Genre: Spy Thriller, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Jay
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About The Book
In this coming-of-age literary thriller, Ahdaf, a gay Syrian refugee, after watching his cousin executed by ISIS for being homosexual, flees to Istanbul for safety.
Ahdaf’s reputation as a people smuggler has put him in danger once more. A Syrian refugee himself, Ahdaf earns a meager living in Istanbul helping others make the crossing to Greece – a perilous line of work, but no less so than what he would face if the truth of his sexuality were discovered by ISIS.
Yet when the CIA and ISIS approach him about transporting high-profile individuals and serving as a double agent for their causes, Ahdaf ’s life is thrown into turmoil. And when his feelings for one of his clients come to light and as another possible relationship grows, the decision is taken out of his hands. Now a new choice lies before him, between two men and two different futures – if Ahdaf will live to see either of them. Istanbul Crossing is a story of adversity, love, and the courage of an ordinary man who must brave impossible situations in order to survive.
The Review
This is a fascinating story about a gay Syrian who flees ISIS, and ends up in Istanbul helping other refugees to escape to Europe via the Istanbul crossing of the title.
Ahdaf is gradually committed to working as a double agent with both CIA and ISIS. The plot is full of action, and there are some horrific scenes, but the hero manages to be true to himself and his beliefs. He is torn between two men – a client who becomes a friend, and his American/Turkish handler. The basis of the story is very topical and the author brings life and reality to the plight of people in Ahdaf’s situation, and others escaping fundamentalist terrorists for all kinds of reasons.
The author does not hesitate to show the gritty and sometimes tragic aspects of escape, and anyone interested in the politics of the refugee problem would find this an engrossing read, whether or not they were equally interested in the romance element which never overwhelms the plot. I would like large numbers of people to read Ahdaf’s tale, and be drawn into the refugee world so well depicted, in such harrowing detail, by a really good writer.
Five stars.
The Reviewer
I’ve been doing book reviews on my website, crossposted or linked to various social media, for a few years. I read a number of genres but I really enjoy all kinds of speculative fiction so thought I’d like to share my views with you. I love sci fi and other speculative fiction because of the way it can, at its best, make us see ourselves in a new light. Quite apart from the exciting stories, of course! I used to be an English teacher, and I’m a writer (fantasy) so I can be quite critical about style etc. but I hope I can also appreciate properly some books that don’t appeal to me personally but might be simply perfect for others. I have, obviously, read widely, and continue to do so.
