Take a photo of a barcode or cover
bookreviewsbyaimy 's review for:
White World
by Saad T. Farooqi
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
White World by Saad T. Farooqi is a gripping dystopian novel set in a fractured, war-torn Pakistan. As a Pakistani reader, I was genuinely excited to read a story that tackles dystopian themes in a setting that feels so close to home—something we don’t often see in speculative fiction. And I have to say, I nearly fainted when I received a free signed copy of the book—huge thanks to Cormorant Books for such an amazing surprise!
The story follows Avaan, a young man navigating a brutal regime and the moral compromises that come with simply trying to survive. The world Farooqi builds is stark and unrelenting, and the writing pulls you into a reality that feels both dystopian and disturbingly plausible.
One of the standout elements of the book is the character development. Avaan’s internal conflict and transformation are central to the narrative—he changes as the world pushes him, breaks him, and reshapes him. But at the same time, I found myself wishing there was a bit more hope, or at least a redeemable quality in his character. The bleakness is powerful, but it also left me emotionally heavy by the end, craving even a small flicker of light in all the darkness.
That said, White World is a bold and thought-provoking novel. It challenges readers with uncomfortable truths and deep moral questions, especially relevant in today’s world. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of power, violence, and survival, this is a book that will stay with you.
White World by Saad T. Farooqi is a gripping dystopian novel set in a fractured, war-torn Pakistan. As a Pakistani reader, I was genuinely excited to read a story that tackles dystopian themes in a setting that feels so close to home—something we don’t often see in speculative fiction. And I have to say, I nearly fainted when I received a free signed copy of the book—huge thanks to Cormorant Books for such an amazing surprise!
The story follows Avaan, a young man navigating a brutal regime and the moral compromises that come with simply trying to survive. The world Farooqi builds is stark and unrelenting, and the writing pulls you into a reality that feels both dystopian and disturbingly plausible.
One of the standout elements of the book is the character development. Avaan’s internal conflict and transformation are central to the narrative—he changes as the world pushes him, breaks him, and reshapes him. But at the same time, I found myself wishing there was a bit more hope, or at least a redeemable quality in his character. The bleakness is powerful, but it also left me emotionally heavy by the end, craving even a small flicker of light in all the darkness.
That said, White World is a bold and thought-provoking novel. It challenges readers with uncomfortable truths and deep moral questions, especially relevant in today’s world. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of power, violence, and survival, this is a book that will stay with you.