The Candle and the Flame
Buy Now
By using these links, you support READO. We receive an affiliate commission without any additional costs to you.
Description
Book Information
Posts
Changing from 3.5 to 4 stars, because even though this book has its flaws, I really enjoyed reading it. I had a good time and was happy every time I opened it again. And I also considered that this is Nafiza Azad’s debut, and I don’t expect perfection from a debut. But I have to admit that this book just might not be for everyone. If you like fast, plot heavy books, this is definitely not for you. If you like something more slowly, relaxing from time to time and enjoy a beautiful setting and atmosphere filled with culture, religion, and the themes of family and friendship, I would recommend this book to you. Would I only rate the setting, the atmosphere and the world building, it would have been easily 5 stars. A soon as you start reading, you ARE in this world. In my head I saw all the colours, the flowers, all the places in the city of Noor, the food. I can't say much about the accuracy of the Muslim / Hindu representation, but I just assume that it is accurate, and I loved the fact that so much of it was in this book, I feel as though I learned something from it and it made the whole setting so credible. I loved the fact that, in Noor, people of all cultures and religions live peacefully together. I wish that could be possible in our world too. The friendship and the portrayal of family in this book was amazing. The fact that you don’t have to be genetically related to be a family was, in my opinion, a huge part of this book. The friendship between the three sisters and Fatima Ghazala was so heart-warming, in the beginning seemingly a little superficial, but soon the depth of it shows. And it was all written beautifully. Azad portrays women as strong, independent, with their one valid wishes and decisions, not by making it seem forced, but rather totally normal. The feminist theme was subtle but noticeable. Now to some aspects I didn’t like. The story was really slow. And I just feel like not much happened. I think it had more potential. Another thing I disliked was the enormous change in the main character. I understand the thought behind the change, but it was just too much. From one moment to the other she’s a completely different person, even fighting better than the trained guards of the royal family. It was just too big of a change in too short a time. I was very intrigued by the concept of the djinn, but I would’ve wished we got more of it. More ineraction with different Ifrits and more background stories and I don't know, just a little bit more. It’s definitely a world concept I would want to read more about. I didn’t like the development of the romance. Although there were a few good scenes, overall it was too fast and sometimes a bit cringy, especially towards the end of the book. And lastly, sometimes the characters were too annoying, too naïve, too blind, and a little bit stupid in regard of their decisions. It just lessened the characters credibility. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I think I would read it again in the future. Nafiza Azad gave us a good debut and I hope to read more from her.
Description
Book Information
Posts
Changing from 3.5 to 4 stars, because even though this book has its flaws, I really enjoyed reading it. I had a good time and was happy every time I opened it again. And I also considered that this is Nafiza Azad’s debut, and I don’t expect perfection from a debut. But I have to admit that this book just might not be for everyone. If you like fast, plot heavy books, this is definitely not for you. If you like something more slowly, relaxing from time to time and enjoy a beautiful setting and atmosphere filled with culture, religion, and the themes of family and friendship, I would recommend this book to you. Would I only rate the setting, the atmosphere and the world building, it would have been easily 5 stars. A soon as you start reading, you ARE in this world. In my head I saw all the colours, the flowers, all the places in the city of Noor, the food. I can't say much about the accuracy of the Muslim / Hindu representation, but I just assume that it is accurate, and I loved the fact that so much of it was in this book, I feel as though I learned something from it and it made the whole setting so credible. I loved the fact that, in Noor, people of all cultures and religions live peacefully together. I wish that could be possible in our world too. The friendship and the portrayal of family in this book was amazing. The fact that you don’t have to be genetically related to be a family was, in my opinion, a huge part of this book. The friendship between the three sisters and Fatima Ghazala was so heart-warming, in the beginning seemingly a little superficial, but soon the depth of it shows. And it was all written beautifully. Azad portrays women as strong, independent, with their one valid wishes and decisions, not by making it seem forced, but rather totally normal. The feminist theme was subtle but noticeable. Now to some aspects I didn’t like. The story was really slow. And I just feel like not much happened. I think it had more potential. Another thing I disliked was the enormous change in the main character. I understand the thought behind the change, but it was just too much. From one moment to the other she’s a completely different person, even fighting better than the trained guards of the royal family. It was just too big of a change in too short a time. I was very intrigued by the concept of the djinn, but I would’ve wished we got more of it. More ineraction with different Ifrits and more background stories and I don't know, just a little bit more. It’s definitely a world concept I would want to read more about. I didn’t like the development of the romance. Although there were a few good scenes, overall it was too fast and sometimes a bit cringy, especially towards the end of the book. And lastly, sometimes the characters were too annoying, too naïve, too blind, and a little bit stupid in regard of their decisions. It just lessened the characters credibility. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I think I would read it again in the future. Nafiza Azad gave us a good debut and I hope to read more from her.