Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
As I sit here by my window listening to and watching my friendly neighborhood crows playing/laughing/lording over all the land, I’m reminded of the clever and comical ravens in this wonderful story. These birds are so incredibly fascinating and it was so much fun to read a book that uses them as an integral part of the story. A murder mystery that is about women and their complex friendships and relationships, about where we find ‘home’, about race and educating about stereotypes. All done with a light, deft hand that made for a fun page turning joy. With ravens! Loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I tried to get into it because I love Sedona, but could not finish. The writing was choppy and the story did not grab me.

I had very high hopes for this book that unfortunately fell flat. The characters seemed to lack depth, and did not have much development throughout the story. The connection between characters could not keep my attention, and I felt constantly frustrated by Ronnie.

I think that the book attempted to comment on the uptick in personal health gurus and retreats, but the thriller aspect did not work for me.

The twist at the end was something, but overall kind of boring. The relationship between Marley and Ronnie was odd, and could be triggering for someone who is/has been codependent. I think the author was trying to mirror the relationship with Ronnie’s aunt in Marley but it still wasn’t weird. How could Ronnie have a such a momentous revelation with her aunt just to fall right back in to it with Marley? It just seemed really fake. I appreciate the effort but it just wasn’t there for me.

Ronnie has just left her old life and moved to Arizona with her influencer friend Marley. However, people keep dying and something is fishy there. In between Ronnie chapters, readers see "The Town" and the ravens that live there.

At first, this book was really interesting but then a little before halfway through, it lost that spark. I think it didn't feel investigative enough for a thriller style book. Like Ronnie wasn't trying to figure out what happened. The big twist at the end wasn't too surprising for me either. Fun idea but execution was lacking a bit for me.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kismet was a really enjoyable murder mystery set in a ridiculous wellness retreat. It was very entertaining, as you weren't too sad when certain characters were killed off.

Sedona has it all. Transformative healing, crystals, nature hikes, and your weekly dose of namaste. Though unbeknownst to our main character, Ronnie Khan, and her socialite friend, Marley, who — together — moved to this boujee wellness community, this hip Arizona town also has… a serial killer on the loose?! Who and why on earth would somebody go on a killing spree in this wellness paradise?

Things I loved about this novel:
- The entire murder-mystery-in-an-upscale-wellness-community concept - As somebody who is into yoga in real life, pair that with my love of reading thrillers/mysteries, this instantly drew me in!
- Ronnie’s background and backstory - Ronnie is an American with Pakistani roots. The occasional racism she gets as a result of this, and the fact that she had to live with her ruthless aunt after becoming an orphan, definitely made for an interesting perspective. This socio-cultural angle was something I did not expect when I picked up this novel, and it certainly made me pleased!
- The writing - In contrast with the gothic elements in this murder mystery, the tone of the novel was witty and sassy; it was wickedly entertaining! If you like this type of writing, the author is one to watch out for.
- The ending and the twists!

5 stars!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me access to an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

Kismet is dark, twisted and very different than most of what I have read this year making it a very enjoyable!

Ronnie Khan has lived in New York her entire life; after her parents died her aunt raised her in a very rough way. When she meets Marley Dewhurst, a wellness guru, her life changes very quickly. Marley’s goal is to help Ronnie find her best self and together they move to the mountains of Arizona where they go on hikes, do yoga and all the healthy things to find their best self. Shortly after they arrive in town, murders occur and Ronnie’s world is turned upside down and not in the way she was hoping for.

Kismet was a very different read from anything I have read this year. Weird, suspenseful, and filled with twists until the very end. I wasn’t really sure what to think of this book when I picked it up and with each new chapter I found myself even more confused with what I was reading. The premise was intriguing and the plot moved at a great pace. I was able to read this in two days. There were a good number of characters and each one brought a new element to the story that was needed, I especially liked the storyline involving Brit and Star, played out in just the right way. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a suspense read with lots of twists and turns throughout.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Sharp, twist-filled and chilling, Kismet expands the growing genre of biting satirical thrillers. Ravens, wellness retreats and stab at influencer culture? You had me at ravens. The multiple POV narrative adds fresh perspective when you least expect it.

The writing is moreish and you’ll finish the book, look up and realise it’s the next day.

If you like Ottessa Moshfegh, Agustina Bazterrica or Chelsea Summers, chances are you’ll devour this book.

4.3/5

This is Ms. Akhtar's 2nd book, and I'm impressed enough to want to read her first book as well. A seemingly well intentioned relocation to Sedona, AZ to restore and cultivate wellness, turns into murder and mayhem in Kismet.
Our main character, Ronnie, is a Pakistani woman living with her overbearing aunt in Queens, NY. She decides to take a wellness class from Marley, and seduced with a complete change in her life, is convinced to move to AZ with Marley to start her wellness business. Marley and Ronnie could not be more opposite. Marley is a privileged white woman who has had everything handed to her in life and always gets what she wants.

Ronnie's parents were killed in a car crash, and is now forced to live with her abusive aunt and take a menial office job from her aunt's friend. When she finds out her parents left the house to her she decides to sell the house and move with Marley, abandoning the sexist, controlling Pakistani people surrounding her aunt. She hardly knows Marley, but feels they have a good connection and will become fast friends. Ronnie has several secrets, one of which is her dreams, dreams that sometimes come true.

As she gets situated in Sedona, she feels a bit out of place, being the only person of color in the predominantly white city. Soon strange things begin happening, and mean people start dying. There's a great cast of supporting characters, of which ravens pay a big part. If you feed them, you may not be next.

I guessed early on who I thought the killer was, however there were several great twists at the end that were very unexpected. Ronnie is able to create a new life for herself, at a cost. A fun read and makes you think twice if you see a raven or two in your yard.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Thomas & Mercer and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own..

A haunting read you won’t want to put down.

I love a satirical thriller! That being said, this was a fun one for me. It has some chilling aspects, supernatural type stuff, as it pokes fun at wellness culture and mindfulness influencers through…Murder. I enjoyed seeing where it would go and also that the main character was unique and not the typical thriller star. Also, the ravens were cool. Give me all the dark humor.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The synopsis of this book sounded interesting to me so I requested a copy to read.
Unfortunately, I have tried reading this book on 2 separate occasions and during this 2nd attempt, I have
decided to stop reading this book
and state that this book just wasn't for me.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

Ruffle My Feathers! 😳😯🤯🤯

This unique mystery type thriller, with just a touch of otherworldly magic & visions, is enough to break the mold of a typical thriller and call your name to be one of them. Akhtar spins a perfect weave of spooky, magic, mystery, suspense and one insane ending, while also dealing with stereotypes and racism. It will keep you on the edge of your bed, but fulfill you with quirky, dark humour at times. This is unlike anything I've read in this genre, and the interesting ingredients she uses to enhance the plot are divine!

Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: Ronnie has just done something life changing and completely out of character, especially for her being of and growing up with the culture from Pakistan. She's upped and sold her home in Queens, New York, met Marley at a Yoga class who is a life coach, and together they've embarked to Sedona, Arizona where it's all about healing, health, self-care and becoming your best self here. Which is exactly what Ronnie's been after. Is this town really all it claims and portrays, especially once a body turns up.

This thriller was such a refreshing novel! I absolutely loved it and the original twist of a plot to boot! The suspense and mystery with different POV's kept the intrigue and curiosity heightened. The ending was incredible. I was so satisfied when I read this, and I happily sped through it like a kid running down the stairs on Christmas morning to see under the tree! This is a book you need just for it's originality alone. She knows how to intertwine doom, gloom and spooky while throwing in some excellent humour. So insanely scrumptious!
PS: I'll never look at Ravens the same way again.

Thank you to NetGalley & Amazon Publishing for this ARC.
Release Date: Out Now!

𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 4.5 / 5 Beach Waves! 🌊

I didn’t really know what to think about this book when I first started it, but I ended up really liking it. I found the parts that went inside the minds of the birds weird but came around to liking it. Some of the twists were a little to forecast but I still liked it.

Kismet by Amina Akhtar was a really great, interesting, intriguing story.
The writing kept me engaged and wanting more from the beginning.
With it's dark and twisted setting it was hard not to get lost inside the pages.
I found the subject of the book totally fascinating and downright amazing.
Kismet is a recommended read if you enjoy dark thriller.

Thomas & Mercer,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Lifelong New Yorker Ronnie Khan never thought she’d leave Queens. Until she meet Guru Marley Dewhurst. Marley is a revelation to Ronnie. When Ronnie goes all in and moves Sedona, Arizona, she knows that things aren't as they seem when the bodies of the gurus begin turning up. Will Ronnie stay alive, or will the worst come for her too?

I loved Fashion Victim so knew I had to request this one! It was just as creepy-weird as I'd hoped! Ronnie moves with "best friend" Marley to AZ as Marley has heard of this wellness clinic that's supposed to be world-famous. But people are being murdered and no one knows how or why; even in the "killer's" chapters, the character is unknown. Tension increases as Marley has many ideas and is anxious to get as many followers as she can since she is an internet glutton. Ronnie is increasingly concerned as she falls out of favor with Marley and many of her new friends, but she's a smart woman and attempts to "belong" even when she doesn't agree. Fast-paced and fun, this novel will have you looking at the world differently (and I will never be able to look at a raven the same way either)!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC

An atmospheric, twisty thriller with an atmospheric setting, intriguing characters, and some really excellent commentary on racism and cultural appropriation; though there were some bits that didn't work for me. 3/5 overall, and if you're into thrillers, I do think I'd recommend!

Pros: excellent setting which was very atmospheric (both the "micro-setting" of the insular Arizona "wellness" community, and the larger setting of the desert itself), mostly good and interesting characters, some fun and unexpected twists. (I guessed 1/2 of the "final twists," but the other was a well-done surprise!) Really, really good commentary on racial dynamics, and especially the racism and cultural appropriation in largely-white "woo" spiritual communities, such as the one in Sedona, depicted here.

Cons: there were a few plot beats that didn't quite work for me, some of the side characters felt a little flat, and the ongoing interjections of the ravens felt a little unnecessary and didn't hold my attention. I actually almost think this would have been better with a little *less* murder.

All in all: a good read, and I'm glad I spent some time on it! Once I got into it, I definitely had a hard time putting it down. Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the e-ARC!

Wow. Stunning. A book that will keep you guessing what is going on. A page turner and fast paced edge of your seat type of read.