Scan barcode
fishpantspeacock's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.0
chelseamartinez's review against another edition
3.0
All the military equipment is labelled with its model number and the country that sold it to either side. Even though it's a work of fiction I thought that was an effective device.
sharongrigg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
fast-paced
3.5
A graphic novel where hope, tragedy, and betrayal collide. Starting a hospital in a war zone is a brave act, and even when all seems to be lost, Yasmin still has hope and courage. An insightful view presented in a powerfully graphic manner.
cstange17's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
2.75
bobbo49's review against another edition
4.0
A graphic novel/memoir of the endless war in Syria, from the perspective of a small rebel group that comes together to create a free hospital in the midst of the daily carnage. The personal stories of friendship and brutality are gripping. I prefer the more detailed graphic style, but the presentation here is nonetheless powerful.
pipn_t's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
This book was a difficult one to read. It was well written, and a lot of the small details were really effective, like the full page spreads of violence in black and white. Also the little notes mentioning the model of all the military equipment and it’s country of origin I found to be really upsetting after seeing them so many times. A good read, but it has some pretty heavy subject matter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, War, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Animal death
theresa95's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
4.5
Loved this graphic novel for trying to include numerous aspects of the Syrian revolution. The illustrations make you laugh and (more so) cry.
The only thing that could have been a lot better is the representation of women wearing hijab as active agents too.
The only thing that could have been a lot better is the representation of women wearing hijab as active agents too.
kawooreads's review against another edition
3.0
In 2021 I am trying to read more graphic novels. I picked up a copy of this while browsing at my local library. It is a fictional story that takes place in 2012 during the very real Syrian Civil War (which is still going on). We are introduced to a cast of characters and a story centered around an underground hospital where wounded rebels and civilians are treated. You get to see different perspectives of people living in a war-torn country including those who have opportunity to flee but can't because of their allegiance to their homeland, and those who are willing to fight to the death. The illustrations are stark black and white, sometimes heavily detailed other times seeming to look like ink blots. I felt the story was good, but needed more to make it feel like an actual story and not just a series of vignettes. I did like the subtle descriptions of military equipment supplied by world powers used to harm/kill civilians and the reminder of the death toll as we see how the cast handles the constant unrest for over a year.