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laurenleigh's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
slow-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? No
4.0
This is a refugee story of a young girl and her family forced out of Syria in 2011 from the violent civil wars. There’s also a dual timeline that’s half medieval historical fiction/fairy tale fabel, but I found that storyline something I had to get through to read the main text. Not surprising given the subject matter, but it was a pretty depressing story. Every step of the way was another terrible event or injustice or roadblock. Joukhadar’s language is so lush and poetic, and even when the plot made me sad, their writing was a wonder to marvel at.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and War
Moderate: Death, Rape, and Violence
bessjoyce's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
chelsl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
gems_gems's review
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
cheerful_elephant's review
challenging
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
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Rape and Medical trauma
rworrall78's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
Gorgeous, challenging but uplifting. I loved the historical characters woven in to the story and the mythical and cultural ideas.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Sexual violence, Violence, Death of parent, and War
stormmorgan's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, and War
lostinthelibrary's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.0
This was a slightly uneven book for me. I could have done without the historical plot which I found hard to follow and wasn't invested in. The contemporary plot was much better and had some chilling moments. Nour was a wonderful protagonist and I was really willing for her to make it through all of the horrible experiences piled on her. This book did give me a deeper understanding of the plight of refugees not just from Syria but across the world.
The last thing I will say is that for a book where maps are a major theme, where were the maps? I had to keep looking up the characters' locations and this would have been much easier had a map been provided!
The last thing I will say is that for a book where maps are a major theme, where were the maps? I had to keep looking up the characters' locations and this would have been much easier had a map been provided!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Death of parent
strugglecity's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and War
gotem's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
So, this story hits me probably a little harder than the average American reader. I was a volunteer for an information and evacuation group for Ukranian refugees in Kviv and other border cities who were subjugated to the initial Russian military wave. I worked with individuals to keep their minutes topped up, stay in contact with families, and navigate public and private transportation in their journey west.
So it is with great confidence that I can say this book took me back to the beginning of last year. Of 20 hour days scouring official and unofficial channels for accurate train times. Of connecting with people who promised a place to stay, only for them to take money and leave groups stranded. Of using Google translate to keep spirits high and tell a kid stories and ask about their favorite foods in an effort to keep their minds from straying to far deep into the rubble of their home.
The parallel of the two intertwined stories was a genius literary move. I have no other words for it.
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
So it is with great confidence that I can say this book took me back to the beginning of last year. Of 20 hour days scouring official and unofficial channels for accurate train times. Of connecting with people who promised a place to stay, only for them to take money and leave groups stranded. Of using Google translate to keep spirits high and tell a kid stories and ask about their favorite foods in an effort to keep their minds from straying to far deep into the rubble of their home.
The parallel of the two intertwined stories was a genius literary move. I have no other words for it.
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, War, and Injury/Injury detail