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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
I really pine for what this story could have been. Based on reviews, it seems like a lot of people are perfectly satisfied with it. Maybe it’s a love-it or hate-it kinda thing?
For me, the present-day protagonist was completely unbelievable. Far too philosophical for her age and the synesthesia should have been fascinating, but it was obnoxious instead. Some scenes didn’t make sense at all. Like I actually wanted to throw the book when Nour was running through the city. The eye rolls only increased from that point on and I constantly wondered what editor thought the writing passed muster. A careful editor with constructive criticism could have made this story truly tremendous.
I was much more engrossed in the ancient story and impressed by its research. The connection to Al-Idrisi is the reason I was interested in this book from the start. I cannot overstate how much I wanted to love this one and how disappointed I am by it. It’s been a year and a half since I read it and still I think about what a missed opportunity it is. Parallels to The Kite Runner are not justified here...but could have been!
I want to be excited for the author’s new book, but I’m weary. I don’t know if I can handle the purple prose again.
For me, the present-day protagonist was completely unbelievable. Far too philosophical for her age and the synesthesia should have been fascinating, but it was obnoxious instead. Some scenes didn’t make sense at all. Like I actually wanted to throw the book when Nour was running through the city. The eye rolls only increased from that point on and I constantly wondered what editor thought the writing passed muster. A careful editor with constructive criticism could have made this story truly tremendous.
I was much more engrossed in the ancient story and impressed by its research. The connection to Al-Idrisi is the reason I was interested in this book from the start. I cannot overstate how much I wanted to love this one and how disappointed I am by it. It’s been a year and a half since I read it and still I think about what a missed opportunity it is. Parallels to The Kite Runner are not justified here...but could have been!
I want to be excited for the author’s new book, but I’m weary. I don’t know if I can handle the purple prose again.
Beautiful and heartbreaking and breathtaking. The phrase “a must read” gets bandied about a lot, but genuinely this book is more than well worth your time, it needs your time.
Two alternating stories tell the harrowing tale of a trio of sisters forced to flee with their family after their Syrian town is bombed. Twelve-year-old Nour, still mourning the recent loss of her father, makes it a point to tell one of his stories as she travels so that she can still feel close to him, so we get the story of Rawiya, a girl 800 years earlier who disguises herself as a boy to apprentice to a map-maker. In these two stories, we follow Nour and Rawiya though their travels in the middle east, forging their own ways and making do when the map seems blank and there's no one to guide them forward.
I found the modern story of Nour much more compelling than the storytelling bits about Rawiya and I ended up scanning the storytelling parts quite a bit. I found it a little jarring moving back and forth so often and it kept me from getting totally swept up in Nour's story. Still, this is a moving look at the war in Syria and the plight of refugees who have no choice but to move forward whether or not they have a map or anywhere to go.
I found the modern story of Nour much more compelling than the storytelling bits about Rawiya and I ended up scanning the storytelling parts quite a bit. I found it a little jarring moving back and forth so often and it kept me from getting totally swept up in Nour's story. Still, this is a moving look at the war in Syria and the plight of refugees who have no choice but to move forward whether or not they have a map or anywhere to go.
adventurous
emotional
tense
Extreme Book Nerd Challenge 2021... Category #46
Challenge Topic: Set in a place conquered by the Roman Empire.
Ok... so if you are the type of reader that gets annoyed with there are continual story shifts, this one may not be for you. This is 2 stories in one book, connected by the main character.
The Map of Salt and Stars is told from the perpective of a 12 year old girl (Nour), and from the perspective of a girl a little bit older (Rawiya). The first story takes place in current time, and the other is about 800 years in the past.
There are a lot of similarities to the two girls and a lot of differences. The stories are both really good, but I struggled with the lack of transition (this is a personal problem for me when reading) from current to past. Cliffhanger and then change in story. There were times I had to go back and reread a section because I didn't remember the shift.
However, I really did enjoy this book and it was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.
Challenge Topic: Set in a place conquered by the Roman Empire.
Ok... so if you are the type of reader that gets annoyed with there are continual story shifts, this one may not be for you. This is 2 stories in one book, connected by the main character.
The Map of Salt and Stars is told from the perpective of a 12 year old girl (Nour), and from the perspective of a girl a little bit older (Rawiya). The first story takes place in current time, and the other is about 800 years in the past.
There are a lot of similarities to the two girls and a lot of differences. The stories are both really good, but I struggled with the lack of transition (this is a personal problem for me when reading) from current to past. Cliffhanger and then change in story. There were times I had to go back and reread a section because I didn't remember the shift.
However, I really did enjoy this book and it was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.
This is the hardest book to rate ever. Nour's story is a story everyone should read, not because it is "fun" or different, but because it is important that this narrative gets heard more. This is the first book that truly made me emotional and gave me tears. This is real life????
This book has 2 storylines, the main story of nour and her family fleeing from syria. And a tale that her father used to tell her, this is more of a fantasy style story taking place 800 years prior to nours narrative.
Well, I really disliked the story that took place 800 years ago, it wasn't my genre and I just wasn't interested. I figured the best way to see this story is to see the value it has to nour, which has made me give this book 5 stars in the end.
I can't say much more, simply because I have no words. The most importsnt story ever.
This book has 2 storylines, the main story of nour and her family fleeing from syria. And a tale that her father used to tell her, this is more of a fantasy style story taking place 800 years prior to nours narrative.
Well, I really disliked the story that took place 800 years ago, it wasn't my genre and I just wasn't interested. I figured the best way to see this story is to see the value it has to nour, which has made me give this book 5 stars in the end.
I can't say much more, simply because I have no words. The most importsnt story ever.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The brilliance of this book is in the telling of the legend alongside the modern day refugee. While still an honest look at everything this young girl goes through leaving Syria and searching for home, the chapters beginning with a story she’s heard all her life bring something else to this story, we believe our heroine is going to be ok.
While this book deals with death and war, I do think it would be a great one for a more sensitive reader that is wary of graphic violence and other traumas that go along with war.
While this book deals with death and war, I do think it would be a great one for a more sensitive reader that is wary of graphic violence and other traumas that go along with war.
Two girls in two different time periods are dealing with being a refugee in Syriai. One is modern day. The other is disguising herself as a boy so she can help make a new map of the Middle East.