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themichellegray's review
challenging
emotional
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
5.0
I don't have any words that could do this book justice; the writing is absolutely beautiful and the story will shatter your heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Islamophobia, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Violence and Gaslighting
whatkireads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
This made me so incredibly sad but I have never felt more seen in my entire life.
I don't wear a hijab, so my experience is nowhere near that of Shirin's but the blatant Islamaphobia she goes through every single day, having people police her religion to her, make assumptions to her was so painfully relatable. Her struggle with Ocean, a white boy that loves her and between Yusuf, a Muslim guy that should be the right choice was so accurately portrayed.
It pained me to see how cruel people could be, and how this sentiment only extended to Muslims, and never to other religions, because why did people feel entitled to do that specifically to us?
The way Shirin encases herself in hatred as a protective mechanism is understandable, her prickly nature and just her as a character is so incredibly strong and brave and her reasons for never giving into the racism was inspiring.
The fact that being with other people and seeing them have to defend you, and thinking that you weren't worth defending, that you weren't worth the trouble was probably what hit home to me the most.
I love Tahereh Mafi for writing this, I have always liked her work but this made me love her even more
I don't wear a hijab, so my experience is nowhere near that of Shirin's but the blatant Islamaphobia she goes through every single day, having people police her religion to her, make assumptions to her was so painfully relatable. Her struggle with Ocean, a white boy that loves her and between Yusuf, a Muslim guy that should be the right choice was so accurately portrayed.
It pained me to see how cruel people could be, and how this sentiment only extended to Muslims, and never to other religions, because why did people feel entitled to do that specifically to us?
The way Shirin encases herself in hatred as a protective mechanism is understandable, her prickly nature and just her as a character is so incredibly strong and brave and her reasons for never giving into the racism was inspiring.
The fact that being with other people and seeing them have to defend you, and thinking that you weren't worth defending, that you weren't worth the trouble was probably what hit home to me the most.
I love Tahereh Mafi for writing this, I have always liked her work but this made me love her even more
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Racism, Racial slurs, Bullying, and Xenophobia
room334's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
blep's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Ok on the good side. Loveable and relatable characters. I too am an avoidant attachment. Also it was very entertaining. My downsides were that it read really young to me, which maybe because it's YA but that excuse doesn't fly with me. Also, some plot points and character choices were weird. Either way. Good book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
malbloop's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
fionamatilda's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Xenophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Hate crime and Bullying
a_alves00's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Physical abuse, and Racism
siriface's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Hate crime
aformeracceleratedreader's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
This def was a little tough to read for me as someone who was raised Muslim, with a brown immigrant parent, pre and post 9/11. I was only a little kid at the time and I have never worn hijab but I still faced a lot of Islamophobia and racism growing up. I can't imagine what it would've been like to have been a teen or adult immediately after the events of 9/11 especially one who wore hijab. I related a lot to Shirin and her experiences throughout the book. One example that really stood out was how throughout middle school, high school, and even college I was the token and put on the spot like Shirin was in her one class. The romance was cute enough but I didn't feel any strong feelings one way or another outside of the rage over the assholery of people viewing/treating the interracial/interreligious relationship (which I feel super strongly about because it mirrors my parents relationship and how people viewed/treated them. even to this day, they'll get a sideeye from some people).
Loved the breakdancing group though
Loved the breakdancing group though
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Racism, Bullying, and Hate crime
wrinnola's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end. Easily a 5 star book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Islamophobia, Racism, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, and Xenophobia