Reviews

Tamarind and the Star of Ishta by Jasbinder Bilan

avisreadsandreads's review

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent

kaveeta's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious 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

3.75

asourceoffiction's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious sad fast-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

Reading this book was really special because it's the first time I've had something on my shelf that one of my children was studying in school. When I started it my 9 year old was so excited to talk about it with me. It's a really beautiful book about grief, different families and Indian heritage that's totally captivating for children and adults.

Nani's house is a spectacular setting for the story and the writing conjured up the most beautiful images. But it really hits hard emotionally; Tamarins's frustration that no one will talk about her mother is palpable and I really felt for her.

Ultimately this is a story about a fractured family finding its way back together in a new form, and it was filled with hope, colour, mystery and magic. It's a really fitting way to begin a sensitive discussion about grief with children, and I know my 9 year old loved it too.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

qqjj's review against another edition

slow-paced

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

2.0

sminta90's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad fast-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

4.0

novellenovels's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

hehkhatea's review against another edition

2.0

as short as it is, this book was kind of boring! I didn’t really believe that the conflict could’ve been as easily resolved in a week when Tamarind barely interacted with everyone the whole time. Was expecting more fantastical elements based on the cover and description but there was none lol. The twist was fairly predictable too.

bluewithstars's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.5

gyeranbbang's review against another edition

3.0

Overall adorable even though it deals with some topics that have the potential to be very sad. Very cute book and it made me chuckle a couple times.

ingingenous's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing 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? No

5.0