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deschatjes's review against another edition
3.0
A most enjoyable read as I prepare to move to the middle east - there's a lot happening - death of a mother, murder of grandmother, multiple sclerosis, falling in love, dealing with islamophobic teachers, friendships, international schools, muslim conversion 3CK, and romance in a muslim context - all very well done
rayzofrem's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing. Brilliant. Heartfelt and so adorable. This book had everything I wanted and more. Halal love all the way!!
panda_incognito's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this book for the Muslim-American Experience category in my Materials for Adolescents class because my best friend read it a while ago and recommended it. I enjoyed the love story, the realistic representation of religious Muslims, the chronic illness representation, and some of the plot points, but I didn't connect with the book as much as I had hoped. Part of this is because I strongly disagreed with a main character's way of interacting with people.
I had a hard time reading about Zayneb's behavior towards people she disagreed with, because her automatic response was to engage in harsh verbal confrontation. I know what it feels like to be an angry person who feels strongly about certain social issues, but I would never shout at, berate, or publicly shame people the way that Zayneb does. During the final quarter of the book, she experiences character development and becomes a gentler person, but it was difficult for me to deal with her harsh, punitive reactions to people. The book also never addresses how greatly her behavior would repel others. People don't change their minds or their lives based on harsh, condemning words and public shaming, but based on invitational, persuasive opportunities to see something from someone else's perspective.
The other main character, Adam, is a much gentler and more relaxed person by nature, and I preferred reading the parts from his perspective. I appreciated the chronic illness representation related to his mother's death from MS and his distress over a recent MS diagnosis. I also liked reading about his family dynamics, and thought that he was a very interesting, well-rounded character. I don't think that the book adequately explained MS for people who aren't familiar with it, especially in terms of more recent treatment options, but his emotional and relational experiences related to chronic illness were very realistic and relatable.
I ended up skimming some through this book, because it includes a lot of unnecessary side characters and side plots that are peripheral to the story or never come up again. I think this book would be much stronger if the author had pared down the cast of characters, events, and vast number of heavy themes to focus more deeply on less. Nonetheless, I would recommend this to readers who are looking for books about Muslim characters or are interested in clean, sweet love stories.
I had a hard time reading about Zayneb's behavior towards people she disagreed with, because her automatic response was to engage in harsh verbal confrontation. I know what it feels like to be an angry person who feels strongly about certain social issues, but I would never shout at, berate, or publicly shame people the way that Zayneb does. During the final quarter of the book, she experiences character development and becomes a gentler person, but it was difficult for me to deal with her harsh, punitive reactions to people. The book also never addresses how greatly her behavior would repel others. People don't change their minds or their lives based on harsh, condemning words and public shaming, but based on invitational, persuasive opportunities to see something from someone else's perspective.
The other main character, Adam, is a much gentler and more relaxed person by nature, and I preferred reading the parts from his perspective. I appreciated the chronic illness representation related to his mother's death from MS and his distress over a recent MS diagnosis. I also liked reading about his family dynamics, and thought that he was a very interesting, well-rounded character. I don't think that the book adequately explained MS for people who aren't familiar with it, especially in terms of more recent treatment options, but his emotional and relational experiences related to chronic illness were very realistic and relatable.
I ended up skimming some through this book, because it includes a lot of unnecessary side characters and side plots that are peripheral to the story or never come up again. I think this book would be much stronger if the author had pared down the cast of characters, events, and vast number of heavy themes to focus more deeply on less. Nonetheless, I would recommend this to readers who are looking for books about Muslim characters or are interested in clean, sweet love stories.
arayofreading's review against another edition
5.0
Reread March 2020:
I am once again asking Hollywood to make this into a movie. Please we deserve it
May 2019:
This was so good and I want everyone to read it
I am once again asking Hollywood to make this into a movie. Please we deserve it
May 2019:
This was so good and I want everyone to read it
gigireadswithkiki's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’ve never felt so recognized and seen as I did with Zayneb; her fierce sense of justice, her hot headed temper, the way that the resolution of the story didn’t ask her to give any of this up in order to grow!
And Adam! I feel like it’s rare to see fictional Muslim characters that are not South or Central Asian, and the diversity of his character felt so refreshing and well researched! His struggles with MS felt so nuanced and I loved that his story arc focused more on his struggle to tell his family instead of a singular focus on struggle with MS.
Not only are these characters amazing, but the story plot was incredible, I loved the way S.K. Ali shows how deep-seeded Islamophobia permeates, from the Midwest to Qatar, from a mere classroom to a apartment complex’s swimming pool.
My biggest gripe with this series were all the Harry Potter references, which felt so contradictory with all the other social justice issues being addressed by the characters, but overall a fantastic story and I’m excited to pick up the next book in this series!
And Adam! I feel like it’s rare to see fictional Muslim characters that are not South or Central Asian, and the diversity of his character felt so refreshing and well researched! His struggles with MS felt so nuanced and I loved that his story arc focused more on his struggle to tell his family instead of a singular focus on struggle with MS.
Not only are these characters amazing, but the story plot was incredible, I loved the way S.K. Ali shows how deep-seeded Islamophobia permeates, from the Midwest to Qatar, from a mere classroom to a apartment complex’s swimming pool.
My biggest gripe with this series were all the Harry Potter references, which felt so contradictory with all the other social justice issues being addressed by the characters, but overall a fantastic story and I’m excited to pick up the next book in this series!
thisstoryaintover's review against another edition
SO MUCH LOVE FOR THIS BOOK. SO MUCH. SO adorable while also very intense and emotional.
kalista_putri's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. Like it!! Adam's friends are so supportive omg, I thought the girls are gonna be mean ones. Jadi tau juga topics that I don't normally read. Going to read book 2 for sure!!
balyeska's review against another edition
1.0
absolutely hated this. which is shocking because i rarely hate books
adam he was okay. i would’ve love his character more in another book maybe but he didn’t stick out for me in here.
zayneb
adam he was okay. i would’ve love his character more in another book maybe but he didn’t stick out for me in here.
zayneb
kittynovaaaa's review against another edition
3.0
3.9
90% of this book was spent by the two main leads being angsty over each other and barely exchanging words so yeah
90% of this book was spent by the two main leads being angsty over each other and barely exchanging words so yeah
ziyal's review against another edition
5.0
A cliche love story done right
Unlike other romances (especially for YA m/f) I can actually see these charcters starting a relationship let alone staying in one for a long time
Also I LOVE how both of them are religious
Unlike other romances (especially for YA m/f) I can actually see these charcters starting a relationship let alone staying in one for a long time
Also I LOVE how both of them are religious