It took me a day to collect my thoughts on this book to write a review. Every time, I read a book with a dark setting I always find comfort in the fact that it is not reality, that it is fiction. But with this book, every page I turned, I was reminded that this was reality, that this happened to a woman somewhere in some part of the world, and was a stark reminder that it is taking place right now to other women as I write this. "For was it not verily true that stealing was a sin, and killing was a sin, and defaming the honour of a woman was a sin, and injustice was a sin, and beating another human being was a sin" Religious men uplifting their religion by preaching out their religion teachings yet committing the very same things that their supposed religion is against. Firdaus' uncle, a Sheikh, whose job it is to preach God's words and teachings also touching his niece inappropriately and raping his wife. Firdaus' father going to pray everyday and being the ever so pious and religious man while beating his wife, committing fraud, starving his children. Although I am aware of how women are treated in religious countries, this book once again reminds me of the atrocities men commit against women in such countries as the country law allows them to simply because they are "men".