A Palestinian teenager finds his footing amid escalating violence across Jerusalem in this taut debut novel.
The sudden death of Hassan at the hands of an Israeli shakes his friends Aziz and Mustafa to their core, leaving them grappling with grief, guilt, and an uncertain future. Drawn into the orbit of Hassan's father-a respected community leader known for his charity work and fiery speeches-they struggle to find their place in a world that feels increasingly volatile.
Meanwhile, Aziz wrestles with his growing feelings for Dafna, a Jewish girl he works with in West Jerusalem. This angers Mustafa, who accuses Aziz of betraying Hassan's memory. With violence escalating around them, Aziz's mother searches for a way to secure his future, even if it means leaving behind the city he loves. But as events spiral beyond his control, Aziz is forced to confront painful truths about loss, survival, and what it means to find hope amid the ruins.
Seven Heavens Away is a gripping and moving coming-of-age story that delves into the complexities of identity, power, and the fight for freedom. A Palestinian teenager finds his footing amid escalating violence across Jerusalem in this taut debut novel. • TIMELY AND POWERFUL: With an urgent need for Palestinian voices and stories in the shadow of the war in Gaza, Seven Heavens Away is deeply relevant to today's global conversations about justice and resistance.
• THE TRUE COST OF WAR: For fans of Omar el-Akkad and Saeed Teebi, debut author Ashraf Zaghal has crafted an engrossing Own Voices novel about the personal stakes of war and occupation, where love and loyalty are constantly tested by violence.
• COMING OF AGE: Exploring the intersection of cross-cultural romance and political radicalization, Seven Heavens Away is a heart-wrenching story of friendship, love, loss and survival.
