You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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:
No
Another book that has taken me into an entirely different world, in the most colorful and visceral way. I feel like I've been there.....to the ancient Middle East and the modern-day one - the sights, the sounds, the spices, the colors - with all its beauty and its pain. Both of the book's heroines are unforgettable and inspiring, especially the brilliant child narrator navigating her perilous reality with deep and compelling insight. This book is exquisite and I will read everything by this author that I can find.
challenging
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
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
'I carry the memory of borders in my skin.'
Words cannot express the beauty of this book. [b:The Map of Salt and Stars|36373417|The Map of Salt and Stars|Zeyn Joukhadar|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1608401496l/36373417._SX50_.jpg|53645380] is a tender, harrowing, and heartbreaking tale of a young girl lost in the midst of war, in the midst of grief, and the in the midst of young adulthood.
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
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
I have lost track of how many people I have recommended this book to. Half set in Syria in 2011 at the outbreak of war, the book follows the story of a young girl Nour, and her family who became refugees at the outbreak of violence and is on a journey across the Middle East and North Africa. This is mirrored by another amazing woman from 800 years earlier, who takes a similar journey as a map making apprentice as a way of trying to support her mother and make a life for herself. Beautiful, poetic, sad, wonderful.
Vividly written, the story brings in the experience of Nour's synesthesia, who sees colours in people's voices, which creates this visual aspect to the writing that I found incredibly compelling. Love love love.
Vividly written, the story brings in the experience of Nour's synesthesia, who sees colours in people's voices, which creates this visual aspect to the writing that I found incredibly compelling. Love love love.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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:
Yes
From almost DNFing it to loving it and even crying.
We are following 2 timelines both equally interesting and happening at the same geographical points, but different ages. One follows a girl whose family moves to Siria after their father's death but just in time for the conflict that forces them out of their homes looking for a new one, and the other timeline follows a girl who chooses adventure over a life and ends up becoming a warrior.
At the beginning, I didn't feel connected to any of the characters and even questioned the purpose of this book, but after things start moving you cannot help but feel for the characters and be invested in their journey.
I loved Nour at the end and was fascinated by her storytelling. A masterpiece.
We are following 2 timelines both equally interesting and happening at the same geographical points, but different ages. One follows a girl whose family moves to Siria after their father's death but just in time for the conflict that forces them out of their homes looking for a new one, and the other timeline follows a girl who chooses adventure over a life and ends up becoming a warrior.
At the beginning, I didn't feel connected to any of the characters and even questioned the purpose of this book, but after things start moving you cannot help but feel for the characters and be invested in their journey.
I loved Nour at the end and was fascinated by her storytelling. A masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Abandonment, War
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is an incredibly beautiful book. As an Arab American myself, it is rare that I find myself represented in stories (whether books, tv, movies, etc.) and so a large part of my love for this book is enhanced by my love for my culture and the ways that I think it was beautifully represented in this book. I grew up in the Middle East and that is home to me, and as a TCK (third culture kid) I resonate with SO MUCH of this. I also love love love Zeyn’s writing style, it is absolutely beautiful and I pulled so many quotes! The depth, the beauty, the hardship, the reflectiveness and truth of this book are what make this book so incredible and SO SO worthwhile. READ IT! It will broaden your horizons and deepen your thinking and pull on your heartstrings and rip tears from your eyes and force a smile to appear on your face. I was consistently in awe and I hope you are to as you read. I think you will read things that are so difficult you will never understand, but I also believe that despite all the differences, as you read The Map of Salt and Stars, you will also find yourself in its pages.