Little Weapon

by Nahom Kebedom

A young man grapples with his father’s legacy as a former child soldier during the course of his father’s domestic violence trial.

Spanning generations, shifting between past and present, Little Weapon is a debut novel set against the backdrop of the Eritrean War for Independence.

Blending multiple perspectives, it explores the weight of intergenerational trauma, fractured father-son bonds, and the quiet devastations of grief, love, and loss.

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 5, 2025

About the author

Author of Little Weapon. Enjoys long walks on the beach.

Reviews

[Marcia Vida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nahom Kebedom's "Little Weapon" is a bold, ambitious, and unforgettable novel that unflinchingly explores a childhood scarred by violence, survival, and the complex legacy of war. Kebedom masterfully intertwines two timelines: the present-day reflections of a son estranged from his abusive father and a haunting coming-of-age story set during Eritrea’s war for independence.

The narrator's voice is sharp, intelligent, self-aware, and brimming with emotional tension. His journey from a traumatic home life to rediscovery and reckoning forms the emotional core of the book. Meanwhile, the parallel story of Robel and Kidane, two Eritrean boys swept into the rebel movement, is devastating and immersive, blending youthful imagination with the grim reality of war and indoctrination.

Kebedom’s writing is lyrical, deeply honest, and often darkly funny. He captures the psychological damage inflicted by family and conflict alike, while offering rare glimpses of love, loyalty, and resilience. "Little Weapon" is more than just a survival story—it's about questioning inherited roles, reclaiming identity, and breaking cycles of trauma.

Overall, this novel is bold, ambitious, and unforgettable.

Try it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Demi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nahom Kebedom explores the complexities of war, intergenerational trauma, domestic violence and grief. This novel moves back and forth between the Eritrean War of Independence and the present day. It is hard to fathom the atrocities of war; they make your stomach feel physically ill. The book highlights these atrocities through the lens of two young teenagers. At an age when their brains were still developing, these boys were caught up in war as child soldiers. The horrors they were forced to face are incomprehensible for an adult to imagine, let alone a child. This novel delves into the realities of complex trauma and how it inevitably spills over into the next generation.

5/5.