Once i started reading this book i couldn't put it down. I had no idea what was going to happen and every event made my heart lurch. i really felt a connection to the characters since it started with mariams story, then changing into Laila's eventually intertwining them both i felt i was able to connect with both characters. A brilliantly written book that deeply explored the effect that war and the taliban made on these people especially woman. I would definitely recommend it although to some it would be a hard book to read.