v_larr's review against another edition
3.0
My toxic trait is that I can read entire books only hours before book club meetings.
RTC.
RTC.
morganbrabender's review against another edition
5.0
This story has woven its way into my heart and changed me for the better. As I started reading this book I knew that it was one of THOSE books- the books that MEAN something. Salama’s story is heartbreaking, and it was the reality for so many people. I cried my way through this book as I read of the horrors of the Syrian Revolution, but also as I read about the LOVE of a country and of family. My heart is heavy. Zoulfa Katouh is an incredible author and this book is a must-read.
bebobel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
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
5.0
ljbaker's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
tnewcomb30's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
Wow. This book is amazing. Highly recommend the audio.
njw13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
llamadrama's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
This book was beautiful Need more recognitionblessing_aj's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
“Nothing lasts forever, not even pain.”
Deeply evocative and one of the most accessible young adult novel, set in the midst of a war that I have ever read. My heart was literally in my mouth through out this read. The foreshadowing and imagery is everything, yet the Layla plot twist caught me off guard. The narrator rendered the audio production beautifully.
I liked that it is so much more than a story about surviving a war, but about all aspects of living, such as finding love, processing loss, coping with grief and managing anxiety in the most uncertain circumstances. It was just as Layla said “Life is more than just survival, Salama”.
Sometimes, because the protagonist in fictional war stories are focused on carrying the reader along with the sights and sounds of the unfolding tragedy, one may not be able to say exactly what their state of mind is. I love that Salama wears her heart on her sleeve, proudly in this novel and at other the times when she was felt defeated by her actions, I was proud on her behalf.
Her plight in Syria was a nightmare and I cannot imagine what her life would have been without Kenan and vice versa. In the same vein, I couldn’t help imagining the horrific experiences of the real life victims of this conflict, both for the fortunate ones who made it out, the ones who tried but never got to their destination and for the ones who couldn’t even attempt to get away.
This was a powerful her debut, and I can’t wait to see what Zoulfa Katouh does with her second book, if and when she writes it.