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kaynova's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
This is my second book by Safia Elhillo and once again, I am completely speechless. Books, poetry or otherwise, have a way of showing that the girl is at fault for engaging with an older person, usually a man, but in this book, we see it as a multitude people to blame. Her community, her peers, the expectations of being a girl in society, society's views on girlhood to womanhood, and the actual abuser. It brought me so much joy to see Horus taken down for being an abuser, for being a pedo, preying on young, talented girls and using them. I also loved seeing Samira evolve as time went on, reflected with her choices as well and realized we have all been there before, someway.
Though I am an adult, I remember wanting people to see me as an adult while I was a child and hating the dismissal of family and friends, who say it's to protect me but no one actually saying what they are protecting me from. So in this book, I teetered between wanting to shield Samira from this man and his manipulation--his thief of her youth--, and seeing myself in her. Knowing what it's like to not have your own parent defend you against people who's seeing from the outside in. Knowing what it's like to chase after love when no one else was giving it to you. Seeing her use her words to defend herself gave me relief; it healed parts of me I didn't know was broken.
Again, Safia does a great job of making you become one with her characters, through the ups and the downs. I will always be a fan of hers.
Though I am an adult, I remember wanting people to see me as an adult while I was a child and hating the dismissal of family and friends, who say it's to protect me but no one actually saying what they are protecting me from. So in this book, I teetered between wanting to shield Samira from this man and his manipulation--his thief of her youth--, and seeing myself in her. Knowing what it's like to not have your own parent defend you against people who's seeing from the outside in. Knowing what it's like to chase after love when no one else was giving it to you. Seeing her use her words to defend herself gave me relief; it healed parts of me I didn't know was broken.
Again, Safia does a great job of making you become one with her characters, through the ups and the downs. I will always be a fan of hers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual assault
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