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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
amberinpieces's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Islamophobia, and Medical content
Minor: Gun violence
this_momma_is_booked's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
YA Lit has come so far from when I was a young adult myself and I am so happy to see the quality and diversity of works young people have access to today. This book was beautifully written, filled with diversity and growth and heart. I loved learning about the Muslim culture, a culture so different from my own. I loved exploring their customs, their beliefs, their relationships to religion and each other.
I enjoyed almost every single aspect of this book except for two. First off, I did feel that the book came off as a bit preachy in terms of what it meant to be a "good" Muslim. The way Dua's parents raised her was put into stark contrast with the way her cousins were raised and the dialogue surrounding that (and Dua's Ramadan checklist) made it seem as if that was the "wrong" way and Dua would now be learning how to do it all properly. I can respect that she wanted to learn more about the origins of the holiday and how it looks for different people, but I feel like the language surrounding it was charged in such a way as to insinuate that there is only one "right" way to be a Muslim (and, by extension, a Catholic, Christian, Jew, etc.). The other aspect of the book I didn't enjoy was Dua and Hassan's engagement at the very end. I understand that it is not uncommon for young Muslim people to become engaged, and my issue with it wasn't the age at all. It was the fact that it was so unlike Dua and the way she was raised. In her conversation with her parents, they even told her that they would put feelers out in a few years. To have her become engaged to Hassan after only knowing him for a couple months felt disingenuous to the character .
During our discussion of the book (over at Bad Bitch Book Club - check them out!), there was also talk about whether the shooting that occurred in the book was necessary or whether it broke with the idea of a romance novel. While I agree that having a shooting come out of nowhere is shocking, I feel like it is an accurate portrayal of how this trauma impacts everyday life. We, as a society, have become so accustomed to racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, discrimination, etc., that we are desensitized to how these things affect people in very real ways. The shooting symbolized the very sudden way these issues come into clear focus when they lead to harm of someone we love. And while it's not often we see this subject matter in romance, particularly YA romance, it does still fall within the scope of the romance formula because there is a happy ending.
All in all I highly enjoyed this book and I suggest you all read it! The audiobook is excellent and really helped with the pronunciation of words that were foreign to me.
I enjoyed almost every single aspect of this book except for two. First off, I did feel that the book came off as a bit preachy in terms of what it meant to be a "good" Muslim. The way Dua's parents raised her was put into stark contrast with the way her cousins were raised and the dialogue surrounding that (and Dua's Ramadan checklist) made it seem as if that was the "wrong" way and Dua would now be learning how to do it all properly. I can respect that she wanted to learn more about the origins of the holiday and how it looks for different people, but I feel like the language surrounding it was charged in such a way as to insinuate that there is only one "right" way to be a Muslim (and, by extension, a Catholic, Christian, Jew, etc.). The other aspect of the book I didn't enjoy was
During our discussion of the book (over at Bad Bitch Book Club - check them out!), there was also talk about whether the shooting that occurred in the book was necessary or whether it broke with the idea of a romance novel. While I agree that having a shooting come out of nowhere is shocking, I feel like it is an accurate portrayal of how this trauma impacts everyday life. We, as a society, have become so accustomed to racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, discrimination, etc., that we are desensitized to how these things affect people in very real ways. The shooting symbolized the very sudden way these issues come into clear focus when they lead to harm of someone we love. And while it's not often we see this subject matter in romance, particularly YA romance, it does still fall within the scope of the romance formula because there is a happy ending.
All in all I highly enjoyed this book and I suggest you all read it! The audiobook is excellent and really helped with the pronunciation of words that were foreign to me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Xenophobia, Hate crime, and Islamophobia
gabbyblayden's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, and Xenophobia
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