Reviews

Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali

areeblah123's review against another edition

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4.0

omg i loved it. a halal love story, super cute and sweet, def fixed my standards

ayeshahsaa's review against another edition

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funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

sweetproserpina's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

4.25

hannahrhian's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative sad 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? It's complicated

3.75

I liked the relatable focus on a chronic illness being diagnosed as a teenager, and the worry it brings for your future and relationships. It provided a nice boost of hope too. Looking forward to reading more about Adam and Zayneb in their second book. 

seunghyunjee's review against another edition

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4.0

Rasanya menyenangkan sekali bisa menemukan kisah romansa antar muslim yang menyejukkan hati dan tetap bisa membuat pembacanya senyam senyum sendiri. Kisah Adam dan Zayneb tentu saja tidak seperti kisah romansa anak muda kebanyakan, yang pasti akan dibumbui skinship, tetapi aku menjamin, ini kisah romansa yang wajib masuk ke to-be-read kalian.
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Love from A to Z berkisah tentang Zayneb yang diskor karena mengkritik Guru di Sekolahnya dan tentang Adam yang memilih mengundurkan diri dari kampus karena ia didiagnosa menderita penyakit yang merebut nyawa sang Ibu. Adam dipertemukan dengan Zayneb ketika gadis itu transit di London dalam penerbangannya menuju ke Doha, Qatar. Laki-laki itu jatuh cinta pada Zayneb, pada kerudung biru yang wanita itu kenakan, dan juga pada sebuah Jurnal bernama "Jurnal Keajaiban dan Keganjilan". Adam ingin mengenal Zayneb lebih lanjut karena mereka memiliki jurnal yang sama. Dan semesta berbaik hati pada mereka. Selama liburan musim semi di Doha, Adam belajar mengenal Zayneb, pun sebaliknya. Mereka berusaha memahami satu sama lain meskipun ada beberapa hal yg saling bertentangan satu sama lain.
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Aku tak akan pernah menyangka bisa menemukan kisah cinta romansa anak muda yg terkesan "halal" dan cukup berbeda dengan kisah romansa anak muda kebanyakan. Love from A to Z tidak hanya mengisahkan dari sudut pandang Adam serta Zayneb tentang "keajaiban" dan "keganjilan" di sekitar mereka, buku ini juga mengangkat hal-hal cukup sensitif seperti rasisme dan islamofobia. Karena diceritakan dari dua sudut pandang tokoh, pembaca bisa merasakan bagaimana perbedaan saat membaca part Adam dan Zayneb. Ketika membaca part Zayneb, pembaca akan merasakan lonjakan emosi yg luar biasa. Apa yang dialami Zayneb sebagai muslim minoritas di Indiana, Amerika sungguh men-trigger rasa solidaritasku sebagai seorang muslim. Aku ingin membantunya memerangi islamofobia dan rasisme terhadap pemeluk agama Islam. -c- Kekecewaan, kesedihan dan kemarahan Zayneb mengalami hal-hal tidak menyenangkan selama menjadi muslim benar-benar membuatku patah hati. Jiwa pemberontak Zayneb terkadang tak bisa dibendung, tetapi dia melakukan itu utk membela identitasnya sebagai seorang muslim. Sementara itu, ketika membaca part Adam, pembaca akan disuguhkan dengan kisah haru biru seorang tokoh yg ditinggalkan oleh Ibunya karena penyakit sklereosis ganda dan ternyata dia juga mengidap penyakit itu. Tak seperti part Zayneb yg meletup-letup, kisah yg dituturkan dari sudut pandang Adam jauh lebih lembut, lebih tenang dan seringkali mengajak pembaca untuk bersimpati. Selain itu, Adam punya adik lucu bernama Hanna yang digadang-gadang akan menjadi ahli bebatuan di masa depan. Interaksi antara Adam dan Hanna akan membuat pembaca sepakat berpendapat kalau kita semua menginginkan sosok kakak laki-laki yang perhatian seperti Adam.
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Konflik di novel ini cenderung tak terlalu rumit -kecuali bagian-bagian yg menyertakan isu sensitif dan novel ini amat cocok dibaca di bulan Ramadhan. Satu hal yang sejujurnya membuatku sedikit, mmmmm, kurang sreg adalah ketika rangkuman perjalanan hubungan Adam-Zayneb yang begitu cepat hingga kemudian mereka tiba-tiba resmi..... (takut spoiler). Aku jadi makin penasaran dengan kisah Adam dan Zayneb selanjutnya di buku Love from Mecca to Medina. Apakah di buku itu konfliknya akan jauh lebih rumit???

lelia_1's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

4.25

tabarkk's review against another edition

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5.0

this was just soo sweet and wholesome i loved it and the muslim representation was soo good

onegalonelife27's review against another edition

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emotional 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? Yes

4.5

 
I do have to warn that there are some HP references-mainly to the houses and using them for personality traits, like the Meyers Briggs deal.  It's sprinkled throughout the book, so just be advised.


By fate, happen-stance, two young teenagers come across upon the same art-the Marvels of Creations and the Oddities of Existence and decide to create their own journals to record marvels and oddities in their lives. Adam focusing on the marvel and Zayneb focusing on the oddities-and in the same vein-they meet once at airport, the next while she’s on vacation in  his hometown. 

I really love the opposite attract going on between these two Adams like to keep the peace-keep a quiet life going while keeping his diagnosis from his dad. Zayneb is all fury, fighting the wrongs of the world which does loudly and gets her in trouble. 

And what I love about this trope is have characters learn from one another, Adams learns to speak up for himself despite the changes it may brings. Zayneb learns not to give up her fury but focus it not just using anger but other emotions to help her cause. There’s a poignant moment when Zayneb tells her Mom about what’s happened to her, but focusing on her sorrow rather than her anger which is so moving and touching. 

So I recommend this for anyone that feels like they need to keep the peace or feel unheard in their fights for justice. 

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eweaver1028's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5 stars
This is the second installment of me raiding Noor's goodreads and I really enjoyed it! I haven't read a book about teens/young adults in a bit (besides Last Night at the Telegraph Club), but I thought the characters were interesting and realistic in this book. The discussions of intense subjects were really well done, and I enjoyed how Zayneb and Adam worked through things separately while coming together. I feel like their individual growth made their connection and eventual relationship even more satisfying. The family and friend dynamics in this book were also wonderful!