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jeremynelson0899's reviews
48 reviews
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Honestly, I was so excited going into this book. However, it keft me feeling a little flat overall.
The best thing about it was that the twist towards the end really moved me. This writer did that perfectly.
The things that drove down my will to live was how repetitive it was. Like, take a shot every time she mentioned a 'might life', or Studio Ghibli, or lemons, then you'd be pretty horrifically drunk twenty pages in.
Not only that, but it followed the same structure of scenes for 300 or so pages;
1 - scene at the hospital with a wave of patients coming in.
2 - scene with either Kenan or Layla.
3 - scene where Khawf shows another hallucination. This can wear readers down, especially if it's 400-odd pages long.
I also wanted to learn more about Syria going into this book, but it left the historical context pretty much alone, which is a shame. I shall be seeking more books about Syria in the future.
I will close off this review by mentioning the vague impression I got that the author put a lot of herself in this book. Salama feels like her, especially based on interests. Furthermore, with Kenan and Salama, I desperately wanted more than just the odd quivering sigh of longing and fluttering eyelashes. I think the writer held back for personal reasons.
She is by no means a bad writer, but I'd like to see her flex more of her potential writing prowess. There were certain moments in this book where we could catch glimpses of it. We'll see what she does next if she does write another book. I'd like to see more.
The best thing about it was that the twist towards the end really moved me. This writer did that perfectly.
The things that drove down my will to live was how repetitive it was. Like, take a shot every time she mentioned a 'might life', or Studio Ghibli, or lemons, then you'd be pretty horrifically drunk twenty pages in.
Not only that, but it followed the same structure of scenes for 300 or so pages;
1 - scene at the hospital with a wave of patients coming in.
2 - scene with either Kenan or Layla.
3 - scene where Khawf shows another hallucination. This can wear readers down, especially if it's 400-odd pages long.
I also wanted to learn more about Syria going into this book, but it left the historical context pretty much alone, which is a shame. I shall be seeking more books about Syria in the future.
I will close off this review by mentioning the vague impression I got that the author put a lot of herself in this book. Salama feels like her, especially based on interests. Furthermore, with Kenan and Salama, I desperately wanted more than just the odd quivering sigh of longing and fluttering eyelashes. I think the writer held back for personal reasons.
She is by no means a bad writer, but I'd like to see her flex more of her potential writing prowess. There were certain moments in this book where we could catch glimpses of it. We'll see what she does next if she does write another book. I'd like to see more.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My only critique for this book was that it dragged in certain parts, leaning heavily into gaming references and labrynthine computer expertise. Its philosophical nature was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in the way that it made me turn back and read it again and again and again, savouring it every time I put it down for the day. But a curse in that it haunted me with an aftertaste of wishing I could write as triumphantly as this author does.
And god, Sam was so annoying. Like, COMMUNICATE, for the love of all things SANE.
A poignant poetic read that I will likely return to at some point in the future. A book that felt distinctively human, and is one that I would endow a place in my top ten books I have ever read.
And god, Sam was so annoying. Like, COMMUNICATE, for the love of all things SANE.
A poignant poetic read that I will likely return to at some point in the future. A book that felt distinctively human, and is one that I would endow a place in my top ten books I have ever read.
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I did like the plot, but overall, it wasn't really my vibe.
"Only in silence the word, only in dark the light, only in dying life: bright the hawk's flight on the empty sky."
"Only in silence the word, only in dark the light, only in dying life: bright the hawk's flight on the empty sky."
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes