A zookeeper with devotion to his animals, lions; during violent times

I was drawn in to the story right away by Abu Laith. He was truly devoted to animals and the became a lion keeper at the zoo. The other characters were described well also. Hakam was not a zoo employee and helped me understand was was happening in the city at the time with the violence in Kabul.
I want to keep reading this book to learn more about Abu and his dedication to the lions as well as what was happening around him, by reading about Hakam.