I felt Vaughan could have done much more with the material at hand. Hence the three stars. But this still is a very nice piece of work. 
 The book is based on a true story, a tribe of lions did escape from a Baghdad zoo when the US invaded Iraq. BKV uses their story to discuss themes connected to the Iraqi war itself. The Zoo in which the lions were tenured in is used as a metaphor for Saddam's regime, and the Lions' sudden escape into a chaotic and dangerous world obviously symbolized the state of the Iraqi people after the invasion of the US. 
 I think Vaughan is a bit condescending in the former view however, if he is actually comparing the people of Iraq to animals in a zoo before the US invaded. But his simplicity is excused when he tries to dissect their existence after their invasion. 
 Who really suffers because of a war? Are those who suffer even considered in broad based reasons for fighting? Are the people accountable for a dictator's sins? And what right does an outsider, and oppressor have to pass judgement on their situation without even asking them what they want? The lions in the zoo (while the zoo stood) were a content bunch. Some, of course, were agitating for freedom. But most were happy about the secure environment, regular meals and peace. 
 They initially do not know what to think of sudden freedom. But as that old saying goes 'You don't look a gift horse in the mouth, you eat him' they seize the day. What happens in the end is both true to real life, and poetic. And strangely telling of post war Iraq.