Reviews tagging 'Police brutality'

De sterren boven Bagdad by Gina Wilkinson

6 reviews

ameliafr7's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, and Death

Moderate: Blood, Stalking, Sexism, Alcohol, Terminal illness, War, Death of parent, and Police brutality

Minor: Sexual violence

captaincocanutty's review against another edition

challenging mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This books tries to do too much, and yet doesn't do enough. There was a trend in historical fiction a few years ago to follow at least 2 or maybe 3 different main characters, and I think this is a product of that trend.

There are very immersive moments that make it worth reading, and it's clear the author spent time in Iraq during the end of the reign of Saddam. The beginning and ending of the novel had me invested in what happened to the characters, but I felt like in the middle the author was trying to make a 300 page count, because it dragged and I was definitely skimming in some parts. There were also a few paragraphs that reappeared word for word in a couple different chapters. 

The book is interesting enough, but I think some changes to the editing could have made it a lot more engaging.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, and Police brutality

Minor: War, Torture, and Rape

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I thought this book had really good tension, and I got really worried about the characters. It's written well. When I picked it up, I assumed that it was written by an Iraqi writer, but it's by a white woman who was a journalist in Iraq. And that just feels a little... exploitative? Her author's note just sounded gross and defensive, so that kind of soured the book for me. I probably won't read this writer again.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Stalking, and Police brutality

Moderate: Xenophobia, Toxic friendship, War, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Classism

Minor: Kidnapping, Alcohol, Death, and Gun violence

kerrireads's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative 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

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Police brutality, Stalking, Torture, Violence, and Xenophobia

teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition

challenging reflective tense

• 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? Yes

3.5

What initially drew me to this story was the cover, and then the synopsis. Based  somewhat off the author's own experience, this story tell of life during the Hussain rule, from distantly different backgrounds. One main character is from the west, while the other two are from the east. Together, this meshed for quite an insightful read. 

The plot felt like it could be an impactful book, that was emotional and engaging. For me, it did not end like that. The writing was well developed; however, the characters didn't draw me in and engage me. I felt like this would be a dark book, but it felt hazy, like I wasn't truly there and I think that's what it needed, at least for me. 

I did find I learned something from this story, which for me is important for a book of this sort. Of a time and place I have no relation to, nor in-depth knowledge.

Than kyou to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for a honest review.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence and Police brutality

madelonpaige's review against another edition

emotional tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Police brutality

Minor: Gun violence