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nemoslittlelibrary's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“I wrote this book because we’ve lost too many people to hate and because so often we’ve witnessed the powerful and the privileged get away with murder. I wrote this book to tell a truth” - Samira Ahmed
Wow. This book is truly heart breaking and astonishing. I learnt and felt so much from the very first page.
Based on the horrifying real life slaying of 14 year old Bobby Franks in 1924, Hollow Fires is the painful story of 14 year old Jawad Ali being falsely accused of bringing a bomb to school by his teacher. He was then bullied and labelled “Bomb Boy” and then he goes missing. Safiya, a student journalist at a preppy private school sets out on a mission, facing her own racist and misogynistic obstacles in her path, to uncover what happened to Jawad. Guided by his ghost, she aims to ensure people do not forget about him - to remember him for his name and the injustice he suffered not his birthplace or religion.
Some points I loved completely:
⭐️Ahmed’s writing is very poetic even when talking about such a heavy topic, she creates mesmerising visuals.
⭐️Islamophobia is explored through various angles, as the characters are very diverse, having varied Islamic backgrounds.
⭐️Most chapters have prompts of “fact” “truth” “alternative truth” and “lie” really making you sit and ponder over the statements.
⭐️The chapters are set out in articles & transcripts as well as the usual chapter style which I loved as it varied and made me feel like I was also doing some investigative work alongside Safiya.
This is such a powerful story, I love how this is young adult, it is written in such a way that any age group can read and follow the story. Most adult readers may see the ‘plot twist’ from a mile off however I think it’s a good way to read around such a social issue.
⚠️There’s commentary on racism, islamophobia, patriarchy, bigotry, misogyny and right wing politics. It can be a heavy read so please check trigger warnings before. Some of the chapters were truly tear inducing but I believe it to be such an important book that everyone should read - learn a little more, be a little better.
Wow. This book is truly heart breaking and astonishing. I learnt and felt so much from the very first page.
Based on the horrifying real life slaying of 14 year old Bobby Franks in 1924, Hollow Fires is the painful story of 14 year old Jawad Ali being falsely accused of bringing a bomb to school by his teacher. He was then bullied and labelled “Bomb Boy” and then he goes missing. Safiya, a student journalist at a preppy private school sets out on a mission, facing her own racist and misogynistic obstacles in her path, to uncover what happened to Jawad. Guided by his ghost, she aims to ensure people do not forget about him - to remember him for his name and the injustice he suffered not his birthplace or religion.
Some points I loved completely:
⭐️Ahmed’s writing is very poetic even when talking about such a heavy topic, she creates mesmerising visuals.
⭐️Islamophobia is explored through various angles, as the characters are very diverse, having varied Islamic backgrounds.
⭐️Most chapters have prompts of “fact” “truth” “alternative truth” and “lie” really making you sit and ponder over the statements.
⭐️The chapters are set out in articles & transcripts as well as the usual chapter style which I loved as it varied and made me feel like I was also doing some investigative work alongside Safiya.
This is such a powerful story, I love how this is young adult, it is written in such a way that any age group can read and follow the story. Most adult readers may see the ‘plot twist’ from a mile off however I think it’s a good way to read around such a social issue.
⚠️There’s commentary on racism, islamophobia, patriarchy, bigotry, misogyny and right wing politics. It can be a heavy read so please check trigger warnings before. Some of the chapters were truly tear inducing but I believe it to be such an important book that everyone should read - learn a little more, be a little better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
lpdx's review
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Classism
krys_kilz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-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? No
4.5
This book had me holding my breath the entire time. It was very suspenseful and emotionally charged. Ahmed's social commentary was timely and razor sharp, which I really appreciated. The story was incredibly engaging without sensationalizing and thoroughly researched. I really loved the inclusion of court transcripts, Twitter feeds, news articles, etc. throughout the narrative - it made the reading experience more immersive.
As Sabaa Tahir's review put it: "With Hollow Fires, Samira Ahmed offers us an impossible-to-put-down thriller that is both spectacularly haunting and deeply thoughtful. Safiya and Jawad are not narrators we usually see, and their harrowing story is a wholly original commentary on perception, community, and the way society weighs one life against another."
At times, the story did feel a bit repetitive and predictable. Some of the metaphors were also heavy handed. But those were very minor things and did not prevent me from devouring this book. I really look forward to reading Ahmed's other work.
tw: Islamophobia, child death/murder, xenophobia, white supremacy/alt-right ideology and violence, antisemitism
* Side Note: It did feel a little strange to read a novel set in the present with no mention of Covid-19. I know almost no books or media mention the pandemic - which is honestly a little eerie - but it felt particularly glaring given how rooted this book was in current events and the current political climate. Especially given the links between alt-right/fascist/white supremacist rhetoric and Covid-19 denial/conspiracy theories. *
As Sabaa Tahir's review put it: "With Hollow Fires, Samira Ahmed offers us an impossible-to-put-down thriller that is both spectacularly haunting and deeply thoughtful. Safiya and Jawad are not narrators we usually see, and their harrowing story is a wholly original commentary on perception, community, and the way society weighs one life against another."
At times, the story did feel a bit repetitive and predictable. Some of the metaphors were also heavy handed. But those were very minor things and did not prevent me from devouring this book. I really look forward to reading Ahmed's other work.
tw: Islamophobia, child death/murder, xenophobia, white supremacy/alt-right ideology and violence, antisemitism
* Side Note: It did feel a little strange to read a novel set in the present with no mention of Covid-19. I know almost no books or media mention the pandemic - which is honestly a little eerie - but it felt particularly glaring given how rooted this book was in current events and the current political climate. Especially given the links between alt-right/fascist/white supremacist rhetoric and Covid-19 denial/conspiracy theories. *
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Hate crime, Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
Minor: Car accident
brokenbodybitch's review
5.0
I have so many feelings after finishing this. I’m angry, sad, frustrated but this book is nothing short of amazing. It jumps around many years, using multiple forms of media (think a good girls guide to murder with the podcasts, news outlets and such), it has so much going on, I know I can’t do it justice and I don’t even know where to start about how much I love this book.
I don’t know if I’d necessarily say it was an enjoyable reading experience because of the weight of the tw/cw in this book but it was beautifully written, with interesting and engaging formatting and dear god is it fucking accurate as all hell; I’m mixed/Arab and oh boy…I can’t count how many times someone has called me a terrorist, and like that is the tip of the shit iceberg Arab/middle eastern/bipoc people face on a daily basis and this book does not shy away from all of it and calling it out/talking about it; hence why it is such an anger inducing book but if you can take the tw’s and do not take them lightly at all! Really think if you can cope with it before you read but if you can then I cannnot recommend this book more
*⬆️ these are my initial thoughts ⬆️*
*full review to come*
⚠️DO NOT take TW/CW lightly! This book doesn’t shy away from the ugly, so really think about them and if you can cope with them before you read this book… but, if you think you can take them then I cannnot recommend this book more⚠️
I don’t know if I’d necessarily say it was an enjoyable reading experience because of the weight of the tw/cw in this book but it was beautifully written, with interesting and engaging formatting and dear god is it fucking accurate as all hell; I’m mixed/Arab and oh boy…I can’t count how many times someone has called me a terrorist, and like that is the tip of the shit iceberg Arab/middle eastern/bipoc people face on a daily basis and this book does not shy away from all of it and calling it out/talking about it; hence why it is such an anger inducing book but if you can take the tw’s and do not take them lightly at all! Really think if you can cope with it before you read but if you can then I cannnot recommend this book more
*⬆️ these are my initial thoughts ⬆️*
*full review to come*
⚠️DO NOT take TW/CW lightly! This book doesn’t shy away from the ugly, so really think about them and if you can cope with them before you read this book… but, if you think you can take them then I cannnot recommend this book more⚠️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Rape and Stalking
amberinpieces's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cursing, Blood, Medical content, and Car accident
ao3simp's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
This was honestly one of the best books I’ve ever read. Truly it was book that spoke out against how truly racist America is. Every word in the book was worth reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Murder, and Gaslighting
greenlivingaudioworm's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Grief, Car accident, Murder, and Gaslighting
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I kind of knew Hollow Fires would break my heart from the premise alone. And then within the book, my heart got broken about 5 or 6 times. Hollow Fires is heart wrenching, but don't let that discourage you. This book deserves to be read. It's an examination of radicalization, islamaphobia, and fuels rage, but also provides hope. From the beginning, Ahmed explores not only explicit hate crimes, but also the implicit way people give perpetrators "second chances". Or the way they are unwilling to speak against them, to see their own biases.
Being dual POV with Safiya and Jawad was going to wreck me. Spoiler alert, it did. Hollow Fires balances this chilling mystery and suspense - where is Jawad - with an examination of hatred and ignorance. Full of moments of fear in the pit of your stomach and rage in your heart, it's also has moments of levity and happiness, of romance and family moments. Piece of interviews sprinkled throughout the book heighten the suspense and atmosphere, while also looking at the events differently.
I kind of knew Hollow Fires would break my heart from the premise alone. And then within the book, my heart got broken about 5 or 6 times. Hollow Fires is heart wrenching, but don't let that discourage you. This book deserves to be read. It's an examination of radicalization, islamaphobia, and fuels rage, but also provides hope. From the beginning, Ahmed explores not only explicit hate crimes, but also the implicit way people give perpetrators "second chances". Or the way they are unwilling to speak against them, to see their own biases.
Being dual POV with Safiya and Jawad was going to wreck me. Spoiler alert, it did. Hollow Fires balances this chilling mystery and suspense - where is Jawad - with an examination of hatred and ignorance. Full of moments of fear in the pit of your stomach and rage in your heart, it's also has moments of levity and happiness, of romance and family moments. Piece of interviews sprinkled throughout the book heighten the suspense and atmosphere, while also looking at the events differently.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Racism, Antisemitism, and Islamophobia
reneethebookbird's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Hate crime, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny