Reviews

Not Here to Stay by N.F Afrina

auni_ismail's review

emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

The story, the characters and the plots are so complicated but it’s good somehow. I feel like I’ve been smacked by this book and I cried like a madwoman 

kfarhanah's review

adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

rape, death, mental abuse

stirawberrypockyy's review

adventurous emotional hopeful slow-paced

3.75

onceupontheresbrokenheart's review

inspiring

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Comfort read

deenazul's review

adventurous reflective 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

4.5

syafiqha's review

adventurous emotional mysterious sad medium-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? Yes

5.0

 

‘𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚢𝚊𝚕 𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏-𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗?’ 

I followed the journey of the author in writing this book through social media. And I decided to imagine her as the main character since, through my bare eyes, she puts herself, her emotions, and her experience into Not Here To Stay. 

In the middle of the night, I finished Not Here To Stay and decided to stay a little longer, staring and grieving for this book. It feels unfair if I have not given them time to digest the story and let the whole plot consume me. 

Before starting Not Here To Stay better keep in mind that this is metaphorical writing and be aware of your own feelings which could explode and cry at some times. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL STORY OF SORROWFUL GRIEF. The way the author describes the fantasy world, has a very cottage-vibe aesthetic. Her sentences are full of poetic style and Amani's character- oh girl, don’t let me start crying. 

This is not like other kinds of fantasy books. Yet, Fantasy world, check. Magic, check but they call it Knack. Adventure, check. Dagger, check. The broken main character, check. “𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒓.” 

You ask me, what’s the difference? My answer; The struggle of young Amani drove her fantasy world to be different. She committed sin and makes mistakes just like other human beings. You could feel related to Amani by means, you could run and give her a shoulder or hug. 

Now, Malik’s turn. If I ever meet with him, believe me, I will smash his stomach with my fists and kick his ass. Red flag. That’s all. 

Amani’s father :`). He’s a sweet father and supportive! Besides, Amani’s character, Abah makes me tear up as well. “𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆, 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒆𝒓…” 

I’m gladly starting this book blindly without knowing much about it. The plot twists got me speechless and afraid to know the truth and yeah.. a tiptop storyline even though it was quite confusing at first. 

‘ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 𝕞𝕚𝕣𝕣𝕠𝕣𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕞𝕖𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕓𝕖 𝕘𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖𝕕 𝕒𝕥 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕛𝕦𝕞𝕡𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕠.’ 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Murder

Minor: Death of parent and Suicide

char_lottereadss's review

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

5.0

_ibsread's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

twinkletashi's review

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Not Here To Stay is story that depicts the struggle of a woman who wanted to find closure in her life. It’s an emotional roller coaster ride for me as it deals with lots of emotions, struggles and regrets. There are a lot of life lessons so you might find yourself tabbing a lot of beautiful words. I’m amaze how the author weaves her words (despite being at the same age as her, she’s amazing and it never not surprise me how she manages to write books)

First thing first, this book contains lot of internal monologues. If you’re not fond of it, you may want to consider reading this book. I found the book quite boring during the first part, however, the story became interesting after the second part. As this is a fantasy book, bear in mind that it’s not focuses on Lagenda, this book is about Amani and her struggles to find herself. It is very character-driven but I FOUND IT INTERESTING EVEN THOUGH I’M NOT A FAN OF CHARACTER-DRIVEN PLOT. 

Another thing that confuses me is the symbols (-+) at the beginning of the chapters. Not to mention, it deals with flashbacks so you have to read it with clear mind and requires a bit of thinking HAHAHA. It took me half of the book to finally understand the whole concept 🥹 

Overall, it’s a great reading experience for me so you too, have to read this book!

horangdanreads's review

adventurous inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Rape