Reviews tagging 'Hate crime'

Blackwater Falls by Ausma Zehanat Khan

5 reviews

cj_mo_2222's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is a unique police procedural that deals with serious topics such as racial and religious prejudice and police corruption and violence. Detective Inaya Rahman is assigned to the horrifying killing of a Syrian student, Razan Elkader. During the investigation, Inaya must deal with the prejudices of the local citizens towards the victim and herself because they're Muslims. I enjoyed getting to know Inaya and learning about her culture through the scenes with her parents and sisters, and would like to read the next book in the series.

I'm glad I read the book and found it suspenseful and informative. Of all the people I suspected in Razan's death, I was surprised when the truth was revealed. However, it will not be for everyone because of the horrific nature of Razan's death and the detailed descriptions of violence throughout the book.  

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

lisaarnsdorf's review against another edition

emotional informative mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

What an interesting, complicated story. It wove very different perspectives and backgrounds together seamlessly. The story humanized people we so rarely think about outside of faceless groups and stereotypes. Some of the language and syntax was a bit odd, especially the hair “wings,” but learning about the many places the author has lived the language oddities make sense!

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, and Islamophobia

kirayq's review against another edition

Topic-wise it's an important story with very valuable perspectives and experiences. Writing-wise it did not draw me in, and with so many books available to me, I find it hard to choose this one as the one to pick up. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Hate crime, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Grief, Murder, and Colonisation

louisekf's review

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Grief, and Religious bigotry

uranaishi's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Gore, Infidelity, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, War, and Classism

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicide, Vomit, Dementia, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, and Alcohol