Reviews with content warning for Cultural appropriation - The Henna Wars

I’m not gonna lie, this book had me a bit worried with the direction it was going with the crush, but I am so glad that I kept going because Adiba Jaigirdar spun it around for me!

My favorite moments of this book were the glimpses into Nishat’s family, their relationship and their reactions to Nishat coming out to them as a lesbian. Coming out stories aren’t always the best and sometimes in books it can feel unrealistic or be traumatizing to relieve that experience but I was very touched by how it was written. It was difficult but well done.

I also especially enjoyed Nishat’s moments with her sister and I’m glad that the romance was secondary to their friendship and bond.

The discussions of racism, cultural appropriation vs appreciation, and homophobia were both parts emotional and engaging. Jaigirdar brilliantly explores the levels and layers to racism and what it can like to be a queer girl of color.

Content Warnings

emily_mh's review against another edition

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emotional 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? No

4.5

I think the main reason I adore Jaigirdar’s romance books is that the story is never just about romance. The MCs always have a full life outside of the love they may be pursuing which makes for dynamic characters and a layered story.

Nishat and Flávia were so sweet together. I think a few more conversations between the two of them would have been nice, but this wasn’t a biggie. I loved the way Jaigirdar described how a crush feels, and I was so impressed that she got me to like Flávia and root for her romance with Nishat after the way she acted in the beginning/middle of the book! Alongside the romance the book confronts cultural appropriation, exhibiting its hypocrisy and how it feels to have your culture stolen. Additionally, the story shows what coming out looks like, both when you’re accepted or not, or have have a choice in it or are outed, and also the complicated role family can play in it all.

Nishat was such a great MC. I liked how she stuck to her guns but also went through personal growth, too! I loved that the writing made me feel what she was feeling. Her relationship with her sister Priti was amazing and exactly like what my relationship was like with my sister in our teens.

On top of all this I really liked reading about henna, especially the descriptions of Nishat’s designs and how henna can be passed down as a tradition in Bengali families. I cannot wait to read more by this author!

Content Warnings

tinyjude's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted 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

I really liked the tension between the characters and the social commentary (white privilege, racism, homophobia, etc), although it didnt make me giggle as hard as her other book (i am still in love with the sapphic couple in that book). I loved the sibling dynamics and the support they showed to each other, it was beautiful. Also, I liked how most of the characters come around, admit their mistakes and become better people.

My only complains are: WE NEEDED MORE SCENES OF THEM BEING SO CUTE, SO AWKWARDLY IN LOVE THROUGH THE BOOK, THE YEARNING and all the HP references, which hurt a lot my non binary heart, bc JKR is a massive TERF and I hate when people make any reference to her work, something that could easily be replaced by another kids story whose author doesnt literally threatens the lives of trans people ever day. But this last complain is more general, to the whole book community and writers.

Please, your nostalgia of a fictional work written by a TERF is not as important as literal trans lives.

Content Warnings