Scan barcode
pucksandpaperbacks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Loved this book. It was an emotional rollercoaster discussing the hard topics of being a Bangdelshi girl who is a closed lesbian at school and the emotional turmoil she faces with racism and homophobia when she starts a henna business for a school project and another girl culturally appropriates her and does the same thing. This was a spectacular debut YA contemporary novel. Highly recommend
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Xenophobia
mentions of Harry Potter, Outting, Microaggressions, Cultural Appropriationchave_cempasuchil's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
this book is well written, has great representation, an adorable bond between the mc and her sister, and deals with some heavy topics. it ended on an overall happy note, leaving me desperately in need of Adiba Jaigirdar's next book, Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating. 4.5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, and Racism
Minor: Deadnaming and Misogyny
there were references to harry potter and a mention of Elliot Page by his deadname (the book was originally published before he came out)snowhitereads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Henna Wars is a YA sapphic romance with great muslim and brown/black representation and even more representation in the side characters. Even more importantly, it’s an own voice representation.
Yes, we need more of this!
This book manages to keep a particular balance between being lighthearted and cute and dealing with heavy and complex topics such as racism, homophobia, being outed, bullying and cultural appropriation and microaggressions, especially amongst teenagers. I also liked how it portrayed coming out to a Muslim family without getting too dark and heavy.
Overall it maintains a great balance between serious and light-hearted, and it definitely worked for me.
I love the discussion about the lack of diversity within LGBT representation and the intersectionality between sexual orientation/race/religion.
It also brings strong points on how people don’t realy care about social problems and discrimination unless it has a direct impact on them. It also shines a light on how the words of someone in power, like the president, can have a great impact and threaten an individual's life.
My favourite thing about this book was the characters, especifically Nishat, Priti, and Flávia. They were all well developed, complex, distinct and flawed.
I absolutely love the sister’s relationship.
On a personal level, I did relate to the coming out process of Nishat to her parents. At times, they said the same exact thing in real life. At one point, I even wrote in the book “Dad, is that you?”
Also, the whole thing about being outed in high school, the whispering, the comments and the people refusing to use the same changing rooms as her hit a little too close to home. But that also means it is a realistic portrayal of that event.
My biggest issue with this book is the fact that no one saw any consequences for their actions, not in regards to racism, cultural appropriation or homophobia. It kinda sells the idea that he best way to handle racist and homophobic abuse is with a quiet, enduring dignity since Nishat actively protects her abusers many times, even when others support her and encourage her to report them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
skyesreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
The timeline was not developed or described very well. The story and characters were impeccable but I just remained confused because of the timeline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Xenophobia
alas_aly's review against another edition
3.0
I appreciate this book for what it is. I love that we can now tell normal stories involving queer girls where the entire point isn't keeping a secret or having to hide. I appreciate that this book decentered whiteness. White people affected Nishat but the story wasn't about them or even the conditions that they created. This book centered on a girl of color and how being South Asian mediated her experience distinct from racism. All that being said, I still didn't love it. I just may not be able to read contemporary YA anymore.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia and Homophobia
More...