What the community thinks
summary of 101 ratings (see reviews)
Content warnings
Moderate
Bullying (1 reviewer), Homophobia (1 reviewer), Racism (1 reviewer), Suicidal thoughts (1 reviewer), Xenophobia (1 reviewer), Islamophobia (1 reviewer), and Religious bigotry (1 reviewer)Moods
emotional 50%
adventurous 37%
funny 37%
reflective 31%
lighthearted 25%
inspiring 18%
mysterious 12%
tense 12%
challenging 6%
dark 6%
informative 6%
Pace
fast 43%
slow 6%
Strong character development?
Yes: 42% | It's complicated: 35% | No: 21%Loveable characters?
Yes: 61% | It's complicated: 30% | No: 7%Diverse cast of characters?
Yes: 100%Flaws of characters centre-stage?
Yes: 100%Average rating
Buy How It All Blew Up
United States
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Other countries
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Eighteen-year-old Amir Azadi always knew coming out to his Muslim family would be messy--he just didn't think it would end in an airport interrogation room. But when faced with a failed relationship, bullies, and blackmail, running away to Rome is his only option. Right?
Soon, late nights with new friends and dates in the Sistine Chapel start to feel like second nature... until his old life comes knocking on his door. Now, Amir has to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth to a US Customs officer, or risk losing his hard-won freedom.
At turns uplifting and devastating, How It All Blew Up is Arvin Ahmadi's most powerful novel yet, a celebration of how life's most painful moments can live alongside the riotous, life-changing joys of discovering who you are.
Buy How It All Blew Up
United States
Bookshop US
Other countries
Bookshop UK
Blackwell's
The StoryGraph is an affiliate of the featured links. We earn commission on any purchases made.
Eighteen-year-old Amir Azadi always knew coming out to his Muslim family would be messy--he just didn't think it would end in an airport interrogation room. But when faced with a failed relationship, bullies, and blackmail, running away to Rome is his only option. Right?
Soon, late nights with new friends and dates in the Sistine Chapel start to feel like second nature... until his old life comes knocking on his door. Now, Amir has to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth to a US Customs officer, or risk losing his hard-won freedom.
At turns uplifting and devastating, How It All Blew Up is Arvin Ahmadi's most powerful novel yet, a celebration of how life's most painful moments can live alongside the riotous, life-changing joys of discovering who you are.
What the community thinks
summary of 101 ratings (see reviews)
Content warnings
Moderate
Bullying (1 reviewer), Homophobia (1 reviewer), Racism (1 reviewer), Suicidal thoughts (1 reviewer), Xenophobia (1 reviewer), Islamophobia (1 reviewer), and Religious bigotry (1 reviewer)Moods
emotional 50%
adventurous 37%
funny 37%
reflective 31%
lighthearted 25%
inspiring 18%
mysterious 12%
tense 12%
challenging 6%
dark 6%
informative 6%
Pace
fast 43%
slow 6%
Strong character development?
Yes: 42% | It's complicated: 35% | No: 21%Loveable characters?
Yes: 61% | It's complicated: 30% | No: 7%Diverse cast of characters?
Yes: 100%Flaws of characters centre-stage?
Yes: 100%Average rating