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Reviewed by Afifa Raisa for Readers' Favorite
Vultures in the House of Silence: The Servants, Book 1 by A. R. Latif tells the story of Khurafa, a young boy from Baghdad. While dealing with the loss of his parents following the Mongol invasion of Baghdad, Khurafa starts having bizarre dreams involving serpents. Shaykh Nariman, his scholarly mentor, interprets them as the re-emergence of the Servants. These nine powerful sorcerers wish to resurrect the Ad and Thamud, two Arab tribes destroyed by God for their evil ways. Khurafa, with his power to detect divine blessings, soon finds Zakiyya, a girl who can read minds. The two children, with Shaykh Nariman, embark on a journey to find saints and holy warriors, hoping to stop the Servants from taking over the world.
A. R. Latif’s Vultures in the House of Silence, narrated mostly from Khurafa's point of view, is a unique and captivating story of bravery and perseverance. The title, cover, and start made a good first impression, and the book just kept getting better. I loved the banter between Zakiyya and Khurafa; it is amazing how they fought side by side despite their differences. Shahid, one of the warriors they find on their way, is an interesting blend of heroism and mildness, and he is one of the characters I enjoyed the most. I also liked how the author appreciated art and beauty throughout the story. He effectively showed how true piety comes with grace and serenity. I recommend this book to readers aged ten and above.
