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spikedscrubs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
An absolutely engaging story about a young girl in Afghanistan whose family is brutally murdered in a political coup & the journey her life goes on afterward, following her for decades as she grows up in America. An excellent lesson in Afghani history coupled with a real world take on the foster care system, American politics and that powers of family ties.
The author’s writing style is poetic and captivating, weaving a tale that has you completely present in the world that she shares. The characters are fully flushed out and feel extremely authentic. I will be thinking of this book & this beautiful story for a long time to come. Very, very well done.
An absolutely engaging story about a young girl in Afghanistan whose family is brutally murdered in a political coup & the journey her life goes on afterward, following her for decades as she grows up in America. An excellent lesson in Afghani history coupled with a real world take on the foster care system, American politics and that powers of family ties.
The author’s writing style is poetic and captivating, weaving a tale that has you completely present in the world that she shares. The characters are fully flushed out and feel extremely authentic. I will be thinking of this book & this beautiful story for a long time to come. Very, very well done.
erinbrook's review against another edition
5.0
“My mother had organized her literature collection in the order in which she’d read the books. She’d explained her reasoning to me once, her fingers running across the spines. I can retrace my steps this way, the stories that became part of me before I was a mother and those I read with you in my arms.”
This was my first Nadia Hashimi book, and I definitely can’t wait to read more. Ever since reading A Thousand Splendid Suns, I’ve been on a search for more books from a female perspective that take place during the same time period in Afghanistan… google sent me straight to Hashimi and did not disappoint.
This was a beautifully written story. My only complaint was the pacing. I much more enjoyed the first half than I did the second. I found the beginning of Part 2 to be a tad slow, though it did pick back up at the end.
This was my first Nadia Hashimi book, and I definitely can’t wait to read more. Ever since reading A Thousand Splendid Suns, I’ve been on a search for more books from a female perspective that take place during the same time period in Afghanistan… google sent me straight to Hashimi and did not disappoint.
This was a beautifully written story. My only complaint was the pacing. I much more enjoyed the first half than I did the second. I found the beginning of Part 2 to be a tad slow, though it did pick back up at the end.
ms_manon's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
4.5
Loved every chapter of it.
The writing is stunning and the main character unforgettable.
The writing is stunning and the main character unforgettable.
ladiebuggle's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed the first part of the book. The second part, when she is an adult, was slower and less interesting for me.
melodys_library's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a testament to why historical fiction is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres. Though it is a work of fiction, it has been meticulously researched and is rich in Afghan culture. Many Americans, including myself, have been exposed mostly to post-9/11 Afghanistan in the media and know very little of the country’s history. This book showed the country and culture in a different light and perspective.
Sparks Like Stars is a story of strength and survival told in two parts: Part 1 is tragedy and trauma, and Part 2 is healing and redemption. The author didn’t miss a single detail, and also uplifted the protagonist’s family and culture through memories and flashbacks.
I feel really guilty saying this, but I was invested more in the story than in the main character. The main character endured so much pain and suffering that it feels cruel to say that I was not emotionally invested in her. I think that really became apparent to me during the foster family chapters of Part 1. These chapters felt a bit like “trauma porn.”
Regardless of this one minor complaint, I still wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another book by Nadia Hashimi.
Sparks Like Stars is a story of strength and survival told in two parts: Part 1 is tragedy and trauma, and Part 2 is healing and redemption. The author didn’t miss a single detail, and also uplifted the protagonist’s family and culture through memories and flashbacks.
I feel really guilty saying this, but I was invested more in the story than in the main character. The main character endured so much pain and suffering that it feels cruel to say that I was not emotionally invested in her. I think that really became apparent to me during the foster family chapters of Part 1. These chapters felt a bit like “trauma porn.”
Regardless of this one minor complaint, I still wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another book by Nadia Hashimi.
thepagelady's review against another edition
4.0
Sparks Like Stars was a beautiful novel and the writing was absolutely stunning! This isn't a fast paced novel, it's relaxing, deep and moving! It has a wonderful story that will tug at your heart and complex characters that will stay with you long after the book ends. There is so much tragedy in Sitara's life and I was fascinated by her life and admired her strength and courage. Once again Nadia Hashimi has given us another absolutely wonderful book!
Thank you Random Things Tours and Nadia Hashimi for sharing this beautiful story with me!
Thank you Random Things Tours and Nadia Hashimi for sharing this beautiful story with me!
gina_elizabeth_writes's review against another edition
4.0
I will preface this by saying this is not a book I would normally grab. It's definitely not in my wheelhouse, but I love trying new genres.
There were parts of this book that I really enjoyed! However, the parts I didn't enjoy left me feeling like not wanting to pick it back up.
I'll start off with what I wasn't a huge fan of.
The blurb left me with the understanding that in the first half of the book, Sitara would survive. While sometimes very exciting and engaging, there were moments where it felt really drawn out. I wasn't gripped, wondering if she would make it out of Afghanistan.
The second half of the book drew me back in. However, the character Adam seemed a bit far-fetched in how he acted. It was a bit unbelievable that Sitara would have such a huge lack of awareness about a man she had been seeing for a year.
Now for the parts I loved. The story itself was amazing. I loved the history and culture I learned about Afghanistan. The way Sitara processes her grief and evolves throughout the book is probably my favorite part of the novel. Her character growth is fantastic.
I loved the progression of the story and enjoyed the 30-year jump in the middle. The ending left me emotional, and there were strong secondary characters in her family, Antonia, and Tilly.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, and I'm glad I read it.
There were parts of this book that I really enjoyed! However, the parts I didn't enjoy left me feeling like not wanting to pick it back up.
I'll start off with what I wasn't a huge fan of.
The blurb left me with the understanding that in the first half of the book, Sitara would survive. While sometimes very exciting and engaging, there were moments where it felt really drawn out. I wasn't gripped, wondering if she would make it out of Afghanistan.
The second half of the book drew me back in. However, the character Adam seemed a bit far-fetched in how he acted. It was a bit unbelievable that Sitara would have such a huge lack of awareness about a man she had been seeing for a year.
Now for the parts I loved. The story itself was amazing. I loved the history and culture I learned about Afghanistan. The way Sitara processes her grief and evolves throughout the book is probably my favorite part of the novel. Her character growth is fantastic.
I loved the progression of the story and enjoyed the 30-year jump in the middle. The ending left me emotional, and there were strong secondary characters in her family, Antonia, and Tilly.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, and I'm glad I read it.
_alexsandersn's review against another edition
4.0
“when pain retreats, when skin repairs, when a broken bone becomes whole again, it is a miracle. it is grace” he explained. “but you would never feel this without the hurt. i would never wish the wound for you, sweet, mischievous sitara. but i certainly wish you the light.”
beautifully written. 4.5/5
beautifully written. 4.5/5
marielle68's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
franncenee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25