The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
ka_cam's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Stalking, Pregnancy, Blood, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol and Medical content
shesheshelby's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, Violence, Misogyny, Gore, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, Blood, Body horror, Death, Islamophobia, Medical content, Murder, and Xenophobia
jess_michiko'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? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Rape, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Racism, Sexism, Islamophobia, and Death
Moderate: Medical content and Sexual assault
Minor: Animal cruelty
criticalgayze'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
3.0
I will start with the lessons I learned from this book that I hope to carry into my 30s:
- Standing up for yourself and your needs is always the right decision
- It is never inconvenient to build and maintain community
Now, for my actual review:
If the book had been just the first 2/3s of the final text, I would maybe have given it somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars. Like many Reese picks, it was a little on the nose with its themes and values, but it was intense and emotionally affecting in the way it seemed to want to be. I did feel like it was still largely westernized in its lens, but I thought that was fine, especially as the author has similar cultural connections from my understanding.
The book started to lose me when Smita suddenly realized, seemingly out of nowhere, that she was starting to love India again, despite having had no positive experiences other than her budding relationship with Mohan. When a book struggles that bad with setting up where it wants to go, I know it is going to lose me. But even then, I didn't think I'd fall off as bad as I did.
I also found it interesting that Smita never resolves the truth of her work with her father, who is dropped fairly quickly after the "revelation" at the start of Book Two.
This, combined with Daisy Jones and Crawdads, confirms for me that I am probably not the reader for Reese's literary fiction picks. We'll just have to agree to disagree there.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Murder, Xenophobia, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Blood, Medical trauma, and Medical content
aayaannaa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Classism, Domestic abuse, Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, Medical content, Death of parent, Rape, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Blood, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, Murder, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Racism
candournat'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Torture, Racism, Sexism, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Alcohol, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Islamophobia, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, and Sexual assault
laurxndxx'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? No
5.0
Honour is an excruciating book to read, but only because it opens your eyes to the harsh reality other people are facing in different countries. I think this book should be taught in schools to make others aware of their privilege.
Indian American journalist Sima arrives back in India since the time her family were driven out and moved to America years before. She ends up following the story of Meena, a woman who was burnt, and her husband murdered. All because of his religion and her culture. Reporting on her story Sima becomes aware of how unfair the justice system can be, and unlocks similar memories to her childhood.It’s a heartbreaking story and is a one that will stay with me forever.Â
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Emotional abuse, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Hate crime, Sexual violence, Torture, Medical trauma, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Stalking, Misogyny, Murder, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault
aguattery's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
That being said, the second half was particularly emotional for me. Usually books make me feel things but I don't have a physical reaction. This one actually made meshed a few tears. There were some twists and turns that were very well done.Â
Graphic: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content and Torture
Minor: Vomit, Blood, and Terminal illness