezah’s fortune.
Because when he slapped aleezah for not very good reason at that, and did not apologise to her for months! Aur jab “maafi” maangi bhi to “mein maazrat karna chahta tha”, I was like- Honey, this is not apologising! Don’t be shy-say “I am sorry, please forgive me.” Usi time It was clear that they’re not meant for each other. Their heart used to beat for each other, yes. But loving someone is not enough. Was it tragic? Yes. But did he made the right decision? Also yes.she would have been more happy without him. Even after just 1 year, she started to move on. Woh Junaid wala blunder na hota to she would have been happily married.
Why don’t I love him? He was a drinker. He was involved in interest. He Obtained haram money. Did zina, not only he did zina but he had a friend with benefits for YEARS AND YEARS!
Call me hypocrite or whatever, I’m okay with each of these things if my Main lead is a non believer. I’m not saying that my Muslim leads needs to be-haaji aur haafiz , but I draw the line for khulla haram.

ALEEZAH SIKANDAR….
Unloved.Insecure.Stupid. Delusional. Impulsive.

I think this sums up her character.
Again, I don’t have any problem with any of these qualities in her, not a single time I felt while reading her ki- bhai wtf is she doing?. Again- with her background and environment, this kind of behaviour was natural. I did not disliked her but I don’t think someone with rational thoughts would say that-“aleezah is my favourite female character of all time.”

:. For me This book is like a jigsaw puzzle. If you see individual pieces, you would not like them. But if you put it all together, you’ll find a masterpiece.🫡

Ps- even tho I knew before starting that Umer would die- I SOBBED FOR THE CORRUPTED MANIPULATIVE BASTARD😭😭
Profile Image for Minalreads.
203 reviews25 followers
May 18, 2024
While I appreciate and respect the author for writing about the evil system. Rightfully mentioning about broken families and toxic relationships highlighting all the wrongs in society. I must say I don't feel positive about umer & Alizey's relationship- or lovestory as we call it. The book is quite hyped up (emphasizing umer & Alizey's love) but disappointment is an understatement I felt while reading. The relationship between umer and alizey was just so toxic--- I couldn't breathe. Umer died (had to) and alizey ended up with Junaid (happily so) but after reading the book you can't understand what message actually Umera Baji tried to really. Because in the very last chapter she presented umer in such a positive light (contrast to character arc & all other chapters) and Alizey's feelings for him (even after knowing about his wrongdoings) I know Umera Baji thought well while writing this but today's generation isn't getting the message she tried to relay (or the message isn't getting through) I have mixed feelings for this book and I shall mention that I'm not reading this ever again. It really left me with an unwanted headache
Profile Image for Zainab Mushtaq.
42 reviews
January 18, 2017
What happened to aliza after she went out of the room in the last chapter?
Junaid said that he wanted to carry the promise he had given to his friend but aliza didn't answered him. Nor did she said a no. The end was tragic the girl who was already so hurt and always felt like an unwanted child shouldn't have deserved this. That the man she loved died. The end was weak like written in haste because the story extends in some chapters without a cause.It was a lazy story in the beginning. Then it's the best in the middle but it seems awfully dragged in the end. Only a typical bureaucratic story stone hearts and no emotions.
106 reviews1 follower
July 26, 2023
When I read a book written by a woman, I NEED the female character to be legendary, okay? And I absolutely HATED Alizay. So much that the only thing that kept me reading was the hope that she'll have some character development but No! Also Umar's character was a major red flag because in what world does one treat the person they like this way? I mean dude Man up or something!
Profile Image for Fatimamamia.
165 reviews1 follower
November 18, 2024
OK so I knew umar's gonna die before starting this book
I STILL STARTED IT
I WAS READY TO GO THROUGH THE HEART BREAK
JUST SO I CAN READ ABOUT THEIR FATED LOVE
love??there was no love, no communication, no deep heartfelt story
Nothing nada
Yea there was a lot of info abt css/officers and stuff that's pretty much it
Nothing else
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Javeria.
2 reviews7 followers
October 16, 2013
Honestly I was ripped into two halves after I read this book.The only book which will always remain close to my Heart and Soul.I just can't get over the male protagonist Omer Jahangir.<3 <\3
Profile Image for Ayesha Syed.
57 reviews14 followers
October 15, 2023
I am speechless. I haven't loved, then hated, then loved a character before. This one hits differently.
Profile Image for Haleema sadia.
12 reviews
March 8, 2015
Ok its been a long time since I read this great piece of UA .. This was my second book of her and I fell in love with it from the start...
Now its been 4 years and I have read it many times since then..
Many of its incidents are in my memory forever ...the thing is that this book gives us an insight over the lives of our elite class as well.as the those who run our government..it clearly and beautifully depicted the beaurocratic lives personal as well public...
Now coming towards the characters UA did full justice to everyone ...
My favourite character was none other then umer jahangir and in the end I cried for ages...
M still grieving his death. :'(
Profile Image for Atra.
20 reviews
September 5, 2020
I enjoyed the book overall. But the characters were very problematic. Especially the main leads. Aleezy is a weak character in my opinion, but it makes sense she is that way. Umer, on the other hand, I don't even know why he liked her. This part was very wague. Umera should have written why and how he fell in love. He was very problematic. He forced her to marry. If he didn't want to marry her, he should've just let her be. And not hide that junaid was his friend. He ruined her life, his friend's life and his own as well. The ending was tragic. But still I enjoyed it. Not a very big fan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Zubaida Qasim.
1 review
September 5, 2023
It's been ages since I started reading novels, but it took me forever to convince myself to read Amarbail, but in the end i had to read it and it just didn't manage to leave a lasting impression on me. There were like endless aspects which i found to be missing in this story and I think the writer could've done a better job with both the protagonists. She could've put a little more effort on strengthening the bond between the characters. And forgive me for this but I thought Umer's death to be the sole reason behind the hype of this novel.
Profile Image for Hina.
75 reviews111 followers
September 9, 2018
Am I the only person who did not like this book? Like AT ALL! The story in my opinion had no basis.. I mean I have no idea where it was going and what to take from it. The characters were dull.. ofcourse the only saving grace was Omar Jahangir. The only reason I read and finished this book. Avoid.
Profile Image for Ambreen Abbasi.
9 reviews33 followers
November 3, 2012
te preface says it all can't help falling in love with that one character
Profile Image for emeown.
44 reviews
November 27, 2024
Let's start with the plot first. Y'all know what this book is about and all the things that were discussed in the book is what we are also seeing in our life every other day. The elites will do anything just to protect their reputation. You will never get justice if your fight is against someone at a high post or elites, even if you are also an elite. When I started this book there was a girl r*ped in a college and that whole situation was really similar to Alizeh's harrasment case. The only difference was Umer and Abbas killed the harrassers because they knew that they will never get punished if they don't kill them. I loved the plot, Umerah didn't romanticise Umer And Alizeh at all, which is the best thing about this book if you ask me. Every single scene in the book was there for a reason. There were no useless details whatsoever.


Now let's talk about the characters.

Umer Jahangir grew up alone in boarding after his parent's divorce. He was attached to his mother as a child but as an adult he didn't even want to meet her. Why? because his so-called dad doesn't let him meet her. His dad tries to control every single thing in his life and if he doesn't listen to him he will threaten to destroy his career. It is mentioned that he drinks in the book after his dad tortures him so they are basically his escape. One of his sister committed suicide because of his dad too. Do I still like him? Yes I think. I can't hate him just because he slaped Alizeh or whatever other reason. He is one of the most traumatised character I have ever read and he didn't hurt Alizeh because he was traumatised. The way he cared for her and was always there for her was so beautiful. He was the only person who would destroy himself just to save her. You hust have to read to see how much he cared for those he loved. Did he force Junaid on her? No, She said yes herself after meeting him. Did he force Alizeh on Junaid? He was making up his mind for years that he should only marry Alizeh but at the end of the day Junaid was a grownup and mature he wouldn't just marry her if he didn't like her only because Umer said so. Umer chose the perfect person for her. It was a shock to me too but Alizeh and Junaid had chemistry and very cute scenes too and I believe they will live a great life together. I really wish he didn't have a physical relationship with Judith.

I don't have alot to say about Alizeh because she wasn't so complicated. I liked her character development. She annoyed me as a teenager but it's a very common thing in teenagers that they will consider a friend their own property but it makes perfect sense for her to be like this. She did make foolish and impulsive decisions even as an adult but she is a human after all and this book wasn't about perfect characters


Junaid was my FAVOURITE. He was a gentleman. His scenes were so fun to read and even knowing she loved Umer he was ready to marry her. I really liked how Alizeh and Junaid both shared all the things between them before getting married so there won't be any misunderstandings in future. That was such a mature decision from both sides. I ship Alizeh and Junaid. This book isn't some unrealistic book where if you don't get the person you love you will just waste away your whole life for that person. I am not a fan of such books, I have seen people in real life doing this and they get so alone in old age after all the siblings are married and parents are dead so the best thing is move on. Emotional attachment is too strong anyways. ✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
14 reviews
December 25, 2023
"Ugh, I've never had so much to write about a book. I'm not heavy on criticism, but I was expecting a lot from this book since Peer e Kamil was the BEST BOOK EVER. I don't know what there was to cry for. Yes, the very last scene did disturb me a little, but I still didn't cry. OMG, I don't like the main characters. The girl was shown so immature that it annoyed me. Throughout the novel, I was expecting some kind of hint of love from Omar, but there was none. It seemed one-sided. The writer should have added Omar's point of view for a better understanding of this 'love.' If someone wants to read romance, don't pick this book, but if you want to read about how corruption and broken families are damaging, then this book absolutely does justice. I feel the story could have been written in a better way and in fewer pages because it was in 1000 WHAT?? (in e-reader). I was hooked, I won't deny, because I was really curious about how the story would turn, but it was the same series of scenes repeating, and the ending WAS FORESEEN."
9 reviews5 followers
June 11, 2016
Love it to bits and pieces. From the very first to the very last page i was overwhelmed. It was like riding a emotional roller coaster, and the ending gave me so much pain that i would never dare to read it again but this story is never going to cut and run from me, felt like a reality. The protagonist Umer Jehangir: is an unbeatable character in full literature !!


ہم کہ دشتِ جہاں کو آباد کیے بیٹھے ہیں
آرزوئے یار کو اب خاک کیے بیٹھے ہیں

خواب کے تار سے خواہش کو رفو کرتے
دامنِ دل کو اب چاک کیے بیٹھے ہیں

کاش وہ آئے جلائے یہاں کو ئی چراغ
دل کے دربار کو ہم طاق کیے بیٹھے ہیں۔
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