"Sparks Like Stars" by Nadia Hashimi is a breathtaking novel that seamlessly weaves together history, culture, and human resilience, earning it a well-deserved five-star rating. The characters in the novel are exquisitely crafted, with each one possessing a depth and complexity that makes them feel utterly real. Set against the backdrop of Afghanistan's tumultuous history, Hashimi's atmospheric prose transports readers to a world of beauty and brutality, where hope and heartache coexist in equal measure.

Hashimi's writing style is lyrical and evocative, with prose that shimmers with emotion and insight. The plot of "Sparks Like Stars" unfolds with a perfect blend of intrigue and poignancy, as the protagonist, Sitara, grapples with the traumas of her past and the mysteries surrounding her identity. While the logic behind some of the characters' decisions may feel heartbreaking at times, the overall narrative is deeply compelling and profoundly moving. The relationships between the characters are richly drawn and emotionally resonant, adding depth and warmth to the story.

Overall, "Sparks Like Stars" is a masterpiece of storytelling that will stay with readers long after they've turned the final page. Hashimi's skillful portrayal of cultural diversity and historical context adds layers of richness to the narrative, offering readers a profound and immersive reading experience. Whether you're drawn to stories of resilience, love, or the human spirit's triumph over adversity, "Sparks Like Stars" is a must-read that is sure to captivate and inspire.

Told in the first person, Sparks Like Stars tells the story of an Afghan-American woman's journey to resolve issues about her family's violent death during a coup in her native country in the late 1970s. As with much historical fiction, the context for the event is not well described and the reader is often left wanting to know more. A short list of recommended readings would not have been unwelcome. The story is a little hazy at times but good enough to hold my interest.

I couldn't get through this title. It ended up not being for me, but I hope it finds a hope with other readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book sat on my shelf for a long time, and I wish I had picked it up sooner! Sparks Like Stars is a beautiful story and I loved reading it.

4.5 stars
I love having a picture of Afghanistan from someone whose family is from there - especially of what it was like in the past. I loved watching the interview with @mommaleighellen and she shares some images of women during the 1970s. https://youtu.be/iajG9YraZO4

I read Sparks Like Stars with The Gloss bookclub. My bookclub loved it as well and it was great to discuss.
In her Gloss interview, Nadia Hashimi mentions her books are tied together by the Afghan to Afghan-American experience.

Most of the story is focused on Sitara - a young girl who grows up with connections in the palace. One day the palace comes under attack and her family and others there are brutally murdered. She escapes with the help of one of the soldiers (who she thought was a friend but was involved in the coup) who places her in the care of some American women, hoping they can get her out of the country. Much of the story tells her life from that point for several years forward.

I loved her and many of the strong women who helped rescue her and how they continued to support her and take her under their wings.

Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really loved this story of family, war, and rising from the rubble to continue onward. Nadia Hashimi has a mesmerizing writing style that fully immerses you in the setting along with the characters. The human need to help others was highlighted many times in this story and Hashimi did a great justice to the lesson and the historical time period.

The ending was not one that I expected, and felt a bit rushed, which is why I'd give this a 4/5 stars.

What a beautiful story!

Sitara is only 10 years old when she’s witnesses her family being slaughtered during a coup in 1970’s Afghanistan. She finds herself rescued by a guard, hidden by his family, handed over to an American woman working in Kabul,, and smuggled out the country. Her story is incredible. The characters are complex and sympathetic. This is not a book I would have normally picked, but I am so glad that I did.

Thank you to Book Club Girls. Nadia Hashimi, NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to review this book.

An Afghan American woman returns to Kabul to learn the truth about her family and the tragedy that destroyed their lives in this brilliant and compelling novel.⁣
The life of Sitara had me totally engrossed to her story, wanting to know more. I loved stepping in to a bit of Afghanistan’s history and the streets of Kabul. Even though I was flipping pages, there were a few parts that were slow for me. Overall, I enjoyed this one. ⁣
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• Genre tags: historical fiction, literary fiction, Afghanistan ⁣
• Rating: 4.25 ✨

This was such a beautifully written book. I found myself happily lost in the prose several times. I also think that this is such an interesting time period to cover and a perspective that isn't done by others. I think that it is going to appeal to readers who aren't necessarily big historical fiction fans, and I already have several friends that fall in that category that I plan to recommend this to. I'm so glad this book exists.

I started reading this on a plane ride….very quick to get into….finished within a few days.Whilst being an easy read with some interesting characters, I found the story and ending predictable.

Beautifully written--I felt like I learned so much about Afghan culture and history and it mattered to get to learn it through the eyes and heart of this young girl who loves it but is also harmed by what it becomes. Reading this was a rich journey.

Let’s be honest, as an American our understanding of Afghanistan is pretty limited. What Sparks Like Stars does is humanizes the people and their experiences through one young girls horrific ordeal.

It is a story of significant loss, survival, love, hope and never giving up. I don’t think you ever have closure from grief but can you learn how to incorporate it into your life? These are the things that Ms. Hashimi explores.

Unfortunately, for me, I just couldn't get into this book. I wanted to because the writing style was so wonderful, but this book didn't hook me.

Reviewer Note: During 2020 and the beginning of 2021, I found it difficult to get into many books. I don't know if it was my headspace from the pandemic, but there were a number of books I had to set aside.

I really enjoyed this book.This story centers around a young girl and her family during a time of upheaval in Afghanistan and it's aftermath.It is a timely story and also gave me a better feel for the country and its history.I thought it was well-written and kept my interest the whole time I was reading it.Definitely would recommend it!

Set in 1970s Afghanistan and present-day New York, this novel features a young girl who was present at the 1978 military coup in Kabul. Much of what we learn about Afghan history today features more recent years, so it was interesting to learn about this period of the country's history. Would recommend to historical fiction fans.

Amazing book! I would go so far as to say it was one of my favorite books of 2021!
The plight of Sitara, the daughter of an Afghan Presidential aide whose family is murdered in a communist coup, is so remarkably written. The history of Afghanistan is discussed and provides such insight into the country's background. The characters come alive through the author's deft writing skills.
The raw emotion, self-discovery and understanding of circumstances beyond one's control are right there. Great book!

Sparks Like Stars // Nadia Hashimi

I don't often read historical fiction anymore because I burned myself out a little on it in the past but I am so glad I gave this one a chance. What a story Hashimi has put together! I'll be honest: I don't really know anything about the events she has based this book on or Afghanistan itself. But what an incredible book with great descriptions that made me feel like she set me right down into the middle of the action! The flashbacks to her childhood, the current events that led her to where is now, and the relationships with between both her birth parents and her mom now weave together such a compelling story. I did think that scenes about the relationship with her partner felt a little choppy here and there and was more to prove a point rather than to tell us more about her life and character. It could've been done a little more smoothly. But overall, I am really glad I picked up this book.

Whether you usually read historical fiction and want to dip your toes into memoirs or the exact opposite, this would be a great start into either genre. She clearly states that this is fiction, not a memoir, but the feeling of the narration sometimes makes you forget that, which is why I think this could be a good intro into memoirs for someone to see how story-telling can help you learn so much about a person and culture in this medium. I honestly forgot that this was supposed to be fiction multiple times. If you can, choose the audiobook. I'm so glad it was available at my library because that added a whole other layer of enjoyment for me.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to BCG for the ARC. We are thrilled to announce that our next Book Club Girl Early Read is Sparks Like Stars by Nadia Hashimi. If it wasn't for BCG I wouldn't have been approved to read this beautifully written story. Such a captivating story. Highly recommend

This book is so beautifully written -- so sad, yet hopeful at the same time. Especially poignant given what's going on in Afghanistan right now. Do not miss this book. Read with your book group and have a great discussion.

1970s Afghanistan was led by a progressive president. It was a place where women had opportunities for education and careers. American diplomatic posts to Afghanistan were coveted. Foreigners traveled to and through Afghanistan regularly.

Unfortunately, the tentacles of the Cold War changed the future of Afghanistan and in 1978 President Daoud was overthrown in a coup at his palace in Kabul.

The main character in Sparks Like Stars, Sitara Zamini, survives as a witness of the coup. For her safety a palace guard leaves Sitara with an American diplomat who helps her to escape Afghanistan .

Thirty years later, in the United States, Sitara, now a doctor and going by the name Aryana Shepherd, comes face to face with the palace guard that helped her as a child. She is forced to face that dreaded night in 1978.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the opportunity to read this amazing book in exchange for an honest review.