Absolutely enjoyed reading this story! Ellie and Homa's stories and struggles are captured in such a meaningful way. Both of these women have had to overcome hardships even though their lives differed from each other. Ellie's mom was not my favorite character – she seemed selfish and snobbish as she transitioned from riches to rags. It was hard having any love for Ellie's mom, especially when her mother diminishes the big more life changing events in Ellie's life. As a reader with no background on Iranian history, it was interesting learning about it as I was taken through the storyline. I did not know much about Tehran in the 1950s or the events that occurred follow the overthrow of the Shah/Iranian Revolution. I felt like I was taken through time and experiencing the time in which Ellie and Homa had to live through. It was intriguing being exposed to the challenges women in Iran face. It something I never thought about before and Marjan Kamala really put it into perspective for me. I enjoyed connecting with Iranian culture and food throughout this story – it make me understand what these women were fighting for.

Marjan Kamali is such an excellent storyteller, and one who writes women exceptionally well. These Lion Women were no exception.

There is a pulse to this book that is so true to life - it pulled at memories of college days and unlikely friends, while bringing me into the world of Iran prior to and during the 1979 revolution. We follow the relationship of wealthy, rule-following Ellie and downtown, revolutionary Homa. I was enchanted by their childhood friendship immediately, which was my favorite part of the story. Not because it went downhill, but because of the inevitable heartbreak of a tale such as this.

I'm electing to keep the review spoiler free, as the book isn't out yet. The characters and setting are amazing and this book was quite nearly 5 stars for me. There was a surprising POV switch, where I wish we had seen more. I liked Homa's character so much, and you could tell after a traumatic event, her voice became shorter and less emotive. I'm unsure if this was purposefully done, but it was quite clever. I wanted more of Homa, if this was going to be a multi-POV. Then, at the end, we see another POV, and even though it was short, it worked pretty well. I did like how the end of the book tied everything together. However, the resolution was very quick and I was hoping to have a bit more time and resolution.

If you loved The Stationary Shop, you'll love this one, too.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4 stars ⭐️

“Azadi bayad nabayad nadare” is the chant we say louder and louder. “Freedom has no musts.” “The Lion Women of Tehran” is a book by Marjan Kamali set in the 1950s in the backdrop of political upheaval in Tehran, Iran. The story follows the lifelong friendship of Homa and Ellie, two women with two very different personalities and perspectives. The author strives to teach readers about Iranian culture, cuisine and the struggles that women went through during the Iranian revolution. I am a sucker for books focusing on friendship and this story checked all the boxes! “Homa is the most compassionate bird. It casts good fortune on all those it touches” and the author paints her in a way that ensures the character stays true to this depiction. Having read this author’s earlier books, I had high expectations and she has met my expectations and I was delighted that request for the book was approved! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This book is beautiful. It's well-written and interesting, engaging, and heart-warming. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and learning more about Iran and the lion women who still make an impact. The book brought me to tears multiple times. I'm so happy that it centers on a platonic love and friendship between two women as those platonic love stories are some of my favorites. There's really nothing I would change about this book from start to finish. If you want to read a moving story about two lifelong friends and about the political turmoil in Iran in the 50s and 70s, especially, then this is a book you'll enjoy. I strongly recommend it.
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing this e-copy of the book to be reviewed.

Received an ARC, and so happy I did! This is a really lovely telling of a tumultuous period. For those unfamiliar, it’s amazing to truly understand what Iran was before the revolution in contrast to what we see today, ESPECIALLY for women. The switching times and narrators are not distracting or difficult to follow as the story is quite linear - instead it leads to a more well-rounded and believable story. Lifelong friendships are fraught, but also so beautiful. Highly recommend.

The Lion Women of Tehran is an epic and moving novel that tells the story of Ellie and Homa, two young girls who meet in Tehran during the 1950s at the age of seven. As you journey through time with them, from the innocence of childhood to the complexities of adulthood, you'll witness their evolution against the backdrop of a changing Iran.

What sets this novel apart is the masterful character development by Marjan Kamali. The characters are so well-crafted that the reader can't help but feel invested in their stories. With each page, Marjan Kamali's meticulous attention to detail breathes life into the characters, drawing you deeper into their world. From the bustling bazaars to the quiet moments shared between friends, every scene is painted with vivid imagery and heartfelt emotion.

This is a coming-of-age novel that goes beyond that, exploring themes of love, loss, betrayal, and the struggle for freedom and independence. The Lion Women of Tehran is a 5+++ star book that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. If you're looking for a beautifully written, thought-provoking, and unforgettable story, then look no further than this novel.

At the core, this is a story of friendship between two women from very different backgrounds, and it's set in Iran (1970-present). The cover is lovely and a good fit for the story. Sadly, I was never really able to connect with the writing, due to the writing style (poor word choice, repetition, etc). Some parts just felt unnecessary, and it could've perhaps benefitted from a tighter edit. I did enjoy the characters overall, as well as the history, as it contained things I don't recall learning. If you enjoy coming-of-age stories with strong female leads, this may be a book for you to check out.

A beautiful novel set in Tehran.A book of women of their strength of a lifelong friendship during tumultuous times.A wonderful emotional moving read .#netgalley #gallery

“For a lifetime we have fought. We have fought and fought and fought. We want to be free. We want to be equal. We want to be able to live our lives.”

Personal review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just as powerful, heartbreaking, and evocative as her debut, The Stationery Shop of Tehran, the Lion Women of Tehran follows two women through decades of life in Iran, as well as stateside. Meeting in grade school and spanning the better part of a century, the tale of Ellie and Homa’s friendship was heartfelt, but full of betrayal and redemption. I enjoyed the historical fiction aspect of this book and learning about the political turmoil in Iran. I loved watching Ellie and Homa’s friendship change and shift, and come back together. Spoiler free review - if you love historical fiction, powerful women who don’t give up, friendships, and beautiful prose - grab this book! Thank you @netgalley and @gallerybooks for the advanced review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: In 1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie lives in grand comfort until the untimely death of her father, forcing Ellie and her mother to move to a tiny home downtown. Lonely and bearing the brunt of her mother’s endless grievances, Ellie dreams of a friend to alleviate her isolation.

Luckily, on the first day of school, she meets Homa, a kind, passionate girl with a brave and irrepressible spirit. Together, the two girls play games, learn to cook in the stone kitchen of Homa’s warm home, wander through the colorful stalls of the Grand Bazaar, and share their ambitions for becoming “lion women.”

But their happiness is disrupted when Ellie and her mother are afforded the opportunity to return to their previous bourgeois life. Now a popular student at the best girls’ high school in Iran, Ellie’s memories of Homa begin to fade. Years later, however, her sudden reappearance in Ellie’s privileged world alters the course of both of their lives.

Together, the two young women come of age and pursue their own goals for meaningful futures. But as the political turmoil in Iran builds to a breaking point, one earth-shattering betrayal will have enormous consequences.

The Lion Women by Marjan Kamali is a multi-POV coming of age Iranian historical fiction set in the 1950’s through the 1980’s. It follows Ellie and Homa as they meet, become friends, and navigate growing up together and exploring meaningful futures during a tumultuous time in Iran.

This is the second book I have read by Marjan. The first, The Stationary Shop, I absolutely loved so I knew I had to read this one too! In my experience I come across a lot of historical fiction set in Europe so when I find something that’s different than that I usually want to read it. Overall I really enjoyed this story! The relationship between Ellie and Homa was relatable and I felt invested in their outcome. I also learned a lot about the Iranian culture during that time period. Some sensitive topics are addressed in this book. This was a reality of the times the book was set in (and unfortunately still is today across the globe), but be mindful in case you struggle with any of these: rape, violence, political uprising, poverty, and death.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for granting me an eARC in return for an honest review. This book is expected to be published on July 2, 2024.

This historical fiction follows two women born in the 1950's in Tehran. Homa is from the "rough" part of town while Elaheh is from a more privileged family. When circumstances bring them together, they become lifelong friends whose lives become forever intertwined. The narrative follows their lives from childhood to early adult.
The characters are well developed, the pace is good and the writing and editing excellent. I enjoyed learning about Iran and the people there through the eyes and experiences of these two women and their families. There is a small surprise twist to their story, just at the end which I did not see coming. I do not hesitate to give this a 5 star rating. You will enjoy this book if you like historical fiction or just good fiction. The story has much to recommend it as a book of the month club. There are plenty of discussion topics.

Pre-Order this one NOW! Pub date 7/2/24. My thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the advanced ecopy of this book. This is one that I will also buy as soon as it is available as I want to hold on to this one forever!

Several years ago, THE STATIONERY SHOP made it's way into my hands and into my heart and remains one of my all-time favorite books. Now, THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN has joined it. I ADORED this book - the history, the writing, the characters, the cover. Every. Single. Bit.

The story begins in 1950s Tehran where the country is on the brink of a revolution and Ellie is on the brink of big changes in her personal life. Her father has died, and she and her mother must move "downtown" to a completely different way of life. While there, Ellie meets and is befriended by Homa, and their lives become forever intertwined. Marjan Kamail's beautiful writing takes us through the tale of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness all set in the backdrop of the political changes in Iran from the 50s through the current day. And, there are "Easter Egg" references to the beloved STATIONERY SHOP.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Marjan Kamali has delivered another touching and well-written book with the characters that touch your soul. Certainly the perfect time in regards to the events happening concurrently in Iran. "Lion" is the most accurate description of the brave women in Iran. A must-read for every young woman who would stand up for their right to freedom. Loved this book and would highly recommend it for anyone who has any remote interest in Iran, past and present.

Thank you to Net Galley and Gallerybooks for this ARC review copy.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The backdrop is Tehran, beginning in 1950 and continuing through the present. Seven-year-old Ellie and her parents live in comfort, but things change upon her father’s sudden death. While the cultural custom at the time dictates that her father's brother provide for them, Ellie and her mother need to leave their home and move to an apartment where they share a mattress. With her mother grieving widowhood and loss of status, Ellie is lonely and isolated. Finally, she is enrolled in school and meets Homa, and the two forge a lifelong friendship.

We follow them through school to university, where a betrayal causes a serious rift in their friendship. While they live their lives separate, each yearns for the renewal of their friendship. The political turmoil of their country eventually brings a reconciliation for them.

The characters are well-defined, and their relationship is touching. Dialog is realistic, but the use of Farsi/Persian words was a bit overdone and disruptive to the flow. As historical fiction, the author does an excellent job of bringing the reader into the time and place. The culture is brought alive by accounts of societal mores and cuisines.

https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/

I love to read historical fiction of times and places I know little about. I learn so much much and gain an appreciate for different cultures I'm not familiar with. I know it's fiction, but it's also realistic based on the setting.

Marjan Kamali has penned another masterful story with Ellie and Homa. While this gem delves into lots of social issues in a believable, immersive way, the heart of the story is about their friendship and their resilience. Definitely a must-read!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

Marjan Kamala is back with another beautiful and emotional story about the lifelong friendship of Ellie and Homa and their strength and resilience during a time of political upheaval.

Set in Tehran during the 1950s and the events following the overthrow of the Shah/ Iranian Revolution in the 70s and 80s, this story vividly captures the challenges women in Iran experience. Kamala tackles thought-provoking themes such as, women’s rights, identity, social injustice, class divide, and immigration. But at the same time, she incorporates her love for Iranian culture and cuisine into the story, so you better understand the country and what these Lions are fighting for.

Read if you like:
-Coming of age
-Friendship stories
-Tehran setting
-Compelling reads
-Women’s rights

Thank you Gallery for the ARC! Pub 7/2

A quick and insightful read about the lives of two girls from different backgrounds who live in Iran and the consequences the Revolution had on their lives and the greater society. We are given two main characters. When we first are introduced to Ellie, she is living along with her mother having lost her father and living under the guidance of her father’s brothers who have demoted their lives from upper middle class to lower class. At school Ellie meets Homa, a fierce personality from a lower-class family that is open and excited about all the possibilities life can offer and making Iran better for all. She has both parents and siblings.

Life becomes more complicated overnight as Ellie’s mother remarries, and she moves into the upper class again. The drastic life change suited her, as she was pretty and popular, and over the years lost her attachment to Homa until one day she finds her way into her private fancy high school. Homa again becomes a part of Ellie’s life.

The story is mainly about this friendship, how the laws and events leading up to the revolution shattered people’s lives, and how after the revolution life becomes more and more difficult for the average person. The story is real, as it reads as though it is based on fact. It is insightful into the lives of people in Iran, socially, and how the class structure works. I mostly enjoyed the book.

I think it loses steam at the end, but maybe this is how a foreigner would interpret life in America.

I think this is easy to get into and is a compelling read. It is insightful and written for anyone to understand life under the Shah and how life differs under the Ayatollah. Even though this is a novel, there are many embedded historical facts and worth the time to understand.

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marian Kamala is a historical fiction full of friendship, love and sacrifice, well worth the read.

Ellie and Homa met in the late 1950’s at a public school in Iran. During this time, women see a bright future for themselves in Iran.

At 7 years-old, Ellie had never had a friend like Homa. Even though her family was poor, Homa was full of spirit wanting to make the world a better place. Her father was a communist who wanted to make Iran a more equal country for all. Unfortunately, continuous political unrest took its toll and Homa’s father was arrested. Throughout the story we follow Ellie and Homa’s friendship into adulthood.

At its heart, this is a story about friendship. How friendships grow and change through life’s experiences and tragedies. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys literary fiction.

Publish Date: July 2, 2024

Thank you to Net Galley and Gallerybooks for this ARC review copy.

Marjan Kamali just never disappoints. I have now read all 3 of her books and loved them all. She gives me such a sense of what it must be like to be a woman in Iran. Her characters are so strong and so real. This book is no exception. Homa and Ellie first meet at age 7. Ellie and her mother move from their upper class neighborhood to Homa’s much poorer one after the death of Ellie’s father. The girls become instant friends and Ellie falls in love with Homa’s family. Ellie and Homa are separated when Ellie’s mom remarries but reunite when they end up at the same high school and immediately pick up their friendship. Homa is an idealist, an activist and a dreamer willing to work for a better world. Ellie truly just wants to marry and have children. Neither woman’s life turns out as expected but twists of fate and the constant threat of violence and oppression from the ever changing rulers of Iran continually keep Homa and Ellie in each other’s lives in surprising ways. I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for this honest review.

"Lion Women" is the kind of historical fiction I can get behind. It's unusual nowadays to see a book cover for female-driven historical fiction that doesn't include a photo of a woman with her back turned to the camera, dressed in a long coat looking vaguely into space. The dragon is vibrant and on the move; the perfect symbol for our protagonists, Homa and Ellie. These two women have been friends on and off since childhood, in Iran against the backdrop of political turmoil. Ellie is a conformist, from a rich family, and Homa is lower-class and socially engaged. Their differing views lead to a devastating betrayal. Decades later, Ellie receives a letter from Homa in her New York City home causing the past bubble back up to the surface.

I love Kamali's prose: it's clear and direct. Metaphors and descriptions are kept to a minimum allowing the pace to progress without unecessary detours. I was surprised by how quickly I worked my way through this book and felt that it was truly a "Goldilocks" story: just right in its character development, historical exposition, and poignancy. Female friendship is at its heart, with all of its nuances and challenges. There are no stereotypes or villains, only women who love and care for its each other. A real beauty!