Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

32 reviews

abby_shupe's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

From the beginning, the book starting with an amazing dedication, quote, and thoughtful trigger warnings my expectations for this book were sky high. The author does a great job of introducing and incorporating Bangali culture. Prithi and Nishat’s sisterly banter is so adorable, and had me wishing I was as close as my siblings with how nice their relationship is. The author refrains from using cringy gen-Z slang I see in all too many books nowadays but still maintains the relatable aspects of being a teen in the 21st century. I did find the main character to be annoying at times, with how selfish she was. But by the end of the book she has a slight character arc, I just wish I had the opportunity to see Nishat become the less selfish person she claims that she will become. I didn’t understand half of the book and it’s references because i’m not muslim, bengali, brazilian, in ireland or understanding the ireland school system, or speak portuguese & french so to say the least there were parts in the book I was lost but if you do have a connection to any of those-that’ll help. I still loved the cute, sapphic high school romance and even though I was sometimes a bit lost I still enjoyed this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Homophobia, Racism, Toxic friendship, and Cultural appropriation

Moderate: Islamophobia

innastholiel's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful tense fast-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Homophobia, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, and Racism

Minor: Toxic friendship

averyrembish's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Racism

Moderate: Cursing, Hate crime, and Toxic friendship

sophie42's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Racism, Outing, Bullying, and Cultural appropriation

Moderate: Toxic friendship and Xenophobia

ahaines18's review against another edition

emotional funny informative reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, Racism, and Toxic friendship

mariethem1lf's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing

Moderate: Bullying, Toxic friendship, Religious bigotry, Racism, Lesbophobia, Islamophobia, and Homophobia

Minor: Gaslighting

xoodlebooks's review

lighthearted slow-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, Outing, Racism, and Toxic friendship

nothingrhymeswithrachel's review against another edition

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? Yes

4.5

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun twist on the enemies to lovers trope, and I like that  

neither one of the henna shops won the competition. That was a good way to end that part of the story line, and honestly neither of them deserved it anyway lol.

Obviously there are a lot of situations that could have been solved by literally just talking to each other but it’s supposed to be high school and no one knows how to communicate in high school. A great read! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Outing, and Racism

Moderate: Biphobia, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, and Toxic friendship

k_tiches's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Homophobia, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, and Racism

grace05's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Hate crime