Reviews

This book's traumatized me for life, I swear, it has, it really really has. What the hell. I want to die and I also want to cry and die again. I've cried, like, every 5 pages of this book? Which is more than I've cried on any book (ever)? (I know I say this about every book I read) (And I know this may be my depression acting up again) But I swear, Jesus, H, Christ, it's just, Hassan deserved a happy ending and I get that it's life and it's war - and all things considered, this book was a happy ending of sorts - or at least the beginning of a happy ending but my God, I wanted more. Like erase everything that happened in the last 400 pages and make Hassan and Amir live together happily ever after. No fights, no secrets, no jealousy, no betrayals. Just two brothers, two kings of Kabul. No Assef, no wars, no Hazara racism. Just pomegranate trees and kites that needed running and a little boy who's eyes shined green like his fathers - a boy who never had to don mascara and bells and never thought twice about blades and suicide. But I guess that story would have a moot point.

So. I'll take my grieving ass someplace else; but. Man. This book was beautiful and fast and deadly in it's accuracy. I wish my heart wasn't breaking as it is now (okay I don't really mean that, I love awful books that make me think awful things) but in the end, the book wrapped up nicely. To begin again where the last beginning picked off. Running kites and kite fightings. To see Amir do what he was meant to, what he should have done, all those years ago. To see him finally standing up for what he believes in, what is right. This book was deadass powerful man. I'd write more but I've an appointment with Wallowing In Self Pity at 3 am. (If you've read this crap up until here, do yourself a favor and read the book. Even if you hate kites. The title is purely metaphorical. Mostly.)

burgey_ashie's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

accidentalfolklore's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

4.25

redesrandy's review against another edition

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challenging 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? Yes

4.5

katephilp's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

bayports's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.5

Content Warnings

mandyfish's review against another edition

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5.0

I started this on Saturday and finished it on Sunday. It was so so so so good. I couldn't put it down right from the get-go. There were times I despaired and hoped it would end as well as it started, there were times I questioned the plot twists, but oh, oh the ending, the sweet ending, the painfully beautiful ending -- all was regained and confirmed in the end for me. The ending gave it the five stars. I love beautiful endings. I didn't say happy, I said "beautiful."

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