"Shadows of Tehran would have to be the most amazing and terrifying story I've read for a long time."
Review by Veronica of The Burgeoning Bookshelf
Shadows of Tehran is a fictional tale inspired by true events from the author's lived experiences. Nick Berg uses creative license with dialogue and thoughts of real characters.
My heart broke many times while reading Shadows of Tehran. It is a fascinating and timely story about fighting for what you believe in, even when the odds are stacked against you.
The story follows the life of Ricardo, born in Tehran to an Iranian mother and an American father, he never felt like he truly belonged to either culture. Abandoned by his father at a time when Iran was going through major political upheavals, Ricardo feels he must now become the head of the family, protecting his mother and younger sister.
At the age of 15, Ricardo joins a band of freedom fighters as the Revolutionary Guards take over Tehran with a reign of terror.
Shadows of Tehran is an astonishing tale of one man's will not to be broken. I'm not sure how much Nick Berg fictionalised Ricardo's story or if Ricardo is a combination of people. Either way it is a truly harrowing story of survival and the fight for a better life.
After capture and torture Ricardo escapes Iran and finds his way to America where he immediately joins the US Army. His knowledge and experience make him an invaluable member of his unit. However, his fight for freedom in his home country doesn't stop here.
Berg's writing shows the strength of courage and the power of hope that keeps people fighting for freedom against insurmountable odds.
Shadows of Tehran is a must read. It's a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
The Burgeoning Bookshelf Review: A Riveting Tale of Survival and Defiance
In The Burgeoning Bookshelf review, Nick Berg’s Shadows of Tehran is praised as “the most amazing and terrifying story” in recent memory. The novel, based on true events, follows Ricardo’s transformation from a rebellious teen in revolutionary Iran to a highly trained U.S. soldier. The Burgeoning Bookshelf review emphasizes how Berg’s powerful storytelling blurs fiction and memoir, making the reader question what is imagined and what is lived.
Caught Between Two Worlds: Identity and Exile
The Burgeoning Bookshelf review highlights Ricardo’s internal struggle—born to an Iranian mother and an American father, abandoned just as revolution tears the country apart. This split identity drives the emotional arc of Shadows of Tehran. As noted in The Burgeoning Bookshelf review, Ricardo’s journey explores belonging, betrayal, and the need to fight for family and freedom on both foreign and familiar soil.
From Rebel to Soldier: A Military Thriller with a Soul
Unlike typical action novels, Shadows of Tehran is both a military thriller and a personal chronicle of resilience. The Burgeoning Bookshelf review underlines this duality—Ricardo’s fight isn’t just on the battlefield, it’s within himself. His time with U.S. Special Forces adds depth to a story already steeped in war, loss, and resistance. As The Burgeoning Bookshelf review notes, Berg gives emotional weight to even the most action-packed scenes.
An Unflinching Look at Trauma and Hope
The Burgeoning Bookshelf review stands out for its emphasis on the novel’s emotional impact. Veronica shares how her “heart broke many times,” as Berg tackles trauma, torture, and child abuse with honesty and gravity. But Shadows of Tehran doesn’t dwell only in darkness—it shines with moments of humanity, perseverance, and hope, a point reinforced throughout The Burgeoning Bookshelf review.
