Queen B’s Decree: Istanbul Crossing was outside of my normal read, but I’m glad I branched out.
Ahdaf, our main character, is a Syrian refugee living in the Asian side of Istanbul. He is considered a “smuggler,” but I think he’s more of a Harriet Tubman-type character, helping other refugees flee to Greece. He’s sort of hiding in plain sight from ISIS, as he fled Syria for being gay—which is forbidden in Islam.
Istanbul Crossing really made me reflect upon my own life; how much I take for granted. I have never worried about living in a place without a full bathroom, or whether or not my sexuality will get me killed.
There is the hint of a romance here—and you know me, I always want more—but I like that it was just the beginnings of the relationship. It gives the reader hope for Ahdaf’s future.
Overall, this was a read that forced me to expand my thinking.
Book: Istanbul Crossing by Timothy Jay Smith
Series: standalone
Genre: Fiction
Hotness: mild salsa
Plot Devices/Tropes: LGBTQ