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Blood of the Levant
"Tell me, Seer, of the hearts that lie intertwined..."
As a century of war and bloodshed closes upon the earth, another opens with no end to the slaughter in sight. The world is changing; the Empire of Europa and the Russian Tsardom are engaged in perpetual warfare. Each vies for absolute control over the earth’s most coveted resource: the Ichor ore that lies deep in the valleys of the high north, the caves of the Orient, and running through the veins of a select few called Ichor Hearts; employed by the European Empire as the holy weapons of their never-ending conquest.
Omar is one of those born with that gift. A Muslim boy from the Syrian village of Deir Ezzor, a fertile land vassal to Europa, he dreams of what lies beyond the extents of his modest living with his mother, to discover what it means to be a true warrior in a world the stories of which leave him in constant awe. When struck by unfathomable violation and tragedy, it sets him on a path that reveals destruction, love, and the most brutal test of his faith imaginable.
On the other side of the eternal war is the Russian Prince, Yuri Romanov. A boy like Omar, haunted by nightmares and visions of his greatest fears, he fights to unravel the mystery of his origin and is willing to do whatever it takes to reach the truth behind the loss of those he loved most.
In Abdullah Yousef's first installment of Ichor Heart, Blood of The Levant is an adventure that blends the eruption of ancient men in a modern, ever-changing world. Their desires, love, cruelty, and connection with God clash with the ebb and flow of their political world that sees such men as their tools of destruction. It is a story about the bonds between men at war, kingship, fatherhood, and the struggle to retain one’s faith in the face of ever-growing darkness at the hands of tyrants.
As a century of war and bloodshed closes upon the earth, another opens with no end to the slaughter in sight. The world is changing; the Empire of Europa and the Russian Tsardom are engaged in perpetual warfare. Each vies for absolute control over the earth’s most coveted resource: the Ichor ore that lies deep in the valleys of the high north, the caves of the Orient, and running through the veins of a select few called Ichor Hearts; employed by the European Empire as the holy weapons of their never-ending conquest.
Omar is one of those born with that gift. A Muslim boy from the Syrian village of Deir Ezzor, a fertile land vassal to Europa, he dreams of what lies beyond the extents of his modest living with his mother, to discover what it means to be a true warrior in a world the stories of which leave him in constant awe. When struck by unfathomable violation and tragedy, it sets him on a path that reveals destruction, love, and the most brutal test of his faith imaginable.
On the other side of the eternal war is the Russian Prince, Yuri Romanov. A boy like Omar, haunted by nightmares and visions of his greatest fears, he fights to unravel the mystery of his origin and is willing to do whatever it takes to reach the truth behind the loss of those he loved most.
In Abdullah Yousef's first installment of Ichor Heart, Blood of The Levant is an adventure that blends the eruption of ancient men in a modern, ever-changing world. Their desires, love, cruelty, and connection with God clash with the ebb and flow of their political world that sees such men as their tools of destruction. It is a story about the bonds between men at war, kingship, fatherhood, and the struggle to retain one’s faith in the face of ever-growing darkness at the hands of tyrants.
478 pages, Hardcover
Published October 29, 2024
4 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 2, 2024
On several occasions, this book had me up all night. (Long enough that I prayed fajr and sometimes even tahajjud before that!) It definitely reminded me why I read at all--to be transported into another world.
January 3, 2025
This is the story of Omar, a warrior who is tired of the never ending ugliness of war, despite his inner need for battle and purpose. After the death of his own daughter, the finding of a young girl with a mysterious ability similar to his own ignites a new meaning to his strife as he navigates through dangerous missions and run ins with the fierce and intriguing prince Yuri. Along with the main narrative, we get glimpses of the past that shaped Omar into the warrior he became, the story of how after the traumatic death of his mother which fuels him into a frenzy of revenge, he learns in the hardest way possible that only Allaah can grant you true justice and purpose.
This book is a phenomenal Islamic adult low fantasy novel. The world felt so expansive and real, and Omar both in past and present timelines was an intriguing character to follow throughout.
Because of Omar’s Ichor Heart abilities, the story was full of unique action sequences that kept my eyes glued to the page. There was a lot the author had to set up, as this is book one, and it wasn’t always easy to keep up with all the politics and characters being introduced. This is the only Islamic fantasy I’ve ever read that seamlessly incorporated Islam without bending the rules, and giving a misrepresentation of our religion to pander to non Muslim or irreligious audiences.
The atmosphere of the story reminded me of the Salahuddin show I grew up watching in my childhood, mixed with the intensity and uniqueness of the anime Attack on Titan. Still, this story has a depth and allure of its own, as the author excellently weaves themes of faith, purpose, loss, war, and humanity throughout. I cant wait for the next book, as I’m assuming it will be even better since there isn’t as much to set up!
Overall, I recommend this book to all Muslim fantasy readers. I can’t tell you how amazing it is to finally see yourself reflected in such a well written, exhilarating story. May Allaah bless the author for gifting us with his work, Ameen.
This book is a phenomenal Islamic adult low fantasy novel. The world felt so expansive and real, and Omar both in past and present timelines was an intriguing character to follow throughout.
Because of Omar’s Ichor Heart abilities, the story was full of unique action sequences that kept my eyes glued to the page. There was a lot the author had to set up, as this is book one, and it wasn’t always easy to keep up with all the politics and characters being introduced. This is the only Islamic fantasy I’ve ever read that seamlessly incorporated Islam without bending the rules, and giving a misrepresentation of our religion to pander to non Muslim or irreligious audiences.
The atmosphere of the story reminded me of the Salahuddin show I grew up watching in my childhood, mixed with the intensity and uniqueness of the anime Attack on Titan. Still, this story has a depth and allure of its own, as the author excellently weaves themes of faith, purpose, loss, war, and humanity throughout. I cant wait for the next book, as I’m assuming it will be even better since there isn’t as much to set up!
Overall, I recommend this book to all Muslim fantasy readers. I can’t tell you how amazing it is to finally see yourself reflected in such a well written, exhilarating story. May Allaah bless the author for gifting us with his work, Ameen.
August 14, 2024
As a Muslim reader and a fan of fantasy/science fiction, I am naturally drawn to novels such as Blood of the Levant. It's so refreshing to see a strong Muslim character as the main protagonist of the story, a hero with a tragic past who one can empathize with. As you read the tale, Omar's enemies will become your enemies, and Omar's successes will be something that you too will be able to celebrate. Aside from his enhanced strength, I found Omar's sheer determination, both as a boy and a mature adult to be one of the main draws of the story.
The visions that Omar has throughout the story are intriguing. So many questions are left unanswered at the end of the novel, which I am assuming will be addressed in the next book in the series!
Overall, Blood of the Levant presents an amazing story with writing that is absolutely stellar!! I wish there were more books like this when I was younger. I strongly recommend this novel for avid readers of historical fantasy, particularly Muslims.
The visions that Omar has throughout the story are intriguing. So many questions are left unanswered at the end of the novel, which I am assuming will be addressed in the next book in the series!
Overall, Blood of the Levant presents an amazing story with writing that is absolutely stellar!! I wish there were more books like this when I was younger. I strongly recommend this novel for avid readers of historical fantasy, particularly Muslims.
January 19, 2025
Think Guy Gavriel Kay, but sincerely "Asharite" - a story of honor and spirit worth getting lost in...
As a fellow Muslim fiction writer and avid reader of speculative fiction, this novel has given me hope that a new subgenre of "virtue-based fiction" (as Rehan Khan puts it) can return to the sci-fi / fantasy genre... Monotonously grey morals often run the genre today, but here the story of Omar and Yasmeen reveals shades of grey yet still inspires hope of a trend towards "shining brighter."
The childhood flashbacks work very well, and even though the head-hops due to the numerous points of view were sometimes hard to follow, it was an joy to get lost since the action and Islamicate world(view)building were solid. As a father of young boys in a world of dying futuwwah (chivalry), this is one I hope to keep around for when they come of age.
As a fellow Muslim fiction writer and avid reader of speculative fiction, this novel has given me hope that a new subgenre of "virtue-based fiction" (as Rehan Khan puts it) can return to the sci-fi / fantasy genre... Monotonously grey morals often run the genre today, but here the story of Omar and Yasmeen reveals shades of grey yet still inspires hope of a trend towards "shining brighter."
The childhood flashbacks work very well, and even though the head-hops due to the numerous points of view were sometimes hard to follow, it was an joy to get lost since the action and Islamicate world(view)building were solid. As a father of young boys in a world of dying futuwwah (chivalry), this is one I hope to keep around for when they come of age.
April 13, 2025
I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK.
Seriously.
Those four words sum up my smile as I read the end of the book.
The action, the historical details, the plot, the world itself... especially for a Muslim reader like me, this book was a blessing.
That said, this is a book that needs to be read in advance.
If I hadn't had things to do, I would have finished it in five hours, tops.
I really need the sequel and more to come (please, God, let there be more).
Abdullah, you have a beautiful future as a writer.
Seriously.
Those four words sum up my smile as I read the end of the book.
The action, the historical details, the plot, the world itself... especially for a Muslim reader like me, this book was a blessing.
That said, this is a book that needs to be read in advance.
If I hadn't had things to do, I would have finished it in five hours, tops.
I really need the sequel and more to come (please, God, let there be more).
Abdullah, you have a beautiful future as a writer.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews