A review by radiodarkblue
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

"Maybe ... sometimes people don't see the things they do as wrong, but they can see the wrong in what other people do - especially if it's done to someone they care about," I say. "When it happens to someone else, it doesn't feel as important as when it happens to someone we love."

It took me so much time to get around this book and it's entirely my fault! I really blame myself because I would have loved it even more than I already do. I started this book in July 2021 ans finished it in August 2022,,, stupid reading slump!

I find it very powerful when YA novels such as The Henna Wars tackled important themes such as cultural appropriation, racism or homophobia. When you read Abida Jaigirdar's words you feel how much she loves her culture and it's such a pleasure to read. It's so important to have books like this one that focus on queer people of colour. Priti and Nishat's relationship was everything, I love reading sibling relationships so much and they gave everything! Also we love reading the word lesbian so many times, definitely one of the greatest lesbian representations <3

"I'm not ashamed of it. It's who I am. I am comfortable being a lesbian."

I want to add that once in this book they talk about Elliot Page before his coming out as the book was published before he came out, so it mentions his deadname.

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