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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
Between a 3 and a 4. This was a dual timeline book with a modern day story of a Syrian family that become refugees as well as an ancient fantasy story.
I loved the modern day story. It was so beautifully written and there are scenes I keep thinking about.
I found it hard to get into the ancient story with the fantastical monsters and although I could appreciate the two stories taking the same journey I didn't feel they linked together much and I found the switching distracting because I wanted to stay with Nour and family.
Read as part of the shelterbox bookclub.
I loved the modern day story. It was so beautifully written and there are scenes I keep thinking about.
I found it hard to get into the ancient story with the fantastical monsters and although I could appreciate the two stories taking the same journey I didn't feel they linked together much and I found the switching distracting because I wanted to stay with Nour and family.
Read as part of the shelterbox bookclub.
This is such a beautifully written book. Telling two stories side by side throughout the book, one of three girls, with a focus on Nour who have left the US for Syria and the story of Rawiya who leaves home to discover the world and become a cartographer, these stories just bloom as this book goes on.
The story is beautifully written, descriptive and elegant. The Map Of Salt And Stars is really such a fantastic read and once you have started it is impossible to stop but also once finished really hard to stop thinking about - the plight Nour’s family goes through in this book grips your compassion and if it doesn’t make you want to do something, I don’t know what will.
The characters feel so relateable, though their situation is so different, characters such as Zahra and Nour remind me of me and my sister, we are so very different and I think that adds to the story and it makes you connect to it, empathising with the characters on another level.
A stunning book, you will find it difficult to forget it.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley for a honest review).
The story is beautifully written, descriptive and elegant. The Map Of Salt And Stars is really such a fantastic read and once you have started it is impossible to stop but also once finished really hard to stop thinking about - the plight Nour’s family goes through in this book grips your compassion and if it doesn’t make you want to do something, I don’t know what will.
The characters feel so relateable, though their situation is so different, characters such as Zahra and Nour remind me of me and my sister, we are so very different and I think that adds to the story and it makes you connect to it, empathising with the characters on another level.
A stunning book, you will find it difficult to forget it.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley for a honest review).
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Islamophobia, War
*to write soon*
dark
emotional
slow-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
Had a difficult time with the narration of Nour. She had such profound thoughts for a young girl but acted and spoke like she didn’t have these amazing epiphanies about people and the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, War
This was a beautifully written book about a family fleeing war in Syria, making their way through the Middle East and across North Africa. It also weaves in a parallel story about the travels of a mapmaker in the 12th Century across the same area.
Having just read American Dirt, it was impossible for me not to compare them. They have similarities -- a family fleeing violence and trying to cross borders that have closed, a mother traveling with a child, and a child who is fascinated by maps. But, where American Dirt stumbles, this book soars. The characters feel like actual people. The situations feel real.
Having just read American Dirt, it was impossible for me not to compare them. They have similarities -- a family fleeing violence and trying to cross borders that have closed, a mother traveling with a child, and a child who is fascinated by maps. But, where American Dirt stumbles, this book soars. The characters feel like actual people. The situations feel real.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No