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c1aud55n's review against another edition
4.0
read for queer lit class ⭐️ first book read in two months
ad_92's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
janus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
conjuredsoul00's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
kapulaga's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
bellakoester's review against another edition
5.0
Read this for my gay and lesbian literature class. It was the last book for us to read for the semester. I decided to read the second half at 11:20 at night after work and now I cannot sleep. I devoured the second half in just over an hour and I need time to process before I can sleep. I've been completely moved.
Some of my peers who have the e-book have expressed that their versions don't have the font differences between the two voices and I have no idea how they're reading it without it. It's so vital to the structure and to my understanding of what's going on. So maybe if you tried to read this on an e-reader and didn't like it, try a hard copy. Its a really (tragically) beautiful piece of writing.
Some of my peers who have the e-book have expressed that their versions don't have the font differences between the two voices and I have no idea how they're reading it without it. It's so vital to the structure and to my understanding of what's going on. So maybe if you tried to read this on an e-reader and didn't like it, try a hard copy. Its a really (tragically) beautiful piece of writing.
rayyash's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I'm sorry, I really wanted to enjoy this book. When I saw this, I thought it'd be a compelling read. I wanted to read about the experiences of a young Iraqi gay man, struggling with his sexuality, about how issues affect his life. About the experiences of a Sheikh and him torn on helping people and his own beliefs.
There were important moments, but everything fell flat. A lot of the violence and trauma that happened in Ramy's life were glossed over, and we don't really see how these moments truly impacted him. It just felt underdeveloped. I didn't mind the simple writing of the book, how it was mainly dialogue, but so much wasn't fleshed out. It was going from one situation to another, with not enough explanation of how this might've impacted the character.
The narrative of the Sheikh was a bit stronger, but the visions with divinity just didn't work for me.
There were important moments, but everything fell flat. A lot of the violence and trauma that happened in Ramy's life were glossed over, and we don't really see how these moments truly impacted him. It just felt underdeveloped. I didn't mind the simple writing of the book, how it was mainly dialogue, but so much wasn't fleshed out. It was going from one situation to another, with not enough explanation of how this might've impacted the character.
The narrative of the Sheikh was a bit stronger, but the visions with divinity just didn't work for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Suicidal thoughts
eestellar's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
3.25
Good story, easy read, but it was hard to understand whose point of view we were reading from at times
magnoliophyta's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
3.5
febnalae's review against another edition
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0