The Shalamar Code, written by Mary Louise Clifford, is a fast-paced and interesting book that takes place in a world very different–and very much the same–from ours. In Pakistan, fifteen-year-old Mumtaz is just like so many other teenage girls. She wears jeans, plays tennis, and occasionally sneaks out of the house to meet a boy her parents don’t approve of.
When her older brother, Sikandar, gets involved with some shady characters, Mumtaz’s life changes drastically. Mumtaz convinces Rashid to help her get her brother out of trouble and find out what it’s all about, but when Rashid loses his job because of what he did for her and Sikandar runs away from the city to escape the trouble he’s in, Mumtaz might be in over her head.
At first, Rashid and Mumtaz think it’s all about drugs, which isn’t particularly unusual in Pakistan, but then they find out there’s a political element as well. This isn’t surprising, as Mumtaz’s father is head of an illegal opposition party, and they are watched constantly by the government. Remnants of Al Qaeda are making trouble with the tribal groups, and that makes everything particularly complicated. Who is involved? What’s going on? Most importantly, can Mumtaz keep herself and her family safe?
This fast-paced story shows another side of life after 9/11 than what the media shows us here, on the opposite side of the world from Mumtaz and her family. While the story is interesting and suspenseful, the language of this story is simple, as are the characters. Still, it’s definitely a page-turner. Characterization, as it sometimes does in action-packed stories, seems to take a backseat to moving the story along, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. There were times when, as a reader, I just wanted to know what would happen next, and details about the characters weren’t particularly important.
The unusual perspective from which Mary Louise Clifford writes and the fascinating and controversial story she tells in The Shalamar Code make this book one that is worth reading, particularly for those interested in what goes on in the lives of the people who are often shown in the media only as terrorists. This is a book that shouldn’t be missed.
Rating: 7.5/10
**This review is also posted on TeensReadToo.com**
Teen Book Review 
November 30, 2011 at 9:12 pm
this book is a really good book, it really expired me to read it because im interested in 9/11, and this book has something to deal with 9/11 thats why i read it. i recomend that other people but myself should read this book becasue ita a really good book.
November 30, 2011 at 10:52 pm
Yeah this book really is good for whoever is reading this they musdt have a blast!!! This book really did expire me also.. I’m also into 9/11 things that happen, and it happen to the United States, so thats what it inspires me on.. I really thought that this book was going to be boring, but turns out this book is really good like Daijah said..
November 30, 2011 at 10:55 pm
OMG I just got done reading this book thank you Karena, and Daijah for telling me to read this book. This book really is a good book, since i read this book i do recomend this book to others so they can also read this book. i had a great time reading this book, it was fascinating. READ THIS BOOK IT IS GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!! :)
November 30, 2011 at 10:57 pm
WOW guys!!!! Thid book is good THANK YOU for telling me about this book, im happy that i was looking at random sites and showed up oin this one. so once again THANK YOU KARENA, DAIJAH, and JENNIFER……
November 30, 2011 at 10:59 pm
You know i didint reeally like this book, i dont like how it starts in the begining because it was kind of boring, i didnt have an intrest in it until more into the middle. But other than that it was a good book :)