morningsunshine's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
tfsheridan95's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.5
lina19's review against another edition
slow-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? Yes
3.0
emilyky's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.5
bbgx's review against another edition
3.0
Quite entertaining and enjoyable but a little childish, particularly when the storyline jumps ahead to adulthood. I always find it a bit silly when characters are described in comically exaggerated ways to demonstrate how “fierce” they are. It took away slightly from the overall plot for me as their lives just seemed so ridiculous. But the main thread of a friendship being tested keeps the story engaging.
tbose22's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
schnauzermum's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed Home Fire and Burnt Shadows so has been looking forward to reading Kamila Shamsie’s new novel. The first half is promising. The author is good on the ever-present threat of violence in Pakistan at the end of the Zia ul-Haq regime, and the relationship between the two girls, Zahra and Maryam, is well-drawn.
I struggled with the second half. Decades later, Maryam and Zahra are highly successful women in London. The writing seems flatter, and I found it much harder to engage with the adults than with the teenagers. The issues take centre stage: surveillance, technology, the asylum system. These are interesting, but I felt they detracted from the development of the characters. I’m afraid I was disappointed.
I struggled with the second half. Decades later, Maryam and Zahra are highly successful women in London. The writing seems flatter, and I found it much harder to engage with the adults than with the teenagers. The issues take centre stage: surveillance, technology, the asylum system. These are interesting, but I felt they detracted from the development of the characters. I’m afraid I was disappointed.
audreysova's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
There were some aspects of this book that were really working. In particular I really enjoyed reading about this friendship developing in their youth. The tension build around the "incident" was also really impactful. But it fell a bit flat for me when they interact in London as adults.
marianne253's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0