"How can a rose which has never been watered be blamed for wilting?"

This book has just reminded me of how much I enjoy slow paced books, where I can take my time to absorb the story and enjoy the characters development without the feeling of being rushed to the ending.

This book has been gifted to me by my dear friend @sonamreads She introduced me to the beautiful author @pages_pen_heena who has accompanied me during the reading journey which made it much more fun.

The book is mostly about the Kashmir conflict. Represented by Noor and Reva, the main characters, the story showed how people and families from each party have been affected as a result of this conflict in many different ways. Following Noor and Reva's stories, digging up their pasts to find answers was something worth reading and so perfectly written. Not to mention how historically informative the book was.

Besides the book being so deep and heavy, as a mystery fan, I enjoyed the mysterious part of it. A lot of secrets being revealed and a lot of jaw-dropping plot twists are there. The author also addressed and put a spotlight on a lot of things that I admired and appreciated such as the effect of anxiety, Bullying, women rights, and how childhood has an effect on one's adulthood. I can't believe this is Heena's debut. The writing is amazing and you can definitely feel the effort the author has put into the book. I can't wait to read her upcoming books. And thanks to her, Kashmir is now on my travel bucket list.

By: Sara Adnan
Jordan | Dubai
Art & Pilate Instructor

"Every story decides for itself the time to be told."

What a book! It is hard for me to believe this is a debut novel. The writing is so mature and powerful. It is a story of two girls- Noor and Reva scouting for their roots. Noor, living in Spain, embarks on a quest for her real home, and Reva, a beautiful girl from an orphanage in New Delhi, is on an unfaltering hunt for her family. It is beautiful to witness how their paths cross, these two girls who are driven by desperate compulsion in pursuit of their roots.

I love how the book progresses. Keeping an audience hooked with a timeline this complex, is not an easy thing and the author has done a wonderful job. The transitions are smooth and seamless. As you keep flipping the pages, you find yourself wanting more. It is amazing how the author throws light on so many burning issues around us- PTSD, marital rape, inequality in employment opportunities and remuneration, and communal discrimination (check for trigger warnings).

It will keep you hooked from the start. The author got me from the very first page when I read these beautiful lines by Rumi - There is a candle in your heart, ready to be kindled There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled. You feel it, don't you? In the end, I would just like to say that this is not just any book, the words written have the power to seep deep into your heart, and be etched there forever. These words will live with you till eternity and beyond.

I can't recommend this book enough. The pen is indeed the mightiest sword, Heena, I hope you realize that you have created a masterpiece. The world will know it soon for sure.

By: Shaleen Mishra
India | Lucknow
Civil Judge

“Listen to the song of the reed, how it wails with the pain of separation.”

In his poem Song of the Reed, Rumi reflects on the yearning of the soul to return to where it came from. Inspired by the poem, SOTR is about two women Reva and Noor tracing their roots and trying to find their identity. Reva grew up in an orphanage in Delhi, worked her way to become a journalist but the longing for her lost family never escaped her. Noor lives with her Kashmiri parents in Spain but gets the feeling of not belonging with them as she grows up. Though coming from different parts of the world with lives pole apart, their stories are beautifully intertwined.

The primary theme of the book is conflict ridden Kashmir and its everlasting impact on all Kashmiri people irrespective of their religion. Heena Singhal has done an admirable job of dealing with a very sensitive issue in an extremely delicate manner. As the book progresses, we witness immense character development of Reva and Noor, making the story more compelling. The story goes back and forth between the two, never giving away too much and leaving us wanting to read more.

The thing I love most about this book is its vivid narration, painting a clear picture of what the author has envisioned. I took my own sweet time, indulging with this gem because this one is not to be rushed but to be absorbed like poetry. I would definitely recommend this book because it has a lot to offer, with something for everyone.

By: Sonam Verma Chauhan
India | Dubai
English Language Teacher