A novel by Gaya Levin
A summer of freedom.
A party that changed everything.
The Story
A summer of freedom. A party that changed everything.
Dana and Liri set out on their big trip the way so many young Israelis do—landing in Costa Rica with backpacks, loose plans, and a hunger for adventure. Along a remote stretch of jungle coast, they stumble upon a hidden camp, where they meet three surfers who will change the course of their journey.
Months later, back in Israel, the group reunites at a desert music festival to celebrate new beginnings. As dawn approaches, their world is shattered. Joy turns to terror, and survival depends on every decision.
Inspired by real events at the Nova Festival, Surfer’s Circle is a story of love, friendship, and survival—and the choices we make when the world around us collapses.
Reader Response
“There are no words to really describe this book, except to thank the author for writing it. A book like this honors those whose lives were taken on October 7, 2023… I highly recommend this book.”
— Goodreads reviewer
“A rare literary thriller that manages to be both heart-pounding and deeply soul-searching.”
— Amazon reader
“A gripping, vivid, film-like portrayal of the events of October 7 that made me feel as if I were living through the escape from the Nova Party. This book gave me a much deeper understanding.”
— Amazon reader
“Beautifully written and deeply touching. A moving book that stays with you long after you finish the last page.”
— Amazon reader
“A brisk, riveting read that fans of romance, action, and suspense will not be able to put down.”
“Brimming with raw authenticity.”
“Surfer’s Circle is truly one of a kind.”
The Author
Gaya Levin is an Israeli writer. Her debut novel, Surfer’s Circle, weaves a story of youth, love, and the moments that shape who we become.
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Professional Review
Review by The BookLife Prize
Levin's suspenseful novel follows a group of young Israelis who find each other while backpacking through Costa Rica; when they meet again at a music festival, their reunion turns into a battle for survival. The events—which Levin based on the 2023 Nova music festival massacre in Israel—are carefully developed and tension-filled, brimming with raw authenticity.
Levin's writing is crisp and clear, with evocative descriptions that sweep readers into the humid jungle air, spraying bullets, and knife-edge flashes of desperate people hiding from terrorists. The dialogue between characters, even in the book's most shocking scenes, is natural and rhythmic, and several text exchanges—particularly the one between Dana and her mother—transport readers directly into the moment.
This is a brisk, riveting read that fans of romance, action, and suspense will not be able to put down. From the Costa Rica thread—buoyed by love and laughter—to a months-later development that turns the storyline into a fight for survival to the characters' attempts to pick up the pieces afterward, Surfer's Circle is truly one of a kind.
Levin delivers characters who intimately understand the world they live in, such as Adam's throwaway comment as he's seeking shelter from rocket fire: “Cars are the worst place to be—they turn to shrapnel when they blow.” Each of the main players feels relatable, and their voices are distinct and unforgettable. Readers won't be able to resist rooting for Dana and Liri, Adam's a dreamboat, and Gal's actions elicit as many groans as they do giggles. Levin's skill at infusing a coming-of-age-story turned love tale turned survival saga with laugh out loud moments is admirable.
