Seven Heavens Away

by Ashraf Zaghal

A Palestinian teenager finds his footing amid escalating violence across Jerusalem in this taut debut novel.


The sudden death of Hassan at the hands of an Israeli shakes his friends Aziz and Mustafa to their core, leaving them grappling with grief, guilt, and an uncertain future. Drawn into the orbit of Hassan’s father—a respected community leader known for his charity work and fiery speeches—they struggle to find their place in a world that feels increasingly volatile.


Meanwhile, Aziz wrestles with his growing feelings for Dafna, a Jewish girl he works with in West Jerusalem. This angers Mustafa, who accuses Aziz of betraying Hassan’s memory. With violence escalating around them, Aziz’s mother searches for a way to secure his future, even if it means leaving behind the city he loves. But as events spiral beyond his control, Aziz is forced to confront painful truths about loss, survival, and what it means to find hope amid the ruins.


Seven Heavens Away is a gripping and moving coming-of-age story that delves into the complexities of identity, power, and the fight for freedom.

328 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 3, 2026

Reviews

[Brea Shyng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven Heavens Away is an intriguing book set in Jerusalem in 2015 a city sectioned and quartered. This book delves into the complexities of living in a city that is all at once a melting pot of cultures, religions and backgrounds and simultaneously a regimented collection of districts. The main character is Aziz, a Muslim who lives in Jerusalem. He is a teenage boy who becomes swept up in the fanciful teaching of an older gentleman his "teacher". This book navigates the complex effect of division on youth as well as the susceptibility of people to extremist thinking when placed under the enormous pressure of division and exclusion. This novel does not shirk away from the realities of modern day Jerusalem. The tension between religious groups as well as the government surveillance are apparent.

I enjoyed this book very much it was an intimate and real look into a place in the world that many are watching as the conflict between Palestine and Israel continues. I especially enjoyed the careful and clear character development of the main character Azis as well as his friend Mustafa. This book shows a realistic transformation by a teen in their views over a relatively short amount of time. It is a good lesson in the effects of these high conflict environments on youth and demonstrates how these structures create vicious cycles of violence.

Overall very well written book on a relevant and interesting topic.

[layan ليان]

”our martyr’s blood is debt around our necks until the end of days.”

Um… DNF at 30%.

I really love how this captures what Jerusalem feels like. The writing is beautifully poetic, and the spiritual atmosphere - with its constant mentions of Allah ﷻ, prayer, dua, and even martyrdom - just feels sowarm and moving. It’s extremely rare to find English literature about Palestine that conveys this depth. I really appreciated the representation.

At the same time, there were moments that didn’t sit right with me. Some scenes felt oddly disjointed, as if there were gaps in the flow of the prose, and I couldn’t really quite put my finger on why? That disconnect ruined the experience for me, and there were a few other scenes that just bothered me? A lot?

I was genuinely excited for this one :(

Thank you Edelweiss and Anansi Press for granting me this early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Jenn]

DNF. I feel like there's too much I'm missing to completely understand what's going on here. I get the overall story, but a lot of the details aren't making sense to me because of my lack of knowledge. And that's okay....not everything is for everybody. But I do feel like I might have learned something here.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a necessary view into life as an adolescent coming of age under occupation in Jerusalem. Learning what it’s like to grow up under the constant gaze of the military is essential for those of us who want to better understand the Palestinian experience. Though the main character’s angst and confusion is well-written, I found that the text was laborious and the storyline difficult to follow at times.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[J R · Rating 4 out of 5]

effective and necessary novel that does feel at points like it's lacking just that extra bit of depth to tip it over the edge, but even without it's a worthwhile read. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.