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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Contemporary YA about art, advocacy and a sweet MF friendship-to-love story set in Vermont’s Muslim community.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Complicated
This was really sweet and kinda cozy with an engaging plot and character development.
hopeful
lighthearted
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Let's get one thing straight: this is a love story.
So much can change over the course of four Eids. Strangers become friends, friends become enemies, and enemies turn into nauseatingly cute couples...
I loved Four Eids and a Funeral! I was initially drawn to it because of the cover (it's so beautiful), but the story drew me in from page 1. I instantly loved Tiwa and Said and rooted for them the entire time. It was so obvious they were in love with each other. Of course, the problem between them had to be a miscommunication, but I was surprised in who had a hand in it.
I've read works by Faridah Abike-Iyimide before, but this was my introduction to Adiba Jaigirdar's work. The writing styles of both authors flowed very well together, and I would definitely read more books by both authors. Something I've seen in reviews is the validity of the Muslim religion in this book. From reading reviews, many thought it was haram. I am not Muslim, so I can't speak on it. Tiwa and Said are very westernized, but the love for their religion was very evident throughout the story. This also seemed very much like an "Owned Voices" story.
Four Eids and a Funeral also touched on racism- very, very lightly. I think there could have been a little bit more, but it also seemed like Tiwa, who experienced the bit of racism from elders in her community because of her darker skin, didn't really understand it. When she voiced it outlaid to Said, he was the one to point out the injustice of it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book!
✨Instagram: Books.withTay✨
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed this book very much. Even though it deals with some very big issues such as feelings of grief and feelings of abandonment, as well as racism and religious bigotry the authors created a heartfelt story about finding your way to your back to the person who understands you better than anyone else.
I enjoyed how Tiwa and Said are forced to interact with one another after having a falling out several years prior. The way that their mentor was able to give them a parting gift of not only an adorable cat but a way back to each other was really beautiful.
The tension between Tiwa and Said was also really fun in the ways that they would poke at each other throughout the book. It was obvious from the beginning that even though there were hurt feelings on both sides there was also still a great deal of affection for one another. The dual perspectives between Tiwa and Said added a deep layer of the dynamics between the two of them because as events began to unfold it was clear what each of their perspectives was.
Additionally, the dual timelines between present events of trying to work together and past events that drove them apart added an air of mystery to the story. The way that Tiwa and Said are written it was clear that this is a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers type of story, but the way the novel was constructed allowed for the full breadth of that journey to be explored.
I will say that I am a little conflicted about how Tiwa reacts when the secret is revealed in the third act. She seems very quick to not trust Said and is also dealing with her grief, such that bright colors are something she appears to avoid (granted I was unclear if this was grief-related or just teenage angst-related). However, when the largest secret of the book is revealed she seems not mad about it. I don't expect her to yell or anything as that would be out of character, but her calm evaluation of the situation did seem a little subdued for what was called for.
Also, I loved how the villain of the book is portrayed it was so funny and I completely agreed with the child asking questions about the love story of Tiwa and Said at the end.
A fun coming-of-age romance with plenty of complicated relationship dynamics throughout.
I enjoyed how Tiwa and Said are forced to interact with one another after having a falling out several years prior. The way that their mentor was able to give them a parting gift of not only an adorable cat but a way back to each other was really beautiful.
The tension between Tiwa and Said was also really fun in the ways that they would poke at each other throughout the book. It was obvious from the beginning that even though there were hurt feelings on both sides there was also still a great deal of affection for one another. The dual perspectives between Tiwa and Said added a deep layer of the dynamics between the two of them because as events began to unfold it was clear what each of their perspectives was.
Additionally, the dual timelines between present events of trying to work together and past events that drove them apart added an air of mystery to the story. The way that Tiwa and Said are written it was clear that this is a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers type of story, but the way the novel was constructed allowed for the full breadth of that journey to be explored.
I will say that I am a little conflicted about how Tiwa reacts when the secret is revealed in the third act. She seems very quick to not trust Said and is also dealing with her grief, such that bright colors are something she appears to avoid (granted I was unclear if this was grief-related or just teenage angst-related). However, when the largest secret of the book is revealed she seems not mad about it. I don't expect her to yell or anything as that would be out of character, but her calm evaluation of the situation did seem a little subdued for what was called for.
Also, I loved how the villain of the book is portrayed it was so funny and I completely agreed with the child asking questions about the love story of Tiwa and Said at the end.
A fun coming-of-age romance with plenty of complicated relationship dynamics throughout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Grief, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Cancer, Racism
Minor: Islamophobia
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-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
This book was supposed to have a Muslim Rep but it sure was fake! This showed all the wrongs! Dating is Haram! honestly I really just want a clean YA muslim rep story that has family dynamics and have an FMC and MMC that are just friends. But to tell you I was fuming when they kissed cause as a Muslim I don't think your allowed to that (with all respect to the author none of this is ment to criticize I'm just giving my sole opinion) and of course we have to have a forced queer rep I have no hate against the queer I have queer friends and I believe queer Muslims should not be like...Oh...How I'm supposed to explain this without offending anyone...I believe queer Muslims should be allowed to live their lives as normal but having a ya book that's supposed to have a Muslim rep? Especially since this is supposed to respect the rules Of Islam.Yeah this is a no for me. 1.5 stars
hopeful
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
This enemies-to-lovers trope story brings the readers through the years of friendship to dating for our couple.
The funeral for the school's beloved librarian brings Said and Tiwa back together after they were separated by Said's leaving to attend an expensive boarding school and their falling out. The librarian's will made them the parents of her library cat, which often found solace in the mosque next door. As they attend events in the Muslim community throughout the years, they become closer and closer, and eventually, the ice begins to melt.
One interesting point of this book is that the two are from different parts of the Mulsim community. Students will see that no community is a monolith.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
Cute book; I got to learn some cultural information that I was unaware of; the characters’ passions were interesting and I found myself rooting for them; predictable sometimes but in a cute way; Solid read - not too difficult of a read; I loved when the Mayor changed his mind; I appreciated his build up as a villain since his reasoning seemed pretty realistic for why a real American town politician would rationalize tearing down a mosque There were many lovable characters.