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granolagrandma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, and Outing
paili's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Outing, and Racism
Moderate: Cultural appropriation
Minor: Islamophobia
dhiyanah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Adiba Jaigirdar has a way of affirming, in her writing, the unique struggles of growing up within South Asian diasporas, weaving it with her experiences within the Irish immigrant context. I thought at first that I wouldn't feel connected to the latter since Ireland feels so far away from me and my reality here in the global south, but she writes in a way that makes space for familiar challenges and the life-affirming possibilities so many of us in the global diaspora dream up in our free time just to get by. The ending was an adorably soft landing and I appreciate how hopeful that felt.
Graphic: Bullying and Outing
Moderate: Homophobia, Xenophobia, and Cultural appropriation
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Outing and Racism
Moderate: Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Bullying, and Hate crime
Minor: Gaslighting
filipacmiranda's review against another edition
2.5
Being one of the first times I read a book with a Bengali main character, I expected The Henna Wars to contain much more detailed descriptions of the celebrations that were included in the plot and for Nishat and her family's cultural background to be one of the main focuses of the story. I was also very excited when I realised Flávia was Brazilian rather than Hispanic! Reading my native language (Portuguese) in a book written in another language was fantastic. However, Brazil has a vast and diverse culture that I would have liked to see reflected in the small moments Nishat shared with Flávia and her mother.
The same is true for Nishat and Flávia's romantic relationship, which seems to grow unsteadily just to become suddenly official.
Graphic: Cultural appropriation and Outing
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Xenophobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Toxic friendship
psistillreadyou's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, and Racism
Moderate: Bullying and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Islamophobia and Deadnaming
The book accidentally deadnames Elliot Page. It was written before he came out. There are also frequent references to HP.nikexistiertnik's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
the relationships were never just "one thing", and i feel like the book authentically conveys the grayness of connection and culture, while also communicating clearly that some things are to be seen in black and white, because sometimes it's just that simple.
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Racism, Homophobia, and Outing
yolie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Although the main character Nishat can be bratty, I think it’s important to realise she’s a teenage girl and their thoughts and actions may not be as well thought out or logical as we’d like them to be.
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Gaslighting, Islamophobia, Hate crime, and Racism
kawaii_rose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Homophobia and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Islamophobia
rainbowkamiya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, and Racism