Reviews

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

Only show reviews with written explanations

pageobsessed17's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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

ezramol's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a very sweet story and I'm glad to have read it. What I appreciate the most is how skillfully it touches on the importance of one's culture through a very relatable story. While the romance was lovely I especially enjoyed the sister&sister relationship, though the overall dynamic of the family was sometimes hard to read (poor baby Nishat) it was realistic and well portrayed. I had a nice time

kiri_and_baki's review against another edition

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5.0

4.75

elizabethmalousek's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

tenshifae's review against another edition

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4.0

3.75 rounded up.

The Henna Wars is a sweet story that explores the first real feelings a lesbian girl experiences. It discusses it in such a way that gives you those butterfly feelings, and the anxiety that comes from it. Nishat experiences the flurry of your feelings exploding in front of you and watching as your world changes in a terrifying way.

The Henna Wars is not simply a love story though, and it does explicitly explore the racism experienced by Nishat as a Bengali girl in Ireland. As I was reading this book, I almost wanted a split POV to be able to explore some of the thought process of Flavia and the feelings. However, I do completely understand the decision and love being able to see Nishat's world as she perceives it. The way that she is able to face the things said about her at school, and even done to her. This book shows the multifaceted experience of queer POC women in a white society and done in a way that it still leaves you with butterflies knowing that regardless of these things you can still experience love for another.

TW: racism and homophobia