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khardan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-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
4.0
heavenlyrealms's review against another edition
5.0
Where to start because my heart feels so empty right after finishing the book and I could feel myself in pain every time I flipped the page. The story is beautifully written until I could absrob the energy and drowning myself into the book. And I agree, the Djinn was real. There might be people who had the same condition as Melati but it’s hard for people to understand her (especially do deal with their way to cope with the Djinn).
I could feel the desperation, the sadness, the stressfulness and everything that happened in the book. I was mad towards the people like— why would you do that? Why would you attacking each other and for what? Most of them were innocent, like Saf. They don’t deserve this. Everybody in this world deserves a safe place wherever they hold up the sky.
But not gonna lie, I was dhakdhsks (I don’t know how to pour it into words) to Melati because she’s so… confusing. But then again, it’s because of the Djinn and I’m glad Vincent and his family was really.. really nice to her. I should thank to Vincent and his family as well, for being one of the best people too. And it’s painfull when Vincent said “I’m Chinese. They won’t listen to me.”.
And the ending… at least I get a proper closure. A good book I must say and I keep crying for the entire book.
I could feel the desperation, the sadness, the stressfulness and everything that happened in the book. I was mad towards the people like— why would you do that? Why would you attacking each other and for what? Most of them were innocent, like Saf. They don’t deserve this. Everybody in this world deserves a safe place wherever they hold up the sky.
But not gonna lie, I was dhakdhsks (I don’t know how to pour it into words) to Melati because she’s so… confusing. But then again, it’s because of the Djinn and I’m glad Vincent and his family was really.. really nice to her. I should thank to Vincent and his family as well, for being one of the best people too. And it’s painfull when Vincent said “I’m Chinese. They won’t listen to me.”.
And the ending… at least I get a proper closure. A good book I must say and I keep crying for the entire book.
midvalkyrie56's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
phineasjames's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Mass/school shootings, Blood, Xenophobia, Gun violence, Murder, Mental illness, Gore, Hate crime, War, Violence, Grief, and Death
specificity's review against another edition
This was a really interesting read about a part of history I'd never read about before, and the horrors and their resulting shock and trauma were depicted respectfully and well without seeming voyeuristic, which I really appreciated. I really liked the way her OCD was depicted, intense but fitting well into the context of Melati's time (Alkaf talks a bit more about this in her preface author's note). That being said, I did find the writing, and especially the climax and denouement, rather cheesy, but at least
Spoiler
her standing up and talking about intercommunity peace was shown as something that bought them the time to escape and hopefully give the rioters something to think about later, and not something that magically ended the riots.joykku's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.25
starrysea98's review against another edition
5.0
I. Am. Blown. Away.
Melati is a strong character and the way she struggles for control with the Djinn she believes lives in her is very interesting. Her determination to search for her mother and her compassion for those around her regardless of race is what makes her an engaging character. I have to say, Auntie Bee is also a great character and I can only hope to be as kind and selfless as her.
Growing up in Malaysia, 13 May 1969 has always carried a morbid fascination for me. No one seems to want to talk about it and politicians only bring it up to inflame the simmering racism between these two races; Malay and Chinese. However, The Weight of Our Sky really highlights the horror of the incident and how our prejudices, whether conscious or subconscious can blind us even in the most desperate of times.
Melati is a strong character and the way she struggles for control with the Djinn she believes lives in her is very interesting. Her determination to search for her mother and her compassion for those around her regardless of race is what makes her an engaging character. I have to say, Auntie Bee is also a great character and I can only hope to be as kind and selfless as her.
Growing up in Malaysia, 13 May 1969 has always carried a morbid fascination for me. No one seems to want to talk about it and politicians only bring it up to inflame the simmering racism between these two races; Malay and Chinese. However, The Weight of Our Sky really highlights the horror of the incident and how our prejudices, whether conscious or subconscious can blind us even in the most desperate of times.
syafa's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
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
3.25
I'll start with what frustrated me. One is that I think the action escalated too fast? I kinda wish we saw her go through a normal school day/week/month/whatever before all the shit goes down, and get exposure and context to the unrest slowly vs right in the thick of it. The second thing that's kinda related to the lack of exposition before all the action is that I'm not convinced of the depth of her relationships. Like I feel like her closeness to the people supposedly important in her life is more "tell" (and all from her internal monologue) vs "show" and given that that's her main driver throughout the story...idk I just didn't feel convinced of her motivation and anxiety. I do really appreciate the historical context that was chosen though. Like I appreciate that a story like this exists to capture the "emotional truth" of that moment in history. And I did also appreciate the honest way that it talks about her views on religion - like it's human for faith to waver but it feels like such a taboo topic to bring up or admit to in reality.
herbookishrealm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? Yes
5.0