Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion by Bushra Rehman

6 reviews

samantha1960's review

emotional reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Rehman writes beautifully but I found the first half of the book quite difficult to follow. The second half get significantly more easy to read as it becomes chronological. Wish the first half had been done better. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Child abuse, Grief, Racism, Violence, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Incest, Misogyny, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Outing, Rape, Sexual assault, Bullying, Colonisation, Murder, and Toxic friendship

shugentobler's review

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book pierced right through my heart and into my soul. That is all.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexism, Physical abuse, Violence, Animal cruelty, Xenophobia, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Islamophobia, Homophobia, and Emotional abuse

thissagreads's review against another edition

challenging emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

This novel was bittersweet. I loved and appreciated getting an inside look at the Muslim culture and religion in the 80’s. It was especially nice reading the journey and development of the main character, as she came into her own. But I found myself frustrated with the main character’s mother and cultural stifling the main character was experiencing. I wish there were less stories about her childhood and more more story as a teen, into adulthood. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Religious bigotry

Minor: Sexual assault, Violence, and Racism

carareadsthebooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Lesbophobia, Racial slurs, Animal cruelty, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Body shaming, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Outing, Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Religious bigotry, and Sexism

jennshelfishlife's review

emotional informative sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Razia Mirza is a teenager living in Queens, specifically in Corona, NYC. She is of Pakistani descent and follows the customs of her family and neighbors. But Razia, like many American teenagers, has a rebellious streak. She cuts her hair, buys clothes typical of American teens in the 1980s, hides them in her closet, and skips class on occasion with her girlfriend, Angela. 
Bushra Rehman's writing is lovely, she's not one for poetic verse, but her character-building is phenomenal. Having grown up a teen in the 1980s, I recognized and connected with Razia, a teen forging her way through life, trying to find her voice and independence.
I sympathized with the other teens in her neighborhood that have arranged marriages, experienced violence at the hands of other ethnic groups in Corona, and the teens that are shunned for defying tradition and wanting a different life.
The narration is well executed, and I recommend the audio version to readers.
Overall, a fascinating book, and I recommend the book to readers that enjoy reading about the 1980s, Pakistani and Muslim culture, and coming-of-age novels.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bushra Rehman, and MacMillan Audio for an advanced audio copy of Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death

Moderate: Hate crime, Racism, Islamophobia, Xenophobia, Murder, and Homophobia

Minor: Violence

amobrien's review

challenging emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.

A beautifully written coming-of-age story about the intersection of identity taking place in the '80s, Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion is absolutely a book to look forward to (publication date December 6, 2022). 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Domestic abuse

Minor: Violence, Lesbophobia, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Death, and Outing