by Hashem Abdi (Author)
In the chaos following the collapse of the Somali federal government in 1991, Qilad, a remote village nestled between towering mountains, lush forests, and a powerful river, remained untouched. Naeem, the eldest son of Qilad's leader, had his future mapped out: the girl he would marry, the friends he would keep, and the people he would one day lead. But when thieves begin stealing trees from the village's neighboring forest, Naeem and his two best friends seize the chance to prove themselves. However, their plan backfires, emboldening the thieves and sparking a series of events that devastate the forest. Forced to flee into the wilderness, Naeem must confront his past mistakes, battle the evil forces threatening his family, and find a way to rebuild or risk losing everything he holds dear.