Forbidden Love

The Secret Sky by Atia Abawi

Back before Christmas, I won a flash challenge on the SHSU Library Science Facebook page because I said Fitzwilliam Darcy was my book boyfriend, and this is the book I won. I must say, I am so glad this is the book that was sent to me because I couldn't put it down.

The story takes place in Afghanistan and is told by three people: Fatima, Samuillah, and Rashid. All three grew up together. Sami and Rashid are cousins, but Rashid is incredibly jealous of Sami. He will do anything to bring Sami down, and show his family that he is better. When he finds Sami and Fatima alone together in the woods, he finds his chance. Even though they were doing nothing wrong, it is against Afghani custom for women of a certain age to be alone with a man unless they are married.

Rashid brings this information to the fathers of both teens, and Sami tries to make it right, asking to marry Fatima. Unfortunately, he makes it worse. Fatima's mother thinks Fatima is better off dead, and does horrible things to her. Sami and Fatima are in love, and run off to get married. Rashid, unhappy that Sami hasn't been punished enough, brings the situation to the local Taliban. This is not a good situation.

One can only hope for a happy ending for Sami and Fatima. I won't ruin it for you, and tell you what happens. Trust me though, this is so worth the read. There are instances of violence and brutality, but I think they are necessary in order for the reader to understand what it is really like to live in Afghanistan.