Reviews

House of Yesterday by Deeba Zargarpur

izzys_internet_bookshelf's review

4.0

4/5

I really enjoyed this book though at times I found it rather slow

yeagleyreads's review

adventurous emotional hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing tense 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

fin881's review

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

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

2.0

Honestly can’t remember anything, forgettable

jaynecm's review

3.5

Firstly, the cover, absolutely stunning.
The book itself I would call a beautiful mess. The difficulties of immigrant families, the grief and trauma associated with divorcing parents, an aging grandmother suffering from dementia, coping with adolescence and friendships gone awry, all these topics were presented in a beautiful and compelling style. The paranormal aspect however seemed quite incoherent at times and cut into the flow of the present time narrative. 
Overall, a good read and the ending was quite emotional. 

tulipta's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad 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

4.25

thestarsaligned's review

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

staceyreece's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense slow-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? Yes

3.0

thelovelylibrarylady's review against another edition

emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

House of Yesterday is a contemporary YA title that explores intergenerational trauma and identity using the supernatural as a bridge between generations. Drawing from her own Afghan-Uzbek heritage, Zaragarpur crafted Sara, the protagonist, as a teenager from an immigrant family. I was amazed at how “real” Sara felt and how her family’s traditions, language, and values were woven into her identity. 

(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)

(I received an audio recording of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)

amberinpieces's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Dementia, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Medical content, Domestic abuse, Child death, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pregnancy, and Blood

smalltownbookmom's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 rounded up.

This was a solid #ownvoices YA debut about family secrets, Afghan-Uzbek immigrant lives and the challenges of watching a loved one slowly disappear from Alzheimer's. Great on audio with a heartfelt author's note included at the end. Plus what an incredibly stunning cover!!