A absolute heartbreaking story from Syria. Yes, Syria. A place that I know is going through (still going through?) some heartbreakingevents but no one talks enough about. 4.5 stars for me and I’ll explain my 1/2 star drop later in the review. 
     This is a beautiful story, paired with a beautiful cover and an even more beautiful truth. One of the sadder books I’ve read. Extra hard as a reader that you know these events are true (and then confirmed later in author’s note).

These are the kind of books we need more of. 

    The pace of the book was excellent. I was kept intrigued but also constantly pulled along the story. The characters were beautifully written. I cared about everyone I ‘met’. The story telling was magnificent, I felt I could really feel the dirt, destruction but also the happiness (and despair) of the people. 
     Dropping a 1/2 star because I didn’t like Khawf. I didn’t like the character, found him unnecessary. Sure, he played a role in his own way… and maybe I don’t get ‘why’ he needed to be in the story and that would take more research to understand Syrian life(?) better? As an outsider, I felt it wasn’t necessary and was distracting. My only real ‘sticking point’.
​     Otherwise, excellent story and again, a ‘must read’ for anyone and everyone out there.