I don’t usually read Malay novels, so Bagaikan Puteri was a pleasant surprise. It’s far from a stereotypical romance novel; the romance merely supports the main story rather than driving it. Ramlee Awang Murshid masterfully weaves together elements of mystery, history, fantasy, and adventure, making for an immersive reading experience.
I especially loved the direction he took with the story, choosing the classical Malay laksamana route and setting parts of it in the 15th century while incorporating actual Malay sultanates found within the folds of history. The historical elements felt well-researched and never awkwardly inserted into the narrative. His writing is poetic and rich, painting vivid imagery without feeling overly flowery.
Another aspect I appreciated was the inclusion of translated verses from the Quran throughout the novel. It’s impressive to see how Ramlee Awang Murshid incorporates them naturally and respectfully without misrepresenting their meanings. Through his characters, he also emphasizes values such as good manners (budi bahasa), courtesy (kesopanan santun), honour, and obedience to God, which I believe are among the novel’s central moral messages.
That said, the book isn’t without its flaws. Some of the characters feel rather polarizing; they are either excessively virtuous or irredeemably evil, with little nuance in between. There are also several side characters who aren’t explored in sufficient depth, to the point that their inclusion feels insignificant and their absence would not have meaningfully affected the story.
My biggest criticism, however, lies with the female protagonist. She undergoes little to no character development throughout the novel and contributes very little to the progression of the story. More often than not, she comes across as overly reliant on the male lead. I also found it difficult to understand her willingness to leave her family behind after spending only a few days with him(?) It somewhat felt rushed and unconvincing given the values the novel otherwise seeks to uphold.
