Shamim Sarif is a novelist, screenwriter, and director. She lives in London with her wife, Hanan, and their two sons. The Athena Protocol is her first novel for teens. Visit her online at www.enlightenment-productions.com.
Led by and centered on women, this high-octane thriller features a well-developed cast with distinct, varied backgrounds. An explosively exciting story that shines a light on the treatment, mistreatment, and unity of women across the globe. --ALA Booklist Lots of edge-of-your-seat moments. A perfectly paced plot and girls with brains and Mission Impossible-style moves make this a highly engaging thriller. A breathlessly cinematic series opener. --School Library Journal Delivers all the fun of a spy thriller. The reveals are well plotted and the characters have developed (and often clashing) personalities. Solutions for world problems are also realistically approached, as taking down one baddie leaves a lot unresolved and a lot to ponder about the way crises like terrorism are approached worldwide. Readers looking for some heart-pumping action and vigilante justice will find it here aplenty. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books An inclusive cast, ample action, and escalating stakes. Jessie's conflicted attraction rings true, and a gratifying conclusion hints at emotional complexities to come. --Publishers Weekly Riveting, with thrillingly representative female empowerment. --Kirkus Reviews “Finally! The female version of James Bond we've been waiting for! Only better--this team of black-ops spies exclusively kick ass and take the names of those who prey on women and girls: warlords and human traffickers. With a diverse cast of heroes and villains, a global scope, and just a hint of romance, it makes taking down the patriarchy fun. --Natalie C. Anderson, author of City of Saints and Thieves “Imagine if Mission: Impossible were run by young, brilliant, ultra-skilled female operatives who undertook rogue operations to save the women and girls of the world from kidnappers and traffickers. Shamim Sarif has written a ferocious, take-no-prisoners thriller that actually thrills, with a deep heart and characters you'll adore. What a wonderful and exciting new voice in YA. More please! --Patrick Ness, New York Times bestselling author of The Rest of Us Just Live Here and A Monster Calls