Blood and Ink

By Stephen Davies

Published Jun 2015

Love. Hate. Belief. Defiance. What are you fighting for?

The town is Timbuktu.

The year is 2012.

Ali, 16, is a mujahid, a holy warrior. His battalion is massing in the Sahara Desert, preparing to invade Timbuktu.

Kadija, 15, is a daughter of Timbuktu and on the verge of becoming a Guardian, a keeper of the town’s mysterious ancient manuscripts.

The two of them are now set on a collision course. Ali hates Kadija’s spirit and her passion for music – which has been outlawed by the extremist jihadists. Kadija scorns Ali’s confident, ruthless fanaticism. So when they find themselves falling for each other, they try desperately – and hopelessly – to resist.

Blood and Ink is an unflinching glimpse into the heart of jihad.