Scan barcode
A review by fizreads
Salaam, with Love by Sara Sharaf Beg
3.0
There is a saying that comments on people trying to hard… and I feel like it relates to this book. When I was reading this book, I just couldn’t help but think it’s trying to hard. I definitely think the second half (so probably when Mahnoor breaks of the engagement) it picks up and is written so much better and is much more readable than the first half.
The representation was great in this book but I think it lacked the fluidness of it. I think because the author goes into soooo much detail of a certain thing that it’s not natural so it reads as if its forced. I loved (and need to see more of) the main character’s progression in her faith, and her spirituality. It is so important to have representation and this book delivered on that, I could relate to so many situations and I loved how the author raised awareness to issues such as islamophobia and the dangers of it, how she gave an insight into how Ramadan is celebrated.
I feel like the main character having an interest in music (is completely fine) was not really needed I felt it was a kind of annoying distraction having the emphasis on music when really you want to read about her experience of Ramadan and what she gets up to with her cousins. Also I know this is a YA but the ‘hot boys’ and every second she can’t go without mentioning boys, like it was kind of roll your eyes moment.
I did love the main character’s growth and like I said the ending was a lot more better than the beginning, I loved the closeness she developed with the family and it was just nice to see rather than the trope of forceful desi aunties and uncles. I also can’t write this review without mentioning how cute Mahdi is- so adorable. I rounded my rating to 3, it was just an okay book.
The representation was great in this book but I think it lacked the fluidness of it. I think because the author goes into soooo much detail of a certain thing that it’s not natural so it reads as if its forced. I loved (and need to see more of) the main character’s progression in her faith, and her spirituality. It is so important to have representation and this book delivered on that, I could relate to so many situations and I loved how the author raised awareness to issues such as islamophobia and the dangers of it, how she gave an insight into how Ramadan is celebrated.
I feel like the main character having an interest in music (is completely fine) was not really needed I felt it was a kind of annoying distraction having the emphasis on music when really you want to read about her experience of Ramadan and what she gets up to with her cousins. Also I know this is a YA but the ‘hot boys’ and every second she can’t go without mentioning boys, like it was kind of roll your eyes moment.
I did love the main character’s growth and like I said the ending was a lot more better than the beginning, I loved the closeness she developed with the family and it was just nice to see rather than the trope of forceful desi aunties and uncles. I also can’t write this review without mentioning how cute Mahdi is- so adorable. I rounded my rating to 3, it was just an okay book.