Reviews with content warning for Islamophobia - The Henna Wars

I really liked the tension between the characters and the social commentary (white privilege, racism, homophobia, etc), although it didnt make me giggle as hard as her other book (i am still in love with the sapphic couple in that book). I loved the sibling dynamics and the support they showed to each other, it was beautiful. Also, I liked how most of the characters come around, admit their mistakes and become better people.

My only complains are: WE NEEDED MORE SCENES OF THEM BEING SO CUTE, SO AWKWARDLY IN LOVE THROUGH THE BOOK, THE YEARNING and all the HP references, which hurt a lot my non binary heart, bc JKR is a massive TERF and I hate when people make any reference to her work, something that could easily be replaced by another kids story whose author doesnt literally threatens the lives of trans people ever day. But this last complain is more general, to the whole book community and writers.

Please, your nostalgia of a fictional work written by a TERF is not as important as literal trans lives.

Content Warnings

cateemma's review

Go to review page

informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Content Warnings

rayne_1906's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional lighthearted 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

4.5

Audiobook - 4 hours 42 minutes - I liked this book more than I was expected. I liked the way it touched upon many issues such as cultural appropriation and intersectionality of race and sexuality. The main character was likeable and realistic and yet still flawed in a way that seemed natural. The character made mistakes but there was always an understandable reason behind it, and it never felt like they were forced for the sake of plot. I mostly liked the main relationship - I feel there maybe needed to be a little more resolution between the two midway through the book, but for the most part this was a very good book.

Content Warnings

thebookishbrief's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

hippiequeen's review

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

A cute romance between queer Brown and Black girls living in Dublin. Sometimes I wished Flávia acted different, spoke up more for Nishat, but I guess every character has their own journey and that was hers. We really need more South Asian / South American lesbian/bisexual representation in young adult literature, so I recommend this book to whoever is into the genre. It also brings up considerations about cultural appropriation.

Content Warnings

nobeliumreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional inspiring

3.5

I have a lot of thoughts on this book, although that’s not to say I didn’t like it. First and foremost I acknowledge that it is on me for not reading the content warnings because I went into this book thinking it’d be a lighthearted sapphic romance with a bit of friendly competition based on the premise. It is a lot more, a lot heavier than that.

So the premise seems to make this book about a school business competition, but it felt more like Nishat going through so much and getting flack and hate for it all, especially since most of it was not really her fault. I personally adored Nishat; I loved her pride and strength in her Bengali culture and lesbianism and whilst she faces challenges, she doesn’t let anything affect her confidence in her identity. It was so affirming and beautiful to see! A big part of my feelings on this book was because seeing her go through everything hurt a lot.

Her parents, her sister, her friends, her love interest; all of them at one point (and some of them more than once) hurt her in a way that I could barely forgive despite their apologies.

Even with the romance, I just wasn’t feeling it in this book. I found the sisterly bond between Nishat and Priti way more compelling and heartfelt whereas the romance between Nishat and Flavia disappointed; it might have come too little too late, especially with how little I already liked Flavia after some of the stuff she said and did. I think if this had been a dual POV book with Flavia’s POV, I would have definitely liked her more because it felt like we barely knew her other than what Nishat thought of her (the girl from primary, her rival, etc. etc.) and though I wholeheartedly understand and can relate to the struggles Flavia goes through, I personally think that the things Chyna has done is something that couldn’t be overlooked or forgiven. I know they are family and it complicates matters, but it was so hard seeing Chyna treat Nishat the way she did and Flavia do (in my opinion) so little.

I do think we could have had a deeper discussion on the cultural appropriation part. I wholeheartedly agreed with Nishat throughout but she didn’t seem to explain or articulate her points well enough to get people to understand her point of view, which just led to some frustrating arguments.

I’m just too angry and frustrated over everything that happens to have truly enjoyed the book. Objectively, I think it’s a great book; I just wish we had delved deeper on some issues, possibly had Flavia’s POV, and maybe given Nishat a break because she did not get one throughout the entire story. Overall, though it was a bit hard, it's a good listen and the narrator was wonderful too. It is on me for not reading the CWs because I would definitely have been better prepared and ready for this if I had!

Content Warnings

natii4u's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

corinnaxsophie's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I think I would have loved the book even more if i was younger but it’s a beautiful y/a novel about culture, coming out and relationships. It also includes important topics like cultural appropriation, racism and homophobia.
I would have loved a little bit more depth regarding the characters, what do they like, what do they do in their free time et cetera. Apart from that, especially the sister’s relationship is really lovely.

Content Warnings

More...