Desert Echoes Written by Abdi Nazemian. Reviewed by Piper, Age 13

I highly recommend that everyone read this sensational novel!

I didn’t really have a full insight into homophobia; what it is, what it means and how the LGBTQ+ community are a victim to it. But this book is an opportunity to look through somebody else’s eyes and experience what they face on a day to day basis, and to whom I thank Abdi Nazemian the author and creator of this beautiful narrative.

Honestly, the book is a very different genre to other stories I have read in the past but the level of description and emotion which has been implemented is incredible, it is like art everywhere you look, there is another level of detail hiding and waiting to be noticed except only certain messages can be conveyed in different forms.

I believe that this message-however different it is to each reader-has been provided very warmly whether you chose to learn from it or not. I love the way the front cover invites you into the story and almost forces you to wonder what the plot point is and whose lives you are going to be part of for a short while.

Also, I really like the way that the chapters jump to different parts of Kam’s life so that you can gain backstories and clues.
It is a romance story and I would suggest that the age range is suitable for around 12 to 14 years. (This is only my personal opinion because it has already been classed by publishers as a YA book.)

A message of the author: “Thank you so much for writing this amazing book and allowing generations to understand certain subjects outside of the classroom!”