At times, it felt like I could literally feel the bombs dropping and the shooting as Zaid and his friends have to fight to survive time and time again. By the author doing that, I felt like I could relate to Zaid at an entirely different level, and I felt like I was in his place. He is experiencing his first true crush (maybe even love). He's a normal 13-year-old boy no different than any American or European kid. The author does a great job of humanizing Zaid. Along with his two best friends, Salman and Fatima, he has to survive the horrors of a war that no child should ever have to face. The story focuses on a young teenager, Zaid Kadir, who is separated from his family in Aleppo after it is over run by the rebels. However, this story put everything in a different perspective for me. I was generally aware of what's going on in Syria. This novel is absolutely heart-wrenching. I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

'Moving tale of how war effects children! I have seen the war reported on the news, but this book really brings it home how it has affected families on a day to day basis.'įantastic novel that touches the heart of the reader 'As a fan of The Book Thief, I really enjoyed this read.'

'Heart-wrenching, powerful story that portrays heroism and hope under the worst circumstances!' 'The Heart of Aleppo does for Syria what The Kite Runner did for Afghanistan.' Zaid realizes that it is in the darkest hours when humanity's spirit of hope burns brightest. However, as he braves this destruction, as he desperately tries to survive this catastrophe, he discovers something. Zaid witnesses the destruction of the brutal Syrian Civil War as it grows more deadly by the day and rips his city apart. Alongside his friends, he is forced to survive the dangers of a civil war he does not even fully understand. Winner of the 2019 Independent Press Awardįrom the ashes of the Syrian Civil War comes this story of hope, love, and courage.Īfter standing for over 7,000 years, Aleppo's ruin came overnight. Separated from his family during the night the rebels attacked the city, 13-year-old Zaid Kadir is lost in the middle of a war zone.

#1 Bestseller in Asian-American Literature!Īvailable in paperback, Kindle, and Kindle Unlimited!

The Heart of Aleppo by Ammar Habib