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A review by cloreadsbooks1364
Four Eids and a Funeral by Adiba Jaigirdar, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
I've read all of Adiba and Faridah's past novels, and every single one has been a 5⭐️ read. I'm delighted to say that this collaboration was no outlier.
Four Eids and a Funeral
By Adiba Jaigirdar and Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
5/5⭐️
This YA contemporary romance stars Said and Tuwa, former best friends who now hate each other. Reunited after the death of their friend, a local librarian, they work together to save the town's Islamic Centre after it goes up in flames.
My first impression of Said was that he's considerate. Of Tiwa, it was that she was probably going to be a very lovable character. As like most protagonists, they had challenges of their own to face alongside the main concern of saving the Centre. Tiwa struggled with losing the Centre that she spent so much time volunteering in, alongside missing her father abroad. There was also the never ending issue that a lot of people assumed she wasn't Muslim because she was Black and chose not to wear a hijab.
Said, who spent his time at a fancy boarding school, faced his parents' ambitious assumptions about his future, and how to tell them that what he wants (art) is not what they dream of for him (medicine).
The side characters Julian (Said's buddy from school) and Safiyah (Said's sister, and Tiwa's best friend) were both entertaining, especially watching Safiyah's relationship with Ishra (a very nice girl) develop.
The three past Eids were told in third person, while the chapters set in the present were told from first person, switching between Said and Tiwa. I found the story moved extremely smoothly, it didn't feel anywhere near as long as it was.
I absolutely devoured this funny, sweet, heartfelt book, and highly recommend it!
(The best character was obviously Laddoo, the affectionate sweet-loving ginger cat co-parented by Said and Tiwa 🐈)
Queer rep: Lesbian sc (Safiyah)
TWs: fire, racism, child death, grief, death, animal death 🐟, car accident
Four Eids and a Funeral
By Adiba Jaigirdar and Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
5/5⭐️
This YA contemporary romance stars Said and Tuwa, former best friends who now hate each other. Reunited after the death of their friend, a local librarian, they work together to save the town's Islamic Centre after it goes up in flames.
My first impression of Said was that he's considerate. Of Tiwa, it was that she was probably going to be a very lovable character. As like most protagonists, they had challenges of their own to face alongside the main concern of saving the Centre. Tiwa struggled with losing the Centre that she spent so much time volunteering in, alongside missing her father abroad. There was also the never ending issue that a lot of people assumed she wasn't Muslim because she was Black and chose not to wear a hijab.
Said, who spent his time at a fancy boarding school, faced his parents' ambitious assumptions about his future, and how to tell them that what he wants (art) is not what they dream of for him (medicine).
The side characters Julian (Said's buddy from school) and Safiyah (Said's sister, and Tiwa's best friend) were both entertaining, especially watching Safiyah's relationship with Ishra (a very nice girl) develop.
The three past Eids were told in third person, while the chapters set in the present were told from first person, switching between Said and Tiwa. I found the story moved extremely smoothly, it didn't feel anywhere near as long as it was.
I absolutely devoured this funny, sweet, heartfelt book, and highly recommend it!
(The best character was obviously Laddoo, the affectionate sweet-loving ginger cat co-parented by Said and Tiwa 🐈)
Queer rep: Lesbian sc (Safiyah)
TWs: fire, racism, child death, grief, death, animal death 🐟, car accident
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Racism, and Death
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Animal death