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hylian_narwhal's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, and Mental illness
mickeyy670's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-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? N/A
5.0
This book got me out of a reading slump.
It was so painful, so beautiful, i cried way too many times.
What I would give to experience this book for the first time again.
Would 10000000% recommend this to anyone and everyone.
It was so painful, so beautiful, i cried way too many times.
What I would give to experience this book for the first time again.
Would 10000000% recommend this to anyone and everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Mental illness
fieldsandfeels's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Every word of this book was a challenge, and there were a lot of tears shed while reading. But it was a necessary and beautiful glimpse into the daily life and choices of people coming of age among war, revolution, and genocide. I was so immersed in Salama’s story and voice that I sometimes forgot it was made up…though I suppose that even though this particular story is fiction, the fear, the experiences, and the thoughts are very real to many people in Syria. But still, even among the violence, there is hope. Even when the mind breaks, the heart keeps beating. I loved this story, and I’m grateful it is being told.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, War, Grief, Death, Child death, Genocide, Mass/school shootings, Mental illness, and Violence
aprilyang1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
5.0
I’ve sat with my emotions and thoughts about this book for a while and I’ve written and deleted a million words, but I still can’t seem to come up with anything that truly represents what this book has done. Katouh’s word choice, her description, her absolute creative ability to make us feel as if we were there with Salama throughout the entire story is absolutely incredible. Yes, this is historical fiction, but this is closer to reality for many people. Real people who have dreams and goals and desires.
I don’t know what else to say or how to say it, so I’ll just leave you with Katouh’s words, “Syrians have rarely been able to tell their stories. What the world knows are the cold, hard facts reported by the media and relayed in books. The focus is on the political parties at play, reducing Syrians—the casualties, the victims, the orphans, the displaced—to numbers. This novel delves into the human emotion behind the conflict, because we are not numbers. For years Syrians have been tortured, murdered, and banished from their country at the hands of a tyrannical regime, and we owe it to them to know their stories. I wanted this story to exist free from the confinements of stereotypes.” She continues, “But, despite the atrocities, my characters have to face I hope you see them as more than their trauma. They represent every Syrian out there with hopes and dreams, and a life to live. We are owed that life. This book was very difficult to write, but I tried to leave one message through every page, every line, and every letter. That message is hope. And I hope you, carry it your heart.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Child death, Death, War, and Mental illness
tardisbookcat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
This book was an extremely difficult read as it told of the horrors taking place in Syria. However, I could not put it down. Katouh has woven her characters into beacons of hope despite the atrocities they are a part of , while also demonstrating their flaws that make them undeniably human.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Genocide, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, War, Grief, and Death
alex_bousquet's review against another edition
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book ripped my heart to shreds! But it also made me laugh and fall in love with salama and Kenan at the same time. A must read by anyone!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death of parent, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Child death, and Grief
mald626's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Gun violence, Medical content, Torture, Murder, Gore, Child death, Violence, War, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Blood, and Pregnancy
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Trafficking, and Xenophobia
gaetkoguy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
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
5.0
Beautiful and heart wrenching. The reading was easy, the characters were real, and the twists and turns took my breath away. What a marvel and a work of art. Highest recommendations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Murder, Gun violence, Blood, Death, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, and Gore
Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Mental illness, Violence, and War
Minor: Vomit and Panic attacks/disorders
gvstyris's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Survivor's skin is a remorse we are cursed to wear forever.
This book truly encapsulates the power of literature as a tool for empathy. It's clear that Katouh has poured years of love and care into every page, and it was a privilege to read Salama's story. She felt very real, which is a testament to Katouh's writing.
I'm struggling a bit to give this book a rating because, despite my minor gripes with it, it is undeniably important. The Syrian Revolution is ongoing, and the themes are even more hauntingly relevant amidst the horrific genocide in Gaza and war in Ukraine. The representation of what Katouh refers to as a 'Halal romance' (aka a love story between her two main Muslim characters) is also so meaningful, and I was similarly struck by the portrayal of PTSD and survivor's guilt.
I had a few issues with the length, repetitive structure and cliche writing which have lowered this to 4 stars for me. I also -- totally my bad -- didn't realise this was YA before beginning, which I think hindered it somewhat. Nothing serious, though, and I'm still very glad to have read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Murder, Child death, War, Medical content, and Grief
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Genocide and Rape
witcheep's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
I knew this book was going to become one of my new favourites even before finishing it, and that feeling only grew with every page I turned. Katouh's writing is uniquely beautiful and the story she tells captures the whole spectre of human emotion in a dire situation so breathtakingly well that my heart breaks for it. I can't possibly praise this book enough, everyone needs to read it.
I was especially intiqued by the character of Khawf, a personification of fear and survival instinct, and his existence being rationalized by the main character Salma's medical knowledge. Khawf' and Salama's evolving relationship is a creative and capturing way to picture the process of grief as well as handling the mental strain in a chaotic and unsafe situation.
Never before have I annotatated a book more just for me. This book is full of thoughts that struck a powerful message and left me reflecting them for a long while – and I'm still not done with it. I might return to add some of those thoughts and my favourite quotes to this review when - or if - I manage to pick only a few favourites.
I was especially intiqued by the character of Khawf, a personification of fear and survival instinct, and his existence being rationalized by the main character Salma's medical knowledge. Khawf' and Salama's evolving relationship is a creative and capturing way to picture the process of grief as well as handling the mental strain in a chaotic and unsafe situation.
Never before have I annotatated a book more just for me. This book is full of thoughts that struck a powerful message and left me reflecting them for a long while – and I'm still not done with it. I might return to add some of those thoughts and my favourite quotes to this review when - or if - I manage to pick only a few favourites.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Violence, Child death, and Blood
Moderate: Mental illness, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Sexual harassment, Trafficking, Torture, Death of parent, Rape, and Sexual assault