"Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar explores the tumultuous journey of Cyrus Shams, an orphaned son of Iranian immigrants, through the shadows of familial tragedies and personal struggles. As he grapples with addiction and seeks truths about his family's past, the novel weaves a tapestry of cultural identity, the transformative power of poetry, and the enigmatic impact of art. Akbar's narrative delves into the complexities of joy, homesickness, and the ongoing quest for meaning. In this exploration, readers are immersed in a poignant reflection on the human condition, where faith, art, and personal connections converge in a captivating and wholly original contemporary fiction."