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mjspice's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Most of the stories aren't what I would consider scary except for Dead Lovers on Each Blade, Hung and In the Ruins of Moenjodaro. If anything they seem to be a mix of thriller and philosophy. I think the author should've also added his other stories too, notabl Laal Aandhi which is one of his scariest. Maybe there's a rights issue Idk.
Anyhow TL;DR if you're looking for diverse stories from Pakistan then do read this. Will also recommend the aforementioned Laal Andhi, City of Red Midnight, The Pauper Prince and the Eucalyptus Jinn and #Spring Love, #Pichal Pairi
Anyhow TL;DR if you're looking for diverse stories from Pakistan then do read this. Will also recommend the aforementioned Laal Andhi, City of Red Midnight, The Pauper Prince and the Eucalyptus Jinn and #Spring Love, #Pichal Pairi
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Cursing, Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Mental illness, Murder, Animal death, and Torture
ridaakhtar_'s review against another edition
3.0
Wonderfully curated. Loved how Usman incorporated so much 'youth' in his structuring. Every story has a tale to tell, i loved Imagining a Lahore that floats.
a2412z's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This book was absolutely horrifying and blood-curling. It was terrifying and raw it made my skin crawl. My favourite story is Ishq, but they were all very beautifully written. The prose is so stunning.
I don't ever read this genre of books, what made me pick it up was its cover (not this one, but a stunning illustrated cover with a black background, characters drawn in colours of a fiery sunset and an accent colour of purple. It's gorgeous!!!)
I don't ever read this genre of books, what made me pick it up was its cover (not this one, but a stunning illustrated cover with a black background, characters drawn in colours of a fiery sunset and an accent colour of purple. It's gorgeous!!!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
kaneekakapur's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This is a set of 7 short stories which combine the supernatural with the ordinary.
ghazalshaykh's review against another edition
4.0
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This little collection of enchanting tales morbidly mesmerized me.
Reading ghost stories set in Pakistan is definitely something rare, especially when it consists of supernatural ideas other than djinns. Malik proved that there is no limit to one's imagination by creating mysterious cities, ancient deities haunting contemporary Pakistan and sinister magic.
Reading 'Ishq' felt like a victorian tale set in Lahore. The imagery is simply beautiful and provacative. I like how Malik through supernatural fables touched on the social issues of Pakistan like terrorism, religious conflicts, heroinichies, orphans and widows. Malik presented the realistic Pakistan merging with Supernaturalism. Some stories only touched on the different supernatural notions, however the longer ones lingered in the setting and developing characters, making them more interesting. The Wondering City, Dead lovers on Each Blade, Hung and In the Ruins of Mohenjo Daro, are few of my favs, not because of their length, but the sensuous style of prose, and development of supernatural mystery in each of the tales were so dazzling that could hook you till the end.
Recommended anyone who has read Charles Dickens, and H.p Lovecraft. Same grotesque elements but in Pakistan.
This little collection of enchanting tales morbidly mesmerized me.
Reading ghost stories set in Pakistan is definitely something rare, especially when it consists of supernatural ideas other than djinns. Malik proved that there is no limit to one's imagination by creating mysterious cities, ancient deities haunting contemporary Pakistan and sinister magic.
Reading 'Ishq' felt like a victorian tale set in Lahore. The imagery is simply beautiful and provacative. I like how Malik through supernatural fables touched on the social issues of Pakistan like terrorism, religious conflicts, heroinichies, orphans and widows. Malik presented the realistic Pakistan merging with Supernaturalism. Some stories only touched on the different supernatural notions, however the longer ones lingered in the setting and developing characters, making them more interesting. The Wondering City, Dead lovers on Each Blade, Hung and In the Ruins of Mohenjo Daro, are few of my favs, not because of their length, but the sensuous style of prose, and development of supernatural mystery in each of the tales were so dazzling that could hook you till the end.
Recommended anyone who has read Charles Dickens, and H.p Lovecraft. Same grotesque elements but in Pakistan.