RaveThe Masters Review\"Although there are some small missteps—the beginning of the novel spends a lot of time establishing backstory in a way that slows down the pace of the narrative, and we spend a fair amount of time with Cyrus’s sober, punk community in his home state of Indiana in a way that feels inefficient considering where the novel actually ends up heading, Akbar’s first foray into the world of fiction is certainly a successful one. This novel goes to surprisingly, brilliant, and inventive places, and Akbar’s background as a poet allows for stunning moments in the prose ... Martyr! is energetic from start to finish, and for fans of Akbar’s poetry, this novel will not disappoint. He has proven that not only is an accomplished poet, but also an exceptional fiction writer. The innovations in form, hybridity of the text, and many elements that have gone into this novel are nothing short of impeccable. Although the novel feels too self-aware at times, almost poking fun at the communities it references, it’s a sincere and open book with much to share with the world in terms of its observations, conclusion, and offerings, and Akbar is certainly a writer to follow closely in the years to come.\
