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oppesaddle3's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Islamophobia
Minor: Death
pawspagesandpurrs's review against another edition
5.0
***Digital arc provided by Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
4.75*
I think it is my highest rated book of the year and it's not perfect as I try to explain a little bit throughout my review.
Main reasons I was drawn to this book is the blue cover but mostly the fact that a character deals with MS, an illness that I am dealing with since 2009.
I am giving the book an almost perfect rating because on MS alone, you can tell there was research done as it isn't a simple one. MS is complicated to booth; not one person feels it the same as someone else and I liked that there was a spot at the end explaining all this. Very nice touch. And even though I'm not the target audience for this due to the bigger plot, all about Muslim teens falling in love and what it enthails (which I cannot relate or appreciate to it's right value) and what they have to deal with (Zayneb) with racism/Islamophobia.
After saying I cannot appreciate the true value of this, I loved how it was written, the flow of it felt really good. Two point of views written in first person and parts of both by way of a journal of sorts. I definitely prefered when the stories didn't join together... meaning that I liked Zayneb's separate life and dealings with people, family, school and general life. Same with Adam dealing with repercussions of his illness and history with his mother living with it and questions and doubts about the future.
Surprisingly enough, I was more drawn towards Zayneb's story so I basically did a 180 on what got me interested in the book in the first place. And I'm actually happy about it. Not that Adam's isn't interesting or important... all the contrary! We actually need more stories and characters that deal with MS. Such a complicated one it is, it's crazy. I feel like a broken record as I already said so above.
Zayneb is a very strong character who has to fight for her values and rights and deal with her teacher's and a lot of other people's racism/Islamophobia. Basically, it's mostly all about misundertanding and the general human being tends to hate what they don't understand/is different than who/what he/she is. It's fact!
The love story was really cute none the less but I wanted more about Muslim and what it is and all. The closer I was getting to the end, I wondered many times if there would be a sequel to the book but the way it ended, basically like a fairytale of "... and they lived happily ever after..." left me on my hunger somehow. it is still a really cool story and I'm glad I requested it. I recommend it whole heartedly!!
4.75*
I think it is my highest rated book of the year and it's not perfect as I try to explain a little bit throughout my review.
Main reasons I was drawn to this book is the blue cover but mostly the fact that a character deals with MS, an illness that I am dealing with since 2009.
I am giving the book an almost perfect rating because on MS alone, you can tell there was research done as it isn't a simple one. MS is complicated to booth; not one person feels it the same as someone else and I liked that there was a spot at the end explaining all this. Very nice touch. And even though I'm not the target audience for this due to the bigger plot, all about Muslim teens falling in love and what it enthails (which I cannot relate or appreciate to it's right value) and what they have to deal with (Zayneb) with racism/Islamophobia.
After saying I cannot appreciate the true value of this, I loved how it was written, the flow of it felt really good. Two point of views written in first person and parts of both by way of a journal of sorts. I definitely prefered when the stories didn't join together... meaning that I liked Zayneb's separate life and dealings with people, family, school and general life. Same with Adam dealing with repercussions of his illness and history with his mother living with it and questions and doubts about the future.
Surprisingly enough, I was more drawn towards Zayneb's story so I basically did a 180 on what got me interested in the book in the first place. And I'm actually happy about it. Not that Adam's isn't interesting or important... all the contrary! We actually need more stories and characters that deal with MS. Such a complicated one it is, it's crazy. I feel like a broken record as I already said so above.
Zayneb is a very strong character who has to fight for her values and rights and deal with her teacher's and a lot of other people's racism/Islamophobia. Basically, it's mostly all about misundertanding and the general human being tends to hate what they don't understand/is different than who/what he/she is. It's fact!
The love story was really cute none the less but I wanted more about Muslim and what it is and all. The closer I was getting to the end, I wondered many times if there would be a sequel to the book but the way it ended, basically like a fairytale of "... and they lived happily ever after..." left me on my hunger somehow. it is still a really cool story and I'm glad I requested it. I recommend it whole heartedly!!
bookbirdie09's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
5.0
When I envision some of my favorite books that have romance in them, I envision two characters that have a connection and the connection is maintained in some way, shape or form. What Adam and Zayneb have is a deep rooted bond and it doesn’t need to have gratuitous sex to make me feel something. It’s a heartwarming and sincere outlook on what falling for someone is like, even in a different country. I also appreciate the Muslim outlook on love & romance + was able to get a better understanding of how it’s supposed to be expressed / viewed. Looking forward to more from this author (backlist and future projects.)
inluvwbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I mean it’s good representation it’s not like very rule following but it’s how most of us act and better on some situations
I just I don’t know didn’t LOVE it I liked it fine
I just I don’t know didn’t LOVE it I liked it fine
krln's review against another edition
4.0
this book was amazing! even though i felt like it dragged at some places a tiny little bit, but that might be just because i’ve got a short attention span. and the ending and epilogue finished it amazingly.
for anyone whose first language isnt english - this wasnt a hard read
for anyone whose first language isnt english - this wasnt a hard read