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veganheathen's review against another edition
5.0
This book reads almost like a thriller, which I wasn’t expecting but loved. It’s captivating, heart-breaking, full of hope and despair, casual cruelty and love. Such a beautifully written book that will stick with me for a while.
quietspectacle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
3.5
anamsoomro's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
csgiansante's review against another edition
4.0
Not really a 4, but not totally a 3. The last chapter left me with a lot of questions and the book had a slow start, but the pacing got better as the story went on.
falcone9's review against another edition
5.0
Not the most uplifting story but a brilliantly told story. Definitely don't read it an a beach though. The opposite of a beach read.
heatherwardlaw's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
soubhi's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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? No
4.0
lizmart88's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
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? No
4.5
This book was gut wrenching in the best possible way! I highly highly recommend this book! We follow two timelines. The first is the "present" ostensibly as Amir, a young boy possibly from Eritrea who has fled his country with his family and now has washed up on the shore of an island where refugees are being rounded up and held in a large gymnasium. Vanna is a young woman who decides to help Amir. The second is flashbacks as Amir flees his country and ends up on the island, with most of the action taking place on the boat ride.
The book almost feels like a modern day fable. It's a spare book with few characters and not much plot happening (said in a positive way). The book simply depicts Vanna and Amir as they navigate bureaucracy and hostile geography and a cultural war they don't really understand. You'll be rooting for the kids as they try to make it and praying nothing bad happens.
The book almost feels like a modern day fable. It's a spare book with few characters and not much plot happening (said in a positive way). The book simply depicts Vanna and Amir as they navigate bureaucracy and hostile geography and a cultural war they don't really understand. You'll be rooting for the kids as they try to make it and praying nothing bad happens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Xenophobia
jillaay_h's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Deportation, Islamophobia, Classism, and Xenophobia
lucillemeeps's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0