Sparks Like Stars

by Nadia Hashimi

Kabul, 1978: The daughter of a prominent family, Sitara Zamani lives a privileged life in Afghanistan’s thriving cosmopolitan capital. The 1970s are a time of remarkable promise under the leadership of people like Sardar Daoud, Afghanistan’s progressive president, and Sitara’s beloved father, his right-hand man. But the ten-year-old Sitara’s world is shattered when communists stage a coup, assassinating the president and Sitara’s entire family. Only she survives. 

Smuggled out of the palace by a guard named Shair, Sitara finds her way to the home of a female American diplomat, who adopts her and raises her in America. In her new country, Sitara takes on a new name—Aryana Shepherd—and throws herself into her studies, eventually becoming a renowned surgeon.

New York, 2008: Thirty years after that fatal night in Kabul, Aryana’s world is rocked again when an elderly patient appears in her examination room—a man she never expected to see again. It is Shair, the soldier who saved her, yet may have murdered her entire family. Seeing him awakens Aryana’s fury and desire for answers—and, perhaps, revenge.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Book Club, Audiobook, Historical, Middle East, Literary Fiction

464 pages, Hardcover

First published March 2, 2021

About the author

Reader, Mom, Pediatrician, Author, Advocate, Dog Walker (only my own, no solicitations please.)

Loves dark chocolate, coffee, and many other clichéd indulgences.

Reviews

[jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘my soul is from elsewhere and i intend to end up there.’

oh my goodness. the writing in this is ✨ s t u n n i n g ✨

i dont annotate my books but, if i did, this would be covered in highlights. so many wonderful sentences.

this story is on the slower side of things, but the narration and complex characters make up for it. for me, personally, i find thats exactly what i need in historical fiction. i prefer stories that focus on the people and emotion, rather than a factual basis.

this may be first book by NH, but it definitely wont be my last. i honestly cant get enough of her writing.

↠ 4.5 stars

[Nadia]

Book clubs, this book is for you. In the many discussions we've had in living rooms, libraries, zoom rooms, we've talked about Afghanistan before and after the Soviet invasion of '79. We've circled the question that ultimately inspired this book - what tipped Afghanistan into decades of conflict? As it turns out, it was a dark and intriguing moment in April of 1978. This is the story of that moment, of that time in Afghanistan's history and the deep reach of the Cold War.

I've posted some of my research links for this book (and my others) on Pinterest. I've admired old maps of the stars, dug through redacted CIA documents, and spent an unjustifiable number of hours staring at pictures of free-spirited hippies than I should have.

I can't wait for Sitara to tell you her story.

[Meagan✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review To Come.




An Afghan American Woman returns to Kabul to learn the truth about her family and the tragedy that destroyed their lives”

📖🏃‍♀️ say no more. I’m ready.

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to my NC book friends for the buddy read!

My first novel by Nadia Hashimi made for a terrific buddy read. Roughly the first half of the story is set in Afghanistan in the 1970s when a coup occurs. Sitara’s father is the right hand of the president, so this affects her family directly. She loses her entire family, in fact.

A guard leads her out of the palace to safety in an unexpected away, and eventually she lands in the United States where she is adopted and becomes a doctor.

Decades later, an elderly patient from the past seeks her care.

My favorite parts of the book were during the first half. I loved the culture and atmosphere brought to the story in Afghanistan. Sitara is a character to champion. I also loved Nia and especially Tilly. The story left a mark on me, and it made me want to read more books by this author, and more involving Afghanistan’s history. I highlighted many noteworthy quotes.

Overall, I can’t wait to read more from this author.

I received a gifted copy.

Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader

[Em Lost In Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[DeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Afghani Stars

The first half of this book is set in Afghanistan, a country I’ve been fascinated with since I started reading M.M. Kaye books in high school. I’m holding out hope that someday things will be peaceful enough for me to visit. One of the interesting things I was reminded of with this book is that you call the people Afghans and food is Afghani.

Sitara is a young girl of ten in 1978’s Kabul. Her father is a high ranking official, working for President Daoud and Sitara’s family frequently stayed at the Palace, or Arg. Sitara often plays hide and seek in the palace and gardens with the President’s children and she loves the library! One night the fairytale ends when there is a coup, and the palace soldiers and military turn on the President and his family. Miraculously Sitara survives and is smuggled out and eventually lands with two women who get her out of the dangerous country.

The second half of the book starts with the adult life of Sitara, now using a different name, and her career as an oncologist in New York. She’s never fully grieved her family or gotten over the violence of that night in Kabul. She keeps her barriers up and very few people know the story of her early life. She grapples with anger at the guard who smuggled her out and she’s never understood his motivation. Sitara decides that she needs to visit Kabul again to try and find out the truth and bring some closure to this early trauma in her life.

This is a slower read but I really like this author’s style and storytelling. She’s got a few I haven’t read, so hopefully I can get to those soon.

Thank you to Book Club Girls/William Morrow for a copy of this one to read and review.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sparks Like Stars is an incredibly sad book that will tug at your heart. Sitara was ten years old when her entire family was killed during an Afghan coup in 1978. Her father had been the president’s right hand man. A guard saves her and arranges to transfer her to an American diplomat he knew. Her escape out of Afghanistan and subsequent arrival in America is the stuff of heartaches.
Flash forward thirty years, She is now a cancer surgeon. She had taken a different identity during the escape and has kept it. She is now Aryana. She’s got a boyfriend looking to take it to the next level. But she’s still struggling with her past. It works well that while the story encompasses two different times, it’s told from her perspective as an adult. But we get to see how long it takes her to process some facts even as an adult.
This book was deep and moving. It allows the reader to experience the trauma of a coup. I especially appreciated that this covered the coup of 1978, not the more recent traumas that Afghanistan experienced under the Russians, Americans or Taliban. It also delves into what it means to be a family. Because I can’t begin to imagine doing what Nia does, just taking on this child and raising her.
I have not read any of Nadia Hashimi’s other books, but I will seek them out.
Mozhan Marno was a fabulous narrator and fully expressed all the emotions of this story.

[Katie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sparks Like Stars is the second book I have read by this author. If you are a fan of the historical fiction genre, I highly recommend checking her books out. The plot of this one keeps your eyes glued to the pages and despite the fact it runs over 450 pages in length, it doesn't feel like a long read. The only issue I had with the story is I missed out on having an emotional connection to the main character.

In 1978, ten year old Sitara is living in Kabul with her family. Her father is the right hand man for Afghanistan president, Sardar Daoud. Sitara's life changes in the blink of an eye when the president and her family are assassinated after communists stage a coup. She is smuggled out of the palace by a guard and ends up living with a female American diplomat. In order to leave Afghanistan, Sitara takes on a new identity, Aryana Shepherd. She eventually winds up in the United States.

Fast forward 30 years and Aryana is living in New York and is a doctor. She believes now is the time to seek out answers about her past.

This historical fiction read is a combination of fact and fiction. The story is so rich in cultural info about Afghanistan which make it a valuable read. So even though some characters and situations are products of the author's creativity, the story is worth reading especially if are interested in learning about what what going on in that country in the late 1970s as well as in 2008.

There is so much tragedy in Sitara's life and that's why I find it so odd I didn't feel invested in her on an emotional level. I was fascinated with her life and admired her strength and courage but I also felt detached from her. Maybe the best way to explain it is at some point in the story I should have shed a tear when she was hurting but that wasn't the case. I do think I'm in the minority when it comes to that opinion judging by some of the other reviews.

I will continue to seek out more books by Nadia Hashimi as I love what she is bringing to the historical fiction genre.

I received a free copy of this book as part of #WMTastemakers. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"She would be brave because her father had once told her that the world lived within her. That her bones were made of mountains. That rivers coursed through her veins. That her heartbeat was the sound of a thousand pounding hooves. That her eyes glittered with the light of a starry sky. I am that girl, and this is my story."

Nadia Hashimi has proven yet again that she is a very talented author. Her writing is beautiful and as with her other books, this one is full of quote worthy text. Sparks Like Stars is the story of Sitara/Aryana whose family was very close to the President of Afghanistan due to her father being a high ranking official. It all begins with the 1978 coup known as the Saur Revolution where President Daoud and Sitara's entire family are killed. This is definitely not a light read, but it is a timely one.

"Let people serve you information, but never let them serve you your opinion."

This book is a little slower moving than her previous books that I have read, but the focus is clearly on the characters. Aryana's journey to make peace with her past is an emotional one which is understandable given what she endured at the age of 10. This book addresses the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma, loss, and grief. Nadia Hashimi will continue to be a go-to author for me. Her stories never disappoint and are always filled with resilient characters that are fleshed out really well. 4 stars.

[Lori Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Her father had once told her that the world lived within her. That her bones were made of mountains. That rivers coursed through her veins. That her heartbeat was the sound of a thousand pounding hooves. That her eyes glittered with the light of a starry sky. I am that girl, and this is my story’.

Though I enjoyed this overall, I did find it to be slower going than previous novels. I don’t feel like this story had the depth that her others have had. One of the reasons for this is that unlike in Hashimi’s previous novels Afghanistan is not her own character... she took a backseat. There were only glimpses of her. Hashimi is incredibly talented and the passion she has for Afghanistan and her people is what I’ve grown to love most about her writing. I just don’t think it was showcased as well in this. Still I will never pass up a chance to read her novels. 3.5 stars.

Favorite quotes:
‘Let people serve you information, but never let them serve you your opinion.’

‘My father had taught me to recognize and see through propaganda, to be suspicious of every statement that did not allow room for debate or question.’

‘If faith was a life raft, mine was riddled with holes.’

‘You must take a step, before you ask God to bless your journey.’

‘Grief is nothing but the far brink of love. Love is the sun, grief is the shadow it casts. Love is an opera, grief is its echo. You cannot have one without the other.’


*I feel like the last several pre-pub novels I’ve read have been somewhat disappointing. I’m realizing that authors, just like the rest of us, are living through difficult times. Their deadlines probably have not been put on hold because of it. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to separate their worlds. So, I’ve decided to give grace to these artists and not judge too harshly.

[Nina (ninjasbooks)]

Blei ikkje ferdig med den. Den første delen var interessant, men så hoppet det så mykje i tid og det blei rotete for meg. Fikk ikkje lyst å lese videre.

[Bkwmlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I feel compelled to finish a really long book in around 2-3 days, especially during a particularly busy work week where I already don’t have much time to read in the first place, that’s usually a pretty good sign that the book will probably turn out to be one I really like. This was certainly the case with Nadia Hashimi’s newest release Sparks Like Stars , her third book set in her parents’ home country of Afghanistan. Given its page count (464 pages) and difficult subject matter, this would not have been an easy or quick read by any means — yet as soon as I started reading, from the very first page, this beautifully written story captivated me to the point that I didn’t want to put the book down (and whenever I was forced to put it down in order to tend to personal matters, I wanted to get back to it as soon as possible). The characters in here were all realistically rendered, even those appearing briefly, but it is the main protagonist Sitara (later renamed Aryana), whose journey we follow starting when she is 10 years old and then later in adulthood, who truly captured my heart. As the narrative was told from Sitara’s first person point of view, this perspective made her experiences and everything she went through so much more heartfelt, which in turn, made this a powerful, emotional read from beginning to end. Sitara is an unforgettable character – one whom I was able to connect easily with and also root for.

One of the things I love and appreciate about historical fiction is its ability to help us learn about people, places, and events that we may not have been familiar with previously. This was certainly the case here with the portrayal of Afghanistan as a place as well as a character in the story. Like many Americans, I only know of Afghanistan because of 9/11, when the country was thrust tragically and unwillingly into the spotlight, but its trajectory prior to that — the history of imperialism and colonialism that defined much of its existence, the historical events such as the Communist coup in 1978 that killed the country’s President as well as his entire family — much of this was completely unknown to me prior to this point. I appreciated the way Hashimi divided the story into two timelines — with the first half taking place in 1978 and the second half in 2008 — and how things evolve over the span of 30 years. In her Author’s Note, Hashimi explains that, while Sitara is a purely fictional character and the story is not based on her own life nor that of her family’s, she did incorporate some of her personal experiences into shaping the character — for example, Hashimi’s own experience as an Afghan American doctor who lived and worked in New York when 9/11 happened — which perhaps is why she was able to bring the emotional nuances of Sitara as a character to life.

As I mentioned earlier, this is not an easy read by any means — it is a sad and heartbreaking story of an innocent life torn apart by tragedy and senseless violence, of the guilt felt by those left behind, and the long-lasting impact it has on their lives. At the same time though, it is also a story of survival, resilience, and ultimately, hope. This is definitely a story worth reading — one that I know will stay with me for a long time to come. And as the best works of historical fiction usually do, after I finished reading, I felt compelled to follow up and research the real life events that were a source of inspiration for the story.

This is the first book of Hashimi’s that I’ve read and immediately after I finished, I put both of her backlist books on my TBR to hopefully get to soon. If you get the chance to pick this one up first though, I definitely recommend it!

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are parts of this story that are really beautiful, but overall I thought the book was just okay. My biggest issue is this romanticization of trauma that is becoming a trend that I've noticed in some modern literature. The authors put characters through the most horrific life experiences possible, while actively downplaying the affects of PTSD and the aftermath of dealing with such intense trauma. It's not realistic and it's not entertaining.

The extent of the trauma here is also part of what isn't realistic. The first event the character endures is based on a real event, and it was great! However, then the author completely fudged the timeline to have the character survive yet another real event and that's essentially when she lost me. Apparently nothing has to make sense, as long as we maximize the trauma this character goes through to emotionally manipulate the audience.

Another way I felt manipulated was the author frequently ended chapters on a cliffhanger, but then didn't sufficiently resolve them. Some of them ever. This is a technique that George R R Martin uses often in his Song of Ice and Fire series. It works for him, when we're jumping from POV to POV. It didn't work here AT ALL. It only made me frustrated.

There were entire storylines and characters that were completely pointless. The pacing was a mess, with parts in the middle feeling incredibly drawn out and tedious.

Again, the romanticization of the trauma remains my biggest issue. It's irresponsible. (Mild spoilers ahead.) My essential takeaway from this novel is that if you manage to survive every type of trauma imaginable, apparently you don't actually need professional help or intervention of any kind. You can have crippling panic attacks, but as long as you go to med school and hide all evidence of your trauma from everyone in your life but your adoptive mother, it's no bigs. This false narrative about mental illness and trauma is part of why both are still so stigmatized. So yeah, this book wasn't for me.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sparks Like Stars by Nadia Hashimi is an impactful and complex story. The first part of the story takes place in Afghanistan and this is the first book I’ve ever read set in Afghanistan. I was fascinated by their culture with both the good and bad described. Daily life is described as well as unrest. The second part of the story takes place after Sitara moves to the US and changes her name to Aryana. There is so much going on in Sparks Like Stars but Hashimi tells it in a way that is easy to keep up with. I had so many feels while reading Sparks Like Stars and felt all of Sitara/Aryana’s emotions. Family is one of the themes in Sparks Like Stars. Sitara has the family she was born with and Aryana has the family she chose. It is interesting to see how she reacts to both and how her family affects her decisions. The main character is a strong, independent woman that never gives up. She fights for answers and tries to help others. Sparks Like Stars is a must read for anyone that likes learning about other cutlures and reading about strong women.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Mozhan Marno and thought she did an excellent job. Marno was the perfect voice for Sitara. She used her voice to emphasize emotions.

Thank you Harper Audio, William Morrow and NetGalley for Sparks Like Stars.

Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for The Gloss Book Club April 2023.

"People say third world and think it just means countries without Internet or paved roads. But third world is Cold War terminology. NATO countries are the first world, and the Communist bloc is the second world. The third world was where these two clashed. So the mess in Afghanistan is actually a first and second world problem. "

We meet our characters just before the military coup. The years when Russia and America were fighting for the affections of the Afghan people, investing money, building universities, and outdoing each other like toddlers. From there, we see not only how this affects the country but how it affects the children.

This book made me think, do I see articles along the lines of children in war in the media, and the answer is sadly no.

I went into this book not knowing a lot and I think you should also, but prepare yourself, this is not an easy read but one we should keep educating ourselves on, the ramifications in Afghanistan continue on.

I'll be reading this authors backlist.

Five stars.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning book. I was captivated by Sitara's story. I loved learning Afghan history through the lens of this girl and events that happen to her. Every once in a while Hashimi would use imagery or write a sentence that just took my breath away. An easy 5 stars. Heartbreaking and beautiful.

[Jennifer Blankfein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love of country and family are torn apart by tragedy as we get a glimpse into a woman’s life burdened with the past. Loved being so drawn in - always so incredible when it is written by Nadia Hashimi.

“Untold histories live in shallow graves” and in Sparks Like Stars by Nadia Hashimi, life’s secret traumas hidden below the surface haunt Satira. As a young Afghan girl, Sitara loses everything and everyone in her beloved country; she was the sole survivor in a government coup where all her close friends and family were murdered. With the unexpected help of a soldier assigned to kill her, she was whisked off to a safe place. Antonia (Nia), an embassy worker, and her mother, Tilly, take Satira in to their home and help her escape the country. Satira starts anew in the United States, becomes a successful doctor and is in a flat romantic relationship. She chooses not to share stories from her childhood with anyone which has created barriers and limitations to her ultimate happiness and trust. When someone from her past shows up in her life, old wounds open and Satira feels a burning desire to face her past, get closure on the murder of her family and to travel back home to see for herself the destruction of her Afghanistan.

A moving story about a beautiful culture forever changed by government and war, Nadia Hashimi gives us another wonderful dose of history with a vivid backdrop and deeply emotional characters. Sparks Like Stars had me from page one and all the special touches mined from Hashimi’s family’s culture, her experience with politics and her life as a physician enrich an already incredible story of Satira’s personal journey. I an a huge fan of Hashimi’s work and I loved this one! Visit Book Nation by Jen for incredible author Q & A!

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sitara Zamani was 10 years old in 1978 when her parents and younger brother were killed during a coup in Afghanistan. One of the soldiers, Shair, managed to hide her and take her to an American diplomat. The diplomat helped her to escape to America and raised Sitara (now using the assumed name Aryana) as her mother. In 2008, Aryana is a surgeon in NYC. When Shair became Aryana’s patient it reawakened decades of resentment against him for not saving the rest of her family. She became determined to return to Afghanistan to find their bodies.

I think that this is the first book I have read about Afghanistan. In the US, pretty much everything we read in the news about Afghanistan is bad, so the most interesting parts of the book to me were those set in pre-coup Afghanistan and 2008 Afghanistan. It was definitely a different picture of the country. I thought that the part of the book set in the United States went on too long. Before her adoption, Aryana spent a very brief period in an abusive foster home. That interlude was completely irrelevant to the rest of the story and should have been omitted. I also wanted to skip over all of the details of Aryana’s medical practice. The author is a doctor so I’m sure that interested her, but I definitely did not want to hear about it. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was very good. However, if I had been reading the book in another format I probably would have skimmed over much of what happened in America. 3.5 stars

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher.

[MicheleReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s 1978 in Afghanistan. Young Sitara’s beloved father is an advisor to President Daoud Khan and her family were frequent visitors to the palace. The President’s grandchildren were close friends with Sitara and her younger brother. The palace was their playground. One day in April, the Soviet-backed People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan stages an attack against the President. Sitara manages to survive the coup after watching in horror as her family is murdered. Shair, one of the guards who turned on the President, helps Sitara escape the palace and places her with two American women.

The story shifts to 2008, New York City. Sitara, who now uses the name Aryana, is an oncologist. While now a caring healer, she has never been able to fully heal from the trauma she experienced in her home country. A chance meeting with Shair, who is seeking medical help, brings up all her feelings about her loss, which she has hidden from most who know her. Was Shair the one who murdered her family? Why did he help save her? And where was her family buried? Her anger is reignited and she seeks answers in Kabul.

Sparks Like Stars by author Nadia Hashimi tells the complex story of Afghanistan’s history over the past few decades through the eyes of Sitara/Aryana. Her loss is tragic yet she is a strong woman who uses her memories of her family to guide her. The setting is not a part of the world I normally read about in novels making this book extremely interesting and all the more impactful. It was a slower than normal read because there were so many passages that I re-read for the beauty of the writing. I hope you will take the time and read this book.

Many thanks to William Morrow / HarperCollins and the Book Club Girl Early Reads program for the opportunity to read this emotional book in advance of its publication.

Rated 4.5 stars.

Review posted on MicheleReader.com.

[Sarah Swann · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This was so good! The writing was phenomenal. Everything was described so vividly and some of the sentences she used were beautiful. I loved the storyline and there were some pretty intense scenes. I will definitely read more from this author. It was stunning!

After looking up to see if this coup was real and seeing that it was, I’m so intrigued by that event and what happened. I’ll be doing some research!

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 strong stars! Sparks Like Stars by Nadia Hashimi read like a memoir but was actually a fine example of historical fiction. This book was beautifully written and captured the essence of Afghanistan before the Communist coup and after. Nadia Hashimi made it easy to picture the streets, people, shops, soldiers, gardens, and the life that occurred within the walls of the castle prior to the coup that was staged by the communists. Sparks Like Stars was very well researched. It was told in a dual time line. The story gripped my attention from the very beginning and held it until the very end. I listened to Sparks Like Stars on audiobook. It was brilliantly narrated by Mozhan Marno. Her voice was rich and captivating. I found it hard to turn the audiobook off. I was so engrossed in Sitara’s heart wrenching story. It ran for a little over thirteen hours. I listened to Sparks like Stars over the course of two days.

The first part of Sparks Like Stars took place in Kabul in 1978. Sitara Zalmani was a ten year old smart and curious young girl who was living a privileged life. Her father was one of the prominent advisors to Sardar Daoud, Afghanistan’s progressive president. Sitara lived with her mother, father and little brother. Her family spent a lot of time at the castle because of Sitara’s father’s position. Life for Sitara and her family was good. All that changed in the course of one night. The communists staged a coup and multiple assignations occurred. The President was killed as were the members of Sitara’s family. Sitara was the only survivor from the brutal massacre. Shair, one of the castle guards, smuggled Sitara out of the castle. He was able to find refuge for Sitara with an American diplomat. Sitara witnessed the assignation of her family. She believed that Shair helped to kill her family. Her family was always kind to him. How could he have done this? Sitara was angry, sad, confused and scared. The American diplomat, Antonia and her mother, took her in and patiently waited for Sitara to learn to trust them, Antonia and her mother were able to get Sitara out of Kabul to America. Sitara took the name of her older sister who had been born in America but died before Sitara was born. Sitara became Aryana Shepherd. After a nightmarish start in the foster care system, Sitara now Aryana was finally adopted by Antonia. Aryana learned to love and care deeply for Antonia. She even came to call Antonia mom.

Sparks Like Stars jumped ahead forty years to the year 2018. Aryana, now an accomplished surgeon, lived in Queens and worked in a hospital in New York City. Her patients had cancer. One day a much older version of the guard that saved her all those years ago, showed up in her clinic. Aryana still believed that Shair could have played a part in killing her family. When Aryana recognized Shair all the old bottled up feelings from long ago surfaced. Aryana was determined to get Shair to admit to his part in killing her family. She needed Shair to tell her where her family was buried so she could finally give them the burial they deserved. Aryana’s desire for answers was awakened. She decided to finally go back to Kabul to get her answers. Aryana was accompanied by Antonia and a photo journalist she had met at a book signing. Will she get closure?

Sparks Like Stars by Nadia Hashimi was heart breaking, full of tragedy, and hopeful at the same time. The themes of survival, strength, healing, hardships, loss, anger, resentment, and resilience were evident throughout this book. Sitara became a brave, intelligent and resilient young woman who kept her memories of that fateful night hidden from most but always in her most private thoughts. Sparks Like Stars was a magnificent book. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Harper Audio for allowing me to listen to the advanced copy of this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in awhile, a gem of a read comes along. Sparks Like Stars was an eye opening and tragic account of the 1978 revolution in Afghanistan in which an Afghani communist coup overtook the president and resulted in many cruel and unnecessary deaths. Women and children were among some of the victims killed in cold blood.

This story follows a young Afghani girl who narrowly escapes her fate and ends up, through sheer luck, in America. Details of the massacre are brought to life as well as the impact of being a survivor. The story details her journey of escape, her experience in foster care and later her as a young doctor who can’t forget the worst night of her life.

The writing was beautiful, inviting and candid, with an emotionally raw edge that brought this historical atrocity to life. Historical fictions like this book are the reason I’m drawn to this genre. Having not read too much about this historical event, it was fascinating to learn more about it. The characters were vivid three dimensional beings that pierced my heart. I loved this audiobook and I’m sure it will resonate with me for a long while.

A gracious thank you to Harper Audio and Netgalley for an advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

[MaryBeth's Bookshelf]

Fans of historical fiction will love this beautiful and heartbreaking story set in Kabul, Afghanistan 1978 and New York City 2008. In 1978, Sitara lives a picture perfect life. Her father is a respected official in President Daoud's cabinet. She spends her days playing until the military turns on the President and he, along with Sitara's entire family, are murdered in a coup. Sitara is discovered by one of the guards who smuggles her out and ends up bringing her to an American diplomat who ends up adopting her. Thirty years later, now known as Aryana, she comes face to face with her past and decides it is time to find the answers that have haunted her her entire life.

This is my first novel by Hashimi, but it won't be my last. I loved this story and I thought the writing was sublime. The story is moving, impactful, and offered me a glimpse into a world that I know nothing about. My heart ached for Sitara and the struggles she endured. I can't recommend this one enough. The pages turn themselves....

[Kari Ann Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Let people serve you information, but never let them serve you your opinion." 

SPARKS LIKE FIRE is a stunning historical fiction/coming-of-age story of survival and resilience, set in both 1978 Afghanistan and 2008 NYC. I loved nearly everything about it. 

The story had me enraptured. The characters took a piece of my heart. The eye-opening historical details and vivid setting jumped off the page.  The writing was remarkable and often left me at a loss for words. Some of the themes are heavy, but I was continually blown away by how Hashimi's prose masterfully unveiled the story in such a beautiful yet heartbreaking way.  

I finished this book a couple weeks ago and still find myself thinking about the main character, Sitara. She felt so real to me that I catch myself wondering how she's doing, until I remember she's fictional.

 “I crossed scorched earth for the second time in my life, unsure if it would be my spirit or my knees to buckle first. Unsure which fire would shape my destiny and which would burn me. Unsure if what I was running toward was any better than what I was running from.”

[Fanna]

September 23, 2020: I have a feeling I'm going to love this book, especially since I get all excited for South Asian (yes, Afghanistan can be considered a part of SA, take your geography class) stories!

[الزهراء الصلاحي · Rating 4 out of 5]

آه من هذا القلم يا نادية💔

[Emily Coffee and Commentary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartbreakingly beautiful tale of loss, and recovery. Painfully accurate in its depiction of trauma and war, and filled with scenes so vivid that they resonate long after the story’s end. This was also a love story in many ways, to family, to country, to memories, and to finding the courage to start over and begin healing. Sparks like Stars pays tribute not only to the destination, but to the journey of life, never shying away from its challenges and devastation, while also reminding us that there is always hope, and that the sun continues to rise. A wonderful novel, highly recommended.

[Frosty61 · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book club choice, chosen based on the stellar reviews, this book is much longer than it needs to be. There's too much repetition and too many scenes that add nothing to the story. We were expecting to be blown away with this tale of a traumatized Afghanistan girl who becomes a success in life despite the odds against her. Instead we were disappointed by the pages and pages of angst, dysfunction, and confusing dialogue as she looks for answers regarding her family's fate. The resolution finally comes with more of a whimper than a bang. Not for us.

[Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story and the characterizations against the intense historical backdrop. An emotional journey of loss, survival and closure . Sitara, the protagonist , and her story stays with you long after you finish reading . Another gem from one my favorite authors , this novel does not disappoint. Definitely recommended reading.

Thank you Goodreads for the ARC!

[Amina Hujdur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Odlična, vjerodostojna, autentična. Najzreliji roman Nadije Hašimi.
Roman prati sudbinu djevojčice koja preživi ubistvo kraljevske porodice i vlastite porodice. Emigrira u Ameriku gdje je nakon trideset godina duhovi prošlosti pronalaze...