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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Leans into the known YA tropes heavily.
The set-up for this YA was really interesting - the world of competitive Scrabble in Malaysia and the mysterious death of a top competitor - but the pacing was glacial and I couldn't bring myself to care about any of the characters. The use of the present tense wore on me, and the mystery part really fizzled. Another reminder that I find myself liking fewer and fewer YA books.
loved all the diversity in this book and the scrabble
tournament setting. i loved the mystery element, the strategy, the mental health pieces, the lack of focus on romance, and the commentary on complex relationships. i felt like the way the mystery came together was a let-down and the resolutions to character conflicts never felt quite right to me. probably a great book but just not for me.
tournament setting. i loved the mystery element, the strategy, the mental health pieces, the lack of focus on romance, and the commentary on complex relationships. i felt like the way the mystery came together was a let-down and the resolutions to character conflicts never felt quite right to me. probably a great book but just not for me.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
hopeful
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes
Such a great mystery! I enjoyed Najwa's journey through the grief of losing her best friend and trying to get back to being herself, even if she has to rediscover who that is. Her love of Scrabble, words, and their definitions was well done as an anchor. The use of social media as the avenue for her best friend, Trina, to return is relatable and the mystery that unfolds was fun to follow. As an English teacher, I loved the use of vocabulary words throughout the story and the love young adults have for Scrabble. Can't wait to get copies for my classroom!
Thanks NetGalley, Salaam Reads/Simon and Schuster!
Thanks NetGalley, Salaam Reads/Simon and Schuster!
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes