A review by kenzieburke
Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali

challenging dark emotional inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Oh gosh, this book just rips at your soul. While a beautiful story about two young Muslim teens experiencing the vastness of human connection and finding love. It’s also a story about a young girl trying to find justice in a world so hateful, finding that fire, that courage, to stand up against hate. Learning how to exist and move in a world that doesn’t feel fair in the slightest, and how to still see beauty and goodness or Marvels despite immense fear and tragedy. 


I will say, I wanted to fight so many characters while reading this. Especially after having several teachers like Fender.  People around you like Madison. Just a lot of raw feelings this book brings out. 


Zayneb is beautifully human and I wish I knew someone like her while growing up. To have someone who fights so much for those she cares about and what is right. Adam is one of those characters whose heart and soul you wish you just had yourself sometimes. And watching them grow throughout this novel together was everything. Zayneb and Adam are really a great duality of one another, and their experience as teens. 

Some of my favorite lines *there were many*:
Girls like me who see and feel the pains and problems of the world don’t make sense to people. So maybe we’re meant to be alone, or only with people exactly like us.

 As Jo traipsed around being allowed to be angry when she wanted to be, and Amy threw things in the fire during one of her rage sessions, it hit me that maybe it was because Jo and Amy were considered cute that they got away with showing their emotions. …
Was that a factor in me not being able to just be messy me?

This way of noticing that even during the suckiest moments in life there was something marvelous to be seen, heard, touched. Or just a tiny awe felt in the heart.

I don’t think I can actually write much more about this book without crying again. But from Adam, Ayaan, Hanna, Auntie Nandy, Kavi to Zayneb, you truly have an amazing cast of characters who you will forever connect to. 💕
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