Quarter Finalist

Assessment:

Plot: The author crafts an excellent, multilayered, and timely mystery surrounding a Syrian refugee whose path to assimilation is thrown into disarray after an uncle's murder—an event that will lead into riveting territory that defies reader expectations.

Prose: The author writes in polished and commanding prose that seamlessly balances the story's many thematic elements.

Originality: The author offers a highly original premise that incorporates themes of xenophobia, religion, and personal identity, while also playfully challenging readers' assumptions.

Character Development: Bronzy excels at crafting the well-rounded characters that populate her story.

Blurb: This novel is a daringly original and complex study of cultural identity and xenophobia, as well as a far-reaching thriller concerning a long-held family secret.

Date Submitted: June 14, 2017