Reviews tagging 'Cultural appropriation'

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

208 reviews

_nem_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Rep: Bangladeshi lesbian POV, Brazilian MC, Korean MC

Set in Ireland

This story really pulled me in. I learnt a lot about South Asian culture. I can't comment on how accurate it was but the ideas of coming out and existing as queer in a not accepting environment were very relatable. 

 
I loved the developing relationship between Nishat and Flavia especially towards the end when Flavia is more accepting of her own identity. It was great when Flavia was realising how toxic China was and that she didn't want that anymore. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

cosmicwillow's review

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted 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

3.75

This was cute! I like how it dealt with heavier topics like race/racism and cultural appropriation, and homophobia, but ultimately I found it to be an adorable queer rivals (because they were hardly enemies lol) to lovers story.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bluejay21's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful 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

4.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

britt_zonnebloempit's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful fast-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

This was absolutely adorable!! Plus, I have never read anything like this before, with such a mix of different cultures coming together, PLUS sapphic characters. It feels very wholesome and inclusive! 

I'm not exactly the target demographic for this book, considering I'm in my 30s, which led me to a lower rating...

The only thing that reallllly bothered me is the way the writer mentioned characters having "a frown on their lips" or Nishat's heart going "x miles a minute" every other page, but other than that it was a super easy, sweet read.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

hollokim's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • 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? Yes

4.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bookswithmaia's review

Go to review page

hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ophycore's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny 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

4.25

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

i enjoyed the realistic take on how high schoolers deal with issues of cultural appropriation and homophobia. the end felt a bit too quick tying things up, however. i do like that the focus was on the main character developing her own agency throughout the story. the romantic side of the story was not profoundly interesting in itself, but still helped to display the complexities of life as a young person when you are “different”
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bookish_kirst's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book is based in Ireland and follows Nishat, a Muslim lesbian, who bumps into an old school friend, Flavia, and falls for her. For a school competition they have to start a business, Nishat decides to open a Henna business and so does Flavia, even though she isn't Desi.

Nishat was, at times, very self centered and honestly just kind of annoying.

The romance didn't really make much sense to me either, we understand how Nishat is made to feel everytime Flavia upsets her and yet she still forgives and falls for her, even when Flavia dismisses her discomfort at her starting a henna business and essentially appropriating Nishat's culture just to win a school cometition. 

I don't know, this book wasn't awful but it wasn't great either even though it had so much potential to be.

TW/CW: racism, homophobia, outing, cultural appropriation, bullying
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

lily1304's review

Go to review page

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.25

Sweet lil YA story. Felt like the interpersonal conflict was wrapped up a little too neatly and easily. But I liked it anyway!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings