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aalsbad's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
5.0
LOVED this book so much!!!
lately i've been a bit of a lazy reader only reading here and there but i knew i wanted to finish this one and so i sat down and read. and my gosh, did this book not disappoint me.
i loved the family dynamics, the friendships, how Islam was broadly discussed as well as interracial marriages and the problem of islamophobia that unfortunately is still a very active problem in the world. i loved how there was not only one romance that was told but two and both beautifully told might i add!
i think this book would also be good for non-muslims to read as it's a good insight into what ramadan is all about and a lot of the core values of muslims and what our religion is truly about.
this is a book i will no doubt be talking about for ages and it's definitely up there in my favourites! i'll definitely be re-reading it too! it was so wholesome.
lately i've been a bit of a lazy reader only reading here and there but i knew i wanted to finish this one and so i sat down and read. and my gosh, did this book not disappoint me.
i loved the family dynamics, the friendships, how Islam was broadly discussed as well as interracial marriages and the problem of islamophobia that unfortunately is still a very active problem in the world. i loved how there was not only one romance that was told but two and both beautifully told might i add!
i think this book would also be good for non-muslims to read as it's a good insight into what ramadan is all about and a lot of the core values of muslims and what our religion is truly about.
this is a book i will no doubt be talking about for ages and it's definitely up there in my favourites! i'll definitely be re-reading it too! it was so wholesome.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Gun violence, and Violence
stuckinatimeloop's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
wholesome overall, but it felt like it was written for a middle grade audience. maybe it's because it's the author's first book (as far as i know). everything that happened felt like it came out of nowhere. I don't know why dua and hassan like each other. there is almost no chemistry between them and they don't even have much screen time together to develop their relationship. everything was rushed. it's a nice book with nice ideas but could have been done better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, and Islamophobia
Minor: Ableism
pallasreads's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Islamophobia
nitya's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.0
Very cute!!
And I loved the more nuanced portrayal of Islam and the Desi community 💕
And I loved the more nuanced portrayal of Islam and the Desi community 💕
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Islamophobia
kitabtrovert's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Blood, Gun violence, and Islamophobia
ariana_m's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was really good! I liked reading about Dua and Hassan's story. I feel like I learned a bit about the Muslim culture and a bit about Islam as well. I like how Dua founded herself over the time she spent with her family over Ramadan. You can truly see how she changed her views toward her culture. I liked all the side characters, they were all great. I love the bond Dua ended up forming with all of her family before she left. Overall this book was a very enjoyable read, a bit heavy at times but it was great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia and Gun violence
leannj's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Hate crime
aishallnot's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, and Islamophobia
a_libra_library's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
One of the best coming-of-age stories ive read in a while. It was a bit slow in the beginning but I thought that matched Dua's attitude towards her family, warming up as the story continues
As a non-Muslim I never felt lost, or confused about the traditions of Ramadan, but the reader isn't spoon fed everything going on either.
As a non-Muslim I never felt lost, or confused about the traditions of Ramadan, but the reader isn't spoon fed everything going on either.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Islamophobia, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Ableism, Gun violence, Medical content, and Racism
onthesamepage's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I mean, it should probably be 4 stars, but my heart was so full after finishing this that I just don't care.
"I know Ramadan is supposed to be this amazing, special time of year for us. But...I don't feel that. And with being here, it's too different. You should hear how Mom and Dad speak of you all--they think you're perfect young Muslims, and that's not me. I don't measure up." My voice cracked. "I don't fit in."
The Muslim representation here is the closest I've ever come to what I felt like growing up as a teenager. At the beginning of the book, when her parents tell Dua that they will be spending Ramadan with her much more religious uncle and his family, Dua is annoyed because she doesn't want to spend the entire month being preached at. Her struggle with finding a connection to her faith and to Allah reminded me of my own struggles, and how I used to see Ramadan as an opportunity to improve the things I felt were lacking. And even as an adult, the struggle is still real. It's not like it suddenly becomes easier after you hit your twenties; I'm still constantly looking to do better, and some days are better than others. I loved the steps Dua took, and the plan she created for herself to find that closeness to God.
I read this book during Ramadan, which made it extra special and relatable. It's in the minor details, like having low energy levels because of fasting, the extra prayers, the importance of the last ten nights. I really appreciated the way the author highlighted the characters actually practicing Islam--there was praying, supplication, reading Quran. Usually a Muslim book will show some of these aspects, but I've never read anything else where it's this often and constant, and such a major part of the story, and I loved it.
The book also has some great, diverse representation. Dua and her family are desi, while Hassan and his family are Arab. There's also disability representation in Ibrahim. There is a very sweet, wholesome, halal romance between Dua and Hassan, which isn't the focus of the book, but I thought it was really cute nonetheless. I also liked the way the author explored interracial/intercultural relationship and the challenges that come with that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Islamophobia, and Racism