Aria Aber has delivered a powerhouse novel exploring belonging, identity, family and the ties that bind us, art, and grief. I instantly found myself drawn into Nilab’s world watching with equal parts intrigue and an almost parental worry. Nilab is young and facing grief over the lost of her mother, the feeling of belonging no where, and immense pressure from her culture but also herself in terms of making art. It’s easy to understand how the attention of a writer who is older and experienced success would be so enticing and hard to escape. I had a few moments in the book where I felt such anxiety about what would happen to Nilab that I couldn’t put the book down. I always love when a poet decides to write a novel as the writing is so sharp and rich. Aber did not disappoint. This will be a book that I revisit in the future and will be recommending to friends.