A review by lizanneyoung
Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf

4.0

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story was so much fun. Najwa, our main character who is a big fan of words and Scrabble, is getting back into the game after the tragic and sudden death of her best friend Trina at the tournament last year. But, there may be more to everything than meets the eye. 

I knew there was a bit of mystery going in, but I didn’t realize how much there was or how fun it would be to watch play out. Najwa is trying to overcome her grief and the side effects that have come with it all while being in the middle of something you could argue is out of a Riverdale episode at times (though one character does not agree with me). Honestly, I love how all the threads intertwine: Najwa’s love of words, every quirk of the characters we’re introduced to, the mystery, and the competition. Everything both is and isn’t a clue into what happened and while it all makes sense in the end, you can’t help but wonder how it could’ve fit together differently, much like a Scrabble rack.

The portrayal of grief is different from others I’ve read before in the best way because ultimately everyone’s experience is unique. Seeing Najwa work through that, while also trying to honor her best friend, was a great journey to be on.

As someone who grew up loving the movie Akeelah and the Bee, particularly the Scrabble sequences at a birthday party, this scratched an itch I didn’t know my brain had. I’ve been meaning to read this book since its release, and I’m mad at myself that it took me this long. BUT, I now have learned several new words, and have included my favorites (and their definitions) below.  

🔴 Ataraxia: “calmness or peace of mind”

🔴 Glaikit: “foolish”

🔴 Syzygy: “the perfect alignment of three celestial bodies”