Shadows of Tehran

Forged in Conflict: From Iranian Rebel to American Soldier

Fiction - Action
300 Pages
Reviewed on 02/26/2025
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Shadows of Tehran: Forged in Conflict by Nick Berg is a fast-paced, action-packed novel about identity, survival, and the sheer will to keep going, no matter the odds. Based on a true story, it follows Ricardo, a young boy whose life is turned upside down by Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. As chaos takes over, he transforms into the Shadow Rider of Tehran, a daring rebel leader who refuses to back down even when it puts his life on the line. After this, he escapes to the U.S. and builds a new life as a Special Forces soldier, but no matter how far he runs, he just can’t leave his past behind. His journey back to Iran forces him to confront everything he thought he left behind in a gripping story about loyalty, identity, and what fighting for survival really means.

Nick Berg delivers a story that kept me hooked from start to finish, balancing vivid high-stakes action with deep, emotional storytelling that hits you hard. Ricardo’s journey feels raw and real, mixing historical details with a personal, intimate perspective that makes you feel like you’re right there with him. The writing doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of war, but it never feels overdone. What stuck with me was Ricardo’s internal struggle where he's torn between his Iranian roots and his American life, and how that tension influences every decision he makes. The pacing is spot-on, with adrenaline-fueled action balanced by quiet, powerful moments of reflection. And when Berg describes the streets of Tehran or the intensity of military training, you can tell he knows what he’s talking about because it all feels incredibly real. The way he captures resilience, sacrifice, and the weight of history makes this a story that lingers and continues to educate you and make you curious, even after you've finished it. Overall, Shadows of Tehran: Forged in Conflict is a gripping, powerful read that’s both timely and unforgettable, and I would definitely recommend it.