I can't remember exactly what appealed to me first from Nadia or what expectations I had but I am sure it exceeded everything.

Written in two voices, one woman, and one man, who are survivors of the Bosnian war in Sarajevo, and who are now both navigating the reality of refugee life in London.

Tense and suspenseful, it reads like a thriller in some parts. It’s frightening, with brilliant descriptions of the impact of sexual violence and the use of sex as a survival bargaining tool. This is how it is to make split-second decisions about life and death in the face of snipers and traitors, starvation and destruction, the book inevitably promotes the question – what would I do in this situation?

The characters are credible and evoke empathy.

Also, the integration of lesbian sexuality and descriptions of the London queer scene gave it complexity and made me want to come back for more. Such an amazing book.

This is an exciting book, with agreat character that will make you cheer for her. Nadia will make you hope she turns out okay in the end.

Nadia takes place in two time frames. In London, after the Bosnian War, and during the armed conflict that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the war. Nadia is a Muslim woman who is struggling with her identity as she was raised by a conservative Muslim family. Nadia has a strong attraction to and falls in love with a strong willed lesbian, Zara, during the war. Nadia's life in London is dull and boring as an office worker but this quickly changes as someone new joins the team. Nadia quickly realized he is not who he claims to be, but then again neither is Nadia.

Christine Evans creates a character that the reader feels deeply for in Nadia. As the narrative takes the reader back and forth in time from the conflict to the UK we uncover more about the struggles Nadia faced with her family, religion and sexuality. The author handles this with sensitivity even though a lot of the book deals with the brutality of war.

As Nadia comes to terms with her past and learns how to live in the present the reader is compelled to read on. The supporting characters are realistic, with doubts and fears, strengths and weaknesses, societal pressures, and problems with their jobs and love lives.

Nadia is a character and a book I won't soon forget. I would re-read Nadia to see what I missed or misinterpreted the first time. I encourage everyone to go their local bookstore and pickup a copy immediately.