dawseyadams's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.75
nabilahs's review against another edition
4.0
I was intrigued by its synopsis and the local setting, especially with the hijabi lead character.
Queen of the Tiles follows Najwa, a young girl who just lost her best friend, Trina who suddenly died during a Scrabble tournament. Suddenly, someone sends her cryptic messages through social media to tell Najwa the truth about Trina's death.
The premise created by Hanna Alkaf is quite refreshing despite the twists that I saw coming. An engaging read and a fun twisty mystery.
A must for Hanna Alkaf's fans.
Queen of the Tiles follows Najwa, a young girl who just lost her best friend, Trina who suddenly died during a Scrabble tournament. Suddenly, someone sends her cryptic messages through social media to tell Najwa the truth about Trina's death.
The premise created by Hanna Alkaf is quite refreshing despite the twists that I saw coming. An engaging read and a fun twisty mystery.
A must for Hanna Alkaf's fans.
avatarstorm's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This made me want to play scrabble so bad.
This was such a fun, light mysterious read. I was invested in the mystery, I loved the inclusion of scrabble tiles and words. I enjoyed the main character and some other side characters, but really, everyone else was kind of a jerk. Everyone else was either rude, trying to drug someone, or showing major red flags. But I loved the diverse characters and their passions that shone through.
This was such a fun, light mysterious read. I was invested in the mystery, I loved the inclusion of scrabble tiles and words. I enjoyed the main character and some other side characters, but really, everyone else was kind of a jerk. Everyone else was either rude, trying to drug someone, or showing major red flags. But I loved the diverse characters and their passions that shone through.
ocobble's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.75
A thrilling read that had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It’s also very emotional reading about the main character’s grief she feels about her best friend’s death. This book is very well done.
sheac's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
shksprsis's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
gaby_aldridge's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
3.5
missoliviareadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
3.75/4 stars.
What a fun story this was.
I fell in love with Hanna Alkaf's writing in her debut book THE WEIGHT OF OUR SKY and she has been an auto buy author ever since.
The concept behind this book completely drew me in - a murder mystery set at a Scrabble Tournament? In theory, a truly bonkers concept. But in reality, a unique captivating story that, yes, is all about trying to solve a murder, but also shines a light on the power of words, perception and how grief can be such a hugely different journey for anyone who has been affected by it.
What a fun story this was.
I fell in love with Hanna Alkaf's writing in her debut book THE WEIGHT OF OUR SKY and she has been an auto buy author ever since.
The concept behind this book completely drew me in - a murder mystery set at a Scrabble Tournament? In theory, a truly bonkers concept. But in reality, a unique captivating story that, yes, is all about trying to solve a murder, but also shines a light on the power of words, perception and how grief can be such a hugely different journey for anyone who has been affected by it.
jaqylantern's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Some of the red herrings didn't work.
The biggest thing I didn't really like was them making the best friend seem horrible. She was just a popular teen? It didn't seem like she did anything that warranted so much hate.
The biggest thing I didn't really like was them making the best friend seem horrible. She was just a popular teen? It didn't seem like she did anything that warranted so much hate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death