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A review by nadineeeeeee
Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win by Susan Azim Boyer
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
“Between the dirty tricks and the cover-ups and the betrayal, I keep saying this is not me, I’m not like this. But I am. This is the person I’ve become in order to be the person I wanted to be”
I love this book.
These kind of books are the reason why I love (diverse) YA Contemporary so much and the reason why I think we need MORE of this genre. Why I think these kind of books are so important to be published and to be read and just to be out in the world.
It’s diverse without looking like they’re trying too hard. So effortlessly done, and yet not carelessly either. It talks about important issues in a way that most of the books in the literary genre tried SO hard to capture because they want to keep it “smart” and “intellectual”, and yet failed to seal and deliver with a stamp on.
YA Contemporary books are messy and chaotic and filled with stupid mistakes and choices, but that’s also the very charm of it. Teenagers are messy. We are all chaotic once in a while. And we do make stupid mistakes now and then.
This one is no different. This book IS messy. It IS chaotic. And, Jasmine, I love you, but your choices :)) <33 You’re very ambitious, to say the least <33
And yet, this book somehow still managed to be so charming, lovable, and enjoyable to the very core. And not just borderline annoying. And I’ve become quite attached to it, I think… To the characters, mostly.
I love Jasmine. I love how much of a music ‘nerd’ she is. She’s so cool. You’ll get TONS of references of a couple of bands, songs and albums sprinkled through the book, and it’s just awesome. I had most of the songs/artists she liked written down and am planning to check them out for I was never that familiar with that era of music!
Amme Minah is just >>>> Ali is awesome. Malia is great. Kyle can go off. Patty, i’m still unsure of even after finishing the book, but If I had to choose between her and Kyle’s side, I’d definitely pick hers 100%.
Oh right, MIKE.
Look, HEAR ME OUT, as a character, he’s a ten, okay? Like a ten TEN. He’s perfect in every way, don’t get me wrong, but as the romantic interest in the overall story? Him and Jasmine were just…. Okay. He’s a great guy, and how he stayed with Jasmine and defended her and supported her and still be there for her was WOW, but i feel like them as a ROMANTIC pair, doesn’t have that much ~effect~ on me, you know? There are some cute moments, but just not THAT THAT.
Oh and right, Gerald.
I hated him so much at the beginning of the book, but since he agreed to at least keep an open mind and learn about Iran and their cultures in Jasmine’s International Culture Club (and also other cultures in the world) at the end, then okay fine whatever i guess.
Bottom line : I love love love love love this book. 4.75 stars!!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
[22/7/22]