Reviews tagging 'Death'

When We Were Sisters by Fatimah Asghar

6 reviews

yinflower's review

emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Grief, Islamophobia, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death, Xenophobia, Sexism, Misogyny, and Physical abuse

kshertz's review

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

This was a heartbreaking story of three sisters told through the quietest one. The one who feels they don’t quite fit in. It was beautifully haunting and heartbreaking. The storytelling method was not one I was used to but still thought was very intentional and well done. I just wanted it to be longer and tell more of their adult lives 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Grief, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Body horror, Bullying, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Islamophobia, and Sexual assault

marleefayek's review against another edition

emotional 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? It's complicated

4.5

This is such a beautifully written story, the words almost like poetry. The author uses strong imagery, and metaphor -- it's moving, powerful and poetic. The title matches the story very elegantly. The main character goes on a bit of a coming of age journey, but it doesn't feel cliche or done before-- very original, compelling, heartfelt and bittersweet. I loved seeing the world through their eyes. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse

Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Violence, and Rape

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Pregnancy

siriface's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Death of parent, Death, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Racism

nataliesophia's review

challenging dark emotional 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexual assault, Islamophobia, and Abandonment

Minor: Dysphoria

apieceofjaaay's review

dark emotional funny hopeful tense fast-paced

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

4.5

 I really enjoyed this book. I had never read Fatimah's work before this but I look forward to reading their old work as well as whatever else they decide to release in the future.

The writing is absolutely the best part of this book. The story is told from the perspective of the youngest sister (Kausar) and we watch her grow up as the book progresses. The special part is the writing evolves and ages as the narrator continues to age. Even when the narrator is at her/their youngest, the writing is childlike but not childish. I enjoyed the characters, specifically the other sisters (Nooren and Aisha) As an oldest child, Nooren was probably my favorite. I loved that I could understand the thoughts of the other sisters without the perspective shifting. I loved the short poems/sections where we read reflections from their parents. I loved how thoughtful this story is with the lessons, emotions and thoughts one may have as we age.

The only thing I did not like was the structure of the book. One of the chapters in particular was very long and I think a break/common stopping point would've helped maintain the flow/interest for me.

Overall, a great read that I would recommend to others. Some content warnings include death, sexual assault, and child neglect. Thankful to netgalley for the ARC! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Death, Racism, and Sexual assault