Scan barcode
decklededgess's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
5.0
trigger warnings: rape and sexual assault, harassment, roofies, drug abuse and drug related death mention, teenage pregnancy mention, abortion mention, physical abuse, abusive relatives, domestic abuse, bullying, slut shaming, sexism and misogyny, gun violence mention, death of parent, cancer mention, death, car accident
God this book was heartbreaking. The cover is deceptive. It seems cool and mysterious. Unfortunately it's depressing as fuck but so well written. This is about a young girn named Zarin who dies in a car accident with a close friend in Saudi Arabia. The book starts out with them as ghosts and cycles back to a point in Zarin's life that seems to set this event in motion. You get to read from a few people's POVs which gives you both an internal and an external look into what Zarin's life was like and how she was perceived by the people around her.
This book tears into bullying culture, slut shaming, sexism, and abuse, and how that affects an individual mentally and physically. Through the book you see Zarin break down and attempt to build herself u time and again as trauma after trauma are thrown at her.
I can't really say much about the optimism factor of this book. As is common with books that take on heavy trauma with no trace of vindication and revenge, this is more about personal healing or lack thereof. Zarin's life is painful but there are moments of optimism. It ends on a peaceful note which is something.
It's frankly a genius work of literature, it's just fucking sad dude. Falls right along with books like My Dark Vanessa, Hurricane Summer, and A Little Life in my opinion.
I did really enjoy reading about a Parsi character though. I haven't interacted with someone who's Parsi since I left India and this was (while tragic as shit and definitely not reflective of their lives and Zoroastrianism as a whole) a nice change to see some of my friends' culture represented in a book.
God this book was heartbreaking. The cover is deceptive. It seems cool and mysterious. Unfortunately it's depressing as fuck but so well written. This is about a young girn named Zarin who dies in a car accident with a close friend in Saudi Arabia. The book starts out with them as ghosts and cycles back to a point in Zarin's life that seems to set this event in motion. You get to read from a few people's POVs which gives you both an internal and an external look into what Zarin's life was like and how she was perceived by the people around her.
This book tears into bullying culture, slut shaming, sexism, and abuse, and how that affects an individual mentally and physically. Through the book you see Zarin break down and attempt to build herself u time and again as trauma after trauma are thrown at her.
I can't really say much about the optimism factor of this book. As is common with books that take on heavy trauma with no trace of vindication and revenge, this is more about personal healing or lack thereof. Zarin's life is painful but there are moments of optimism. It ends on a peaceful note which is something.
It's frankly a genius work of literature, it's just fucking sad dude. Falls right along with books like My Dark Vanessa, Hurricane Summer, and A Little Life in my opinion.
I did really enjoy reading about a Parsi character though. I haven't interacted with someone who's Parsi since I left India and this was (while tragic as shit and definitely not reflective of their lives and Zoroastrianism as a whole) a nice change to see some of my friends' culture represented in a book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Body shaming, Car accident, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Grief, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Death of parent, and Blood
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Abortion, and Suicide attempt
readwithemily's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
~3.5~ I haven't read a book that gave me as many mixed emotions as this book has in a while. It was emotional, heartbreaking, and unsatisfying in the best way possible. This is a love story that ends before the love. I really really enjoyed the build-up to the conclusion. Zarin's struggles in life are devastating. You just want a happy ending for her, you know you won't get it, but you hope. I mean she is literally dead in the Prologue.
I really enjoyed the character of Mishal, she's basically Zarin's school bully and academic rival. You quickly realize through her POV that she's also a victim of her society. Watching her self-reflection in the novel was very rewarding.
My biggest problem with this book is the ending. It happened way too quickly! The last chapter before the Epilogue was like "this happened to this character, this happened to this character, and this character did this." I was like woahhh slowdown! The first 3/4 of this book is a 5/5 read. The last 1/4 is a 1/5 read.
I really enjoyed the character of Mishal, she's basically Zarin's school bully and academic rival. You quickly realize through her POV that she's also a victim of her society. Watching her self-reflection in the novel was very rewarding.
My biggest problem with this book is the ending. It happened way too quickly! The last chapter before the Epilogue was like "this happened to this character, this happened to this character, and this character did this." I was like woahhh slowdown! The first 3/4 of this book is a 5/5 read. The last 1/4 is a 1/5 read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Minor: Religious bigotry
More...