"Prose and poetry weave together seamlessly in a BEAUTIFUL AND IMPORTANT story about the power of words. A MUST READ for everyone." - Kristin Dwyer, critically acclaimed author of Some Mistakes Were Made
"In Sarah Mughal Rana's scintillating debut, poetry moves through every page, from the deftly melodic prose to the rawly furious verses scattered between. Hope Ablaze is a POIGNANT, HONEST tale of two Americas, contrasting the warmth of community with the brutality of the institutions that seek to suppress it. Rana doesn't hold back, and the reader smiles at the touching relationships, laughs at the hilarious banter, salivates over the rich cuisine, yearns to bridge the generational divide, critically examines age-old systems rooted in prejudice, and cries out for justice along with her. The overarching theme throughout centers on the power of words to wound, to heal, to start a revolution-and Rana has done all of that in this EXQUISITE, LIFE-CHANGING story. A must-read." - Thea Guanzon, author of The Hurricane Wars
"FIERCE, POIGNANT, AND BRIMMING WITH HOPE, Sarah Mughal Rana has woven a powerful tale about a poet standing up against injustice. Hope Ablaze is an UNFORGETTABLE book." - June Hur, bestselling author of The Red Palace
"Sarah Mughal Rana weaves a POWERFUL AND INSPIRING tale in Hope Ablaze that explores the courageous journey of a young Muslim girl poet amidst the shadows of Islamophobia. Through EVOCATIVE PROSE, she navigates the challenges and triumphs of identity, amplifying the voices that are often silenced. This poignant narrative serves as A TESTAMENT TO THE RESILIENCE OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT and the transformative power of art in the face of adversity." - Zoulfa Katouh, author of As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow
"FIERCE, BRILLIANT, AND UNAPOLOGETIC, Hope Ablaze is a bright-burning star of a novel. Seamlessly and assuredly weaving together prose and poetry, Rana tackles Islamophobia, racism, and generational trauma with authentic nuance and terrific heart. AN INCREDIBLE, UNMISSABLE DEBUT." - Vaishnavi Patel, New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi
"This is the kind of book you fill with bookmarks because you'll want to return to its pages over and over. GRIPPING AND STIRRING IN EQUAL PARTS, Hope Ablaze inspires both tears and hope as it takes apart a teenager's life and examines the struggle that so many immigrants face-should you stay silent in your attempts to fit in?" - Andrea Stewart, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Drowning Empire trilogy
SARAH MUGHAL RANA is a Muslim author who graduated from the University of Toronto and is now pursuing her MPhil in Asian studies at Oxford. She works at the intersection of human rights and Asian policy. She is a BookTok personality and the cohost of On the Write Track podcast. Outside of school, she falls down history rabbit holes and trains in traditional martial arts.
