zahrahm's review
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Reading this in Ramadan was an interesting experience. SK Ali brings forward many very real internal struggles Muslims struggle with on a daily basis and makes you consider why those feelings are there and how you react to the character’s struggles feels indicative of your own state. This book greatly benefits from a reflective reading. The descriptions of the two holy cities is beautiful, and many passages about Islam and wholesome Muslim representation brought tears to my eyes.
This book is real in a way that takes you along a journey of self discovery.
This book is real in a way that takes you along a journey of self discovery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Toxic friendship, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Chronic illness
taliabasma's review
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
I have a lot to say but basically I saw people comment on the miscommunication trope and was apprehensive but also not annoyed because while it is a cliche I do feel it’s a REAL AND COMMON issue that happened between couples. New, married, etc all couples have bouts of miscommunication and I think it’s the one trope you can scoff at but then you get into it with your partner and realize later it was all just *a form of* miscommunication. Not always but yet still super common so while I don’t love the trope, I don’t hate it as much as some others.
That being said, all their miscommunication was A LOT lol BUT I was okay with it because as someone in a long distant marriage myself I get that there are some things you want to tell someone when you are together physically — not that it’s ever stopped me personally — and they both were dealing with pretty high stress situations.
But I think what really pissed me off was 70% in. The LACK of communication in that one section was honestly just too much for me.
Dispite my irritation with that section I did read it all the way through because I enjoyed the writing style and I was invested in their relationship. I also think, reading this in Ramadan helped ME as a Muslim with some religious reminders and I love that.
That being said, all their miscommunication was A LOT lol BUT I was okay with it because as someone in a long distant marriage myself I get that there are some things you want to tell someone when you are together physically — not that it’s ever stopped me personally — and they both were dealing with pretty high stress situations.
But I think what really pissed me off was 70% in. The LACK of communication in that one section was honestly just too much for me.
Spoiler
How could you send him away without a single word when you are in a different country/continent? I was also pissed with Serina but that was her not him and Z knew that at the heart of it but she was just so SICK with anger and I personally couldn’t understand the logic of essentially dismissing him.Dispite my irritation with that section I did read it all the way through because I enjoyed the writing style and I was invested in their relationship. I also think, reading this in Ramadan helped ME as a Muslim with some religious reminders and I love that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Islamophobia
Minor: Antisemitism and Panic attacks/disorders
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