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Where the Sun Rises - an emotional and gripping war novel: A story of feminine courage and friendship by [Suzanne Strong]

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Suzanne Strong

Where the Sun Rises - an emotional and gripping war novel: A story of feminine courage and friendship Kindle Edition

by Suzanne Strong (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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For most, the war with ISIS plays out on a faceless global stage. For these two best friends, it’s personal…

Kurdish Syria, 2014. Karin longs to fight for her freedom. Except she’s forced to stay home while her brother heads into battle and ISIS advances. But when death and destruction arrive at the city gates, Karin shoulders her rifle and prepares to engage.

Roza aches for the peaceful life of a wife and mother. But when she loses her husband in mortar fire, her grief drives her into the female militia to defend her family. Her rage only grows when she discovers her friend's sister has been captured by ISIS.

Fighting side-by-side with their fellow sisters, Karin and Roza launch a daring and potentially lethal rescue mission. But the horrors they encounter will test their commitment to the cause, and may demand sacrifices no friend should have to bear…

Will the determined guerrillas put their lives on the line and win the battle for their families and homeland?

Where the Sun Rises is a touching story of feminine courage and friendship, based on real events. If you like strong women, compassionate relationships, and untold stories of heroism, then you’ll love Suzanne Strong’s powerful novel.

Buy Where the Sun Rises to open your eyes to the truth today!

Length: 271 pages	Word Wise: Enabled	Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
Page Flip: Enabled	Age Level: 14 - 18

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Where the Sun Rises is a novel told from alternating viewpoints of two childhood friends: Karin and Roza...It's a heart wrenching story of two women who give up everything to protect their families and the land that they love...Both women face heartbreaking losses and choose to fight for the YPJ out of fierce love for their families...This novel traces the journey two highly educated young women take to become tough, skillful militia fighters...Karin and Roza's courage will catch you and make you wonder at their ability to persevere. They are ordinary women who respond to extraordinary circumstances. I cried throughout this story, and what I took from the ending was that we all have the ability to fight for what we love when the situation demands it, though the cost we pay is very high." - Manhattan Book Review

"Where the Sun Rises is an ambitious,compassionate and powerful novel. Sensory memories accessed through scents and tastes are used brilliantly to evoke the physical strain, tenderness andrevulsion of war for female soldiers in the fight against ISIS. Their story deserves a far wider readership and Strong's achievement lies in her ability to take usinto their dangerous world." - Dr. Toby Davidson, Lecturer, Macquarie University, Sydney.

"Powerful and credible. An eye-opener to a story werarely hear." Dr. Lynne Spender, UTS Lecturer, Sydney.

"A wonderfully unique read, highlighting the horrors of war while exploring the relationships between women determined to fight and protect their region. At times harrowing and heart-wrenching but also filled with hope. Well worth a read." Goodreads Reviewer Dawn Brookes.

"The beauty of this novel is in its rich exploration of the characters of Roza and Karin. Their story is told with compassion, feminine understanding and gentle humour. Suzanne Strong's skill and thorough research takes you deep into the lives and struggles of these Kurdish women in a memorable, compelling and emotionally touching read." Heather Preston.

From the Author

...In 2015 after watching a lot of documentaries on the women fighting Daesh in Syria - I thought to myself, what if we could see this war through their eyes? I was in awe of their courage and the choices they had to make and how courageous they were in standing up to this enemy. I wanted to write a tale of devotion to your friends and family, but also about the sheer courage of these real women. I had a central plot from the beginning, and two main characters in my mind.

There is a dearth of books about war written a female perspective, depicting their comradery and personal experience, their heroism and courage. So I wanted to do this in honour of these women I had researched. I must stress that my two main characters are fictional, but the facts around the women's lives are real.

Over three years, I undertook more than 2000 hours of research. This included watching documentaries, reading articles, information, learning Kurdish language, cultural customs, food, and contacting the female militia groups, Kurdish organisations and individuals who had fought in thewar. All of the Kurdish people I contacted were very excited and supportive of Where the Sun Rises. I travelled to the middle east and looked from the Golan Heights into Syria, seeing the devastation for myself. I also wanted to experience the atmosphere, culture, history, tastes, light, sound and sensory elements of this area.

This is how Where the Sun Rises was conceived and birthed. Thanks for reading. Kind regards, Suzanne

Publication Date : October 9, 2019
File Size : 404 KB
Word Wise : Enabled
Print Length : 271 pages
Publisher : Green Acre Publishing (October 9, 2019)
ASIN : B07V3GR6FX
Language: : English
Lending : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Enhanced Typesetting : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Simultaneous Device Usage : Unlimited

Best Sellers Rank: #1,400,669 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #259 in Middle Eastern Literature (Kindle Store)
- #590 in Australian & Oceanian Literature
- #759 in Middle Eastern Literature (Books)

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Malve von Hassell

A vivid account of the ‘lionesses’ fighting for Kurdish autonomy

Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2020

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Kurdish women have played a central role in Kurdish society and politics despite the fact that they live in a male-dominated world still plagued by profound challenges with regard to women’s rights, forced marriages, honor killings, and even in some areas female genital mutilation. Nonetheless Kurdish women have served as chiefs of tribes and rulers, in some instances described as ‘lionesses,’ for their bravery and determination. Meanwhile, in the last decades in particular, Kurdish women in Iraq and Syria have served as outstanding, courageous, and relentless fighters in the struggle against Isis. When the Sun Rises offers a stirring fictionalized account of the struggles faced by these remarkable women, true lionesses.

The story begins in Kobane, situated at the border between Turkey and Syria, in 2014, when the city was under siege by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as Daesh.

The protagonist is Karin, a medical student at university who together with her best friend Roza decides to join the fight against Daesh in the desire to defend their home and their families. Both Karin and Roza experience heartbreaking losses which push them toward making the difficult decision to join up despite the sacrifice of having to leave their families and, in Roza’s case, even a child behind. The two women try to stay together throughout their training in the Women's Protection Unit (YPJ) and in battle. They also form strong bonds with other women in their unit as well as a few men with whom they interact.

The writing is vivid and believable with colorful descriptions of family life in Kobani and the sounds and scents of Kurdish life which makes the destruction wreaked by the war even more devastating. The author provides compelling insights into the various complex emotions experienced by these women who reach their decisions to join up for a range of reasons, but are united in friendship and affection until the end.

The book ends on a positive note, with a glimpse of a recovering city and the sense of life resuming.

As a bitter coda to this moving account which was released in October 2019, just at that time, the Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria led to the Second Northern Syria Buffer Zone Agreement and forced Kurdish military forces to withdraw from Kobane while the city was placed under the control of the Syrian army and the Russian military police. My heart goes out to the fictional Karin and all her sisters who have been fighting so valiantly for autonomy.

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Arie David

Remarkable book that provides Invaluable insights into this sad and brutal war.

Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2019

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Every day when I watch the news, I see images of the war-torn struggles of Kurdish people as a collective group. What Suzanne Strong’s powerful book Where the Sun Rises has managed to do is remarkable: she helped me get to know, care for and identify with those involved with the war on a more personal level. The main characters are women I would like to befriend and could not stop thinking about even after I finished reading the book. Through Ms. Strong’s detailed writing, the reader vividly experiences the sights, smells, tastes and sounds of those regions. We learn about the political and religious conflicts that motivate an amazing group of women and the horrendous obstacles they must fight just to get bare human necessities: food, shelter, love and freedom. This novel is crucial reading for our modern world since the fighting in these regions continues. The compassionate insights apply not only to the sad and brutal stories of these Kurdish regions and their people but extends to basically all war ravished communities throughout history. Where the Sun Rises is a classic worth reading in the canons of other great works depicting the horrors of war as well as strength of the human spirit, such as Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front and Bao Ninh’s The Sorrow of War.

Lisa David, Esq.

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Amazon Customer

An immersive experience in this captivating tale of friendship

Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2020

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From the first paragraph of Where The Sun Rises the reader is drawn into the world of Karin, a young Kurdish medical student forced through circumstances and her own belief in justice to join the war against Daesh/ISIS. We also meet Roza, a teacher and young mother, representing a more passive demographic. How will each react to the horrors of war?

The very human side of armed conflict, as depicted, begs us as readers to consider how we would react under similar conditions. Would we be among those who choose to flee across the border, to what might be safety? Would we defiantly stay in our homes despite the odds? Or would we act by taking up arms and getting involved in beating back the aggressors?

Suzanne Strong's meticulous research pays off, as she seamlessly presents a credible, realistic, immersive experience forming a colourful background to this captivating tale of friendship. Through her richly textured descriptions, we experience the day-to-day circumstances of those living through war.

It is only through their darkest days and their camaraderie (with each other and their sisters-in-arms) that the young women get to know themselves and what they are capable of, but the real power of this book lies in how it affects the reader. The questions it raises and the gratitude for being spared the choices demanded by war, will continue to haunt this reader.

It is our agency and integrity that will carry us through dark times and the young heroines of Where The Sun Rises stand tall in testament. It is an anthem for female camaraderie and friendship, while recognising their love and respect for the men in their lives. The author manages to breathe life into and foster empathy even for minor characters, both male and female.

A surprisingly uplifting read, despite its serious setting, I recommend Where The Sun Rises as a must-read for anyone paying attention to the raging conflicts of our era and concerned about where we are heading in reaction.

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Anette Christensen

An eyeopening and captivating story

Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2020

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I love books by authors who are 100% invested in their subject and who can wrap a story around a subject that makes it interesting and relevant to us all. Suzanne is such an author. The Kurdish people's much overlooked struggle in the media and the conflict in Syria in general becomes relevant through the characters, Karin and Roza. This is an eye opening and captivating story. Furthermore, it is well written and well documented. A book that deserves to fly of the shelves.

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Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer

Great Read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 24, 2020

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Suzanne Strong has written a very powerful book that will tug at your heart.
This is a story about the brave women who fought against the Daesh to save their town. An Eye-opener and a tearjerker to the way they sacrificed themselves for their comrades.
This is a book that you won't want to put down until you finish it.

Dab Reader

Unique & gritty

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 2, 2020

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A wonderfully unique read, highlighting the horrors of war while exploring the relationships between women determined to fight and protect their region. At times harrowing and heart-wrenching but also filled with hope. Well worth a read.

Espionage Lover

A Budding Nadine Gordimer

Reviewed in Canada on December 17, 2019

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"Where The Sun Rises" by Suzanne Strong confronts the soul in ways reminiscent of Nadine Gordimer's writing. The author's ardent prose follows an earthy drumbeat that resonates in the manner of Hemingway's "For Whom The Bell Tolls" yet it is made all the more poignant by Strong's empathetic touch.
The story unwinds the most recent tragedy for the Kurdish people in Syria seen through the eyes of two women friends. Daesh beheadings and atrocities perpetrated against their family members, friends and neighbors enrage Karin and Roza and provoke them to enlist in the Kurdish Women's Brigade where they make war employing guts and daring.
Experience the ISIS siege of Kobane on the ground and feel the way a woman brings the tragedy of the war in Syria and the ongoing struggle of the Kurdish people to life.

Mark Cooper

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!!!!

Reviewed in Australia on June 1, 2020

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"She stopped and fired her AK47. Karin had also stopped. and began to fire as well. The girls ran past them, screaming. Tanah hurriedly ushered them inside the building. Three Daesh men fell onto the street dead, and Roza felt something slam into her arm. Wetness and shock filled her. Karin supported Roza across the street towards the door and into the passageway. Roza was bleeding from a deep wound to her arm, but there was no time to stop."

Suzanne's gripping war novel is a fantastic read. It is based on the true story of the Kurdish Women's Protection Units (YPJ) defeating Daesh (ISIL) in Kobane, the Syrian town near the border of Turkey, in 2014/15. A celebration of the power of unity and determination in the face of evil.

If you like a good war story, this is one of the best!!

One person found this helpful

Kathryn Le Gay Brereton

A beautifully written, emotive novel; behold the fierce sisterhood rejecting tyranny.

Reviewed in Australia on January 2, 2020

Verified Purchase

Suzanne Strong's affecting novel induced me to shed tears, swept me up in the moment as though I was, indeed, on the ground in Kurdish Syria, and had me on tenterhooks throughout.

I had the pleasure of reading 'Where the Sun Rises' over the New Year. On more than one occasion, I found myself with goose bumps and hairs upstanding - unable to put this book down for fear of missing what happens next.

I would highly recommend! Five stars!

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