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jessalynhoskyn's review against another edition
4.0
Kept me on the edge of my seat, plus I learned a lot.
srousseau's review against another edition
4.0
This is a hard book to like. It is brutal and mind boggling the way some of the characters think. And then to realize that this is realistic fiction... But it was well written and well told. I hope that teens do read it, I'm just not sure how popular it will be.
tayreads__'s review against another edition
3.0
3.5 STARS.....
It was a good book! I was emotionally touched but I feel like it could have been better! But indeed, the book broke my heart :)
It was a good book! I was emotionally touched but I feel like it could have been better! But indeed, the book broke my heart :)
frustratedangel's review against another edition
3.0
This book offered a glimpse of Afghan culture which is a rare find in literature. The alternating perspective between the 3 characters: Sami & Fatima (the star crossed lovers) and Rashid (our anatgonist) was an interesting way of telling the story. There were times though that the characters felt a bit too one dimensional. It felt as if their emotions and opinions were repetitive the entire time even when surrounding factors to the story should have propelled the characters to evolve. I wished they had been given more depth and progression.
2018 Around the Year in 52 Books: A book with a plot centered around a secret (forbidden love, spies, secret societies, etc) -17/52
2018 Around the Year in 52 Books: A book with a plot centered around a secret (forbidden love, spies, secret societies, etc) -17/52
saragrochowski's review against another edition
4.0
From the start, I want to make clear that this book is not a swoony, romantic YA novel. I mean, I think that should be pretty obvious given the setting and description, but you know what they say about assuming.
The Secret Sky is a powerful novel that you'll likely find difficult to read at times. Narrated by three characters, Fatima, Sami, and Rashid, Atia Abawi's debut chronicles the complicated romance between Fatima and Sami and the violent fallout. Rashid, Sami's cousin, narrates from outside of Fatima and Sami's relationship and, for me, was perhaps the most interesting character.
Rashid is a misguided youth who's moral compass is compromised by jealousy, anger, and hatred. It is Rashid who discovers the budding romance between Fatima and Sami and Rashid who manipulates the situation in an effort guarantee an outcome borne of hatred and violence. For me his character was interesting because I couldn't identify with his thought process and actions. I was fascinated this deeply flawed, deeply wrong individual. I wanted redemption for him; I wanted him to see the error in his ways.
I really felt for Sami and Fatima. I have a hard time understanding why two people who love and respect one another shouldn't be together, so the entire concept of their relationship being forbidden because they are from different cultural groups was really hard for me to stomach. Still, I feel better informed after reading The Secret Sky. I admit that I know very little about Afghanistan or the cultural groups that make up Afghani society. I have so much more left to learn, but, now, my interest is piqued. I hope that other readers - teens and adults alike - will read this novel and feel the need to go out and learn more about Sami and Fatima's world.
Recommended.
The Secret Sky is a powerful novel that you'll likely find difficult to read at times. Narrated by three characters, Fatima, Sami, and Rashid, Atia Abawi's debut chronicles the complicated romance between Fatima and Sami and the violent fallout. Rashid, Sami's cousin, narrates from outside of Fatima and Sami's relationship and, for me, was perhaps the most interesting character.
Rashid is a misguided youth who's moral compass is compromised by jealousy, anger, and hatred. It is Rashid who discovers the budding romance between Fatima and Sami and Rashid who manipulates the situation in an effort guarantee an outcome borne of hatred and violence. For me his character was interesting because I couldn't identify with his thought process and actions. I was fascinated this deeply flawed, deeply wrong individual. I wanted redemption for him; I wanted him to see the error in his ways.
I really felt for Sami and Fatima. I have a hard time understanding why two people who love and respect one another shouldn't be together, so the entire concept of their relationship being forbidden because they are from different cultural groups was really hard for me to stomach. Still, I feel better informed after reading The Secret Sky. I admit that I know very little about Afghanistan or the cultural groups that make up Afghani society. I have so much more left to learn, but, now, my interest is piqued. I hope that other readers - teens and adults alike - will read this novel and feel the need to go out and learn more about Sami and Fatima's world.
Recommended.
sukainahirani's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. The writing is genuine, and the story is like no other. This was heartbreaking and shocking; I couldn’t put it down. A must read!
309804490's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
annamorgan27's review against another edition
4.0
Review of an ARC copy.
I liked this little book. It was a bit simply written and the characters were a bit underdeveloped. I had a hard time feeling the tragedy of this book because of it, however the book is not for that faint of heart. Bad things happen, really bad things. I think this book deals with things that we in America don't really get to see. This book shows us what life Is like for someone with less rights and that it makes this book amazing. I really enjoyed this book.
I liked this little book. It was a bit simply written and the characters were a bit underdeveloped. I had a hard time feeling the tragedy of this book because of it, however the book is not for that faint of heart. Bad things happen, really bad things. I think this book deals with things that we in America don't really get to see. This book shows us what life Is like for someone with less rights and that it makes this book amazing. I really enjoyed this book.
lilfairy's review against another edition
4.0
I saw this book in the library and immediately thought it looked good I mean forbidden love in Afghanistan that's a new one! then reading the synopsis I got a little worried about al the death and pain you see every day there. This book was way more harsh then I was expecting wayyyy more. And the bad stuff doesn't leave your mind because this book was based on a true story and the author actually lived in Afghanistan for awhile. its a great story it kinda ended abruptly but other then hat really good but disturbing.
aqtbenz's review
3.0
I love reading about other cultures, and The Secret Sky was perfect for that. It tells the story of two young people in love in a vastly different culture from our own, and it makes us think about what love and family truly mean.
A lovely story about love and defying the odds.
A lovely story about love and defying the odds.