ericapino_'s review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Very light hearted and simple.
Great for a “palette cleanser” as it’s very simple and good for younger readers (12-14)
Great for a “palette cleanser” as it’s very simple and good for younger readers (12-14)
olivia_balderstone's review against another edition
4.0
it’s cute, it’s a cute love story that i really enjoyed, i loved seeing the growth the characters showed, if i could rate it in half stars then it would definitely be 4 and a half stars
_lilyonbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
tyzia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
emosucculents's review against another edition
4.0
i've read 3 books with very similar plot lines all in a row and they do NOT miss.
this book was so good, i listened to the audiobook and ATE it up. it was cute, heartbreaking, and beautiful all in one. my only complaint is that i felt like a lot was happening all at once and it was hard to follow along if i stopped listening for a few seconds, but other than that, this book was so good and such an amazing sapphic coming-of-age story.
this book was so good, i listened to the audiobook and ATE it up. it was cute, heartbreaking, and beautiful all in one. my only complaint is that i felt like a lot was happening all at once and it was hard to follow along if i stopped listening for a few seconds, but other than that, this book was so good and such an amazing sapphic coming-of-age story.
emiiisen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
3.75
whiteflowerose's review against another edition
4.0
The Henna Wars is a YA sapphic romance with great muslim and brown/black representation and even more representation in the side characters. Even more importantly, it’s an own voice representation.
Yes, we need more of this!
This book manages to keep a particular balance between being lighthearted and cute and dealing with heavy and complex topics such as racism, homophobia, being outed, bullying and cultural appropriation and microaggressions, especially amongst teenagers. I also liked how it portrayed coming out to a Muslim family without getting too dark and heavy.
Overall it maintains a great balance between serious and light-hearted, and it definitely worked for me.
I love the discussion about the lack of diversity within LGBT representation and the intersectionality between sexual orientation/race/religion.
It also brings strong points on how people don’t realy care about social problems and discrimination unless it has a direct impact on them. It also shines a light on how the words of someone in power, like the president, can have a great impact and threaten an individual's life.
My favourite thing about this book was the characters, especifically Nishat, Priti, and Flávia. They were all well developed, complex, distinct and flawed.
I absolutely love the sister’s relationship.
On a personal level, I did relate to the coming out process of Nishat to her parents. At times, they said the same exact thing in real life. At one point, I even wrote in the book “Dad, is that you?”
Also, the whole thing about being outed in high school, the whispering, the comments and the people refusing to use the same changing rooms as her hit a little too close to home. But that also means it is a realistic portrayal of that event.
My biggest issue with this book is the fact that no one saw any consequences for their actions, not in regards to racism, cultural appropriation or homophobia. It kinda sells the idea that he best way to handle racist and homophobic abuse is with a quiet, enduring dignity since Nishat actively protects her abusers many times, even when others support her and encourage her to report them.
Yes, we need more of this!
This book manages to keep a particular balance between being lighthearted and cute and dealing with heavy and complex topics such as racism, homophobia, being outed, bullying and cultural appropriation and microaggressions, especially amongst teenagers. I also liked how it portrayed coming out to a Muslim family without getting too dark and heavy.
Overall it maintains a great balance between serious and light-hearted, and it definitely worked for me.
I love the discussion about the lack of diversity within LGBT representation and the intersectionality between sexual orientation/race/religion.
It also brings strong points on how people don’t realy care about social problems and discrimination unless it has a direct impact on them. It also shines a light on how the words of someone in power, like the president, can have a great impact and threaten an individual's life.
My favourite thing about this book was the characters, especifically Nishat, Priti, and Flávia. They were all well developed, complex, distinct and flawed.
I absolutely love the sister’s relationship.
On a personal level, I did relate to the coming out process of Nishat to her parents. At times, they said the same exact thing in real life. At one point, I even wrote in the book “Dad, is that you?”
Also, the whole thing about being outed in high school, the whispering, the comments and the people refusing to use the same changing rooms as her hit a little too close to home. But that also means it is a realistic portrayal of that event.
My biggest issue with this book is the fact that no one saw any consequences for their actions, not in regards to racism, cultural appropriation or homophobia. It kinda sells the idea that he best way to handle racist and homophobic abuse is with a quiet, enduring dignity since Nishat actively protects her abusers many times, even when others support her and encourage her to report them.
char100t3's review against another edition
4.0
I was so tempted to dnf this book, the homophobia and racism made me soooo angry but I’m so happy I didn’t