AN EPIC TALE OF COLLIDING CULTURES, FANATICAL RELIGIONS, BROTHERHOOD, AND THE VIOLENT EFFECTS OF WAR
AVAILABLE IN SCRIBNER HARDBACK IN BOOK STORES AND ONLINE
"Just when you think it's not possible to read a debut novel that offers something fresh, a book comes along that catches you off-guard....Fidali's Way is a lushly written, panoramic view of the hills of Pakistan, the violent conflicts nestled within this far-flung locale and the damaged souls of its main characters... The caldron stirs its ingredients to a boiling point, producing climaxes of violence that leave impact lasting like a brand placed on unwelcoming skin. "—The Baltimore Sun
“[A] stirring first novel…a winding, character-rich plot full of authentic detail and regional history…the Odyssey-like story grips…Readers will cheer [Nicholas Sunder] along his path toward spiritual renewal, guided by the wisdom and advice of the titular Fidali.”
—Publishers Weekly
“An American in Central Asia encounters love, politics, war and enlightenment in this ambitious debut novel… Mastras is an intelligent writer with a lively style…”
—Kirkus Reviews
“FIDALI’S WAY begins as a thriller, fast paced and dangerous, and then widens in scope to take in the culture and deadly conflicts and rugged beauty of present-day Kashmir. As a journey, it’s vivid and exciting. As a novel, it takes us deep into the Muslim world, beyond the scorching violence and cruel fanaticism, and shows us the gift of compassion that lies at the very heart of Islam.”
—John Dalton, author of Heaven Lake
" [A] literate, insightful, and suspenseful story .... Grade: A"
—Rocky Mountain News
"Former backpacker, lawyer, and now screenwriter George Mastras has turned his extensive knowledge of the remote regions of the world into a dramatic and timely first novel.... A love story and an adventure story which is exciting and brilliantly told."
—The Toronto Sun
"[A] journey filled with suspense, danger and soul rendering experiences that keeps a reader's interest hooked until the last page.... Mastras' unbiased and non-preachy tune comes as a positive step towards bridging the gap between Islam and the West and at the same time is a befitting answer to the ruthlessness of the fundamental forces working in this complex region."
—The India Tribune
"A smart, pulse-quickening novel... [R]eaders will remain[] riveted to their seats."
—Mystery Scene Magazine
"[A] superb, engrossing novel."
—Connie Martinson Talks Books
"[A]n excellent novel."
—Traverse City Record-Eagle
"[E]xtremely powerful."
—Anne Jongeling, NU.nl News, The Netherlands
"[A]n offbeat story by an offbeat kind of author who resigned his NY law practice for years of wandering at the top of the world... Mastras writes a brave and moving book with suspense that grows on you. Call it crime fiction if you will, or just a wonderful read."
—The Poisoned Pen
"[A] novel to cherish... 5 out of 5 Stars."
—Crimezone.nl
"To write a great book you need a number of talents. Mastras has all of these talents and one more -- the ability to successfully assemble them into one work. The result is a book the real book lover should not miss -- Grade: 5 out of 5 Stars"
—FOK News, The Netherlands
"Fidali's Way is an absorbingly beautiful novel replete with excitement and drama. There is war and love, deceit and assassinations. The novel's end sparkles with creepy intensity, psychological horror, and redemption.
--MetroXpress, Denmark
"Mastras manages to capture the reader from start to finish, and you clearly sense that he knows the area through his own experience...which makes the book so credible you sometimes forget that it's fiction. A fantastic debut recommended for a wide audience: people who love adventure, thrillers, love stories, and novels that give insight into exotic and foreign cultures."
—Kulturkapellet, Denmark