Emiliya Ahmadova’s Broken Chains is a dark tale of misguided choices, set it Azerbaijan, Kenya and Canada. The locations are evocative and well-described, and the errors of judgement seem all too real, as Esmira starts the story, falling for the wrong man, repeating her mother’s mistakes.

A seemingly cold-hearted mother drives a daughter to the arms of a seemingly-warm but untrustworthy man. A seemingly wise attempt at providing a father results in a back-street marriage presided over by a shady Imam. Children ensue, and a daughter tries, again, to avoid her mother’s choices. So the cycle repeats.

Broken Chains draws readers into the cycle of helpless acceptance, then moves forward to release. It’s a dark read, sometimes awkwardly phrased in translation, and heavy with internal thoughts and explanation. But it’s also hopeful. And it’s truly intriguing for its presentation of different cultures.

Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy and I offer my honest review. ( )