natcommon's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 ish stars.
I read this for the Mock Printz Award discussion for work. I feel like the author had a lot of passion with this story. And it’s an important topic but it seems the narrative suffered and it wasn’t executed in the best way to be a more powerful story. I would have possibly been better if it was shorter.
I read this for the Mock Printz Award discussion for work. I feel like the author had a lot of passion with this story. And it’s an important topic but it seems the narrative suffered and it wasn’t executed in the best way to be a more powerful story. I would have possibly been better if it was shorter.
cbeghuin's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Islamophobia, Confinement, Physical abuse, and Police brutality
leila_reads_too_much's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Child death, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Deportation
hegevic's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? No
5.0
itadakinasu's review against another edition
Real internment camps:
Internment camps in this book:
I got about 25% into Internment before I had to give up. I know that if the book continues along these lines (and other reviews confirm that it does), I will end up hating it and regretting any further time spent on it.
Reasons I gave up:
* Layla is TSTL - sarcastic at the wrong times, puts herself and others in danger unnecessarily, only thinks about her boyfriend
* The camps are described as prison-like and traumatizing, yet no one gets hurt/disappears
* Guards are described as violent, racist pieces of garbage but are all talk and no action
* Unnecessary use of metaphors and long, flowing descriptions that add nothing of value
* Hastily put-together world with one-dimensional characters
Comparing the camps in this book to real internment/concentration camps is borderline insulting. Starvation, euthanasia, indiscriminate beatings, brands/tattoos, meaningless and abusive physical labor, and communal toilets/showers are but a tiny slice of real internment camps. (None of those things is present in Internment btw.)
I'm disappointed because there's real potential in works like this. Some parts have meaningful messages and if done well could help non-Muslim readers open their minds/hearts to Islam. I hope Muslims, especially Muslim Americans will continue publishing their stories because it is sorely needed. That being said, lazy writing is lazy writing.
Internment camps in this book:
I got about 25% into Internment before I had to give up. I know that if the book continues along these lines (and other reviews confirm that it does), I will end up hating it and regretting any further time spent on it.
Reasons I gave up:
* Layla is TSTL - sarcastic at the wrong times, puts herself and others in danger unnecessarily, only thinks about her boyfriend
* The camps are described as prison-like and traumatizing, yet no one gets hurt/disappears
* Guards are described as violent, racist pieces of garbage but are all talk and no action
* Unnecessary use of metaphors and long, flowing descriptions that add nothing of value
* Hastily put-together world with one-dimensional characters
Comparing the camps in this book to real internment/concentration camps is borderline insulting. Starvation, euthanasia, indiscriminate beatings, brands/tattoos, meaningless and abusive physical labor, and communal toilets/showers are but a tiny slice of real internment camps. (None of those things is present in Internment btw.)
I'm disappointed because there's real potential in works like this. Some parts have meaningful messages and if done well could help non-Muslim readers open their minds/hearts to Islam. I hope Muslims, especially Muslim Americans will continue publishing their stories because it is sorely needed. That being said, lazy writing is lazy writing.
nessasita's review against another edition
3.0
loved the concept of the book but unfortunately for me, it fell short. I think the execution of the book was slightly off which is really sad to say because the beginning of the book showed such promise.
sydneyraereads's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
5.0
deservingporcupine's review against another edition
3.0
A book I will very positively book talk to my 8th graders. So many important issues and a lot of relevant history are introduced in a fast-paced plot. The author says writing this book was an act of resistance in itself and I agree. The parts about building rebellion in the camp were powerful and inspiring.
However, as an adult reader I found the story heavy handed, especially in the beginning. Instead of getting to know the people, we were introduced to the issues. I’m not entirely sure how that will go over with young adult readers, but it didn’t work for me. And the love trianglish thing really, really did not feel right in this one. The idea that all the evil in the camp was just the responsibility of one really bad guy (and, off course, the president) felt a bit like a cop out, too.
However, as an adult reader I found the story heavy handed, especially in the beginning. Instead of getting to know the people, we were introduced to the issues. I’m not entirely sure how that will go over with young adult readers, but it didn’t work for me. And the love trianglish thing really, really did not feel right in this one. The idea that all the evil in the camp was just the responsibility of one really bad guy (and, off course, the president) felt a bit like a cop out, too.
oliviawright1014's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
illidia316's review against another edition
4.0
This book hurt my heart. It touches on very important topics that are extremely relevant to our very near future, and does so in a way that allows the reader to experience the horror firsthand. The characters are all great, but don’t get too attached because some do not make it to the end. While this book is a hard read, I definitely recommend it to anyone concerned about our future.