Sparks Like Stars

More about the book

In 1978 Kabul, Sitara Zalmani, a girl from a prominent family, enjoys a privileged life amid the city's vibrant culture. However, her world collapses when communists stage a coup, killing her family and leaving her as the sole survivor. Smuggled out by a guard named Shair, she is taken in by an American diplomat who adopts her. Renamed Aryana Shepherd, she immerses herself in her studies and becomes a renowned surgeon, determined to bury the trauma of her past. Fast forward to 2018, Aryana's life is upended when an elderly patient, Shair, unexpectedly appears in her examination room. His presence stirs a mix of fury and a longing for answers about her family's tragic fate. Confronted with her unresolved feelings, Aryana realizes she cannot move forward without uncovering the truth. This revelation propels her on a journey back to Kabul, now a battleground between a corrupt government and the Taliban, forcing her to confront the shadowy memories of her lost childhood and the life she once cherished.