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julierambaeck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Suicide, Self harm, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, and Toxic friendship
audreyyu213's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Some notes:
- 1st Person POV
- melancholic, deep read; opens you up
- writing is absolutely captivating and leaves a raw and bittersweet feeling
- the wording, phrases, and descriptions are insane like they are so vivid; had to pause to just process them
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, and Self harm
Moderate: Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Medical content, Terminal illness, Islamophobia, and Bullying
Minor: Misogyny
creatingavery's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Islamophobia, Mental illness, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Medical content and Physical abuse
mezzano's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Despite the clear trauma that the outside world has placed upon Shadi, I appreciated that the historical notes did not detract from the nuances of Shadi's struggle as a teenager. Shadi's Muslim identity was effortlessly woven in the narrative and yet was not used as a mechanism for pity. Shadi instead grappled with her faith after repeated trauma, and questioned her ability to trust others as a result of the discrimination she faced over the past year. Shadi's personal issues and the crux of the story wasn't about 9/11. It was about whether or not Shadi should give a friend the opportunity for a romantic relationship, or force herself to remain at her current social status quo. While external factors such as her family posed challenges for Shadi, at the end of the day, this novel is about Shadi's own growth. Shadi shines in this story, even when she feels she's about to break. She's allowed to solve her own issues, even as the world and others have their own to figure out.
Graphic: Islamophobia, Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Racism
Minor: Xenophobia and Police brutality
stevielynne's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Car accident, Child death, Death, Grief, Islamophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Blood