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aprilyvonne's review
5.0
“Grief is nothing but the far brink of love. Love is the sun; grief is the shadow it casts. Love is an opera; grief is its echo. You cannot have one without the other. But if you follow that grief, you will find your way back to love.”
― Nadia Hashimi, Sparks Like Stars
Give all the stars to this incredible novel. My heart and soul are still moved by these poetic, unflinching, heartbreaking, yet hopeful, words. This book was recommended to me to read by one of my very dear former students. I'm so thankful for being guided to do so.
The synopsis is graciously intriguing, but the captivating plot and heartwarming character development was more than I anticipated once immersed. And then there was the writing. Hashimi is a new favourite author-hands down. I already have another of her books on my shelf and cannot wait to read it. For "Sparks Like Stars" I had a little trouble finding a physical copy, but was able to borrow it from the library on audiobook. I'm thankful that I did. The narrator, Mozhan Marno, did an excellent job breathing life into Sitara's voice. It was easy to get lost into the story and it allowed my tears to flow freely without ever having to stop reading.
Although, the storyline includes heartbreak, violence, and sorrow, there is also joy, love, and hope. If you enjoy stories by authors such as Khaled Hosseini, than this will be an effortless addition to your tbr. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!! 📚
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, War, Violence, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Sexual assault
laashpa's review
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Grief, Child death, Murder, Racism, Islamophobia, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Death
Minor: Child abuse, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, and Pedophilia
internationalreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death of parent, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Death, Child abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
eicart_reads's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Cancer and Child death
Minor: Child abuse and Suicidal thoughts
Contains descriptions, from a child's point of view, of a coup that includes fighter jets shooting at the palace where she was. Contains descriptions of gunfire, hiding from soldiers, witnessing her family be shot. Contains implied sexual abuse of two female children by a man, their foster parent.