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mrlsdevos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Misogyny
booksbagsandbadideas's review against another edition
- 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
Rather than flashbacks to provide the historical context, we visit Yara’s journal where she is telling the stories from her childhood that have stuck with her and had a far greater impact than she had previously believed.
I saw some other reviews comment that there was too much repetition and though I see where they are coming from, I don’t know that those reviewers have ever been in a place mentally or emotionally where you keep spiraling and can’t move passed certain events/feelings. Though repeating the same struggles may not make for as engaging a story, I feel it makes for a more accurate one.
I highly recommend this book though I also highly recommend that people check out the content warnings if they are concerned about triggering elements.
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Gaslighting
cody_crumley's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Gaslighting
theboricuabookworm's review against another edition
- 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
Yara, I saw so much of myself in her. How her anxiety would manifest, how once she gave words to what was she feeling, only then was she able to start on her journey of healing and acceptance. I'm so glad that even though Yara had poor therapy experiences prior to Esther, she did not let that dissuade her from going back and trying again and realizing the importance of having someone to talk to. When Esther said: "There is no hierarchy of pain when it comes to traumatic experiences." I wanted to reach into the book and hug her. She was not the perfect therapist but she is one that helped Yara come to terms with how she had been living her life until that point and how she can make it better for herself and her daughters.
I know my words and review will never be able to do justice to the way Etaf wove such a heartbreaking yet restorative story of breaking generational cycles and realizing that while you have such immense privilege that others prior to you and adjacent to you do not, you are still valid in your feelings and your grief.
Graphic: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Racism, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Grief, and Emotional abuse
kenzibir's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Violence
Minor: War and Child abuse
jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Sexism, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, and Racism
koiolee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
EDIT: It gives Catcher in the Rye vibes omg.
Graphic: Colonisation, Islamophobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Sexism, Grief, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Self harm
kjofalltrades's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Racism, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
aliireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Racism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abandonment, Mental illness, Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
mthereader's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Physical abuse, Death of parent, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Xenophobia, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Suicidal thoughts