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dhiyanah's review
challenging
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
After thoroughly enjoying 'Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating,' I was excited to check out more works by this author. The writing and characters didn't disappoint. The plot structure felt so keyed in to the emotional tension of the main character that I often felt stressed for Nishat.
Adiba Jaigirdar has a way of affirming, in her writing, the unique struggles of growing up within South Asian diasporas, weaving it with her experiences within the Irish immigrant context. I thought at first that I wouldn't feel connected to the latter since Ireland feels so far away from me and my reality here in the global south, but she writes in a way that makes space for familiar challenges and the life-affirming possibilities so many of us in the global diaspora dream up in our free time just to get by. The ending was an adorably soft landing and I appreciate how hopeful that felt.
Adiba Jaigirdar has a way of affirming, in her writing, the unique struggles of growing up within South Asian diasporas, weaving it with her experiences within the Irish immigrant context. I thought at first that I wouldn't feel connected to the latter since Ireland feels so far away from me and my reality here in the global south, but she writes in a way that makes space for familiar challenges and the life-affirming possibilities so many of us in the global diaspora dream up in our free time just to get by. The ending was an adorably soft landing and I appreciate how hopeful that felt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Outing
Moderate: Homophobia, Xenophobia, and Cultural appropriation
filipacmiranda's review against another edition
2.5
I enjoyed the plot, found the characters likeable and wanted them to succeed. Despite this, the story fell short regarding cultural representation and romance.
Being one of the first times I read a book with a Bengali main character, I expected The Henna Wars to contain much more detailed descriptions of the celebrations that were included in the plot and for Nishat and her family's cultural background to be one of the main focuses of the story. I was also very excited when I realised Flávia was Brazilian rather than Hispanic! Reading my native language (Portuguese) in a book written in another language was fantastic. However, Brazil has a vast and diverse culture that I would have liked to see reflected in the small moments Nishat shared with Flávia and her mother.
The same is true for Nishat and Flávia's romantic relationship, which seems to grow unsteadily just to become suddenly official.
Being one of the first times I read a book with a Bengali main character, I expected The Henna Wars to contain much more detailed descriptions of the celebrations that were included in the plot and for Nishat and her family's cultural background to be one of the main focuses of the story. I was also very excited when I realised Flávia was Brazilian rather than Hispanic! Reading my native language (Portuguese) in a book written in another language was fantastic. However, Brazil has a vast and diverse culture that I would have liked to see reflected in the small moments Nishat shared with Flávia and her mother.
The same is true for Nishat and Flávia's romantic relationship, which seems to grow unsteadily just to become suddenly official.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cultural appropriation and Outing
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Xenophobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Toxic friendship
psistillreadyou's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, and Racism
Moderate: Bullying and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Islamophobia and Deadnaming
The book accidentally deadnames Elliot Page. It was written before he came out. There are also frequent references to HP.nikexistiertnik's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
i feel like the story could have been explored in a little more depth, some parts felt really unfinished or rushed, but overall, i liked this book a lot.
the relationships were never just "one thing", and i feel like the book authentically conveys the grayness of connection and culture, while also communicating clearly that some things are to be seen in black and white, because sometimes it's just that simple.
the relationships were never just "one thing", and i feel like the book authentically conveys the grayness of connection and culture, while also communicating clearly that some things are to be seen in black and white, because sometimes it's just that simple.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Racism, Homophobia, and Outing
yolie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.25
I raced through this book! What a sweet novel, that took me less than a minute to devour.
Although the main character Nishat can be bratty, I think it’s important to realise she’s a teenage girl and their thoughts and actions may not be as well thought out or logical as we’d like them to be.
Although the main character Nishat can be bratty, I think it’s important to realise she’s a teenage girl and their thoughts and actions may not be as well thought out or logical as we’d like them to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Gaslighting, Islamophobia, Hate crime, and Racism
kawaii_rose's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Homophobia and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Islamophobia
sapphicsoilscientist's review against another edition
sad
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Racism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Bullying and Cultural appropriation
wlwism's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.5
I refuse to rate anything that mentions Harry Potter a five star read, and at times it felt like it was trying to make me feel for the racist white girl, but I do appreciate the focus on familial and sisterly relationships, which I thought were developed beautifully!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cultural appropriation and Xenophobia
Moderate: Outing
americattt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.75
"But our parents have the same philosophy. They shifted us halfway across the world, risking our culture, putting us in the middle of two nations and giving us an identity crisis, all because they believe it gives us more opportunities. It's strange to think about how much our parents really sacrifice for us. But then, I'm stuck on the fact that Ammu and Abbu can leave their entire worlds behind, yet they can't pause for a moment and consider who I am. How can they sacrifice everything for me and Priti, but they can't sacrifice their closed view of sexuality to accept me as I am."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, and Racism
Moderate: Cultural appropriation and Bullying
Minor: Islamophobia
livelaughlesbian99's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Homophobia, and Cultural appropriation