Review: Written in the Stars by Aisha Saeed.

Book: Written in the Stars

Author: Aisha Saeed

Pages: 277

Read On:  My iPad

How long it took me to read: 1 day

Plot Summary: This heart-wrenching novel explores what it is like to be thrust into an unwanted marriage. Has Naila’s fate been written in the stars? Or can she still make her own destiny?

Naila’s conservative immigrant parents have always said the same thing: She may choose what to study, how to wear her hair, and what to be when she grows up—but they will choose her husband. Following their cultural tradition, they will plan an arranged marriage for her. And until then, dating—even friendship with a boy—is forbidden. When Naila breaks their rule by falling in love with Saif, her parents are livid. Convinced she has forgotten who she truly is, they travel to Pakistan to visit relatives and explore their roots. But Naila’s vacation turns into a nightmare when she learns that plans have changed—her parents have found her a husband and they want her to marry him, now! Despite her greatest efforts, Naila is aghast to find herself cut off from everything and everyone she once knew. Her only hope of escape is Saif . . . if he can find her before it’s too late.

General Thoughts: I first heard of this book when it first came out a few months ago, the premise sounded interesting and forced marriages is something I find so awful and heart-breaking but intriguing to read about. I meant to read this book then but life happened and I sorta forgot about it. :( 

I was reminded of it recently and got it on my iPad to read it. 

Things I Liked:

1. I enjoyed the writing of this book and the story telling style and it had me gripped from the very beginning. I couldn't put it down. I started reading it at 2 am and it had me hooked till 5 am! 

2. The basic premise is something I am very intrigued to read about. Forced marriages are sadly a reality for so many young girls across the globe. I find it infuriating how parents turn on their kids. How the people who raise you and are supposed to love you best could turn your life into a nightmare! And for what? In the name of tradition and family honour?!  I don't understand why you'd want to raise your kids in the West but still want to them to intrinsically Eastern and traditional in their outlook? Raise Western children but want them to make old-fashioned marriages to total strangers! 

3. Naila is a great central character to get to know. Her whole journey is intensely gripping and engaging and you feel like you are right there with her. You root for her. You want her to get out of the mess that her life is turning into. 

4. The love between Saif and Naila is also heart-warming and feels genuine. 

5. I also loved the Pakistan bits of the story, the village life, the large extended family...all of it was nice. 

6. I particularly loved the bond between Naila and Selma. Cousins who've never met before form such a strong bond. 

7. This book is hardcore, it doesn't shy away from tough and difficult issues and stays true to the story and issue. It shows the brutality that is sometimes a part of stories like this, for a YA book to tackle this so well was wonderful. 

8. Naila's life in her in-laws home was shown so well, the tension and apprehension she feels is captured so well. Also her relationship with her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law is shown well. 

9. The relationship between Naila and Amin (her husband) was sometimes a tough thing to read...tense, awkward and yet tender at times. It was done well and it felt real. 

10. The ending also satisfactory.  It showed us a little bit into the future and it felt like it was real. 

Rating: 4/5

I really enjoyed this book. It was sad and heavy at times and there are some mentions of violence so keep that in mind if you  pick this book up!