Martyrs al-Sabra is a work of darkly thrilling terrorist fiction penned by author Dan M. Kalin, and forms the first book in the Martyrs series. Set in the near future as America welcomes its very first female president, her administration is immediately beset with fear as ‘The Hammer of Islam’ makes them a prime target. Reporting on these events is former Palestinian orphan Farid Monsour al-Haj, adopted into American life and encouraged to report from a Muslim perspective. His childhood friend, Justin Simons, has now become a Special Agent for the FBI, and as Justin joins the manhunt for the terrorists behind the threat, his lifelong friendship with Farid may be tested to its furthest limits.

This is such an involved, complex and well-crafted plot that I don’t want to give away too many of the intricacies and discoveries, because they are so well placed and revealed for each thrilling moment to be unveiled. Author Dan M. Kalin creates a superb story line with really believable characters who come from those cross-points of conflict where you can truly understand their misgivings and fractured loyalties in the face of extremism. Farid, in particular, is very well drawn, an empathetic figure with a lot more going on under the surface. Overall, I found Martyrs al-Sabra to be a lengthy but ultimately rewarding read with a deep level of political intrigue sure to satisfy even the most picky of plot-driven readers, but the story also has a powerful heart in its characters and the choices they have to make.

Martyrs al-Sabra by Dan M. Kalin is a compelling opening in the Martyrs series. It is 2020 and the United States has just elected the first female president. But the administration and the nation are under threat from a new form of terrorism led by the mysterious Hammer of Islam. The task force led by FBI Special Agent Justin Simons is on the hunt for the terrorists. One man may be of invaluable help in solving the mystery; the Palestinian orphan raised by an American family and longtime friend of the Special Agent, the television news icon Farid Monsour al-Haj. But Farid is torn between his American culture and his Palestinian heritage, a past that thrusts him into internal conflict. Having been adopted by an American family, he is given the best education, but encouraged to keep his Palestinian roots. This background will fuel the internal conflict in the character and readers will be keen to see which side he takes.

Dan M. Kalin creates powerful characters, giving them a background that is solid. This novel will have great appeal for fans of thrillers with strong political themes. The author writes beautifully and develops a captivating story on Islamic terrorism. The villain is designed to be a shadowy figure and this creates the sense of mystery and suspense that readers look for in this kind of narrative. The plot is deftly handled, with intricacies that take readers to unexpected places and twists that are surprisingly satisfying. The plot is unpredictable and each chapter is written to keep the reader wanting to move on to the next the moment they read the last paragraph. Martyrs al-Sabra is a page-turner, a mesmerizing entry into a series I’d gladly like to see on screen.