Jihadi Bride

Overall Rating = 4.38
Storyline & Concept = 4
Writing and Delivery = 4
Cover Marketability = 4.5
Editorial = 5

Jihadi Bride by Alistair Luft (The Battle Within, 2017) is a gut-wrenching, technically intuitive, story that shows the author’s rising potential. When task force agent Erik Petersson’s college-aged daughter, Arielle, converts to Islam and decides she’s going to answer the call to travel to Syria to assist victims of the raging civil war, he begins a tireless campaign to save her. What follows is a well-researched account of Islamic culture and the horrors of terrorism.
Erik’s quest to rescue her also forces him through a downward spiral. The author shows a gift with dialogue—conversations throughout the book are believable, and you can feel his characters’ emotions. In a few instances, the author could have expanded on an adequate description of the settings and locational transitions that leave the story feeling like a single-stage theatrical play when the scenery changes before the lights come back up.
Jihadi Bride’s action scenes are compelling, descriptive, and excellently paced.
Sublime Line: “Ultimately, aside from a few slow chapters, Jihadi Bride is a smart thriller that gives the reader a scary peek inside one family’s harrowing experience with modern Islamic terrorism.”

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.
I really enjoyed this story. I had to keep reminding myself it was fiction! This is not for the faint hearted as it does get quite gory in parts. A true representation of the world we live in today!

Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions to overcome you as you read this book! While I found only a few of the chapters a little slow, this book blew my mind as I imagined being in this predicament! A very well written book, the author is able to place you right into the story and have you experience the turmoil within! Heartfelt, Heartwrenching, You'll feel this book to your core!

This book was quite disturbing and took me through so many emotions! It was quite graphic in parts, which did turn my stomach a bit, but it also felt right for the story, not forced. The author did a great job of immersing the reader into the story. Very well written.
Thank you to NetGalley and this publisher for the ARC and opportunity to read this book and provide my honest review.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you NetGalley.

this was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions. a strong storyline. interesting and developed characters.. you won't regret checking it out.

This story of a father Erik, whose daughter Arielle travelled to the Islamic caliphate in Syria is well told. I enjoyed the beginning and end most, which dealt more with the psychology of the story and relationship between father and daughter. I found the middle slow and detailed and at times harrowing and didn't enjoy that aspect of the story, but I guess it was necessary.

This is a gripping read. It was well written, very engaging and so very current. Erik is a widower as his wife committed suicide many years before so he is raising his daughter Arial alone. His mission ironically is preventing young people from becoming radicalised. Little does he know that the same fate awaits his beloved daughter when an incident at university sends her on this path of destruction. This book is action packed and fast paced. It's told from the point of view of Erik and Arial at different points. Their characters are strong and well written. Descriptive language is well chosen and the topic is very hard hitting. Luft dealt very sensitively with it. His writing is praiseworthy and drew me in form the beginning. I look forward to reading more from this talented writer.

The author wrote very realistically about family trials, grief, balancing work and life. The radicalization of youth and subsequent terrorism was very true to life while suspenseful. An excellent book.