Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

15 reviews

learose's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring relaxing 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, Racism, and Outing

Moderate: Gaslighting and Lesbophobia

This book was absolutely beautiful. I loved the way the author perfectly weaved in very heavy topics, while still keeping the book fairly lighthearted. Nishat was an incredibly complex and loveable main character. The author is very good at making complex characters. Even the side characters are intriguing! The way the author was able to add depth to the side characters, while still keeping the main focus on Nishat was very impressive. Overall this book is a very good read, and worth all the praise.

mariethem1lf's review

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing

Moderate: Bullying, Toxic friendship, Religious bigotry, Racism, Lesbophobia, Islamophobia, and Homophobia

Minor: Gaslighting

zombiezami's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring 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

4.5

Heartwarming story. Wish the grandma had been in the end in some way to wrap things up. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Outing

Moderate: Islamophobia, Racism, Xenophobia, and Cultural appropriation

Minor: Biphobia, Chronic illness, Hate crime, and Medical content

nothingrhymeswithrachel's review

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

4.5

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun twist on the enemies to lovers trope, and I like that  

neither one of the henna shops won the competition. That was a good way to end that part of the story line, and honestly neither of them deserved it anyway lol.

Obviously there are a lot of situations that could have been solved by literally just talking to each other but it’s supposed to be high school and no one knows how to communicate in high school. A great read! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Outing, and Racism

Moderate: Biphobia, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, and Toxic friendship

princessapplecore's review

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

OMG, THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS BOOK!!
I could go on and on about this book. I love this book into the depths of my soul. This book has my heart.
1. Plot- The plot of this book was... I guess different is the word I want, than other LGBTQIA+ novels. There were the elements of race and religion. Most YA LGBTQIA+ books are only centered around sexualities. Because this book added bits of Muslim and Catholic views, as well as the "But Bangladeshis are not gay." and the homophobia from her parents, made this book seem a bit more real.
2. Characters- I love Nishat. She is so strong-willed, she knows who she is and doesn't hide it. Flávia is so careful with others. I love their relationship, it's so cute.
3. The Humor- The little description on the inside of the book says that this is a rom-com, it's not. The only time I actually laughed was at the very end when Nishat's parents are watching The Ellen Show.
As I've said before, I really like this book. 10/10, won't read again, because I'm like that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Outing, Racism, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Emotional abuse

Minor: Biphobia, Child abuse, and Cursing