Scan barcode
cvl_1103's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Violence, and Racism
destiny_rose1221's review against another edition
4.0
Favefavefave! I think I might have liked it better than The Hate U Give..? Which has me
s h o o k
s h o o k
sarah_m2006's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
scxticuz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
frolickingdoe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
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: Murder, Gun violence, Hate crime, Blood, Bullying, Gore, Grief, Islamophobia, and Xenophobia
elliedevans's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was going to be kind of sensationalized and over dramatic but it was REALLY good and done very well
bardicbramley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.75
axellesbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
hm1234's review against another edition
3.0
Okay so first; I’m glad Ahmed wrote this book. I think it’s a story worth writing, and I can’t fault her for trying. And I’m not mad that I read it!
The concept is one well worth explaining, certainly in the aftermath of Trump’s election in 2016 but actually even more so now in 2024 as we see the horrors in Gaza, and the backlash suffered by Muslims in America. The concept is not lost on many Muslims that the idea of our communities being out under surveillance and incarceration is not really a sci/fi dystopian future, it’s just a more extreme reality that could quite easily be played out - even now as one side is unabashed with their rampant Islamophobia and racism, while liberals (as Ahmed alludes to in the book, which I did appreciate) aren’t really going to stop fascism when it comes.
That said, the execution is poor. And so this book solidly lands as a 3 for me. I get that the character is a teenager and so she has a lot of teenage sentiment, but some of the best books in this genre are also written from the perspective of teenagers, and are some of the best dystopian fiction we know (Hunger Games, anyone?!)
The problem with this book is the liberalism/white saviour complex she goes with. From David to Jake, the story becomes the white men that are going to save us from fascism, and I think it does a disservice to the fact that we are the only ones who will save ourselves. It’s a bit better towards the ends but it leaves a little sour taste for me. I don’t know if this book caters to white liberals who think they’ll be on the front line in the fight against fascism, or to brown and black folk in America who are still convinced by the inherent right-ness and goodness of America. Either way, I think it could be better told as one that really builds on the history of brown and black people in fighting for their **own freedom**.
I like that she tried to honor the history of internment of Japanese Americans, and I hope she has done a service to that. But she HUGELY misses a comparison with the history of incarceration in the country, certainly of Black folk, but also the stories of Black/Muslim men. That feels like a real omission, as well as missing a more accurate history of how Muslims were treated post 9/11, through anti terrorism laws and incarceration.
Ultimately, perhaps I’m being unfair. The 16 year old version of me who it is written for would probably have appreciated this more than 30 year old me who’s perhaps a little more clued up on revolution movements by now.
The concept is one well worth explaining, certainly in the aftermath of Trump’s election in 2016 but actually even more so now in 2024 as we see the horrors in Gaza, and the backlash suffered by Muslims in America. The concept is not lost on many Muslims that the idea of our communities being out under surveillance and incarceration is not really a sci/fi dystopian future, it’s just a more extreme reality that could quite easily be played out - even now as one side is unabashed with their rampant Islamophobia and racism, while liberals (as Ahmed alludes to in the book, which I did appreciate) aren’t really going to stop fascism when it comes.
That said, the execution is poor. And so this book solidly lands as a 3 for me. I get that the character is a teenager and so she has a lot of teenage sentiment, but some of the best books in this genre are also written from the perspective of teenagers, and are some of the best dystopian fiction we know (Hunger Games, anyone?!)
The problem with this book is the liberalism/white saviour complex she goes with. From David to Jake, the story becomes the white men that are going to save us from fascism, and I think it does a disservice to the fact that we are the only ones who will save ourselves. It’s a bit better towards the ends but it leaves a little sour taste for me. I don’t know if this book caters to white liberals who think they’ll be on the front line in the fight against fascism, or to brown and black folk in America who are still convinced by the inherent right-ness and goodness of America. Either way, I think it could be better told as one that really builds on the history of brown and black people in fighting for their **own freedom**.
I like that she tried to honor the history of internment of Japanese Americans, and I hope she has done a service to that. But she HUGELY misses a comparison with the history of incarceration in the country, certainly of Black folk, but also the stories of Black/Muslim men. That feels like a real omission, as well as missing a more accurate history of how Muslims were treated post 9/11, through anti terrorism laws and incarceration.
Ultimately, perhaps I’m being unfair. The 16 year old version of me who it is written for would probably have appreciated this more than 30 year old me who’s perhaps a little more clued up on revolution movements by now.
brontejansen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75