A Muslim Thriller Novel - NAMELESS SOLDIERS

[layla313]

Selam!

I stumbled upon a new novel by some indie author on Instagram with a Muslim protagonist. It sounded interesting and there was (is currently) a special promo so the ebook costed only $1! So I bought it with zero expectations and actually read it in one go! It was well written, bits of poetry, really suspenseful with a good story. The book offered several spiritual insights for myself, like why do I worship Allah? What's actual reason? What drives me? Where is the love? And it also motivated me to do something with my life !

There are some books with Muslim characters or Muslim settings, but the main character in this novel, his "super power" is being a believer with truthful spiritual dreams! And his name is Ali! And he fights for Imam Mahdi! 

I'm not aware of any other author who have mixed technology and religion in this way. Highly recommended! The realistic spiritualism reminded of Paulo Coelho in some ways, minus the sci-fi/tech of course.

I'd love to discuss it if anyone read it!

Available as paperback and ebook/Kindle:
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NKW87M3
Apple iBooks: http://itunes.apple.com/book/id1452278832

Quote

 

E.N. Clay’s debut novel NAMELESS SOLDIERS is a page-turning romantic thriller merging the physical and spiritual worlds in the most unexpected course of events.

Ali, a regular student and a skilled hacker, wakes up one night after yet another powerful disturbing dream. He is a member of the NSI, a group of believers preparing for the End of Times. Ali's dream spurs him to alter the world's military scene by undertaking a perilous hacking operation that no one has ever pulled off. Hidden from the mundane eye, evil forces of Djinn and their allies try to stop him and the NSI.

As Ali attempts to execute Operation Griffin, Nora - the girl harassed at school for her edgy hijab, and the mystical Layla - who hints at his dreams with her poems, emotionally distracts him. Will Ali make it in time before the security agency catches him? Will his dreams set their effect on the world? Or will the Dark Forces succeed with their demonic plot?

 

 

Edited February 15, 2019 by layla313
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[Hameedeh]

1 hour ago, layla313 said:

I'd love to discuss it if anyone read it!

Available as paperback and ebook/Kindle:
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NKW87M3
Apple iBooks: http://itunes.apple.com/book/id1452278832

Salam. I am reading the "Look Inside" at amazon and love the way the book starts! See the image below:

[AMR5]

Thanks for the recommendation. After reading your post, I ordered my paper copy. I’ll post my comments here and at Amazon once I read it. With paperback buy, I suppose I get the Kindle access for free. 

Also a related ShiaChat MAGA suggestion, since we get neat book recommendations here every once in a while, maybe create a ‘Shia Chat Reading List’ post, pin it to the top, and consolidate all book recommendation threads into it. This way these won’t be pushed down with other threads. @notme, @Hameedeh

[H.J]

Salam Leyla313! 

I have been obsessed with this book ever since I found it! I am so happy you stumbled across this excellent piece of writing as well and would love to discuss it with you (and anyone else up for it.) 

I started reading it at 2 am with heavy eyelids expecting to barely get through the first chapter. But, just like you, I couldn’t put the book down, finished it in one go and had this massive energy boost afterwards. (The adrenaline was at such a high I could have probably cracked myself some hulk moves aswell lol) 

Lovely to read a bit of your thoughts on the book. I recognise the questions that it invoked in you, similar ones have been in a constant repeat in my mind as well. 

In relation to the aspect of love, I especially resonated with the way in which love to the Imam was expressed and how Alis love evolved throughout the course of the book. I think we often find ourselves transcending into spirtuality through outwardly/wordly means that have been taught to us. We forget to recognise the inward aspect of worship, one that is capable of attaining a love similair to the depth that the poems of the character Layla holds.

Started thinking what has gone wrong in my actions/behaviour that has limited me to a love which is spoken of in whispers but never seen in loud actions. How different would my life be if I had a yearning type love for the Imam? How should one go about to practically attain such a sought for relation? 

I am also very interested to hear your thoughts on the whole phenomena of ”the nameless soldiers”, do you think anything similair exists, or that it should exist/in what way should exist? 

Thats just some of my rought draft reflections (have like a million more of them but lets start of somewhat ”lightly” for the sake of not making this post longer than the actual novel and for already having to apologise for its length lol)

[layla313]

Selam!

the first time I heard of "Nameless soldiers" was some division in Iran that managed to land a plane and capture a terrorist. I think they also were behind the hack that landed the US drone. when I heard on the news what they called themselves, I found it exotic, mythical, mystical. "here is a group of people who work anonymously for their Imam" - I thought/think that is inspiring. then I heard it in the book and I understood the concept seems to be spreading, groups of believers organizing and working for their Imam in foreign countries. 

the beauty of it all is the pivot that the fight circles around: the love for the Imam - which was also pretty central in the book. it felt so real, authentic, like you cud touch it, perhaps that's why I felt so touched by it? 

what touched you?

[AMR5]

Got my paperback over the weekend and I got it done by Maghreb.

First, all the GOOD:

1. What truly inspired me was Layla character. Her advice on love beyond dogma was priceless. And then her namaz that morning. 

2. There are other sections that talk about other things Islamic, I loved the clarity of the concepts.

3. Pg: 25, 32, 46, 51-53, 56, 60... some of them I had to read twice due to blurry eyes. Enough said. 

4. Title page is beautiful and the arc in the plane’s wing and the dawn appearing in the East glowing at the man are very thoughtful.

Now some CRITIQUE:

I wish I had author’s email address so I could address it. But given it’s on Amazon, s(he) could correct and upload a new copy soon.

1. The content is definitely 20+. I was hoping author had made it more juvenile friendly. (S)he obviously targeted 20+ age group. The content is clearly a perspective changing for a high schooler but I won’t dare give it to one for reading, because of all those mentions on pg: 10, 18, and why Layla left her home etc. Too much mature stuff for a teenager. 

2. The spelling mistakes on pg: 2, 4, 5, 50, 58, 96, 109, 112. I won’t write the words because some of them may give away. Wudhu is spelled differently on two places.

3. Transition at the finale, do need some work as it wasn’t clear what happened. I can’t be more explicit until I could email the author directly. Again don’t want to spill the story.

Conspiracy Theory:

The book is by someone who frequents the ShiaChat. By author’s writing style, and having read ShiaChat for over a decade, I could nail down to a few members who could have written it. But again many people could have the similar writing styles. Why you had to make our lovely A-H the bad guy? 

Overall Score: From level 1-10, on the scale of spy, sci-fi, romantic, faith based writings, (ignoring the spell checker), I would rate it 7. For a pat on the back, author has great potential, is amazing writer, and best of all has the right mind. This should be easily a 30 series book. I for one am looking forward for more of this series. Make it more 14+ friendly though, cut down on explicits to zero. The last page shows your potential of writing opposite gender interactions like the famed director Majid Majidi (no need to be like James Cameron). 

[Hameedeh]

This book was introduced as a novel, which means it is fiction, not reality. Anyone, whether student or adult, who posts anything remotely violent on any public platform, (Facebook, Twitter, ShiaChat, etc.) might find him/herself the subject of a "threat assessment" so everyone should watch their language. Please.

[layla313]

Selam @AMR5!

which parts did you read twice? I read the kindle version so I dunno about the pages. the conversation were Ali kept quoting duaas and Layla just smashed him with her wisdom, that was pretty wow for me. I felt smashed myself loll. read it a couple of times too. 

regarding the age group, I don't think I agree. definitely not for under 13-14, but as a teenager, it does address important topics, and while some violent part were a bit explicit/graphical, and more than that they were very powerful (got me crying actually), but its not more than what a teenager today is used to. especially considering the pg13 and 15 year limits on movies, id say this goes around the 13-14 year limit. I would definitely say a teenager should read it since it would be an inspiration for them how you can maintain your belief and be a strong momen despite the temptations. I think the Muslim youth today, are far more liberal then when I grew up and do all sorts of things and experiments.

I stumbled on the book via instagram, apparently the author has an instagram profile, and there is an "email" button on the profile. the username is "e.n.clay", just search for it and you'll find it. if you don't have instagram, I can click the email button and pm you the address if you'd like.

[AMR5]

9 hours ago, Hameedeh said:

This book was introduced as a novel, which means it is fiction, not reality. Anyone, whether student or adult, who posts anything remotely violent on any public platform, (Facebook, Twitter, ShiaChat, etc.) might find him/herself the subject of a "threat assessment" so everyone should watch their language. Please.

Thanks for the disclaimer note. 

Yes while reading it, keep it in mind that it’s a work of fiction. Maybe I could give away this much, the end of the book makes peace a global cause and not specific to any country. Maybe the lead character realized that the coming of Imam Mahdi (a) is not for the benefit of country X or nation Y, it is for the whole humanity and everything else that is, or could be, in humanity’s domain. 

[Ashvazdanghe]

Book of “Muhammad ((صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)) was like a flower” published in French

http://en.abna24.com/news//book-of-“Muhammad-(صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)-was-like-a-flower”-published-in-french_929893.html

February 20, 2019 - 4:30 PM News Code : 929893 Source : AQRLink: 

 

The book of “Muhammad ((صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)) was like a flower” was translated into and Published in French at the initiative of the Astan Quds Razavi (AQR) Deputy Office for Non-Iranian Pilgrims’ Affairs. 

 

[layla313]

Selam!

Was any reading list composed? I'd love to see if there are more Islam-oriented novels out there to read. 

[layla313]

The Kindle version of this book is now on a free promotion for anyone interested!! 

[habib e najjaar]

1 hour ago, layla313 said:

The Kindle version of this book is now on a free promotion for anyone interested!! 

Love your signature.