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soupisreading's review
2.0
*A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
DNF-ed at 55%
I was interested in this book for a variety of reasons: the protagonist is trying to find herself, she has an internship as an illustrator, and it's set in New York. The romance is secondary, the hearing her ancestor's voices was a different take on the typical contemporary romance coming-of-age genre.
Despite this book being told from Zainab's perspective, it lacked a lot of depth. I do understand the uncertainty and the desire to stand on your feet at a young age in a new land, but eventually, you'll need to draw the line somewhere. Zainab's living on an internship allowance, moved into a place that's well above her means, constantly going out, drinking beers, and it's revolving around that and seeking love and someone to take her virginity for the past 55% of this book. It gets boring, and I'm sure there's a lot of development in the next half of the book, but I can't bear to continue.
DNF-ed at 55%
I was interested in this book for a variety of reasons: the protagonist is trying to find herself, she has an internship as an illustrator, and it's set in New York. The romance is secondary, the hearing her ancestor's voices was a different take on the typical contemporary romance coming-of-age genre.
Despite this book being told from Zainab's perspective, it lacked a lot of depth. I do understand the uncertainty and the desire to stand on your feet at a young age in a new land, but eventually, you'll need to draw the line somewhere. Zainab's living on an internship allowance, moved into a place that's well above her means, constantly going out, drinking beers, and it's revolving around that and seeking love and someone to take her virginity for the past 55% of this book. It gets boring, and I'm sure there's a lot of development in the next half of the book, but I can't bear to continue.
jojobirrd's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
danniphantomreads's review
2.0
I was really excited about a coming-of-age novel starring a woman of color and it left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. DNF-Did Not Finish at 67%. Zainab, the main character, had a one-track mind revolving around her virginity. I can understand how virginity is important but yikes. The comment from another character basically calling her pathetic for being a 20-year-old virgin didn't sit right with me either. Sexual peer pressure has always been a societal issue when it surrounds the construct of virginity and the way it's used to control a woman's body and even the way they perceive their own bodies. This book was just not my cup of tea.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Accent for the access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Accent for the access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
whimsicallymeghan's review
3.5
Zainab’s lifelong dream is to become an illustrator and so in order to do that, she makes a plan to move from her town in Ghana to the big city that is New York. There she makes new friends and is reacquainted with old ones, shaping the way of her new life. To add to it all, her love life is chaotic and she begins to hear the voices of her ancestors in her head. These three distinct voices soon help her be her guide, if she chooses to listen to them. For a debut novel, this was really clever and well written. There were elements this reader really enjoyed, they just needed more of a polishing. The overall plot of our main character, Zainab, moving to the big city to find herself, only to be met with ancestral voices put such a fun spin on a story that has been told many times before. The reader really enjoyed getting to know, not only the three voices, but through them we got to know Zainab better, too. It led to some really entertaining scenes and great character development all while feeling really heartwarming. What the reader could have left behind was the insistent need Zainab felt for losing her virginity. It got to the point where the reader was like can it happen already so we can stop talking about it – but then it did happen and we were still talking about. Yes, this was a big turning point for Zainab, the reader understood that, but it didn’t feel like it was necessary to keep coming back to it. It was like the author was trying to write a romance, but the scenes were sprinkled in and they didn’t have a lot spark most of the time, so it was a little lacklustre to read. The reader will say though, some of it was very relatable. There were moments throughout that the reader found a little clunky to read, but as this was this author’s debut, it leaves room for improvement and to get better and this reader would love to see where Attah’s writing goes from here. As for the characters, they were fun and well developed. The reader liked how each of them had their own story and how their stories found their way being incorporated into Zainab’s story. The way they were all so connected and there for each other, even at the worst of times, sometimes. It was nice to read about this community of friends who they could all count on, who were trying to make a way for themselves, it was very uplifting to read. The different characters all had these little quirks to them that made them memorable, especially Zainab’s new friend Mary Grace, she was hilarious yet supportive. The reader wasn’t sure how this was all going to wrap up, but it did a good job of bringing everything full circle and in a happy way. It made it so that things were on the road to being better and brighter without telling too much or leaving it ambiguous. In the end, a well written novel that had a lot of heart and potential.
esdeecarlson's review
3.0
**This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.**
3 stars
A fun coming-of-age story about a young artist who hears the voices of her female ancestors in her head. The book was charming, and very neatly portrayed the internal struggles of trying to “discover” yourself while torn between differing expectations, from others and yourself, of who you’re supposed to be. Zainab isn’t perfect, and watching her stumble makes her feel very human.
The actual story felt clumsy at times. The beginning was very slow, only seeming to find a comfortable pace after a few chapters. Zainab’s problems were consistently introduced as Big Deals and then handwaved-away in later chapters, often being solved by other characters without much real change on Zainab’s part. The ending didn’t feel like much of a resolution; the story just stopped.
Overall, the novel was sweet, but did not make a great lasting impression on me. It would make a lovely summer read, especially for someone starting a new chapter in their life at the end of adolescence/beginning of adulthood.
3 stars
A fun coming-of-age story about a young artist who hears the voices of her female ancestors in her head. The book was charming, and very neatly portrayed the internal struggles of trying to “discover” yourself while torn between differing expectations, from others and yourself, of who you’re supposed to be. Zainab isn’t perfect, and watching her stumble makes her feel very human.
The actual story felt clumsy at times. The beginning was very slow, only seeming to find a comfortable pace after a few chapters. Zainab’s problems were consistently introduced as Big Deals and then handwaved-away in later chapters, often being solved by other characters without much real change on Zainab’s part. The ending didn’t feel like much of a resolution; the story just stopped.
Overall, the novel was sweet, but did not make a great lasting impression on me. It would make a lovely summer read, especially for someone starting a new chapter in their life at the end of adolescence/beginning of adulthood.
ballen790's review
3.0
I thought this was a nice coming of age story. I was thrown off by the English/UK terms and the setting being New York but thats probably just a me thing.
I like Zainab. She is moving forward and trying to get what she wants done and trying to create a life for herself. I liked how she moved when she felt the need to and stayed true to her wants. She honored her family. She connected with others. She stood up for her self. She questioned situations and she listened to her inner dialogue (and ancestors).
I wouldn’t really consider this a romance but she did have a few crushes. I do like that in the end she was able to have more discernment. Alex wasn’t all that. Or maybe we just didn’t get enough development of him. He seemed okay but Zainab seemed so invested when I didn’t think there was a need to be. I’m glad she had friends and ancestors to help her to think about what was best for her.
At that age, there are so many different things to focus on: career, relationships, family. Zainab used the discernment instilled in her from her ancestors and her own understanding of her situations to help her move forward.
I like Zainab. She is moving forward and trying to get what she wants done and trying to create a life for herself. I liked how she moved when she felt the need to and stayed true to her wants. She honored her family. She connected with others. She stood up for her self. She questioned situations and she listened to her inner dialogue (and ancestors).
I wouldn’t really consider this a romance but she did have a few crushes. I do like that in the end she was able to have more discernment. Alex wasn’t all that. Or maybe we just didn’t get enough development of him. He seemed okay but Zainab seemed so invested when I didn’t think there was a need to be. I’m glad she had friends and ancestors to help her to think about what was best for her.
At that age, there are so many different things to focus on: career, relationships, family. Zainab used the discernment instilled in her from her ancestors and her own understanding of her situations to help her move forward.
bookofcinz's review
3.0
Re-Read April for a panel discussion
I re-read this book for a panel discussion with the author and I am so happy I did because I think I enjoyed it a lot more the second time around. If you are looking to read a book that is a love letter to New York, of a girl who is trying to find her creative identity.
I definitely enjoyed this the second time around.
You know that book that you pick up thinking you would love but it just falls short? This is one of them.
In Zainab Takes New York we meet twenty-something-year-old Zainab who recently moves to New York and is working as an intern at an illustration company. Zainab starts hearing voices, at first there were few but then they become three and they do not stop. Zainab doesn't know what to make of this and is unable to pay for therapy because she is not able afford it. We are taken on an adventure as Zainab tries to find herself, explore New York and learn more about herself.
Honestly, this one did not hit the mark for me. The plot felt underdeveloped, the main character was not interesting, and overall the book felt rushed.
I re-read this book for a panel discussion with the author and I am so happy I did because I think I enjoyed it a lot more the second time around. If you are looking to read a book that is a love letter to New York, of a girl who is trying to find her creative identity.
I definitely enjoyed this the second time around.
You know that book that you pick up thinking you would love but it just falls short? This is one of them.
In Zainab Takes New York we meet twenty-something-year-old Zainab who recently moves to New York and is working as an intern at an illustration company. Zainab starts hearing voices, at first there were few but then they become three and they do not stop. Zainab doesn't know what to make of this and is unable to pay for therapy because she is not able afford it. We are taken on an adventure as Zainab tries to find herself, explore New York and learn more about herself.
Honestly, this one did not hit the mark for me. The plot felt underdeveloped, the main character was not interesting, and overall the book felt rushed.
naomi_grace8's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
axmed's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
3.75
char1otte's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75