A review by krys_kilz
Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed

challenging emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This book had me holding my breath the entire time. It was very suspenseful and emotionally charged. Ahmed's social commentary was timely and razor sharp, which I really appreciated. The story was incredibly engaging without sensationalizing and thoroughly researched. I really loved the inclusion of court transcripts, Twitter feeds, news articles, etc. throughout the narrative - it made the reading experience more immersive.

As Sabaa Tahir's review put it: "With Hollow Fires, Samira Ahmed offers us an impossible-to-put-down thriller that is both spectacularly haunting and deeply thoughtful. Safiya and Jawad are not narrators we usually see, and their harrowing story is a wholly original commentary on perception, community, and the way society weighs one life against another."

At times, the story did feel a bit repetitive and predictable. Some of the metaphors were also heavy handed. But those were very minor things and did not prevent me from devouring this book. I really look forward to reading Ahmed's other work.

tw: Islamophobia, child death/murder, xenophobia, white supremacy/alt-right ideology and violence, antisemitism 

* Side Note: It did feel a little strange to read a novel set in the present with no mention of Covid-19. I know almost no books or media mention the pandemic - which is honestly a little eerie - but it felt particularly glaring given how rooted this book was in current events and the current political climate. Especially given the links between alt-right/fascist/white supremacist rhetoric and Covid-19 denial/conspiracy theories. *
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