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emmreadsbooks's review
3.0
I really enjoyed this book overall - from the jetsetting nature of it to the juxtaposition of the djinni story, it all flowed really nicely. There were parts I wish we lingered on, like Sy's relationship with his father and the fallout of the breakup with Farouk, but it still manages to be a fun read despite all of the complicated issues it touches on. There's so much homophobia and islamophobia throughout this book (purposefully so), and we get to see how the Muslim community view the radical sects they're often generalized to. From LA to Marrakech, the book flies by on a private jet and I just wish we had more time with it.
*Thank you to Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
*Thank you to Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
literaryhypewoman's review
medium-paced
5.0
Don't be fooled by the cover. While this is the cute and funny story you'd expect from the cover, it's so mutch more. It cracked me up all the while tackling tough topics like racism and homophobia in a memorable and genuine way. Plus there's a little mythology in there too.
cleo_reads's review
4.0
Another new queer YA that I'm not sure how to rate. I enjoyed reading this coming of age story / imaginative take on the djinn myth. Definitely a coming of age story, not a romance.
But thinking about it, I'm not sure it holds together completely. I feel like a lot of the character development was both inconsistent and over the top. I also thought the tone shifted around. From the cover and opening chapters, I was expecting something light and fluffy. And it is that but there are some many terrible things that happen too - I was really not prepared to read about Sayyed's abusive father being so abusive on page.
But thinking about it, I'm not sure it holds together completely. I feel like a lot of the character development was both inconsistent and over the top. I also thought the tone shifted around. From the cover and opening chapters, I was expecting something light and fluffy. And it is that but there are some many terrible things that happen too - I was really not prepared to read about Sayyed's abusive father being so abusive on page.
booksgamesvinyl's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
content warning: child abuse, islamophobia, homophobia, racism, alcoholism, mentions of character death, mentions of bigamy, bullying, mentions of surgery, stillbirth, emotional abuse
Have I read a completely different book than everyone else?
Genuinely, I can't think of a single thing about this book that was good. It's poorly written, the plot is unbelievable nonsense, the characters don't speak or act like people do in real life, and it feels as though the author has tried to make the book fast-paced, but by doing so has not allowed the characters to react to some of the heavy issues that they have to deal with.
This book is full of racism, islamophobia and homophobia. The MC (Sy) is subjected to violent abuse by his father (and this is on page) and has been so for years. After being subjected to a horrible beating and then being made homeless, Sy then travels to London and is detained during airport security, subjected to questioning and is about to be subjected to a strip search. He's 17. Seriously wtf. It basically seems to be blamed on Brexit and because of the colour of his skin but there's a brief conversation once he's released and then it's completely glossed over and never brought up again. He goes through so much trauma in this book that he just doesn't seem to process or even given the chance to address what has happened to him. Almost everyone except Sy's best friend (who's barely in the book) is homophobic, and Sy himself is a gay stereotype which honestly just felt a little bit sad.
Sy also goes to a bathhouse for a naked massage provided by another teen which is just very sketchy in multiple ways.
Plot wise, the entire book takes place over about a week. In this time, the MCmeets a stranger at his place of work who knows an alarming amount of information about his life, is given $1m by said stranger, is beaten and made homeless, travels to multiple countries, gets caught up in a riot, gets caught up in an air raid, then gets in a car crash. All in the search of his ex boyfriend who isn't even in his life but who he can't stop thinking about. Lowkey, there was stalking from multiple parties in this book - Reggie, who knew who Sy was and all about Farouk (and we're never given a reason for why she knows so much about him when they've never met) and Sy, who goes to every place that has been posted on his ex's Instagram to find him and basically harasses anyone who's had contact with him in order to track him down. Does Farouk even want to be found? Well that doesn't even crosses Sy's mind. Everything leading up to the ending just seems awfully convenient. The fact that out of thousands/millions of people, Sy finds the exact people he needs in order to gain information on Farouk just isn't believable, but I guess that's the magic realism element? And saying that Farouk is dead but oh wait, no he isn't, was just plain ridiculous. There are also multiple factual inaccuracies in the book but that's a minor problem considering everything else.
The romance as well just didn't feel convincing to me. We're given insight into this through flashbacks that show random moments in their relationship but it didn't give enough context as to why Sy was willing to go across the world to find Farouk. I didn't see the chemistry between them and didn't believe in their love. The conflict between them as well didn't make sense to me either.
I was just left wondering why this was even written in the first place. I don't know what the message or the purpose of the story was because it ends pretty abruptly and we don't really spend time with Sy after he's done what he thinks he needs to do (or at all throughout the book). I can't believe I'm saying this but it felt too plot heavy and there wasn't any room on the page for the characters to grow or be heard, it just felt like a sequence of events that they went through.
There is the potential for a decent book here but some major tweaks would have been needed for that book to actually be the one that was written.
And sorry, but a white(?) woman calling a gay Indian teen 'little curry puff' just really does not sit right with me.
Have I read a completely different book than everyone else?
Genuinely, I can't think of a single thing about this book that was good. It's poorly written, the plot is unbelievable nonsense, the characters don't speak or act like people do in real life, and it feels as though the author has tried to make the book fast-paced, but by doing so has not allowed the characters to react to some of the heavy issues that they have to deal with.
This book is full of racism, islamophobia and homophobia. The MC (Sy) is subjected to violent abuse by his father (and this is on page) and has been so for years. After being subjected to a horrible beating and then being made homeless, Sy then travels to London and is detained during airport security, subjected to questioning and is about to be subjected to a strip search. He's 17. Seriously wtf. It basically seems to be blamed on Brexit and because of the colour of his skin but there's a brief conversation once he's released and then it's completely glossed over and never brought up again. He goes through so much trauma in this book that he just doesn't seem to process or even given the chance to address what has happened to him. Almost everyone except Sy's best friend (who's barely in the book) is homophobic, and Sy himself is a gay stereotype which honestly just felt a little bit sad.
Sy also goes to a bathhouse for a naked massage provided by another teen which is just very sketchy in multiple ways.
Plot wise, the entire book takes place over about a week. In this time, the MC
The romance as well just didn't feel convincing to me. We're given insight into this through flashbacks that show random moments in their relationship but it didn't give enough context as to why Sy was willing to go across the world to find Farouk. I didn't see the chemistry between them and didn't believe in their love. The conflict between them as well didn't make sense to me either.
I was just left wondering why this was even written in the first place. I don't know what the message or the purpose of the story was because it ends pretty abruptly and we don't really spend time with Sy after he's done what he thinks he needs to do (or at all throughout the book). I can't believe I'm saying this but it felt too plot heavy and there wasn't any room on the page for the characters to grow or be heard, it just felt like a sequence of events that they went through.
There is the potential for a decent book here but some major tweaks would have been needed for that book to actually be the one that was written.
And sorry, but a white(?) woman calling a gay Indian teen 'little curry puff' just really does not sit right with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Miscarriage, Child abuse, Hate crime, Alcohol, Classism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Islamophobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, War, Violence, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, and Stalking
Minor: Death and Sexual content
bookselm's review
5.0
Thank you to the author and publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Be sure to research TWs before reading.
The Loophole is a stunning coming of age filled with deep, thoughtful conversations surrounding identity and love, while including a fantasy element of a djinn and humor through witty and snarky characters that leave readers fully immersed in the world.
While this is a story about love, it is not purely a love story. It’s about wishes and dreams, family born and found, and acceptance of self. Kutub addresses diaspora, religion, and sexual orientation in a clearly caring way, while being true to the experience of Sy, without losing hope.
This book is one that will make you laugh and cry, and want to hug the characters and keep them close.
The Loophole is a stunning coming of age filled with deep, thoughtful conversations surrounding identity and love, while including a fantasy element of a djinn and humor through witty and snarky characters that leave readers fully immersed in the world.
While this is a story about love, it is not purely a love story. It’s about wishes and dreams, family born and found, and acceptance of self. Kutub addresses diaspora, religion, and sexual orientation in a clearly caring way, while being true to the experience of Sy, without losing hope.
This book is one that will make you laugh and cry, and want to hug the characters and keep them close.
graceburke's review
4.0
This story has everything I look for in a book. A queer romance, Indian main character, a fantasy element, world travel, plus it's funny, accessible, and so well written. Sy an amazing character- his story is complex. I was surprised by how overt the trauma was, specifically regarding homophobia (his dad physically abuses him) and racism (he's only 17 and asked to strip in an airport after being racially profiled). Sy is still a strong, beautiful character who really comes into his own throughout the story, as he travels with a genie across the globe to find his ex-boyfriend (and love of his life). This story is fast-paced, witty, and unlike any story I've read. Kutub is a new favorite.
pranavj's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
mrskingisreading's review
5.0
Thank you Bloomsbury, Naz Kutub, and NetGalley for this eARC!
What a ride. I just flew through this book! It was an incredible blend of whimsy and serious issues- leaving me both laughing and tearing up at various points.
Sy (Sayyed) is a 17 year old who is having a rough go of it. His boyfriend Farouk left him a few months ago, and he is still living at home with an abusive father. The one positive is that he gets to work with his bestie Dzakir in the coffee shop while he saves up for Santa Monica College. One day, though, Reggie blasts into his life- and grants him three wishes. Within the same 24 hours, Sy's absuive father kicks him out after finding out he is gay.
This ends with Sy and Reggie jet-setting around the world trying to track down Farouk.
Is Reggie magic, or is she just rich? Where is Farouk, and why isn't his phone working? Why is Dzakir the absolute best in his My Little Pony t-shirt?
Naz Kutub approaches serious issues in this book, notably islamophobia in the west and toxic family relationships. That said, he's obviously a funny person and the humor is so well done in the book.
I definitely recommend The Loophole!
What a ride. I just flew through this book! It was an incredible blend of whimsy and serious issues- leaving me both laughing and tearing up at various points.
Sy (Sayyed) is a 17 year old who is having a rough go of it. His boyfriend Farouk left him a few months ago, and he is still living at home with an abusive father. The one positive is that he gets to work with his bestie Dzakir in the coffee shop while he saves up for Santa Monica College. One day, though, Reggie blasts into his life- and grants him three wishes. Within the same 24 hours, Sy's absuive father kicks him out after finding out he is gay.
This ends with Sy and Reggie jet-setting around the world trying to track down Farouk.
Is Reggie magic, or is she just rich? Where is Farouk, and why isn't his phone working? Why is Dzakir the absolute best in his My Little Pony t-shirt?
Naz Kutub approaches serious issues in this book, notably islamophobia in the west and toxic family relationships. That said, he's obviously a funny person and the humor is so well done in the book.
I definitely recommend The Loophole!
samixox's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Islamophobia
(This review may or may not be as a result of me Projecting too much of me into the me I tried really hard to enjoy this book and it ended up confusing me. I vibe with the message and concept, and having niche queer muslim representation was great (seeing a book that represented me made me so happy) , but I feel like the author attempted to find a middle ground in their and ended up missing all the points. The way islamaphobia, and homophobia in the muslim community, as well as the character themself didn't feel real. I really like the overarching message of self love, self acceptance but I find it hard to be happy for Sayyed in the end because I'm wondering if someone like him is realistic?