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erebus53's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Bouncing from a frustrating book that starts conversations without trying to lead the author, I blundered into a book that is at the other end of the spectrum.
This one is a cautionary tale about family, duty, and respect. When a Pakistani American girl is discovered by her strict (strictly NO BOYS) parents, sneaking to prom with her boyfriend, they feel they have lost face in their community. In a bid to restore their reputation and win back their daughter's virtue, they take a family holiday in Pakistan to reaffirm their roots. Soon Naila realises she is about to miss her Universtiy Orientation day, as the holiday is extended by first a week, and then a month, and is beginning to wonder if they have some plans that they are not sharing with her.
The premise is .. painfully predictable? ...but managed to mostly maintain tension. Readers who have more personal freedoms and power in their lives (..er well.. me) will be frustrated at how many secrets the protagonist holds onto. I'm a much more outspoken person, and though her inner-voice was raging against indignity, her outward demeanour was a lot more placid. That was the hugest conflict in the whole story for me, and that tension made me squirm. As a trauma survivor I do get the whole calm after the storm thing, as you shut down and just deal with the sandwich life handed you.
When the truth was divulged it may have been the sheer relief that moved me to tears, or just the distressing way that multiple characters were messed around and hurt by the agenda of people around them.
It's an okay book and probably aimed at a 15-20 age group. As it deals with contentious topics and some graphic things, it's not going to be a good pick for sensitive readers.
This one is a cautionary tale about family, duty, and respect. When a Pakistani American girl is discovered by her strict (strictly NO BOYS) parents, sneaking to prom with her boyfriend, they feel they have lost face in their community. In a bid to restore their reputation and win back their daughter's virtue, they take a family holiday in Pakistan to reaffirm their roots. Soon Naila realises she is about to miss her Universtiy Orientation day, as the holiday is extended by first a week, and then a month, and is beginning to wonder if they have some plans that they are not sharing with her.
The premise is .. painfully predictable? ...but managed to mostly maintain tension. Readers who have more personal freedoms and power in their lives (..er well.. me) will be frustrated at how many secrets the protagonist holds onto. I'm a much more outspoken person, and though her inner-voice was raging against indignity, her outward demeanour was a lot more placid. That was the hugest conflict in the whole story for me, and that tension made me squirm. As a trauma survivor I do get the whole calm after the storm thing, as you shut down and just deal with the sandwich life handed you.
When the truth was divulged it may have been the sheer relief that moved me to tears, or just the distressing way that multiple characters were messed around and hurt by the agenda of people around them.
It's an okay book and probably aimed at a 15-20 age group. As it deals with contentious topics and some graphic things, it's not going to be a good pick for sensitive readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, and Misogyny
Moderate: Rape, Miscarriage, and Torture
Minor: Vomit, Blood, Eating disorder, and Infidelity
briana7's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, Rape, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, and Gaslighting
sammymilfort's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
This book is horrifying and focuses on such a prevalent issue happening all around the world.
This book follows a high school senior named Nalia who is from a conservative Pakistani family. Her family allows her choice in everything except who she marries, as that is seen as a form of respect from child to parent. One problem is she is deeply in love with her secret boyfriend, Saif.
This book truly showcased the detrimental effect of abuse and family generational upbringing. Nalia’s parents while I understood their thoughts and why they retained their beliefs- they ultimately destroyed their daughter and any semblance of remorse in the process. What Nalia endured was horrific and no one deserves to go through any of what she went through but sadly, so many survivors and people are in forced marriages every day.
Saeed’s writing style was simplistic but truly engaging showing the vulnerability and suspense of the situation. I truly felt like I was right beside Nadia and wondered and truly doubted if she would ever return home and make it out alive
I am glad I read this book and for anyone thinking of reading this I strongly encourage you do if you are in the right headspace and feel like you can handle some of the heavy topics.
TW: Forced Marriage, Emotional/Physical Abuse, Rape, Drugged, Forced Abduction, Mention of Miscarriage, Brutal Attack and imprisonment,
This book follows a high school senior named Nalia who is from a conservative Pakistani family. Her family allows her choice in everything except who she marries, as that is seen as a form of respect from child to parent. One problem is she is deeply in love with her secret boyfriend, Saif.
This book truly showcased the detrimental effect of abuse and family generational upbringing. Nalia’s parents while I understood their thoughts and why they retained their beliefs- they ultimately destroyed their daughter and any semblance of remorse in the process. What Nalia endured was horrific and no one deserves to go through any of what she went through but sadly, so many survivors and people are in forced marriages every day.
Saeed’s writing style was simplistic but truly engaging showing the vulnerability and suspense of the situation. I truly felt like I was right beside Nadia and wondered and truly doubted if she would ever return home and make it out alive
I am glad I read this book and for anyone thinking of reading this I strongly encourage you do if you are in the right headspace and feel like you can handle some of the heavy topics.
TW: Forced Marriage, Emotional/Physical Abuse, Rape, Drugged, Forced Abduction, Mention of Miscarriage, Brutal Attack and imprisonment,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, and Violence
Minor: Pregnancy and Blood
jenniferduannfultz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Rape and Kidnapping
maryamthehobbit's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
What a wonderful book. This was not the book that I was expecting when I picked it up, or even after the first few chapters, and I’m so glad that I read it. It deals with very dark but very real situations. I would recommend anyone to read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
aristosaep's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Rape and Violence
sonshinelibrarian's review against another edition
4.25
I thought this was a fantasy and it's definitely not, but I really enjoyed it. I tore through it in about 2 hours, desperate to find out what was going to happen. It's terrifying to think that these kinds of things still happen, but I appreciated the tact with which Saeed dealt with a very complicated and difficult topic. I loved Naila's voice and I feel like I can't say more about the book without spoilers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Violence
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Rape, Misogyny, Violence, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Infidelity
aliciareads's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I would probably give this 3.5 stars tbh. Wow what a story to highlight. While I very much agree with the author that arranged/forced marriages are a silent pandemic in this country and many over the world I did think this book had some pacing problems. Not to mention I felt like this book only skimmed the surface of the characters it surrounded.
I still enjoyed it and had an easy time reading it but I just find it lacking the depth I was hoping for.
I still enjoyed it and had an easy time reading it but I just find it lacking the depth I was hoping for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Confinement
Moderate: Rape and Miscarriage
Minor: Violence
There are mentions of drugging and depression
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