Scan barcode
sm_readsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
this book takes a closer look at the issues of cultural identity and internalized racism through both as existing in the past (leila) and still occurring today (khayyam) and makes the reader contemplate what real legacy is and how stories are passed down through time and transformed. this book was fantastic, and made me really think about my perspective on life and how i should perceive things. it got very slow at some points and a bit confusing to follow but it was very good!
musaho's review against another edition
3.0
*Requested and ARC in exchange for honest review.
3.5 for now. Will write a review soon.
3.5 for now. Will write a review soon.
jessienancy's review against another edition
4.0
GENUINELY EXTREMELY INTERESTING!!! I just read it and all I could feel was a complete hunger for the mystery to be solved and them to understand Leyla and for it all to be unravelled and Leyla's legacy to be protected. Had me racing towards the end. The book was well paced and evenly balanced between the focus, and general teenage shenanigans - romance and friendship and, yes, pastries. And I LOVED the parallel story and mystery with Leyla and Dumas and Delacroix and Byron and how it all tied together - I genuinely thought that it was so clever and so well thought through. I also loved the rhythm, the pacing, how the tangles were worked through. And just the general art history that was constantly written through - all I want to do know is to visit art galleries and learn about them - something I had honestly never had much of an interest in before.
b00kh0arder's review against another edition
3.0
A very well written look at a story left untold during a fascinating period of art and literature, bringing to the forefront those whose stories have up 'til now been neglected.
queensaru's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
kim_j_dare's review against another edition
3.0
I have no doubt that many of Samira Ahmed’s fans will enjoy her latest. But it’s frustrating when a book that could have been really good is offered in mediocre form. In this story of modern-day Khayyam, whose life becomes intertwined with that of Leila, a nineteenth-century Muslim woman, Ahmed seems to be going for a theme of women being able to star in, and tell, their own stories. But she doesn’t give her readers enough credit, choosing instead to dumb things down by telling rather than showing through awkward, artificial dialog. And the contrived plot twists and convenient discoveries of documents and letters.... Whew!
Ahmed tackles big issues. I hope that as she continues to write YA lit, she’ll have a little more confidence in her readers and their ability to navigate nuance.
Thank you, NetGalley and Soho Teen, for the advance readers copy.
Ahmed tackles big issues. I hope that as she continues to write YA lit, she’ll have a little more confidence in her readers and their ability to navigate nuance.
Thank you, NetGalley and Soho Teen, for the advance readers copy.
lxmns's review against another edition
I didn't have enough time to read it, although I did think it was good and I hope to pick it up again at some point
talkativetaylor11's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0