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A review by bookish_kirst
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is based in Ireland and follows Nishat, a Muslim lesbian, who bumps into an old school friend, Flavia, and falls for her. For a school competition they have to start a business, Nishat decides to open a Henna business and so does Flavia, even though she isn't Desi.
Nishat was, at times, very self centered and honestly just kind of annoying.
The romance didn't really make much sense to me either, we understand how Nishat is made to feel everytime Flavia upsets her and yet she still forgives and falls for her, even when Flavia dismisses her discomfort at her starting a henna business and essentially appropriating Nishat's culture just to win a school cometition.
I don't know, this book wasn't awful but it wasn't great either even though it had so much potential to be.
TW/CW: racism, homophobia, outing, cultural appropriation, bullying
Nishat was, at times, very self centered and honestly just kind of annoying.
The romance didn't really make much sense to me either, we understand how Nishat is made to feel everytime Flavia upsets her and yet she still forgives and falls for her, even when Flavia dismisses her discomfort at her starting a henna business and essentially appropriating Nishat's culture just to win a school cometition.
I don't know, this book wasn't awful but it wasn't great either even though it had so much potential to be.
TW/CW: racism, homophobia, outing, cultural appropriation, bullying
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Outing, Racism, Homophobia, and Bullying