Reviews

Between Two Moons by Aisha Abdel Gawad

Only show reviews with written explanations

rebekahjoya's review against another edition

3.0

Unsatisying ending in my opinion. I didn’t like the chapters in the third person and the random diagrams and such in the middle. I didn’t fully understand it.

lbyrdak97's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

myinfinitetbr's review against another edition

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emotional informative mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

I'm surprised I haven't seen more of this book. It follows a Muslim family in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn during the month of Ramadan. Mostly surrounding teenage twins Amira and Lina as they reckon with their own freedoms as their mysterious older brother returns home from prison.

I loved Amira and Lina at the center of this story, they're in the thick of teenagerhood and the identity crises it requires, navigating their individual needs separate from their twindom while also grieving that separateness. Grappling with being true to their religious beliefs and family values, sometimes at odds with American societal standards.

While this was a coming-of-age story, it also touched on how Muslims are heavily surveillanced in America, the injustices commonplace in their communities.

I loved the writing style, and the characters were so well drawn. I wished the plot had been simplified a little, there was a lot going on, but overall an amazing debut.

The audio narration was also very well done. 🙌

Thanks to Doubleday for the gifted copy and PRH Audio for the audiobook!