Book: Saria Zariwala is Afraid
Author: Shabnam Minawalla
Pages: 356
Read: Paperback edition (kindly sent for review by HarperCollins India; thoughts and opinions are entirely, honestly mine)
Read in: ~4 hours
Plot Summary: Saira is thrilled about getting her own phone. What she's not so thrilled about is that most of the messages that arrive on it are for somebody called Akaash. As the messages get stranger, Saira's irritation gives way to curiosity. Who is Akaash? How has he disappeared so entirely that even his friends and family don't know where he is? Is he connected with the horrors that the police have unearthed in a fancy Mumbai building?
Saira and her friends decide to play detective. But the light-hearted adventure soon turns dark and sinister. Someone is watching their every move. Someone thinks Saira knows much more than she does. Someone has killed once and is willing to kill again. Curiosity killed the cat. Will it kill Saira?
Things I Liked:
1. I had read and enjoyed What Maya Saw by Shabnam Minawalla in the past and so, when someone from the HarperCollins India team reached out to me asking if I would like a review copy of the author's next book, I immediately said yes! The premise of Saira Zariwala is Afraid sounded really interesting- a new phone number leading to a mysterious vanishing of a guy called Akaash and some really nasty people seemed to be looking for him! What is not to like?! The book grabs you from the very first chapter and only gets more and more interesting as it goes along!
2. The mystery at the core of the book is a very interesting and highly realistic, relatable one. 15-year-old Saira gets a new phone and a new phone number. From the moment she switches it on and installs WhatsApp, she starts getting messages from people asking after a certain Akaash, who seems to have vanished without a trace! Whilst some friends are concerned about Akaash, there is a mysterious person, who is sending Akaash and, later, Saira, threatening messages! So, who is this Akaash? Why has he vanished without a trace? Who is this mysterious person who wants "it", whatever "it" is, from Akaash and assumes Saira has it?! All very interesting stuff!
3. Our protagonist, Saira Zariwala, is very likeable and not-at-all annoying! She is bright, a little anxious, resourceful and just a little shy. She has battled anxiety and panic attacks in the past and through the course of this book, even when threatened very directly by the mysterious 'Listener', she manages to overcome her fears and go on with her investigation. Also, Saira makes lists! We love anyone, who makes lists! We get to see Saira's relationships with her family and her close friends, who help her with the investigation in many ways. I really enjoyed Saira's voice and personality!
4. The investigation undertaken by Saira and her friends was very realistic in the sense that it was the kind of social media snooping that teenagers can very easily do. There was none of that following someone in a car or other such unrealistic shenanigans! I really appreciate books featuring amateur sleuths where the investigation stays real and within the purview of what real people can realistically do!
5. The actual mystery is very, very nicely done and is not-at-all predictable. I'd guessed one of the perpetrators but the other one was a nice little surprise! Plus, don't want to spoil the book, but there is an element of the paranormal, which is also very nicely done!
Things I Didn't Like: Nothing at all!
Rating: 5/5
Thought this book is targeted at teenagers, I am sure even "grownups" will really enjoy it!
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