Description
Book SynopsisTrade Review“Just another bunch of Goliaths,” a brave young man declares in Bezak’s big-hearted, faith-centering dystopian future fantasy, set in a 2212 where the secular world, ruled by the Tanas Corporation, has outlawed religion, cracked down on curiosity itself, and stolen the loving patriarch from 12-year-old orphan Jacob’s new adopted family. Jacob, a city boy, is new to faith, though his discovery of a copy of the Quran—a true rarity—has roused in him a deep sense of connection to Islam.
Bezak’s debut connects contemporary political, cultural, and religious tensions—Jacob is an orphan because the Tanas Corp forcibly separates “the children of the enemy” in labor camps—with classic YA adventure storytelling, and a dystopian edge. Its heart is an exciting story of standing up against tyranny—and, for Jacob, of finding a path toward faith. Jacob and his new brothers face a most dangerous adventure, taking to heart the words of young Majdi: “How often a small force has defeated a large army with Allah’s permission.”
Bezak writes warmly of family, faith, and camaraderie, and the story builds to surprises and betrayals. Scenes of action and suspense have power as the Goliath-facing heroes plot to infiltrate a mountaintop research facility. This engaging YA fantasy pits faith and family against a tyrannical corporation.
Publisher’s Weekly
Table of ContentsChapter 1: TREASURE
Chapter 2: MEETING MAJDI
Chapter 3: VOICES
Chapter 4: A DINNER WITH DESTINY
Chapter 5: THE SHURAH
Chapter 6: BALAK
Chapter 7: LOST AND FOUND
Chapter 8: ROOM ELEVEN
Chapter 9: WHAT IF...
Chapter 10: PARADISE
Chapter 11: GIANTS
Chapter 12: SOMETHING STRANGE
Chapter 12: THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN
Chapter 14: THE HUNT
Chapter 15: HALFWAY THERE
Chapter 16: THE UNSEEN
Chapter 17: FIVE QUESTIONS
Chapter 18: THE ENEMY
Chapter 19: JUSTICE
Chapter 20: VERSTECK
Chapter 21: FOUND AND LOST
Chapter 22: THE KEY
Chapter 23: BATTLE AND BELIEF
Chapter 24: BETRAYAL
Chapter 25: SWORDS
Chapter 26: THE TEST
Chapter 27: THE FIRE
Chapter 28: ANNA FROM ADMIN
Chapter 29: BALAK'S REVENGE
Chapter 30: DISCOVERY AND DESTINATION
Chapter 31: AT THE BEGINNING AND AT THE END
QUR'AN GLOSSARY
HADITH GLOSSARY
REFERENCE BOOKS
GLOSSARY OF ARABIC TERMS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
