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theofficialzhang's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
4.75
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
*REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE*
*REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE*
Themes: Family, Anti-Iranian Racism, Addiction
Representation: Half-Iranian main characters, Black side character, Vietnamese side character, Bisexual and Iranian side character
Content Warnings: Alcoholism, Racism, Addiction
Premise: Samira and Henry are both having troubles with their family. So they decide to take a DNA test to try to find their dad, only to be matched with each other! This leads them on a wild goose chase to find out what happened to their dad.
Characters
My favourite thing about this book is that it focused more on familial relationships rather than romantic ones (though one of the main characters DOES have a girlfriend). I mean, after all, it is a book about family. However, it is refreshing to see that because many books in general, tend to focus mostly on romantic relationships. BUT, familial relationships are just as important as romance!
The story starts with Samira’s narration. You are instantly drawn in by her voice, her frustrations, and her character. The problems that Samira faces, trying to keep her “fractured family from falling apart,” are pretty relatable to many youths. As you read about Samira’s problems, you can probably relate to how she feels and how she reacts to her issues regarding her family.
Though she’s not perfect and can be harsh at times (she’s human after all), you sympathize with her. You wish that she doesn’t have to deal with what she had to deal with. And she also grows and develops and heals as a character.
As for Henry, his character draws you in more slowly. Initially, he seems to be the “typical YA male protagonist” who plays hockey and has a girlfriend. However, as you read on, you start to realize that like Samira, he too, faces issues with his family. You start to root for him as well. Wishing that he too, can resolve his relationships with his parents.
As for Samira and Henry’s relationship, I thought it was well written. Though they are skeptical of each other at first, they learn to trust each other and developpe a sibling relationship where they support each other and help each other grow!
Finally, a book isn’t complete without its side characters. I liked how the author brought in Samira’s brother, Henry’s girlfriend, and their other family members. Though these characters do play a supporting role and help the main characters grow, they are also complex in their ways, particularly the family members. (I do wish the friends had a bit more complexity to them though….) They also have their own issues, and as you read the book, you cannot help but root for them.
Overall, props to the author for writing good, complex characters!
Rating: 4.8/5
Plot
Although this story is more character-based, the author doesn’t neglect the plot as well!
The author effectively uses the “plot mountain” to hook readers in. Setting up a nice exposition that introduces the characters, their problem, and their “goal”: which is for Samira and Henry to “embark on a search together for the Iranian immigrant and U.S. Army veteran father they never knew.”
In the rising action of the book, the author adds obstacles that the two siblings face that hinder them from meeting their “goal.” Making them wonder: is this a good idea? Making you, the reader wonder: what will happen? Which keeps you on your toes as you are invested in your journey.
And though the climax and end of the story are predictable, I think the author does a pretty good job with them. She wraps up the story nicely, leaving you with no more questions to ask and giving you a satisfying ending.
Rating: 4.7/5
Style
For the general formatting of the book, the author writes in dual points-of-view in the third-person, past tense. The chapters tend to be shorter so it is slightly faster-paced. This also allows the author to switch fluidly between both points of view.
As for the themes in the book, I think they are generally well-represented.
First of all, at the centre of the book, family is the focus. It is the main theme in the book considering that Samira and Henry are half-siblings that are looking for their dad. It answers the question “What does family mean?” Can family members that have been separated reunite? Can we forgive the actions of our family members? And the author addresses the nuances and complexity of family. Also, I like how family plays a huge role in the books which is, again, not something you see in many YA books.
The other main themes are more serious: addiction and racism. I won’t say too much about the first theme as it spoils some of the book other than that the author does a good job at addressing the complexity of addiction and not painting people who face these addictions as “monsters” but rather, complex people. For racism, I think it is well-addressed. The author is half-Iranian and truly pays homage to her main characters who are also half-Iranian. She also addresses the very real racism that Iranians face because, unfortunately, racism is still very prevalent today.
Finally, one of my favourite things about this book is that the author uses real-life experiences to write this story, which I think is pretty cool!
Rating: 4.8/5
Final Rating
Characters: 4.8/5
Plot: 4.7/5
Formatting: 4.8/5
Final Rating: 4.8/5 (round to 4.75 stars)
Personal Rating: 4.5/5
Date Read: July 11th, 2023
Date Reviewed: July 11th, 2023
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Racism, and Addiction
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Sexual content
jkneebone's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Search for Us is told in the alternating perspectives of half-siblings Samira Murphy and Henry Owen, both of whom are seniors in high school. Samira is an "over-functioner" who lives with her grandmother and older brother Kamron. Her grandfather recently passed away, and her mother lives in a different state; since her grandfather's death, Samira has taken on the responsibility of helping her grandmother pay the bills and trying to keep Kamron, who is an alcoholic, on the path to recovery. Henry is an ice hockey player who plays a balancing game with the adults in the life - he lives with his aunt and uncle, who are his adoptive parents, but his bio-mom is still in the picture, and there is a lot of tension between her and her sister (Henry's adoptive mom).
At the beginning of the story, Samira and Henry have no idea that the other exists, but both feel the loss of not having their father, Mohammed Safavi, in their lives. None of the adults in their lives know (or are willing to share) anything about Mohammed's whereabouts. Samira wants to get in contact with her dad so he can pay the back child support he owes their mother, allowing her to pay for a treatment program for Kamron and her tuition to her dream school. Henry wants to know more about where he comes from, especially as he prepares to play hockey in college, something he isn't sure he wants to do. With the goal of finding their dad, both Samira and Henry are encouraged to take DNA tests (Samira by her best friend Tara, and Henry by his girlfriend Linh). They don't find their father, but they do connect with each other, which is the start of an intense journey to find out what happened to Mohammed Safavi.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I don't want to say too much for fear of spoiling anything, but I thought Henry and Samira were both interesting, well-developed characters. I loved how quickly they fell into closeness upon discovering that they were half-siblings (although as an only child, there may have been some envy involved on my part there). I thought Azim Boyer did a great job of crafting interesting worlds around each of the characters - they dynamics between Henry and his parents, Henry and Linh, as well as Samira and her family (especially Kamron) and Tara. My main complaint, and the reason I gave the book 3.5 stars instead of 4, was that it felt like everything was tied up too neatly in the end, to the point that certain things seemed to have been swept under the rug. I understand that this is a YA book, which probably made the author more inclined to wrap things up neatly instead of leaving the reader hanging, but there was an aspect of the story that to me would have felt more authentic if it had ended a little more messily.
That being said, I thought this was a great read. It kept my attention the whole way through, and I loved that it focused on friendship and familial relationships instead of romance. It dealt with heavy topics in a thoughtful way, and I'm sure it could inspire lots of good discussion. Definitely recommend.
(Thanks to NetGalley for access to the ARC!)
At the beginning of the story, Samira and Henry have no idea that the other exists, but both feel the loss of not having their father, Mohammed Safavi, in their lives. None of the adults in their lives know (or are willing to share) anything about Mohammed's whereabouts. Samira wants to get in contact with her dad so he can pay the back child support he owes their mother, allowing her to pay for a treatment program for Kamron and her tuition to her dream school. Henry wants to know more about where he comes from, especially as he prepares to play hockey in college, something he isn't sure he wants to do. With the goal of finding their dad, both Samira and Henry are encouraged to take DNA tests (Samira by her best friend Tara, and Henry by his girlfriend Linh). They don't find their father, but they do connect with each other, which is the start of an intense journey to find out what happened to Mohammed Safavi.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I don't want to say too much for fear of spoiling anything, but I thought Henry and Samira were both interesting, well-developed characters. I loved how quickly they fell into closeness upon discovering that they were half-siblings (although as an only child, there may have been some envy involved on my part there). I thought Azim Boyer did a great job of crafting interesting worlds around each of the characters - they dynamics between Henry and his parents, Henry and Linh, as well as Samira and her family (especially Kamron) and Tara. My main complaint, and the reason I gave the book 3.5 stars instead of 4, was that it felt like everything was tied up too neatly in the end, to the point that certain things seemed to have been swept under the rug. I understand that this is a YA book, which probably made the author more inclined to wrap things up neatly instead of leaving the reader hanging, but there was an aspect of the story that to me would have felt more authentic if it had ended a little more messily.
That being said, I thought this was a great read. It kept my attention the whole way through, and I loved that it focused on friendship and familial relationships instead of romance. It dealt with heavy topics in a thoughtful way, and I'm sure it could inspire lots of good discussion. Definitely recommend.
(Thanks to NetGalley for access to the ARC!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Islamophobia
Moderate: Addiction, Chronic illness, Abandonment, and Mental illness
Minor: Death, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
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