The Rahma Awards 2019

Take Three: Shadows And Shades

Resident Reviewer, Miss Nusi ( @nooceeH ) is back with another review, this time with an important message, Ma Shaa Allah! Enjoy! ❤️

This review will be the last one for this year. In Shaa Allah, we'll be starting with the interviews in the next part, we can't wait to share the precious answers your favourite authors / poets have given! ✨

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Book: In My Sister's Shadow (Book 1)

Author: SN Mughal (@The_Night_Writer)

Title: 5/5

Cover: 7/10

Description: 8/10

Plot: 19/20

Grammar: 5/5

Rating: 44/50

Total marks: 74/100

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Disclaimer:

This review, even though it is from my own point of view, doesn't precisely depict what I think of In My Sister's Shadow because:

1)Three chapters, which are essential to the plot and also make up 10% of the story; chapters 8, 9 and 10 aren't available so I wasn't able to read them.

2) The story didn't end in book 1; and this review is only based on it.

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SN Mughal began In My Sister's Shadow in a manner which would surely make you hold your breath unknowingly.

The book tells the story of Zohra Zafar, who had to step into her dead sisters shoes by marrying her husband in order to take care of her kids.

Even though she was introduced as an adult, the reader would nonetheless be well acquainted with her childhood. Her soft, kind and accepting heart which never hardened as she walks through life and vice versa, is inspiring. The pain of an older sibling who has always been and even gotten used to being regarded as the ugly duckling who is never good enough is embodied in Zohra, which as a result wreaked havoc on her self esteem, confidence and self-perception.

In My Sister's Shadow is an intriguing read, even though there isn't much mushy romance, the realness of the plot would likely keep even those looking for mushiness hooked.

The mystery/thriller is about selflessness and family which is a relatively rare theme to find among Muslim stories on Wattpad.

The plot steadily gained momentum as it addresses issues like difficult childhood experiences, mental health and psychological issues, marriage, infidelity and friendship while simultaneously staying true to the mystery surrounding it, reaching a climax at the very end of the book, mind you, it is book 1 of the plot.

Besides Zohra, other characters played a major role in the plot; the stubborn Zayn, who is also full of issues and of course, Zeenat; the interesting one both in life and death.

In addition to catching yourself having a good laugh or letting out a giggle while reading, you are likely to grasp new knowledge and insights, such as why some people engage in self harm, the british-desi way of life, dealing with and raising children and a great deal of British vocabulary.

The first chapter which for every book, is of ultimate essence would have been more gripping had it been that the description revealed less information- so, read the description at your own risk- if you don't really mind spoilers that is.

Even though the characters have their own flaws, Islam was not accurately depicted to some extent; In aspects regarding funeral rites and mourning- some bid'ah was portrayed. Also, shaking hands with a brother-in-law (by a female) was portrayed as a normal thing.

The fact that some of the chapters contain strong words, explicit language and mature scenes should be well taken note of. The scenes, though not too explicit and with the author placing a trigger warning at the beginning of almost all the respective chapters, won't be read comfortably by most Muslim readers; yes, they are that huge of a put off. I felt greatly discouraged from reading further because I didn't want to come across something similar in the following chapters again.

Muslim authors, in the bid to write romance should not get carried away and write haram stuff, which consequently would bring Allah's wrath upon them and as well cause fitnah for their readers. I mean we seek to read books about Muslim characters because we want relate to them and gain inspiration but we need to also lower our gazes and keep our imaginations pure even when we read- in order to avoid the filth and fitnah other books written by some non-muslim authors contain. So, imagine finding a really good Muslim story just to come across things you are purposely trying to avoid in other books... Disappointing, right?

Muslim writers should strive to not write things that would likely corrupt imaginations. I mean, sometimes it might be very crucial to depict things in a story but it is very possible to portray them in a very mild way; passing the message across without being too explicit about it.

There is already a scarcity of Muslim stories, and good Muslim writers are relatively rare as well but with Wattpad providing the opportunity, Muslim writers should keep in mind that their talent is also an amanah, so, they should strive to gain the pleasure of Allah through it.

To describe how I enjoyed reading the new adult story, I would rate it as a 30 out of 50.

Save for the parts I wish I hadn't come across, I can say that In My Sister's Shadow is an interesting read, which is worth every scroll.

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Jazakillahu khairan Nusi for the worthy insight on how to minimise and write (any sort of) mature content to avoid getting ourselves involved in unnecessary thoughts. That is indeed one of the most important key points a Muslim author needs to integrate in their writing. Agreed. 

[Written by: @nooceeH (Nusi), edited by: @writer_muslimah (Jasmin A.)]