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thinkingbookishthoughts's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mishmashedme's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
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? No
5.0
mbondlamberty's review against another edition
4.0
This is a YA read, not necessarily great literature and not necessarily reflective of the speech patterns of Somalis, but a good read with many of the facets of the situation in Somalia (though in the author's own words, not all).
It is a fast read, but you have to pay attention to the dates or you will get confused.
Would have probably appreciated more backstory on some of the characters and the tying up of loose ends, but I really enjoyed it overall.
It is a fast read, but you have to pay attention to the dates or you will get confused.
Would have probably appreciated more backstory on some of the characters and the tying up of loose ends, but I really enjoyed it overall.
charlottesbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
Lets Go Swimming on Doomsday is one of those stories that once you read it, the characters never leave you.
Thank you to NetGalley and OneWorld Publications, Rock the Boat, for allowing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Plot summary:
Abdi has been kidnapped by the Americans 3 years after his older brother joined the Somali militia group. In order to get freedom, he has reluctantly agreed to go undercover to save his brother.
After months in their ranks Abdi escapes but is haunted by what he has witnessed, and after a petty theft starts to face the events of his past he is so desperate to forget.
Review:
Plot and World Building – This was a beautifully imagined and had me engrossed from the first page. The intricate details made this story what it is and honestly it can be a brutal and eye opening read. The story kept me alert and guessing.
Overall pacing of the story was really quite varied and it worked well for the plot.
Characters and Development- Abdi is a fantastic lead character for such a story and it genuinely left me close to tears in a few moments. The development and themes of familial loyalty from Abdi truly hit home for me and it was a magnificent development.
There are a lot of intermittent characters outside Abdi, including his brother, and they are all intricately developed and utilised to progress the story.
Final Thoughts:
An exquisite, brutal novel that genuinely needs more people to read it- especially with everything currently going on in the world.
Thank you to NetGalley and OneWorld Publications, Rock the Boat, for allowing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Plot summary:
Abdi has been kidnapped by the Americans 3 years after his older brother joined the Somali militia group. In order to get freedom, he has reluctantly agreed to go undercover to save his brother.
After months in their ranks Abdi escapes but is haunted by what he has witnessed, and after a petty theft starts to face the events of his past he is so desperate to forget.
Review:
Plot and World Building – This was a beautifully imagined and had me engrossed from the first page. The intricate details made this story what it is and honestly it can be a brutal and eye opening read. The story kept me alert and guessing.
Overall pacing of the story was really quite varied and it worked well for the plot.
Characters and Development- Abdi is a fantastic lead character for such a story and it genuinely left me close to tears in a few moments. The development and themes of familial loyalty from Abdi truly hit home for me and it was a magnificent development.
There are a lot of intermittent characters outside Abdi, including his brother, and they are all intricately developed and utilised to progress the story.
Final Thoughts:
An exquisite, brutal novel that genuinely needs more people to read it- especially with everything currently going on in the world.
kjreads31's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
carriebohnert's review against another edition
5.0
Simply un-put-down-able. A compelling story, a nuanced narrator, and nail-biting action.
clairetbartlett's review against another edition
4.0
A very heavy subject that I don't know much about, but I think I understand a little better now. This was beautifully written, but I will say the last 150 pages moved much faster than the first 300. Like the author, I'm also an outsider to the Somali civil war and that it can be incredibly problematic to speak to someone else's experiences. I believe that the author did an admirable job of researching the subject and consulting many people who experienced something similar, or could speak to different components of the story. I'm glad I read this story and I know it will stick with me long after.
tashabye's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
This book completely surprised me. It came to me as a gift and I had never heard of it so it was not on my radar plus it's YA and it's not a genre I go to often. This book delivered in history and in engagement. I learned about history I knew basically very little about and I appreciated the author's note at the end so I know I have even more to learn about this period in history, but it was a strong read. I found it a bit slow going at first but it picked up speed and didn't stop until the end.
kba76's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this before publication. A harrowing story, but one that should not be ignored.
Our main focus is Abdi, a sixteen year old Somali boy, who - in order to protect his family - was asked by the Americans to infiltrate the jihadi terrorist group Al Shabaab. He vividly recalls the day that Al Shabaab boys came to his town and took his brother. Abdi was thirteen.
Our story is split between the now - when Abdi is being cared for by Sam, a worker for the UN - and then - the process that lead to Abdi being recruited by the group and the activities he was forced to take part in.
There’s no getting away from the fact that the subject matter is tough reading. The indoctrination of children to such groups, and the callous disregard for human life shown by such leaders, is graphically conveyed to us. However, making it clear that Abdi did not participate willingly, and that he is now in fear for his life, meant the book did not seem to glamorise such actions at all.
The details given about how the group operated were fascinating. What struck me, however, was the very real focus on the emotional impact on Abdi and others like him of such groups. There was an emotional honesty to this that is hard to ignore, and I cannot wait to see how it goes down with teen readers.
Our main focus is Abdi, a sixteen year old Somali boy, who - in order to protect his family - was asked by the Americans to infiltrate the jihadi terrorist group Al Shabaab. He vividly recalls the day that Al Shabaab boys came to his town and took his brother. Abdi was thirteen.
Our story is split between the now - when Abdi is being cared for by Sam, a worker for the UN - and then - the process that lead to Abdi being recruited by the group and the activities he was forced to take part in.
There’s no getting away from the fact that the subject matter is tough reading. The indoctrination of children to such groups, and the callous disregard for human life shown by such leaders, is graphically conveyed to us. However, making it clear that Abdi did not participate willingly, and that he is now in fear for his life, meant the book did not seem to glamorise such actions at all.
The details given about how the group operated were fascinating. What struck me, however, was the very real focus on the emotional impact on Abdi and others like him of such groups. There was an emotional honesty to this that is hard to ignore, and I cannot wait to see how it goes down with teen readers.
hamandaj's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a slow burn that turned into a raging fire. I stayed up far too late reading because I had to know how it ended. The characters are beautifully written with unique voices. I found myself desperately rooting for our protagonist even in the bleakest of circumstances. I loved this book because it tackles a huge and painful topic but also shows the humanity. The characters emotions and actions are the emotions and actions of any teenager. It makes this life understandable. I would recommend this book to anyone. Literally anyone. It is phenomenal.