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Zahra Omar Shansab is an award-winning author and started writing poetry and short stories when she was in 4th grade in Kabul, Afghanistan. Forced to flee Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation, she lived in India for several years before immigrating to the United States.
After receiving a degree in psychology she enjoyed working with children of diverse backgrounds. Her personal experiences as a woman and an immigrant compel her to tell the stories of the downtrodden and the desperate. Her first book, The Shoeshine of Kabul, is a Gold Mom’s Choice Award Recipient, Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Finalist and won Honorable Mentions in the Hollywood, Paris, New York, and San Francisco Book Festivals.
Reviewed by Jennifer Ibiam for Readers' Favorite
Light Chaser by Zahra Omar Shansab is the story of Pari, a vibrant thirteen-year-old in Afghanistan who loved education. Pari loved to read and lived in her fantasy world most of the time. She lost her father to landmines during the war, and her school burned down. Pari consoled herself by reading the books she had received from her father. Life was hard, and her family could barely feed themselves. The day Pari went on an errand, pandemonium broke out, a foreign entity made it into their home, and all hell was let loose. Her family incurred the wrath of the insurgents, so they must flee to save their lives. But where to? Pari and her family embarked on a journey into the unknown. What does fate have in store for her?
Light Chaser by Zahra Omar Shansab is a short but riveting novel. The plot and development of the story were excellent. With chaos and disruption everywhere, this story was sobering. Pari lived each day in war-torn Afghanistan, fearful of every second. Dreams quashed, zero safety, and horrible living conditions were their lot. My heart went out to people experiencing unrest worldwide. The story also looked at cultural and religious bias, especially against women. They live in a world where man-made laws sealed the fate of women when they were babes. However, Pari was brave, never losing her empathy and optimism, even in the face of danger. Aalia was also a heroine who fought against limitations, regardless of the consequences. Light Chaser is a fictional story that mirrors reality. It touched my heart, and I hope Pari never loses her light.
