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saphfics's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I think the author did a decent job with writing a very patriarchal society and the different effects it can have on very differen women. As well as how the (lack of) privileges different characters have will change how they approach the issue of women's right. The worlbuilding of the cityitself was quite vivid but when it comes to the religion I was left with many questions
At times it felt very on the nose with the way it handled its themes and there was a lot of repetition. Mostly to contrast the two main characters which again felt very on the nose. The story does delve I to why the two are so different and I do appreciate that.
I do feel like the two mains were very distinctive and had their own distinctive voices. However there was an imbalance to how much screen time I felt each of them were getting. Especially in the beginning. Which kind of makes me sad because I feel like we lost some characterization for both that character and the daughters of izdihar as a whole.
All around a pretty engaging read, mostly towards the end. I will read the last part of the book to see how it ends
Graphic: Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Moderate: Abortion, Gun violence, and Police brutality
Minor: War
kittyfan9hh's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Police brutality, Sexism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Classism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Abortion, Death, Stalking, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Homophobia, and Confinement
mamaowlbear's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Police brutality, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Gun violence, and Lesbophobia
smoore236's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Xenophobia, Sexism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Hate crime, Death, and Misogyny
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual harassment, and Outing
quinnyquinnquinn's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Classism, Police brutality, Misogyny, Violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Medical trauma, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Homophobia
Minor: Alcohol, Abortion, Grief, Child abuse, and Confinement
ellieanor's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence and Sexual harassment
glass_carousel's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Classism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Abortion, Vomit, Abandonment, and War
ender24's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Murder, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, War, Xenophobia, Ableism, Biphobia, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Grief, Gun violence, Lesbophobia, Mass/school shootings, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Outing, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Hate crime, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, and Violence
netthauser's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Classism, Gaslighting, and Homophobia
blkbbyfem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
To be honest, I found myself extremely annoyed for the first 60% of this book. Both fmc were annoying. Nehal was so selfish and a tad naive while Giorgina
had a lot of internal conflict. Although I found them annoying, I thought their struggles were authentic, relevant and interesting given their family dynamics. I also enjoyed how their characters develop. The conflict they had to experience was perfectly done and I’m really looking forward to how the story continues and what’s next for the ladies.
Other thoughts: there were a lot of characters to keep up with but I enjoyed what personality each of them brought. The men were horrible and Elsbai deserves credit for authenticity. There was also a lot of repetitive description ie “wide dark eyes”, a little variety or less description would have been okay.
Graphic: Violence and Gun violence
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual harassment
Minor: Abortion and Homophobia