Fundamentally

Fundamentally is a bold, irreverent debut novel that follows Nadia Amin, a brilliant but disillusioned PhD who escapes heartbreak only to find herself entangled in the complexities of deradicalization in Iraq. After publishing an article on rehabilitating ISIS brides, Nadia is offered an unlikely job with the United Nations to lead a program aimed at helping ISIS-affiliated women. Struggling with personal pain and the absence of her mother, she accepts the offer and heads to Iraq, where she quickly realizes the system is more chaotic than she imagined. The UN is rife with competing agendas, and the Iraqi government shows no interest in approving her program.

In Iraq, Nadia meets Sara, a sharp-tongued, fiercely independent woman who joined ISIS at a young age. The two form a bond, and Nadia becomes determined to help Sara return home. But the politics surrounding her mission are murky, and Nadia soon discovers that success depends on navigating corrupt officials and underhanded tactics. As Sara's dark secret comes to light, Nadia is forced to confront her own assumptions about salvation, identity, and the limits of what she can control. Through humor and sharp commentary, Fundamentally explores the complexities of radicalism, belonging, and the elusive nature of saving others—while challenging the reader to question what it truly means to make a difference.