“Dempster’s story is fast-paced and brings the gruesome realities of war to life. The book is a delicate, well-judged balance of dialogue and description... It’s an often chilling and eye-opening work that should be widely read... An affecting novel of oppression and liberation.”
—Kirkus Review READ FULL REVIEW
“In Kim Dempster’s harrowing novel The Color of Mourning, a Syrian mother and daughter struggle following the brutal takeover of their city by religious extremists.”
—Foreword Clarion Reviews READ FULL REVIEW
“ Dempster describes the war in devastating detail...Heart-rending portrayal of Syria’s civil war and its repercussions for women.
Though heartbreaking and terrifying, this is also a tale of immense courage, sacrifice, and the tenuous promise of a better tomorrow.”
—Booklife Reviews READ FULL REVIEW
“The Color of Mourning is a powerful novel that describes the fallout that impacts ordinary people when fanatic believers in religious fundamentalism take over a society.”
—Joan Kirschner for Reader Views READ FULL REVIEW
“The horrific sagas of men at war have long provided the basic ingredients for powerful dramatic literature, but Kim Dempster’s The Color of Mourning gives us rare insight into the plight of women who are trapped in the abyss of death, repression, jihad, and devastation… A powerful first novel.”
—Craig Unger - Bestselling author of six books on the assault on democracy.
“I could not put this book down and became invested in the story of the women in Syria during the civil war. Stripped of basic freedoms, this thought provoking book gives the reader vivid descriptions of their lives and the daily terror faced. A powerful book!”
—Suzy Approved Book Reviews
“This story captures the raw beauty and pain of what it means to fight for freedom when everything seems lost. It’s emotional, thought provoking and a stunning reminder of how courage can carry us.”
—Tammy —@Tammyreads62
“What an emotionally gutting, yet, inspirational novel! I was so impressed with how Dempster was able to convey the grotesqueness of the brutalities her characters witnessed, yet allowing her readers to escape the graphicness of them.”
—Julie Brinkley —@readingonthebrink
“I was in awe of these women’s courage, determination, and bravery. It put many things in perspective for me. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding the human experiences in war, particularly the struggles of women. This is an important and eye-opening read that will leave a lasting impact on you.”
—Susan Ballard – @subakkabookstuff
“This book is incredibly powerful and draws you in from the very first page. The bravery and courage these women find to survive the fear, uncertainty, and horrors that are happening is immeasurable and my heart wept for their circumstances and their lives irrevocably changed. Well-written and completely absorbing this novel created a very visceral reaction in me and should be a must read for everyone.”
—Lisa Albright – @BooksLoveAndUnderstanding
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁?
”An intensely emotional journey into the very real world of today where women are confronted by fanatic religious fundamentalists in an existential fight for freedom. Brutal, emotional, and deeply powerful. The Color of Mourning is a raw and unforgettable story of love, loss, and resilience. Set against the horrors of war, not that easy to read at times, it’s a heartbreaking tribute to the strength of women. A tough but necessary read.”
—Vero - @BooksandCoffeeMx
“Set in the devastated Syrian city of Raqqa during the height of the civil war, The Color of Mourning follows the intertwined lives of Nooda, a courageous journalist determined to bear witness to the horrors of war, and her daughter Layal, a young woman with aspirations for a brighter, freer future. As religious fundamentalism tightens its grip on the region, mother and daughter face escalating threats to their freedom, safety, and family bonds. The novel captures the emotional and physical toll of life under an oppressive regime, offering a deeply human look at the consequences of extremism and the unyielding will of women to survive and resist.”
—Michelle Jocson - @NurseBookie
“I couldn’t put this book down. It was a quick and face paced drama about a family in Syria in 2011 that becomes trapped once the extremists take over their town of Raqqa. . .There were times I had to remind myself that this was fiction. It is a testament to the strength and determination of women that become suppressed in a blink of an eye.”
—Debbie Elkins Rozier – @Rozierreadsandwine
“This must read is well crafted from a debut author! I could not put this book down and became invested in the story of the women in Syria during the civil war. Stripped of basic freedoms, this thought provoking book gives the reader vivid descriptions of their lives and the daily terror faced. A powerful book!”
—Suzanne Leopold – @SuzyApprovedBookTour
“Filled with raw emotion and vivid detail, Dempster’s Mourning is an unforgettable novel that pays tribute to the resilience of women and their enduring fight for justice.”
— Cassie @cassies_books_reviews
“Listen, this book was HEAVY, but like much of what’s going on in today’s world, it’s important to not look away – to bear witness.”
— Jenn @crafty.jenn.reads
“Heart-wrenching, powerful, and beautifully written.”
— Marilyn @marilynjgon
“Mourning is a story about love, loss, and the extraordinary strength women have when they are desperately fighting for their autonomy.”
— Kim Wilch @onemoreexclamation
“I was inspired by the brave and bold characters and thoroughly immersed in this most important story.”
— Jenni @tarheelreader
“It's hard to believe this is the author's debut novel because it is so well written and emotional.”
— Heather @nature.books.and.coffee
“One word review: gripping.” — Christy Taylor @cmtloveswineandbooks
“The Color of Mourning weaves together three all-too-real stories of fear and heartbreak and inequality.”
— Angela @redcorset_reads
“This novel pulled at my heart…Layal and Nooda have this quiet strength that is a sight to behold.”
—Sarah —@Sarahs.bookstack
“The strength shown in Nooda and Layal was inspirational and I was very invested in their story.”
—Meg Hall — @get.outside.and.read
“This was such a beautiful and moving story…I wondered if I was reading a memoir of sorts.”
—Melissa —@nissa_the.bookworm
“I believe that The Color of Mourning is a book everyone should read because it is a real eye opener to issues in the world.”
—Courtney Pityer —@bookstoldbycourtney
“Kim Dempster, the author of The Color of Mourning has written a memorable and thought-provoking historical fiction novel.”
—Linda @Linda’s Book Obsession
"The way that Kim writes, she does a fantastic job capturing the emotions. This is one of those books that you just have to put down and think for a minute before you can even finish the chapter."
—Dana @dana.loves.books