Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan

15 reviews

krilves's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful tense medium-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

3.5

Overall I liked it. I had issues with the writing, and particularly the dialogue which felt very scripted and unnatural. Not only in the sense "no real teenager speaks like this" but in the way dialogue sometimes feels scripted on reality tv because participants have been asked to say specific lines they never normally would. It was very difficult to ignore and made the whole book feel a bit...forced. 

Aside from that it was engaging and interesting, if very dark at times - Rukhsana faces violent homophobia from her parents when they discover she's a lesbian, with abusive treatment following and a forced arranged marriage. There is a happy ending (and no forced marriage), but only after the marriage plot takes a tragic turn. I was honestly shocked at that part, but learning in the acknowledgements that this was a nod to real events that took place less than 5 years ago, was sobering. I think it's an important book, not just for queer teens but their families too. I just wish the writing had been smoother - I think that would've elevated this from "I liked it" to "I LOVED it". As it is I'm just mildly disappointed the writing bogged down an otherwise good book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Confinement

Moderate: Violence and Death

atrkula's review

emotional hopeful sad tense fast-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? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, and Grief

Moderate: Confinement, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Violence, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cursing

siyak_'s review

challenging dark emotional informative reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Murder, Death, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse

Moderate: Violence, Torture, Misogyny, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Confinement

Minor: Vomit

halfwaytoaugust's review

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad

• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Violence

bookcaptivated's review

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Rape, and Violence

Moderate: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexism

Minor: Islamophobia and Vomit