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tracey1981's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
3.5 stars. This is a very pointed, unsubtle book. While I agree with the important messages about the rise of fascism and hate crimes, I would have liked to see more nuance and development of all of the characters and their story. Don’t miss the author’s note at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Murder, Violence, and Racism
kshertz's review
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This author is exceptional. I read internment a while ago and this author just cuts right to the heart of all that’s wrong in America today, particularly when people who are not born in this country come here. I had no idea this was in any way based on a true story and it broke my heart. I wanted to believe high school students weren’t capable of this level of bigotry but clearly all white people are in the systematic racism. It’s so engrained. Read this book. It is so special and a voice we all need to hear.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Religious bigotry, Racism, Body horror, Deportation, Gaslighting, Xenophobia, Murder, Islamophobia, Hate crime, Bullying, Child death, Cultural appropriation, Violence, Grief, and Physical abuse
shockyreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book is a must read.
Powerful. Emotional. Raw. This book tore my heart out, in the best way. It was like a kick in the gut. But one I think every white person needs. A heart-wrenching and heavy story on the state of our world. Of bigotry. Of injustice. Of blind hate. But also, of friendship, love, family, faith, and a dash of hope. Samira Ahmed, you are an incredible story teller. Thank you for sharing Jawads story. Thank you for sharing the truth of discrimination in our country. I think this story is going to stay with me for a long time.
Powerful. Emotional. Raw. This book tore my heart out, in the best way. It was like a kick in the gut. But one I think every white person needs. A heart-wrenching and heavy story on the state of our world. Of bigotry. Of injustice. Of blind hate. But also, of friendship, love, family, faith, and a dash of hope. Samira Ahmed, you are an incredible story teller. Thank you for sharing Jawads story. Thank you for sharing the truth of discrimination in our country. I think this story is going to stay with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia and Racism
Moderate: Violence, Religious bigotry, Hate crime, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Murder
Minor: Sexism
theoceanrose's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Racial slurs, Violence, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Murder, Death, and Gaslighting
the_wistful_word_witch's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Hollow Fires has me so conflicted!!! I've written this review over and over again, trying to find just the right words to do this book, this story, justice. I definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings, which I'm including here, so you don't have to risk seeing any potential spoilers further down in the review.
Trigger Warnings:
Islamophobia
Institutionalized racism Patriarchy
Misogyny
Murder
Domestic terrorism
White supremacy
Racist slurs
Police prejudice/disdain/incompetence
**POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD**
On the one hand, I love this book because Samira Ahmed isn't pulling her punches at all in this SCATHING, much-deserved commentary of the incredibly racist systems and people in the US, and emboldened by recent history. It's so well written, giving the reader an intimate look at what it feels like to be a Muslim living in 2022 USA, balancing the joy of experiences that almost everyone can relate to - having your crush crush on you, sharing moments of love with family members and friends - with the unique feelings of fear, anger, sadness, frustration, etc. that only comes from being within the specific demographic in which the two main characters - Safiya and Jawad - live(d) their lives. Ms Ahmed also brilliantly balances all of this against the chilling background of a murderous mystery and ghost story.
But on the other hand, the story within the story ripped through my heart and had me crying in places. As a parent, I was hit especially hard, trying to fathom how the parents in this amazingly written, haunting, achingly sad story would manage to survive, much less thrive, after events like those in the book. Plus, the reactions from a lot of the white people depicted were utterly disgusting - like literally made my lip curl and anger flush my chest at times. Because while this is technically a work of fiction, it's based on real events from the 1920s, and a lot of us know that scenarios like these play out in real life all the time, even now, especially when you're BIPOC...
Much like The Taking of Jake Livingston, Hollow Fires is a dark and complex ghost story about a young Iraqi boy who gets profiled, bullied - even by his own teachers - and eventually murdered for misconceptions based on the color of his skin and his heritage.
Safiya, an aspiring investigative journalist, is also dealing with racists at her school, as well as her horribly prejudiced principal. They're all out to take her down a notch because she's a Brown scholarship kid who points out the blatant aspects of white supremacy hiding in the open at her fancy prep school. She's also being haunted by Jawad's ghost, as they share a connection that even Safiya barely remembers. But she's not going to let threats from the racists or from her principal stop her because she's hot on their trail, and on the trail of something much, much darker that could very well be her own undoing...
Trigger Warnings:
Islamophobia
Institutionalized racism Patriarchy
Misogyny
Murder
Domestic terrorism
White supremacy
Racist slurs
Police prejudice/disdain/incompetence
**POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD**
On the one hand, I love this book because Samira Ahmed isn't pulling her punches at all in this SCATHING, much-deserved commentary of the incredibly racist systems and people in the US, and emboldened by recent history. It's so well written, giving the reader an intimate look at what it feels like to be a Muslim living in 2022 USA, balancing the joy of experiences that almost everyone can relate to - having your crush crush on you, sharing moments of love with family members and friends - with the unique feelings of fear, anger, sadness, frustration, etc. that only comes from being within the specific demographic in which the two main characters - Safiya and Jawad - live(d) their lives. Ms Ahmed also brilliantly balances all of this against the chilling background of a murderous mystery and ghost story.
But on the other hand, the story within the story ripped through my heart and had me crying in places. As a parent, I was hit especially hard, trying to fathom how the parents in this amazingly written, haunting, achingly sad story would manage to survive, much less thrive, after events like those in the book. Plus, the reactions from a lot of the white people depicted were utterly disgusting - like literally made my lip curl and anger flush my chest at times. Because while this is technically a work of fiction, it's based on real events from the 1920s, and a lot of us know that scenarios like these play out in real life all the time, even now, especially when you're BIPOC...
Much like The Taking of Jake Livingston, Hollow Fires is a dark and complex ghost story about a young Iraqi boy who gets profiled, bullied - even by his own teachers - and eventually murdered for misconceptions based on the color of his skin and his heritage.
Safiya, an aspiring investigative journalist, is also dealing with racists at her school, as well as her horribly prejudiced principal. They're all out to take her down a notch because she's a Brown scholarship kid who points out the blatant aspects of white supremacy hiding in the open at her fancy prep school. She's also being haunted by Jawad's ghost, as they share a connection that even Safiya barely remembers. But she's not going to let threats from the racists or from her principal stop her because she's hot on their trail, and on the trail of something much, much darker that could very well be her own undoing...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Grief, Islamophobia, Kidnapping, Classism, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Violence, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Antisemitism
nemoslittlelibrary's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“I wrote this book because we’ve lost too many people to hate and because so often we’ve witnessed the powerful and the privileged get away with murder. I wrote this book to tell a truth” - Samira Ahmed
Wow. This book is truly heart breaking and astonishing. I learnt and felt so much from the very first page.
Based on the horrifying real life slaying of 14 year old Bobby Franks in 1924, Hollow Fires is the painful story of 14 year old Jawad Ali being falsely accused of bringing a bomb to school by his teacher. He was then bullied and labelled “Bomb Boy” and then he goes missing. Safiya, a student journalist at a preppy private school sets out on a mission, facing her own racist and misogynistic obstacles in her path, to uncover what happened to Jawad. Guided by his ghost, she aims to ensure people do not forget about him - to remember him for his name and the injustice he suffered not his birthplace or religion.
Some points I loved completely:
⭐️Ahmed’s writing is very poetic even when talking about such a heavy topic, she creates mesmerising visuals.
⭐️Islamophobia is explored through various angles, as the characters are very diverse, having varied Islamic backgrounds.
⭐️Most chapters have prompts of “fact” “truth” “alternative truth” and “lie” really making you sit and ponder over the statements.
⭐️The chapters are set out in articles & transcripts as well as the usual chapter style which I loved as it varied and made me feel like I was also doing some investigative work alongside Safiya.
This is such a powerful story, I love how this is young adult, it is written in such a way that any age group can read and follow the story. Most adult readers may see the ‘plot twist’ from a mile off however I think it’s a good way to read around such a social issue.
⚠️There’s commentary on racism, islamophobia, patriarchy, bigotry, misogyny and right wing politics. It can be a heavy read so please check trigger warnings before. Some of the chapters were truly tear inducing but I believe it to be such an important book that everyone should read - learn a little more, be a little better.
Wow. This book is truly heart breaking and astonishing. I learnt and felt so much from the very first page.
Based on the horrifying real life slaying of 14 year old Bobby Franks in 1924, Hollow Fires is the painful story of 14 year old Jawad Ali being falsely accused of bringing a bomb to school by his teacher. He was then bullied and labelled “Bomb Boy” and then he goes missing. Safiya, a student journalist at a preppy private school sets out on a mission, facing her own racist and misogynistic obstacles in her path, to uncover what happened to Jawad. Guided by his ghost, she aims to ensure people do not forget about him - to remember him for his name and the injustice he suffered not his birthplace or religion.
Some points I loved completely:
⭐️Ahmed’s writing is very poetic even when talking about such a heavy topic, she creates mesmerising visuals.
⭐️Islamophobia is explored through various angles, as the characters are very diverse, having varied Islamic backgrounds.
⭐️Most chapters have prompts of “fact” “truth” “alternative truth” and “lie” really making you sit and ponder over the statements.
⭐️The chapters are set out in articles & transcripts as well as the usual chapter style which I loved as it varied and made me feel like I was also doing some investigative work alongside Safiya.
This is such a powerful story, I love how this is young adult, it is written in such a way that any age group can read and follow the story. Most adult readers may see the ‘plot twist’ from a mile off however I think it’s a good way to read around such a social issue.
⚠️There’s commentary on racism, islamophobia, patriarchy, bigotry, misogyny and right wing politics. It can be a heavy read so please check trigger warnings before. Some of the chapters were truly tear inducing but I believe it to be such an important book that everyone should read - learn a little more, be a little better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Islamophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Murder, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexism, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Violence
lpdx's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Islamophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, Violence, Child death, Antisemitism, Hate crime, Kidnapping, and Racial slurs
Minor: Classism
emallovesreading's review
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Bullying, Death, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Racism, and Violence
waterbottle57's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, Blood, Cursing, Violence, Toxic relationship, Racism, Murder, Death, Stalking, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, and Child death
Minor: Car accident and War
brokenbodybitch's review against another edition
5.0
I have so many feelings after finishing this. I’m angry, sad, frustrated but this book is nothing short of amazing. It jumps around many years, using multiple forms of media (think a good girls guide to murder with the podcasts, news outlets and such), it has so much going on, I know I can’t do it justice and I don’t even know where to start about how much I love this book.
I don’t know if I’d necessarily say it was an enjoyable reading experience because of the weight of the tw/cw in this book but it was beautifully written, with interesting and engaging formatting and dear god is it fucking accurate as all hell; I’m mixed/Arab and oh boy…I can’t count how many times someone has called me a terrorist, and like that is the tip of the shit iceberg Arab/middle eastern/bipoc people face on a daily basis and this book does not shy away from all of it and calling it out/talking about it; hence why it is such an anger inducing book but if you can take the tw’s and do not take them lightly at all! Really think if you can cope with it before you read but if you can then I cannnot recommend this book more
*⬆️ these are my initial thoughts ⬆️*
*full review to come*
⚠️DO NOT take TW/CW lightly! This book doesn’t shy away from the ugly, so really think about them and if you can cope with them before you read this book… but, if you think you can take them then I cannnot recommend this book more⚠️
I don’t know if I’d necessarily say it was an enjoyable reading experience because of the weight of the tw/cw in this book but it was beautifully written, with interesting and engaging formatting and dear god is it fucking accurate as all hell; I’m mixed/Arab and oh boy…I can’t count how many times someone has called me a terrorist, and like that is the tip of the shit iceberg Arab/middle eastern/bipoc people face on a daily basis and this book does not shy away from all of it and calling it out/talking about it; hence why it is such an anger inducing book but if you can take the tw’s and do not take them lightly at all! Really think if you can cope with it before you read but if you can then I cannnot recommend this book more
*⬆️ these are my initial thoughts ⬆️*
*full review to come*
⚠️DO NOT take TW/CW lightly! This book doesn’t shy away from the ugly, so really think about them and if you can cope with them before you read this book… but, if you think you can take them then I cannnot recommend this book more⚠️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Violence, Islamophobia, Murder, Bullying, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Car accident, Classism, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Antisemitism, and Misogyny
Minor: Rape and Stalking