Reviews tagging 'Cultural appropriation'

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

210 reviews

bookish_kirst's review against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Outing, Racism, Homophobia, and Bullying

lily1304's review

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!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Lesbophobia, Bullying, and Cultural appropriation

colorful_lulu's review against another edition

emotional inspiring 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Racism, Outing, Islamophobia, Cultural appropriation, and Bullying

Minor: Toxic friendship

mengzhenreads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

4.75

So unbelievably sweet and wonderfully complex and poignant. Probably one of my favorite YA books to date.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing

Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, Cultural appropriation, and Bullying

siriface's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Homophobia, and Cultural appropriation

jsant's review against another edition

emotional inspiring medium-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

4.5

An important story about highschool and bullying, racism, homophobia and cultural appropriation. My daughter recommended this to me and I'm glad she did. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, and Bullying

abi2xoxo's review

lighthearted slow-paced

3.0

This book is the second one I have read from Adiba Jaigirdar and it didn't massively disappoint.

pros- 
The storyline was easy to follow and would definitely fit a younger audience. It focuses on cultural differences, and cultural appropriation while being a cute queer story. 
Homophobia is well-spoken about. It is handled with care. 
The way they ended up together I thought was sweet. 

cons- 
uncomfortable- it is used too many times.
No consequences. It left me a little unsatisfied when there were no consequences for anyone! When Nishat didn't tell her parents she was going somewhere and she got Priti to tell that I was so confused at how there wasn't any telling off texts or phone calls. I think it is because my parents would have not been at all happy if I had my brother told them where I was going. I didn't even have a phone until I was 15 and I still found a way to tell them where I would be. There were also no consequences for Ali or Chyna. 

Good book. 
I would recommend it to a younger audience. It is heavy at times but t is handled with caution so yeah. 
I don't know if I will read another Adiba Jaigirdar though. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Outing, Racism, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Cultural appropriation

Moderate: Abandonment

mattyb's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Outing

Moderate: Islamophobia and Racism

gabbygarcia's review

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I really wanted to love this book, but the writing style just wasn’t for me. I did absolutely love the strong family component of the book, especially Nishat’s relationship with her sister Priti. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Bullying, Homophobia, Outing, and Racism

thebookpaiges's review

emotional lighthearted 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Lesbophobia, Outing, Racism, and Biphobia

Moderate: Bullying and Islamophobia