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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Was looking forward to reading it because of the Khaleed comparison, which was to be honest not accurate. But it was an okay read, a decent one. Magical realism and truth mixed up together. Some parts beautiful.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
I started the book at a time when our entire world shifted. I eventually had to stop and listen again to the first third of this book. Once I did that, I was able to focus and connect with the characters. I’m not certain if that was our world shift or if it was the book. Ultimately reading this book right now was perfectly timed. As we all settle into more time at home, I was reminded of the importance of home and that it is truly a feeling, not a place.
The way the author wove the two timelines together was at times confusing but at the end, I got why it was done this way.
The way the author wove the two timelines together was at times confusing but at the end, I got why it was done this way.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
I wish every book I read was like this
I knew I was going to like this book right away. It’s filled with lush imagery. It tells the intertwining stories of two girls: one, Rawiya, centuries ago on an almost mythical journey from Syria across many lands and back again, and one of a girl, Nour, and her family who must flee modern day, war torn Syria and travel across many countries to safety.
I was enchanted by the way this author has with words: from the colors that Nour sees behind everything, to the foods that they eat to the places both girls encounter. I was especially moved by Nour’s memory of her deceased father during her early days in New York City. All of the relationships with family members are touching.
I have to say, though, that I always most looked forward to the present day story and read faster through the older story. I’m not sure why this was, except that the characters in the modern story captivated me the most.
Overall a wonderful read and I’m so glad I found it
I was enchanted by the way this author has with words: from the colors that Nour sees behind everything, to the foods that they eat to the places both girls encounter. I was especially moved by Nour’s memory of her deceased father during her early days in New York City. All of the relationships with family members are touching.
I have to say, though, that I always most looked forward to the present day story and read faster through the older story. I’m not sure why this was, except that the characters in the modern story captivated me the most.
Overall a wonderful read and I’m so glad I found it
I am in a bit of a reading slump and it took me far longer to finish this gem than it should have but it's a beautiful story filled with hope, heartache, and family. I loved the dual stories and how it was so separate, and yet tied it all together. I struggled keeping the names, titles, and places straight as I am largely unfamiliar with Arabic culture/language/geography but this was a wonderous glimpse into that land and people and I am grateful for it. Honestly, there are so many emotions provoked as you get to experience life through the eyes of a grieving family, being uprooted, choosing a path, becoming a warrior, dealing with a war-torn life, becoming a refugee, trying to find yourself, trying to find others, finding your home again, and so much more. The authors notes at the end were fantastic also, as it tied the story, history, and mythology together.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
2.5 stars. This book wasn't terrible but it wasn't great either. The dual narratives didn't work for me and made an interesting story fragmented and disjointed. The Syrian refugee story is an important one and it certainly raises awareness and empathy but, like the journey in this novel, I was glad to get to the end.