Daughters of Smoke and Fire

As a Kurdish woman, born in Mariwan, the story line mimics my experiences, feeling the oppression with every single cell in my body: both as a woman under the inhumane Islamic Regime and as a Kurd under a Racist system. For non-Kurds “Daughters of Smoke and Fire” might be approached as a Novel but to millions of Kurds this work of art is a factual memoir. The systematic racism which has seeped into the society is well portrayed in the novel. In first grade I was called an infidel Kurd by a Persian Khahar (Sister: moral police in schools); I knew I was a Kurd but did not understand the infidel part, which upon inquiring from my father, he replied to yes, we are and theres nothing wrong with it, one should love humanity for the sake of humanity.
I am grateful for Ava Homa who has so elegantly articulated the pain, hatred and fear Kurds feel every day. The depiction of the Police State in the occupied Kurdistan parallels to 1984 and how those opposing the system are exterminated.
Being deprived of our basic human rights to self-determination, being forced to learn Arabic because it’s language of Islam yet deprived of our native tongue!! Atrocities still continue, the beautiful Kurdland torn into four pieces.
Ava Homa is an amazing writer, her talent enables her to give voice to those who have none, I was in tears for some chapters and was rejoicing for the others, those were my memories, it was about me! I did not want to eat or sleep until I finished the novel, many of the scenes were so vivid and well-articulated I remembered myself walking along Zrebar Lake and hating the occupying army whose boots were trembling the poppies on my blood-soaked land!
There are so many lines that burnt into my memory, the one I love the most is when Leila responds to the question of if shes proud to be Kurdish, and her reply is Proud is not the right word; being proud of belonging to a certain race, gender or religion has no merit for pride, one did not do anything to belong to that group except being born into it by chance. We should strive to make others lives better, we should strive to spread love and stop hatred and war, we should strive toward healing wounds and opening a communication bridge, for humanity to see one another as equals deserving of same rights, only and only then we can say were proud.
Ava gian bravo for penning an amazing literary work, in every sense of the word!!

I must confess, I havent taken the time in years to read a novel. My friend highly recommended Daughters of Smoke and Fire by Ava Homa, so I ordered it on Amazon.

Once I finally sat down to read it, I was captivated by this book and didnt want to put it down. The journey it takes you on is unforgettable.

This beautify written novel is descriptive poetry. You will lose yourself in this life experience that is unfamiliar to so many of us.

Daughters of Smoke and Fire is an honest depiction of the most painful reality of our world and the drive for change. IT IS A MUST READ!!!!

This novel is engaging and looks though the eyes and senses of a young child as she grows into a woman who is finding her voice. Sometimes diving the depths into deep wounds. You will have a better understanding of a part of the world you may not be familiar with. Our inner thoughts, community, society and family dynamics that connects us all: it transcends all cultures and distance.

I HIGHLY recommend this novel by Ava Homa. Daughters of Smoke and Fire is an exquisite example of a beautifully written novel that expresses a voice that needs to be heard.

Diana D.

Ms. Homa creates a fictional account that draws the reader into the heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting story of the Kurdish people. A well-known figure internationally, she has created a work and heartfelt characters that will stand the test of time. While the novel contains some disturbing material, it is dramatically necessary and historically accurate. Do not miss this book!

I loved this book. I familiar with Ava Homa as a journalist. I knew that her meticulous attention to detail would result in a fiery, well-told tale that checked all the boxes of a first-rate novel. She pulls you in to knowing and caring for each character, using a vivid paint brush to detail the people and their plight. It’s powerful and compelling. I was so enthralled with the story telling that I did not want it to end. It’s hard to believe this is a first novel. Although a work of fiction, it’s well researched and heartbreaking and yet hopeful. The book is a history lessen about the plight of the Kurds and lead me to research Sherko Bekas. Well done Ava! I look forward to reading more by this brilliant author.

an extraordinary read that takes you out of your world to the author’s, the world of a Kurish girl battling the injustice, sexism, a patriarchic society by society and the Government who has reserved no right for Kurdish people for decades, who have executed and exiled individuals in silence away from public eyes for years now.
This book is so well-written that you will feel the thrill, and the hurts that drive her, I’m a justice-seeker myself, I’m a girl arisen from the same society so reading through the lines took me back years and I could feel what she felt at times, her scars were mine…brilliant narrative and very easy to read.

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