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mtun's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-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
3.75
apotofhoney's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chelsl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
amyjo25's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.0
macaronoui's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
We follow three men, who are friends and their sons who are friends though Iraqi history.
Im not quite sure how much is factually historical, but it seems to be close to actual experiences. Some chapters are gut wrenching and horrible displays of what humans can and will to do others.
The first part of the book delves into the lives, and the wars they are forced to fight in.
The second part follows Ibrahim who moves to the palace to become a rose gardener. His boss is Sa’ad a former mixologist and knows a lot about the palaces and tastes. Then no spoilers, but he has a rough job.
The book is very heavy, but written beautifully and I recommend it.
It really sucks you into the rural area the boys grow up in and then into the bustling palace in Bagdad.
The book also questions what it is worth to life, and what is a worth life living in a country with seemingly unending wars and violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, War, and Death
sadiaa's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mass/school shootings, Misogyny, War, Death, Death of parent, Classism, Cursing, Genocide, Sexual assault, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Infertility, Blood, Colonisation, Incest, Murder, Rape, Religious bigotry, Terminal illness, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Body horror, Cancer, Grief, Gun violence, and Police brutality
theshibbie's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
tense
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? No
cookieandhanna's review against another edition
4.25
the ending was very abrupt and unusual... no me gusta el fin
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape