Shattering, brave, angering account

‘How much can a single person endure? Traumatised, uprooted, abused – Farida continues to deal with the consequences of ISIS. Nevertheless, this memoir is full of hope. She is a very strong individual, she has the heart of a lioness. An amazing story that encourages us never to keep quiet or to give in’

‘Farida tells her story courageously and bravely as she describes how she resisted attempts to convert, marry and rape her, for so long in some cases that the ISIS henchmen actually left her alone’

‘Farida shows the good and bad sides of religion… She criticises aspects of her own upbringing like certain religious taboos – such nuance is impressive’

‘Her story highlights atrocities, but it is also a moving account of how friendship, love and the will to survive are mightier than any barbarism’

A stunning, heart wrenching narrative... Everyone should read this in order to get to the heart of the tragedy of the Arab world and the distortion of Islam being perpetrated by ISIS. Beautifully written in the voice of a teenage girl, this book gives more of an understanding of what is happening than political treatises.

This powerful testimoney is ... as gripping as it is appalling

A compelling testament to the suffering of ordinary people caught up in violence far beyond their control – and to the particularly terrible price it exacts from women.

Starkly horrifying memoir.

Farida Khalaf won her small but significant battle. Its happy ending notwithstanding, it's difficult to focus on positivity – but then, perhaps that's why this remains a vital read.

A gut-wrenching and relentless experience...Farida's story needs to be told.

A powerful description of a world ripped apart... Farida tells a story that is testament to how toxic violence can be born of religion.

This is a mesmerising study of human cruelty and a brave depiction of the monsters that arise when reason sleeps.

It’s a shattering, brave, enraging book but also a stirring story of survival.

An unflinching account… This is one of those rare volumes that offers astonishing insights into the human spirit… A catalogue of horror is made bearable only by her extraordinary courage.

Although a harrowing story it is also an uplifting one as it is truly a triumph of the human spirit over terror.

This is a brave, harrowing but necessary book.

So shocking you will read it in one sitting.