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bsmorris's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written from two points of view, this novel explores both sides of the debate over immigration and the status of refugees in Australia, along with the consequences of anti-Muslim bigotry. I really enjoyed the development of the two protagonists, and the debate is incorporated realistically without being pedantic. Although the novel deals with difficult topics, it is overall uplifting and encouraging. An excellent choice for classroom use.
erainbow8's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up. Read this book for a work based book club. I agree with other reviewers that it was a little slow and definitely focused more on the issues / themes than the development of the story itself. However, I think the topic is important and underrepresented in YA books, so points for that!
joonswifey's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars?
i liked the story. it was a nice message. i am muslim, so this made me feel some typa way. it made me tear up sometimes because i really felt for mina and i wanted only good things for this sweet, sweet girl.
i just thought the writing too basic (very very clearly young adult) and the storyline pretty predictable. it wasnt the greatest thing ive ever read but i am so glad books like these are being written. and ya know...i always like a little enemies-to-lovers hahaha
i liked the story. it was a nice message. i am muslim, so this made me feel some typa way. it made me tear up sometimes because i really felt for mina and i wanted only good things for this sweet, sweet girl.
i just thought the writing too basic (very very clearly young adult) and the storyline pretty predictable. it wasnt the greatest thing ive ever read but i am so glad books like these are being written. and ya know...i always like a little enemies-to-lovers hahaha
pixelski's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars holy gosh this was beautiful! So relevant and unflinching. I loved Mina's perspective and the way she challenged everybody around her. Everybody needs to read this, not just Aussies. It brings to the surface the debates surrounding refugees, but also multiculturalism/cultural identity. Full review to come on blog tour.
sheltwr's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
saidtheraina's review against another edition
4.0
Romeo, Juliet and the Right/Left Schism.
In Australia.
So yeah, that's basically it. Guy comes from a conservative family, girl comes from an immigrant family. She gets a scholarship to his swanky private school and they culture clash from the getgo.
There's no mistaking which side the author comes from, which story she's telling. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. This is pretty much propaganda for stuff I believe in with a thin veil of high school romance.
Parts of it were hard for me to read, as someone who was raised relatively conservative and then shifted my paradigm in college. My partner asked me why I was cranky one day, and this book seemed to be the cause. These things can be fraught. They hit me deep.
As far as ages go, I was reading this as a contender for my annual outreach visits to all the local schools. And although the publisher recommends this down to 7th grade (which occasionally means really 6th because they mean all of middle school and middle school in my school district includes 6th), this is definitely one I'll be taking to high school instead. It doesn't get hot and heavy, but there's a smattering of cursing, some pot and alcohol use, and obviously nuanced issues to consider.
Edit to add:
Booktalked this at local high schools in 2018, basically just reading the page where they talk about the difference in expectations between fancy and not-so-fancy schools (see the quote I liked from the book). Seemed to really connect with the teens.
In Australia.
So yeah, that's basically it. Guy comes from a conservative family, girl comes from an immigrant family. She gets a scholarship to his swanky private school and they culture clash from the getgo.
There's no mistaking which side the author comes from, which story she's telling. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. This is pretty much propaganda for stuff I believe in with a thin veil of high school romance.
Parts of it were hard for me to read, as someone who was raised relatively conservative and then shifted my paradigm in college. My partner asked me why I was cranky one day, and this book seemed to be the cause. These things can be fraught. They hit me deep.
As far as ages go, I was reading this as a contender for my annual outreach visits to all the local schools. And although the publisher recommends this down to 7th grade (which occasionally means really 6th because they mean all of middle school and middle school in my school district includes 6th), this is definitely one I'll be taking to high school instead. It doesn't get hot and heavy, but there's a smattering of cursing, some pot and alcohol use, and obviously nuanced issues to consider.
Edit to add:
Booktalked this at local high schools in 2018, basically just reading the page where they talk about the difference in expectations between fancy and not-so-fancy schools (see the quote I liked from the book). Seemed to really connect with the teens.
sbubbletrouble's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
3.5
aahhhhlyssa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.75
purrfectpages's review against another edition
4.0
Mina and Michael come from different worlds. Michael growing up in a life of sheltered privilege, Mina in a life of escapism and survival. When their paths cross, it seems these two will never see eye to eye. But as time passes, they not only learn to see things differently, but they learn to see the world through each other's eyes.
Although this book is centered around a cultural divide, it reminded me a bit of Romeo and Juliet. Of course this story isn't nearly as heavy handed as the Shakespearean classic. That's not to say that this book doesn't deal with hard hitting issues though, because it does. It just sort of skims the surface, however, instead of digging deeper. It's perfect fare for those (perhaps teens) who want to learn about the harshness of the world, without all of the cruel details that come with it.
Although this book is centered around a cultural divide, it reminded me a bit of Romeo and Juliet. Of course this story isn't nearly as heavy handed as the Shakespearean classic. That's not to say that this book doesn't deal with hard hitting issues though, because it does. It just sort of skims the surface, however, instead of digging deeper. It's perfect fare for those (perhaps teens) who want to learn about the harshness of the world, without all of the cruel details that come with it.
romantasybooklover's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
This book was literally so good!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs