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zoe_lenora's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
zahrahm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
At first, I’m not going to lie, I did not like where the story was going, but I think it’s important that these types of stories are told. The hard-to-swallow stories are the ones that need to be heard because they are often what the reality is. Sabaa makes a point of showing that people have flaws and may have redemption or may not, but a lot comes down to circumstance, how much happens TO you vs what happens because of your own actions, and how you own up to both of it. There’s a lot of complexity to the book so giving it a chance through the first chapters is important and everything ties to the last third. It left me crying on the plane on my way to Madinah because of how everything came full circle and the message of redemption and closure for grief. The people make genuine real mistakes and it doesn’t just magicallu go away - it’s real life adult mistakes with real life consequences.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Xenophobia, Addiction, Drug use, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Bullying, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
Minor: Sexual assault
bookishly_laura9813's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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
5.0
mnh_'s review against another edition
emotional
sad
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
3.75
sousouaya's review against another edition
4.25
4.2 stars 🌟
This is the type of book that, though the plot is unique in itself, is able to connect to and reach out to so many individuals of different backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures. It was a beautiful poignant story that had me in tears on many lines and chapters. I related to so many aspects, from the illnesses to the struggle to the racism shown, both the implicit and the explicit. I have so many thoughts and feelings that it's hard to express in just a few short paragraphs so I will simply say there is a reason why it won the National Book Award and that I cannot recommend it enough. You will either be able to personally connect to it or will be able to intently understand the strife and struggle immigrants, first born Americans, pocs, and Muslims face in America.
I will note my .8 star off is for the portrayal of Islam. It is not about how the characters are not perfect in their religion and faith, for absolutely no one is, but more towards the causality of certain actions and representation. And this is specifically because the characters are muslim. I do wish I saw some growth of acknowledgment in the characters with Islam, but to be it seemed that their religion was more of a reference at times. I might be a bit too harsh on my rating, as it's fiction, but I really wanted better representation, as I don't seem many contemporary ya with muslim characters.
This is the type of book that, though the plot is unique in itself, is able to connect to and reach out to so many individuals of different backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures. It was a beautiful poignant story that had me in tears on many lines and chapters. I related to so many aspects, from the illnesses to the struggle to the racism shown, both the implicit and the explicit. I have so many thoughts and feelings that it's hard to express in just a few short paragraphs so I will simply say there is a reason why it won the National Book Award and that I cannot recommend it enough. You will either be able to personally connect to it or will be able to intently understand the strife and struggle immigrants, first born Americans, pocs, and Muslims face in America.
I will note my .8 star off is for the portrayal of Islam. It is not about how the characters are not perfect in their religion and faith, for absolutely no one is, but more towards the causality of certain actions and representation. And this is specifically because the characters are muslim. I do wish I saw some growth of acknowledgment in the characters with Islam, but to be it seemed that their religion was more of a reference at times. I might be a bit too harsh on my rating, as it's fiction, but I really wanted better representation, as I don't seem many contemporary ya with muslim characters.
nattykat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
4.0
There were equal parts things that I liked and things I didn't care for. Salahudin, Noor, and Misbah were all interesting POV characters and I loved them all. The story alternates timelines including flashbacks to the past and the present, which I really enjoyed. Tahir's writing is beautiful, I loved the sprinkling of the poem throughout. She really captured the immigrant experience in a profound and unique way. I wonder, do teens have co-trials? In the end, for me, it was just too much sadness and trauma.