REVIEW–The Syrian Virgin by Zack Love

Book Title - The Syrian Virgin
Author - Zack Love
Stars - 5
Buy Link - AMAZON

Anissa is traumatized by the most brutal conflict of the 21st Century: the Syrian Civil War. In 2012, Islamists in Homs terrorize her Christian community and destroy everything in her life. Narrowly escaping death, Anissa restarts her devastated life as a college student in NY. She is bewildered and lost -- a virgin in every sense.

But despite her inexperience with men and life in the United States, Anissa is quickly drawn to two powerful individuals: Michael, the Syrian-Christian American who leads the political effort to protect his community, and Julien, her college professor who runs a $20 billion hedge fund. Complicating matters, Michael is still attached to his ex-girlfriend and Julien is the most sought after bachelor in Manhattan. Anissa's heart and her communal ties pull her in different directions, as she seeks hope and renewal in a dark world.

WARNING: This book is about a young woman's difficult journey: her

escape from Syria's Civil War, her transition to a new a country, and

the relationships that she forms along the way, including her romantic

interests in two very different men. The story is set against the

backdrop of the Syrian Civil War and makes reference to violent acts,

sometimes in detail. There is some occasional profanity and a few

scenes that depict sexual intimacy. Accordingly, the recommended

minimum age for readers is 16. The novel might be compared to books

like "The Diary of Anne Frank" or "The Kite Runner."

This is an account of what it is like to live in the middle East and experience the fear and abuse that the Christians in this area have gone through and are still going through. It is a fascinating read not to be taken lightly. The horrors and utter terror that this young lady, Inas, has gone through will make your blood boil. When things look far to dangerous in her hometown of Homs, her father decides to send her to New York to stay with her uncle Tony and his family. With her older sister and little brother staying in Raqqa to the north, her journey to America will be alone. Fifteen at the time, her last night with her parents and older brother turns into a nightmare. She is forced to flee with only a backpack. Her journey just to the airport will fill your with fear. She begins a new life in New York, but she does not fit in anywhere. She has aged decades past her peers, and she is unlike any american girl. Boys, clothes, the latest gossip have no place with her. Getting to college is her focus, and her promise to her parents. But once she gets there, her eyes are opened to a path to make life better for those left behind. Between the activist Michael and the billionaire professor Julian, her heart is taken to places she has no reference for. Her path is uncertain, but her heart is pure. This is as much a teaching book as it is a romance. Inas' journey is rough, and challenging, but following her struggles will open your heart and your mind. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book.

Heidi gives The Syrian Virgin