A review by xangemtheelibrarian
Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo

challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Samira was frustrating as HELL. Ohmigawd. Elhillo created a teenager that I wasn't to literally shake some sense into. I can't help but wonder what reading this book would feel like as a teen, because as an adult, I see through Horus and every classic manipulative trick he played on Samira. There were several moments in this four hour audiobook, where I myself had also closed my eyes, begging silently "please, please, please" and then had the misfortune of listening to Samira pick the worst choice in nearly every decision she made. 

But in the end, I feel so much sympathy for this girl. Because she is a girl. Samira is a girl who never stood a chance against an adult like Horus because she is so accustomed to keeping secrets. Samira's desire to present as fully herself clashed wildly with her mother's desire to protect her by making her conform to the standards of their community. It also just wasn't fair that Samira's mother defaulted to believing rumors as opposed to her own daughter. Of course Horus swept Samira away. She was the perfect target.

The ending though.. That was satisfying. I'm so glad everything resolved the way that it did. Reading through this was so hard, but that HEA was so worth it.
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