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ford_defect's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Slavery, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment
Minor: Islamophobia, Deportation, and Pandemic/Epidemic
justagirlwithbooks's review against another edition
4.0
“That's just what translation is, I think. That's all speaking is. Listening to the other and trying to see past your own biases to glimpse what they're trying to say. Showing yourself to the world, and hoping someone else understands.”
Wow. I have a lot to say about this book.
I thought that this book was good. The first half was a bit slow, and the second half felt really fast. Everything was happening all at once, and it was a lot to take in. The audiobook was also long, and this book took me a while to finish. But once I did, oh my gosh.
I really liked how this was 'historical fiction adjacent', and the fantasy element wasn't a lot, but it was interwoven nicely. The whole discussion and introspection about colonialism and how it's affected countries all around the world was also really well done. I did feel like at times, it was a bit more telling rather than showing, and also some parts did feel like listening to an academic textbook, which was probably why it was feeling slow. But it did put me in the mood for going back to university.
Something that really, genuinely surprised me was the representation in this novel. This is the first book that I've read by a non-Muslim author that actually features a good Muslim character. Rami/Ramy was my favorite character.
And about the ending...
As you can tell, I liked this book better than Yellowface.
With all that being said, this was a solid book, and I can't wait to pick up The Poppy War trilogy and see what happens there.
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexism, and Suicide
noura's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexism and War
Minor: Death of parent
9inchnailzzz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, and Suicide
laguerrelewis's review against another edition
- 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
But in all honesty, this is a masterpiece. It is absurd that it works so well on so many levels—but in 2024, it’s anti-colonial call to arms rings the most topical. I was utterly enthralled by this book, and I am glad it is as popular as it is—though I won’t rest until there’s a copy on every shelf!
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism and Self harm
findleydunn's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Blood, and Death of parent
pey333's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, and War
Minor: Addiction, Child death, and Death of parent
h_preadsagin's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Colonisation
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
ekgranstro's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Gun violence, Slavery, Vomit, Medical content, Stalking, and War
basilroad's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Slavery